Reverend George M. Harpel, 78, widower of Linda Harpel, of Boyertown, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at home.

Born in Hatfield, PA, George was the son of the late Clifford and Laura (Reifinger) Harpel.

Reverend Harpel was a 1963 graduate of North Penn High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Temple University. Following college, George served in the Army in the intelligence department during the Vietnam War. He attended seminary in Philadelphia after which he entered the Lutheran ministry. Throughout his pastoral career, the Reverend served in churches in both Maryland and multiple churches in Pennsylvania. His longest pastoral stays were in MD at (Burkittsville, Knoxville, Braddock) from 1977-1998 and at Paul’s Lutheran Sassamansville from 1998-2017

He was instrumental in running the food bank programs in the Brunswick MD area while in Burkittsville. He helped maintain and run the Church Basketball League in Brunswick MD. He helped to organize Toys for Tots in the area and every Christmas season organized Christmas caroling throughout the local community as well as delivering goods and gifts for underprivileged families in the community during the holidays.

Reverend Harpel is survived by two children, Daniel E. Harpel, husband of Beth; and Rachel E. Harpel; as well as four grandchildren, Riley and Zachary Harpel; and Leah and Julia Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday 11/23 at 12 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Burkittsville, MD. There will be a reception immediately following at the St. Paul’s parish hall (right next to the church). A memorial service will also be held at St. Paul’s Church in Sassamansville at a later dte. Please check back on the website or call the funeral home in the coming weeks.

Morrell Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of arrangements. (www.morrellfuneralhome.com)