Obituary of The Reverend Frank Bodnar , 86

Reverend Frank A. Bodnar, 86, eight-year resident of Westminster Woods, entered eternal rest on January 28, 2017.

Pastor Frank was many things: beloved son of Hungarian immigrants, Frank and Julia Beregsasy Bodnar; full-time coal miner in Nemacolin, PA while putting himself through school at Waynesburg College and Westminster Theological Seminary; circuit rider for churches in Mt. Tabor, Allenport, Fairview and Nebo; founder of Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church in Elizabeth, PA; compassionate pastor for 44 years of United Methodist churches in Uniontown, Charleroi, Rochester, and Bethel Park, PA: and Chaplain, in retirement, for Country Meadows in Bridgeville, PA.

In his youth, he was a PA track champion in the 220- and 440-yard events. He was a pioneer in championing women in the ministry and especially loved baptizing babies. He was known for his joke-telling, a good fishing story, and making sure his sermons were shorter on Steeler Sundays.

But most of all, he loved people, and he was loved by many, especially by his brother, Richard, and sisters Jessie and Betty, who predeceased him; by his surviving children, Jon (Haven), Joy (Frank Ahern), and Amy; by his son’s children, Sierra, Jon Carrington, Haley, Channing and Sterling; by his sisters, Helen Perkins and Eleanor Price, and by his former wife, Barbara.

Services will be private. His family’s gratitude is tremendous to Dr. Rodney Sepich and the Westminster Woods staff, and ask that you consider making a donation to The Oaks at Westminster Woods, 360 Westminster Drive, Huntingdon, PA 16652. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.