The Rev. John Philip Smeltzer, 84

December 01, 2022

The Rev. John Philip Smeltzer, 84, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022. He was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to the Rev. John F. and Thelma K. (Lytle) Smeltzer. John moved with his mother and two brothers (Nick and Jim) to Shamokin while his father served as a chaplain in the Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II.

After the war, John’s father served churches in Jonestown and in Lancaster County, where (in third grade in Denver), John met Anne N. Lausch, who would later become his wife. During the Korean conflict, John’s father returned to active duty with the Air Force and the family traveled with him to tours in Louisiana, Okinawa (Japan), and New York.

After graduating from Romulus Central High School in New York, John returned to Lancaster County where he followed in his father’s footsteps, attending Franklin and Marshall College (where John played football and lacrosse) and Lancaster Theological Seminary. In his last year of seminary, he was reintroduced to Anne, who was then teaching English at Kutztown Area High School. They married in 1963. In the same year, he was ordained in the United Church of Christ and commissioned as a chaplain in the United States Air Force.

John served 13 years on active duty, moving from Nevada to Alaska, northern Maine, the Panama Canal Zone, California, and outside Washington, DC. While in California, he earned a Master’s Degree in Speech Communications from California State University, Sacramento. He was decorated with the Air Force Commendation medal in Alaska and California for his special efforts in ministry.

John resigned his commission in 1977 to become an Associate Minister at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. As head of the church’s youth ministry, he led many canoe and camping trips on the Platte and Calamus Rivers, teaching skills he honed in his youth as an Eagle Scout. Later, his ministry focused on pastoral care for the elderly and homebound. While in Lincoln, John was active in the community as member of the local Kiwanis Club and volunteer for the Children’s Zoo. He served on the boards of the Lancaster (NE) Office for Mental Retardation, Lincoln Youth Service System, Planned Parenthood, United Way Planning Commission, and the Lancaster County (NE) Aids Task Force, and was appointed by Governor Bob Kerrey to the Nebraska Family Preservation Program. He completed his military service as a chaplain for the Nebraska Air National Guard, achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel.

John retired in 2000, returning to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to settle in Lititz. He stayed active by serving as an interim pastor at Salem Hellers Church in Leola and at Lancaster Church of the Apostles. John and Anne joined the Lititz Moravian Church, where John served on the Board of Elders and as an usher and greeter, and on the Board of Moravian Manor.

He will be fondly remembered for his generosity, concern for social justice, and mischievous spirit.
John is survived by his wife Anne; his daughter Kristen Rolison (Drexel Hill, PA); his son John L. Smeltzer and wife Cathy Flanagan and their daughters Julia and Lily (Washington, DC); and son Karl and wife Cassandra Cullison and their children Lena and Cameron (Washington, DC).

A memorial service will be planned at the convenience of family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 443 Fairview Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, or the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, 26 Millersville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603.