Donald R. Shover Jr.

The Rev. Dr. Donald R. Shover, Jr., of Mechanicsburg, formerly of Lemoyne, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, at the age of 88. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he was the only child of the late Donald R. Shover, Sr., and Dorothy Mae (Brymesser) Shover. Dr. Shover was a 1955 graduate of the former West Shore High School, where he served as class president for four years, was a member of the National Honor Society, and lettered in both football and baseball. In 1953, he was named first-team center on the All Lower Susquehanna Conference Football Team, and in 1954 he was co-recipient of the Harrisburg Area Fourth Annual B’nai B’rith Sportsmanship Award. He continued his education at Juniata College, graduating in 1959, where he was a member of the Student Senate and the J-Club, and again lettered in football and baseball. He was also a proud member of the Dec. 2, 1956 Tangerine Bowl football team. Answering a call to ministry, Dr. Shover earned both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His doctoral project, “Developing a Responsive Process for Adult Learning in the Local Church,” was published in the Review of Religious Research in Spring 1980. Dr. Shover faithfully served for 50 years as a clergy member of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. Throughout his ministry, he served congregations in Hagerstown and Ellicott City, Maryland; and in Lock Haven, Williamsport, Mechanicsburg, and State College, Pennsylvania. His home congregation was Calvary United Methodist Church in Lemoyne. In retirement, he was a member of First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg. In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Shover held numerous leadership roles within the Conference, including Dean of Senior High Youth Camps at Camp Penn, Director of the Chi Rho Singers, member of the Conference Minister’s Choir, Chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and District Superintendent of the Harrisburg District from 1987 to 1992. He also served for more than 25 years on the Property and Casualty Insurance Committee of the Conference Board of Trustees and later as Clergy Assistant to the Bishop from 2000 to 2008. Dr. Shover was also active in the greater Harrisburg community, serving on several nonprofit boards, including the Neighborhood Center, where he was a former board president, and The Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg. Don enjoyed traveling with his wife, hunting, and fishing with family, playing golf, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.. He especially cherished attending their school, musical, and sporting events. He was preceded in death in 2017 by his high school “sweetheart”; his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara Ann (Searer) Shover. He is survived by his sons, The Rev. Mark R. Shover and his wife Heidi of Cogan Station, and David C. Shover and his wife Carolyn of Camp Hill ; one daughter, Dawn Marie Shertzer and her husband Brian of Middletown; seven grandchildren, Jon Shover (Raquel) of Philadelphia, Lauren Krebs (Donovan) of Enola , Emily Shover of Williamsport, Michaela Shover of Lancaster, Taryn Shover of Camp Hill, Jeremy Shover of Camp Hill, Dakota Shertzer of Middletown, as well as four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Bethany Village, The Rife Center, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Neighborhood Center of the United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 1801 W. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.

Donald R. Shover Jr.

October 23, 1937 - March 14, 2026