Rev. Paul F. Shrider

Rev. Paul Franklin Shrider, 95, North Manchester, IN died at 10:20 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2011 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center. He was born October 19, 1915 in a log cabin near Duncan Falls, Muskingum County, Ohio. He was the fourth child of John Franklin & Florence (Holtz) Shrider. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manchester College in 1940 with majors in English and sociology. While at Manchester he met Violet Bollman and married her on September 1, 1940. She preceded him in death on July 30, 2007. After graduating from Lash High School in Zanesville, Ohio, he spent one year helping his father farm and then worked two years for Holbein Supply Co., mainly in their coal strip mine. In 1943 he earned a Master of Theology degree from Bethany Biblical Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. During his time at Bethany he became a Licensed Stationary Steam Engineer and worked in their heating plant. Licensed to the ministry in 1938 and ordained in 1938, he served as full time pastor for one year at a mission point at Dillonvale, Ohio and then for four years at the Chippewa Church near Creston, Ohio. In 1948, he was invited back to Bethany Seminary to serve as Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for a period of 16 years. When Bethany decided to move to Oak Brook, Illinois, he served on the building committee as on site representative for the Seminary. While working for Bethany he also served as part-time pastor for nine years at the West Branch Church near Forreston, Illinois. In 1964, he assumed operation of Manchester College's heating plant. He eventually became Director of the Physical Plant, a position he held until his retirement in 1981. While working at the College he served 16 years as pastor of the North Webster Church of the Brethren. After retirement he drew up plans for a new church building, served as construction manager for the new North Webster Church, and did major "hands on" work for plumbing, heating and electrical parts of the construction. During his active life he earned licenses for a Stationary Steam Engineer and a Maintenance Electrician for the City of Chicago, and a licensed Plumbing Contractor in Indiana. He held memberships in The American Institute of Plant Engineers, The Association of Physical Plant Administration of Universities and Colleges, and the Ministers Association of the Church of the Brethren. He served on three Disaster Response Projects and traveled extensively. He is survived by a son, Paul L. Shrider, North Manchester, IN and a daughter, Mrs. George (Sharon) Spies of Mishawaka, IN. Three granddaughters, Mrs. Steven (Karen) Baer, Hebron, KY; Michele Tackett, Indianapolis, IN; and Mrs. David (Wynne) Trowbridge, Osceola, IN. Four great-grandchildren, Jessica Baer, Jayden Baer, Blake Trowbridge and Lauryn Trowbridge. Services will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the Timbercrest Assembly Room, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN. Friends and family may call on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. in Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN and one hour prior to services on Wednesday in the Assembly Room. Pastor Robert Wyman will officiate and burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Manchester, IN. Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Paul F. Shrider, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962 or Manchester College, 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962.