In Loving Memory Rev. David E. Pendleton 10/16/1949 - 7/11/2010  ST. JOHNSBURY, VT -Rev. David E. Pendleton, 60, died July 11, as the result of a bike accident in North Danville, VT.    David was born in Pasadena, California Oct. 16, 1949, the son of Helen Mulcahy Pendleton and David E. Pendleton Sr. Soon after his family moved back to Winthrop, MA where David grew up and attended local schools. He served in the Army, was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War and then returned to the Boston area and earned a degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.    For many years David held a variety of positions that contributed to his well-rounded life. He was a car salesman, ran his own rental car business, installed sunroofs, was a professional hypnotist, and operated his own moving business among other careers prior to attending seminary.    In 1996 David received his Masters of Divinity degree from the Lancaster Seminary in Lancaster, PA. Following his ordination he served the Standish Congregational United Church of Christ of Standish, Maine. He then moved to Lancaster, NH to serve as pastor of the Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ from 1999 until 2004.  Most recently David served as pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Haverhill, NH.    David served on boards and committees of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Grafton-Orange Association of the United Church of Christ. He was a member of several clergy groups and a board member of the Kingdom Recovery Center in St. Johnsbury, Vt.      Family members, friends and church members knew David to be soft spoken and compassionate, quiet and gentle by nature, and strong in faith. He believed that God guided his life and that our primary role in life is to honor God and love and support one another.    David’s family includes his wife Abby Joy Pollender of St. Johnsbury, his son Alexander Pendleton of Manchester, NH, his daughter Danielle Pendleton of Sharon, MA, and Abby’s daughters Molly, Ann and Kara Goolman of St. Johnsbury. He also leaves his siblings Charles Wheelock and his wife Rosalie of, Forest, VA; Pol Wheelock and wife Anita Anderson of Fairfield, ME; Diane Pendleton and her husband Bill Shanabruch of Richmond, VA; Suzanne Pendleton Rechis, and her husband Sal Rechis of Round Rock, TX; John Pendleton, and his wife Christine Jillson of Newton, MA and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by, his parents and his brother Thomas Pendleton.    David’s family is extremely grateful for assistance and support of so many friends and strangers who joined in the search for him. The professionalism and kindness of Sgt. Clement Houde and other members of the St. Johnsbury Police Department and Vermont State Police are also greatly appreciated.    A memorial service for David will be held, Saturday, July 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ, 142 Main St., Lancaster, NH. Friends are invited to join David’s family for a gathering in honor of David at his home at 401 Summer St., St. Johnsbury, VT on Friday, July 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.     In honor of David, people may make a donation to The Kingdom Recovery Center at 297 Summer St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.   Online Condolences From: Theresa & Joe Femenella   Mission Viejo Relationship:  friend Dear Abby and family, We are so sorry to hear of David's passing. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sent:  7/14/2010 From: Kristen Jones   Lancaster Relationship:  Friend Abby and Family - We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Kristen, Steven, Kailyn and Lauryn Jones Sent:  7/15/2010 From: Lise & Bill   Lancaster Relationship:  Friend Dear Abby, Please know we are thinking of you and the family. Our Love,Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Sent:  7/15/2010 From: Donna Hartford   Jefferson Relationship:  friend Dear Abby and family, Know through all the comfort you have given, this comes back to you. Sending love, hugs and prayers your way. Let us help when we can Abby. Love, Donna Sent:  7/15/2010 From: Jon, Patti, Gopi and Keshi Dugan-Henriksen   Lancaster Relationship:  friends Dear Abby, There are not words sufficient to express our sorrow at David's passing. He was our good friend, pastor, and neighbor, and he will be greatly missed. His capacity for loving, forgiving, and compassion is unmatched, and I know that he inspired me to want to be a better friend, a better husband and father, and a better Christian. You and the kids - David's and yours - are in our prayers. Blessings, Jay Dugan-Henriksen Sent:  7/15/2010 From: David and Beverlee Richter   Lancaster Relationship:  Friend Abby and Family, We are so very sorry. Please find some comfort in knowing the number of people that are thinking of you all and praying for you. Abby, I know that all the hearts that you have touched are reaching out to touch yours. Bev and David Sent:  7/15/2010 From: Carl and Sandra Yunghans   Lancaster Relationship:  friend Abby, we are both keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you peace and comfort. Sent:  7/16/2010 From: Pastor Cliff Vendt   Whitefield Relationship:  Friend Abby, Alex and family, you have my sincere sympathy. May God comfort you in your loss. David aptly led our Lancaster Clergy Association for several years and I have and will miss him. Sent:  7/16/2010 From: Charles and Pol   Forest Relationship:  Brothers We love our brother David and don't stop loving today. And we wish Alex, Danielle and Abby brevity in their sorrow and future joy and happiness in their lives as difficult as that may seem today. Sent:  7/17/2010 From: Becky Baldwin   Bath Relationship:  Friend We are very very sad to hear the news, and are thinking of you all at this sad time...Our thoughts and prayers are with you...love, Becky, Molly,Timmy, Charlie, and Sam Sent:  7/17/2010 From: Linda Staines   Jefferson Relationship:  friend Abby and family So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kevin, Linda, Chris, and Richard Staines Sent:  7/18/2010 From: Dave Grundy   East Montpelier Relationship:  Fellow Census Worker Abby and Family. I knew David for far too short a time. I relish the few opportunities I had to talk with him about things other than the census. In those discussions, I found him to be a sensitive and warm person. I feel fortunate to have known him, even for such a short time. Sent:  7/18/2010 From: Andy, Margo and Family   Lancaster Relationship:  Family Friend Abby and Girls, Our many thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this very difficult time. Please know we are always hear if you need anything. My God Bless you all! Our love, Andy,Margo,Mary and Mason Sent:  7/18/2010 From: Darcy Mangan   Cabot Relationship:  Friend Dear Abby, David's life touched many people. His gentle, caring spirit was evident from the moment I met him. I am grateful for the few hours I was blessed to spend with him. My prayers are with you and your family. Sent:  7/18/2010 From: Rena Ellingwood   Newport Relationship:  Professional Abby, I'm sending you a hug- Rena Ellingwood Sent:  7/19/2010 From: Joe, Rita and John   N Haverhill Relationship:  Friends We are fortunate to have many wonderful memories of David as our Minister and our friend. Please accept our sincere condolences. You are all in our prayers each day. Sent:  7/19/2010 From: Arlene Wilson & Family   Lancaster Relationship:  Friend Abby, Danielle, Alex and Girls, Wanted to express our sorrow and know that prayers are with all of you. David taught me so much as the first LCUCC secretary about the church, and how we can ALL learn how God wants us to be his servants. He served our God with all his heart, which tells us he's in our promised place. That is our our comfort. Love and blessings with his smiley face drawing which you can imagine. Sent:  7/19/2010 From: Ellen & Rich Castellano   Pepperell Relationship:  Cousin We send our condolences to David's family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Ellen & Rich Sent:  7/20/2010 From: Mike Foster   Lancaster Relationship:  Neighbor Abby, The grief you feel is unbearable, as unfortunately I am all too well aware. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your support toward me and my family. Our prayers go out to you. Mike,Caroline,and Patricia Foster Sent:  7/20/2010 From: Rich Ingersoll   Winthrop Relationship:  Friend I was so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. I have many wonderful memory's of my youth with Dave (Junior). I will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Sent:  7/21/2010 From: Kathleen Jones   Allentown Relationship:  Fellow clergy My deepest condolences on your loss. Along with the other participants, I had looked forward to meeting David at the Intentional Interim Ministry training course last week. We were deeply shocked to learn why he had not joined us. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who knew and loved him. Rev Kathleen Jones Sent:  7/21/2010 From: Maren Tirabassi   Portsmouth Relationship:  Friend, former pastor Abby, Alex and Danielle, David's death feels like a light going out in the world -- OK so that's not what a pastor should say -- but it certainly is how I feel. And yet I do know that his light and his humor and his hope is never going to be extinguished. David was too vital. David was too alive. God is too good. Donald and my prayers surround you all Maren Sent:  7/21/2010 From: Norma Roberts   Lancaster Relationship:  Friend Abby and Family, My Condolences to you and your family. Norma Sent:  7/22/2010 From: Lorna McKinnon   Lancaster Relationship:  worked with Abby Abby-sending you all my positive energy and thoughts during this loss--you have always been there for me. Sent:  7/27/2010 From: Janice A Spalty   Formerly Lancaster,NH Relationship:  friend and co-worker Abby, You helped me so very much when I lost Dar.I can only say that I have some empathy,losing a spouse after only a short,but wonderful second marriage.Only God knows why,but I trust He will show you someday as He did for me.I have no words that will help,but my prayers are with you. Janice Spalty Sent:  7/27/2010 From: Jenny Savage   Lancaster Relationship:  Friend I was shocked and saddened to hear of David's passing. He was a part of the three most important moments of my life - my wedding and the baptism of my two sons. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. The world has truly lost a special person. Sent:  7/29/2010 From: Lawrence P. Bibber   East Boston Relationship:  Friend The news of Dave's passing saddens me. I never knew he'd become a minister in our church. That story would be nice to hear. Dave and I go back far, grade school in Winthrop, Army in Europe, a bump in the night here and there. I tell my sons stories of our do's and dont's that Dave and I had. Good stories, he was a nice kid. I'll remember him fondly. Yours a Friend and family, Larry, Juanita, Georgette, Jahral, and Rydyl Bibber 617-561-4509 Sent:  8/1/2010 From: Denise Brickell Vaughan   Westford Relationship:  Friend Abby, Molly, Ann & Kara-I can't tell you how sorry I am to know David has passed. Caring for you as much as I do, I assumed the passage of time would provide many chances to get to know David better; to become his friend as well. While this was not to be, I am so glad the two of you were able to marry when you did and shower each other with love. While far too brief, I'm heartened that the time you had was filled with such happiness. That joy is something that can never be taken from you. You are all very much in our hearts and prayers. Love Bob, Jared & Denise Sent:  8/4/2010 From: Mamie A. Boyd   Richmond Relationship:  Friend To the Pendleton Family: I was very sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one. Please keep the memories of him alive; this is a very great comforting aid. I will be praying in your family's behalf. Please keep in touch with each other & not only during difficult times; the old saying is: A family that prays together stays together. I found that the resurrection hope mentioned by Jesus at John 5:28 7 29 can bring comfort also. I love you all. Sent:  8/4/2010 From: Kathy Frechette   Groveton Relationship:  Grief Group friend Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.May your love for David and your memories help you during this very sad time. Sent:  8/6/2010 From: John Gregory-Davis    Meriden Relationship:  Friend and Colleague Susan and I just returned from our vacation, and were devastated to learn of David's death. I grew up in Lancaster, and am so sorry to have missed his service. Although David and I didn't spend a lot of time with each other, I always admired and appreciated him. Our NH Conference has been diministed by his untimely death, even as those of us who knew and loved him continue to give thanks for all the ways in which he blessed our lives. May God's spirit of comfort and consolation be with us all as we commend David unto God's loving care, and continue to cherish his life and ministry in our hearts and memories. Sent:  8/6/2010 From: Stephanie Thompson   Riegelsville Relationship:  Seminary Classmate, Friend Dear Abby, Danielle, Alex, and loved ones, I was honored to call David a friend. We attended Lancaster Theological Seminary together and had a few things in common- one of which was our Massachusetts accents! I will always remember David's smile, love of life, his children and his commitment to his faith. I was saddened to hear of his passing and I pray that God's peace will be with you all. Sent:  8/16/2010 Send an Online Condolence   View Printer-Friendly Page