Obituaries
The Rev. Blake Edwin Nicholson, Jr., 97
May 31, 2020
The Rev. Blake Edwin Nicholson, Jr., age 97, of Woodcrest Retirement Community, Lancaster, PA, went peacefully home to the Lord on Pentecost, May 31, 2020. Born on January 10, 1923, in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Dr. Blake E. Nicholson and Lucile Woodson Nicholson. He was married 56 years to the late Anne Elizabeth Dewees Nicholson.
After graduating in 1941 from Upper Darby High School (Delaware County), he took an Engineering Defense Training Program which led to employment at E.I. Dupont in Wilmington, DE. Blake later went to the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a member of Kappa Sigma and active in the Christian Association at Penn.
In September, 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserve’s V-1 Program. In June, 1943, he went into active service in the Navy V-12 Program. In 1948 he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an AB in the Arts and Sciences. He received a Master of Divinity from Emory University (Atlanta, GA) in 1951.
Blake was a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, from which he retired in 1989. He began his ministry with a pastorate in Georgia, and then pastored eight churches in southeastern Pennsylvania – Marshallton, Quarryville: Memorial, Glenside, Friendship, Gladwyne, Strasburg: Wesley, Allentown: Emmanuel, Bensalem, and in retirement, two churches part time. Blake served on many committees in the Conference, was a leader in Boy Scouts, and a counselor at church camps for over 25 years. He was the pastor of churches for 50 years. After retiring, Blake and Anne moved to Strasburg, PA.
Blake was predeceased by his brother Robert Early Nicholson (Joan Brown – a resident at Woodcrest Villa). Blake is survived by two children: Blake Edwin Nicholson, 3rd (Debra Lefever) and the Rev. Gary Lee Nicholson (Pamela Geary), four grandchildren: Andrea Vosper (Ira), Stacy Main (Timothy), Mark Nicholson (Anna Kellet), Rachel Fultz (Lucas), and three great-grandchildren.
Bishop Peggy Johnson, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, will bring the message at Blake’s Celebration of Life Service, which will be live-streamed on Saturday, June 6, at 10 am. To participate in the service go to: https://www.facebook.com/ChristUMCFunerals/
Click on “Video – Live” in the left column.
You do not need to be a member of Facebook to watch. If a window opens asking if you want to join, just click “Not now”. The service will continue to be available throughout the day and the following week.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center, 304 Pocono Plateau Road, Cresco, PA 18326, or to the Benevolent Care Fund, Mennonite Home, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
June 08, 2020
Nicholson families. Have many good memories of times with both Anne and Blake at Strasburg Wesley. May the memories you have sustain you in the coming days
John and Ruby Botham
June 05, 2020
Blake, Deb, Andrea, Stacy and families,
Our hearts go out to all of you on the loss of your dad/Pop. His impact was remarkable as are the memories of all that you shared during his lifetime. Know that you are surrounded by good friends during this time. Peace, hugs and our deepest sympathies.
Jenny and Steve Sheaffer
June 04, 2020
Dear Family, I am a son of the Glenside Church and was a youth when Blake served as the Associate Pastor there. He worked with the you and was my counselor when i a camper at the former Pocono Plateau Institute–a long time ago. He introduced me to the hymn, “The Solid Rock.” He and the other adults there were role models, and I am grateful. Turned out I served two of the churches on Blake’s Pastoral Record–Marshallton and Strasburg. Of course Blake will be buried next to Anne in God’s Acre, behind the Marrshallton Church.
God sustains and fills his people with hope and grace. He is with you and all who appreciate the Nicholson Family and will miss Blake as we do Anne.
Dick Howarth
June 04, 2020
Dear Gary and the Nicholson Family,
It was with sadness that Judy and I read your father’s obituary in yesterday’s paper. We are sorry for your loss, but can rejoice with you at Heaven’s gain. Memories of adventures at Pocono Plateau flood into my mind at this time, and your father also served at Milton Grove UMC where I reunited with him several times over the course of the years.
May I share these words of comfort with you at this sorrowful time? These words never fail to comfort Judy and I when we reflect upon them … GOD in love has promised grace for every trial, strength for every sorrow, help for every mile, and may GOD in sympathy and unfailing love impart help for each tomorrow and new courage to your heart. Cast your burdens upon the LORD, and GOD shall sustain you; The LORD shall never allow the righteous to be moved … Cast all your cares upon GOD, for the LORD GOD cares for you. (Psalm 55:22, 1st Peter 5:7)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
In sincere sympathy, Judy and Fred Holler
June 03, 2020
Dear Blake and Deb, Andrea, Stacy, and all of the family,
Our love and sympathy are being sent to you. What a wonderful life he lived! We were blessed to have known him.
Jim and Jan Gillberg
June 03, 2020
Dear Blake & Deb, Andrea & Stacy & all family members,
I know you all feel lucky to have had such a long time with a wonderful example of how to treat others and live a Christian life as that that your dad/Pop exemplified! But we know, too, that your sorry is deep because of the very same reasons. Please know we are thinking of you at this sad time. God bless you as you mourn & pay tribute to him. ❤️Brenda & Ted
June 03, 2020
Glorious reunion for Blake, I feel cheated because singing at Anne’s service was some of the best I had ever experienced. Looking forward to when next we meet
Charles McCarter
June 03, 2020
Dear Debbie and Blake. I want to express my sympathy to you and your family. He will be missed here at Woodcrest buzzing around on his motorized vehicle and for his interesting articles in the Woodcrest paper.
Vonnie Beck
June 03, 2020
Blake, Debbie and family, we are so sorry for you loss and keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
JoAnn and JT Eshleman
- Services
- Saturday, June 06, 2020
- 10:00 AM
- livestream-see obituary for link
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