Rev. John P. Shepherd

The Rev. John P. Shepherd Jr., Clarks Summit, died Friday evening after a courageous battle with cancer. He and his wife, the former Jo Anne Rath, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary March 31.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., son of the late John P. and Elizabeth Taylor Shepherd, he lived most of his life in Roselle Park, N.J., and spent summers at his family's cabin on Sebago Lake, Maine. He was a graduate of Roselle Park High School, Elizabethtown University and Princeton Theological Seminary. He was a member of the Presbytery of Lackawanna, where he served as pastor for the Tunkhannock, Plains and Athens Presbyterian churches. Prior to becoming a pastor, he worked for Wachovia Bank in New Jersey. He was a 20-year veteran of the Air Force and Air National Guard, serving in Germany.

Also surviving are a son, John P. Shepherd III, Clarks Summit; and a daughter, Bethany Anne McCann and husband, Robert, Ocean Gate, N.J.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit with the Rev. William G. Carter officiating.

Memorial contributions may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, 300 School St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411; or Third Westminster Presbyterian Church, 780 Salem Ave., Elizabeth, NJ 07208. Arrangements by the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.