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On Saturday, March 22, The Rev. John H. "Jack" Estep of Garden Spot Village, New Holland, Pa., entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he loved and served. Jack was born in Bellwood, to Kenneth and Anna (Turnbaugh) Estep.
Jack's beloved wife of 62 years, Dottie, passed into the Lord's presence May 12, 2014, as did their son, John H. Estep Jr., April 19, 2014.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Vaughn D. Estep, whom he married in 2015; his daughter, Heidi Ann (Estep) Leu and husband, Pete, of Springfield, Ill.; daughter-in-law, Terrie Estep and grandson, John T. Estep, both of Elgin, Ill.; and granddaughter, Samantha N. (Estep) Swenson and husband, Mark, of Stoughton, Wis. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Nelson of Cleveland, Tenn.; his sister-in-law, Barbara Estep of New Holland, Pa.; his stepchildren, Robyn (Estep) Burlew of Richmond, Va., and Mark Estep (Cindy) of Jefferson, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Miriam Tarter, and her husband, The Rev. Sanford Tarter of Boise, Idaho; his older brother, Kenneth A. Estep of New Holland, Pa.; his younger brother, Frank Estep of Harrisburg, Pa.; and brother-in-law, The Rev. Peter Nelson of Miami, Fla.
Jack graduated from Altoona High School in 1948. He earned a B.A. in Archeology from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill., in 1953 and an M.Div. from Denver Seminary, Denver, Colo., in 1956. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1980 from that same Seminary.
Jack and his wife, Dottie, served churches in Rockford, Ill.; Longmont, Colo.; and Castle Pines North, Colo. Upon moving to Garden Spot Village, he became a founding member of The Community Church at Garden Spot Village, where he served as preaching pastor and as chair of the missions/finance committee of the church. Jack served on the board of the National Black Evangelical Association for over 10 years. He was also a member of the board of CrossNet Ministries and volunteered at GSV in a number of capacities.
For 26 years, he served in Administrative/Executive positions with Missions Door in Denver, Colo., formerly Missions to the Americas/Conservative Baptist Home Mission Society of Wheaton, Ill.
In addition to his family and his ministry, music and sports (especially cycling, skiing and golf) were areas of enthusiastic participation. He was first chair trumpeter of Altoona High School band and orchestra as well as of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.
For his passion for life, for his love for family and ministry, for his generous spirit and for his noted sense of humor, Jack will be missed deeply by those who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. Celebration of Life Saturday, March 29, 2025, in the chapel at Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, PA 17557.
Arrangements are by Groff High Funeral Home, New Holland, Pa.