The Reverend Bernard V. Witsberger “Pastor Bernie” 80, Entered Enteral Joy with his Lord On Monday September 11, 2017 at Winchester Medical Center.
Pastor Bernie was born on September 7, 1937 in Martins Ferry Ohio to the late Victor and Clara Witsberger. When Pastor Bernie was in the third grade he and his parents moved back to his parents’ hometown of Wheeling West Virginia. As a Graduate of Triadelphia High School in 1955, He entered the Air force for 8 years before getting out in 1963. After getting out of the Air Force, Pastor Bernie Started Work for The State Department. While working at the State Department, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Cunningham on November 7, 1964 in Wheeling. His beloved Shirley while they were inseparable, went home to be with Jesus, on April 23, 2008.
On September 18, 1965, they welcomed their first child, a son, Karl David Witsberger and three years and one day later, a daughter Karen Lynn. He was a Faithful member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, having been financial secretary from 1996 to 2013. Was ordained into the ministry on November 30, 2003. Pastor Bernie became a pastor of the Church in 2008. From November 1965 to November 1996 Pastor Bernie Worked for FEMA in the office now called the EOC. Pastor Bernie served on the board of the Virginia Weekday Religious Education.
Surviving are his two kids. Karl David Witsberger of DeSoto TX, Karen Lynn Lake of Woodstock Virginia, and a grandson Christopher Allen Lake of Winchester. Plus many loving friends.
Interment will be at Shenandoah memorial Gardens in Winchester.
A Celebration of life will be happening on September 23, 2017 2PM at the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Reverend Vernon Bray and Jeff Barbour officiating. A Fellowship meal will follow the service in the Church of the Good Shepherd fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for the new roof fund may be sent to, The Church of the Good Shepherd PO Box 3128 Winchester VA, 22604.