John Kuhns Kreider, M.D., 83, of Manheim, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2013 at Pleasant View Retirement Community in Manheim. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Ethel P. Kreider, in 2010.
He was the son of John H. and Anna G. Kreider. A native of Elizabethtown, Dr. Kreider graduated from Messiah Academy in Grantham, Elizabethtown College, and Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia (1958). After internship at Lancaster General Hospital, he served for 4 years at the Brethren in Christ Navajo Mission Hospital in Bloomfield, New Mexico, where he met his wife, a registered nurse. After returning to PA, he practiced family medicine in the East Petersburg area until the mid 1980's. Over the years, Dr. Kreider spent time in various medical mission settings including Pennsylvania Welsh Mountains, North Philadelphia, and overseas in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Motivated by his personal faith in Jesus Christ, Dr. Kreider dedicated his life to serving and advocating for the disadvantaged. When he saw hurt, injustice or failure of the system, he worked tirelessly to correct it. He was a founding board member of Paxton Street Ministries and World Mission Associates. He served with various other organizations including Pennsylvania Council on Alcohol Problems, Center for Community Peacemaking (LaVORP), Messiah Village, and Center for Justice and Mercy. In addition, Dr. Kreider was an active member of the Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church serving in numerous capacities including as a Sunday School teacher, with the deacon ministries, and in missions. He was an avid reader, especially of poetry and old books, and was eager to share his latest discovery with those he met. A favorite author he often quoted was Sir William Osler, the noted physician.
He was devoted to his family and will be lovingly missed by his three children and their spouses: Dr. John W. and Susan N. Kreider, Bird-in-Hand; Dr. Mary A. and Pastor Gary T. Lathrop, Hummelstown; and Rebecca S. Kreider, Norristown, and his nine grandchildren: Leann Murphy; Danny, Laura, and John Kreider; Jeff, Matthew and Meghan Lathrop; and Katie and Sam Gingerich. Patricia Ncube of Philadelphia also considered John and Ethel to be her American parents. He is also survived by a sister, Lois Jean Peterman, Manheim, and was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Henry L. Kreider.
A memorial service and meal will be held at Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church, 1865 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster on Saturday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Center for Community Peacemaking "Dr. John Kreider Education & Caring Fund," Lancaster; Paxton Ministries, Harrisburg; or World Missions Associates, Lancaster. To submit an online condolence, visit: www.scheidfuneralhome.com 320 Blue Rock Road Route 999 Millersville, PA 17551 717-872-2266
LancasterOnline.com - October 1, 2013