Rev. Robert Hays Stone

Rev. Robert Hays Stone

Rev. Robert H. Stone of rural Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, was born October 6, 1937 in Linglestown, Pennsylvania to Dr. Darrell and Louetta (Lehner) Stone.  Robert extended his Christian walk into the presence of his Heavenly Father on September 28, 2016 in Chambersburg, one week before his 79 ^th birthday.

Robert H. Stone married Joy Martin, August 21, 1960 in Wayland, Iowa.  They were blessed to have seven wonderful children to this union.  Robert, having been in the ministry for sixty years is survived by his wife, Joy; his daughter,  Kristi Hamrick and her husband, Michael Hamrick, of Brentwood, TN, and  their four children: Lauren, Garrett, Corinne, and Ethan Robert; his sons, Robert II “Robb”, of Mercersburg, PA; Martin “Marty”, of Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Matthew and his wife, Leslie (Tunnell), and their two children: Eric and Lindsay, of Monroe, OH,  Stephen and his wife, Cheryl (Byers), and their four children: Madeleine, Daniel, Aimee Joy, and Caroline, of Noblesville, IN,  Nathan, Ph.D. and his wife, Kathy (Bowers), and their five children: Julia, Victoria, Justin, Kaitlin Joy, and Jackson Robert, of Pittsburgh, PA; his brother, Charles L. and his wife, Sylvia (Collins) of Mechanicsburg; and his sister, Frances E. Burkholder and her husband, Harold, of Dillsburg. Robert is preceded in death by an infant child; his parents; his brother Darrell K.; and his sister-in-law, Marjorie.

It was a privilege to have grown up in a pastor’s home.  Bob has given his entire life to the ministry of the Gospel and was a tremendous witness for Him even in his high school years when he carried his Bible with him to his classes.   He accepted Jesus as his Savior at an early age.  It was always his desire to be in full-time Christian service, either as a missionary or as a minister.  He felt the call for ministry early in his life.  Pastor Bob was known for his love of Jesus and as a preacher of the cross.

He lived in Linglestown until age two when his parents moved to York, PA where he attended Hartley Elementary School just across the street from their home.  When Bob was going into grade four, his parents moved to Mechanicsburg.  While there he completed his formal education, graduating from the Mechanicsburg High School in 1955.  For many years while in Mechanicsburg, he had a paper route.  After graduation from high school he went to Findlay, Ohio to attend Findlay College (presently The University of Findlay).  He also took a small church in the area where he began his preaching ministry in 1956.  He was first licensed to preach in 1956 and has been in the preaching ministry ever since. Following his graduation from Findlay College in 1960, he and Joy were married and they continued to live in Findlay for the next year and a half while Joy completed her college degree.  He taught fifth and sixth grades, was assistant football coach for the middle school and was the 7-8 ^th grade basketball coach.  In February of 1962, he and Joy moved to Camp Hill where he began his first full-time church.  He took some courses at Winebrenner Seminary but received his Master of Divinity Degree at the Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1971.

Bob served churches for the Churches of God in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Maryland.  He also served the Conferences as President, Vice President, Missions Board, Church & Pastoral Guidance, other Conference boards and committees, and served one term as Trustee of Findlay College.  For many years he worked in camps with his father, then Doubling Gap Center, and later in Christian camps in the Mercersburg area.  While in Iowa, he had a weekly radio program called, “Moments of Strength and Blessing.”  Bob dearly loved people and has said many times that he tried to see in others what Jesus saw in them.  He gave people the benefit of the doubt—knowing that Jesus loved them.  One of his special joys was to see the children come forward in church for the Children’s sermons…and he dearly loved giving little gifts to them every Sunday.

It was never Bob’s desire to gain a great fortune; his fortune was in loving and serving the Lord with all his heart and he taught his children and grandchildren to do likewise.  He takes great joy in knowing his children are dedicated to the Lord and are serving Him in their local churches.  Each of the grandchildren has been given a special plaque which says, “Grandchild’s name’…Spiritual Birthday….and the date on which they accepted Christ as their personal Savior.”  “I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk with the Lord.”

In 1994, at the age of 57, Bob entered nursing school and received his LPN degree, all the time, serving his dear friends at the church at Rohrerstown in Lancaster, PA.  His desire was to serve short time mission at the hospital in Haiti but that never developed as the hospital was being turned over gradually to the Haitians.  Never the less, he has used his nursing skills at the Doubling Gap Camp.  Another great love of Bob’s was serving as 8 ^th Grade Co-Director and 6 ^th Grade Co-Director for many years.  He loved to work with youth and children.

All are welcome to join Bob’s family at his viewing on Monday, October 3, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of God, 28 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor Michael R. Nelson and Reverend Tracy A. Conner officiating.  Bob’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at his church following the service.

Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Newville.  Honored to be pallbearers are: Robb Stone, Martin Stone, Dr. Matthew Stone, Stephen Stone, Nathan Stone, Ph.D., and Michael Hamrick.

Contributions in celebration of Bob’s life can be made to Doubling Gap Center, Home of Camp YOLIJWA, 1550 Doubling Gap Road, Newville, PA 17241, www.CampYOLIJWA.com.

Bob’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Bob’s full obituary, view his picture, and sign his official guest book at www.Buhrig.com .