Reverend Robert E. Royer

Reverend Robert E. Royer, 94, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 24, 2016. Born in Canton, OH on January 28, 1922, to Bessie and George Royer, he was the tenth child in a family of 14 children. He married Doris Sells on August 20, 1942. He was employed by the Hoover Sweeper Company in Canton, OH and years later for the Kanawha County Board of Transportation. The beginning adult years of his life were spent farming. He later joined the Army in 1945 and served 18 months. While serving during World War II in the Medical Corp in Heildelberg, Germany he often told stories about how he helped take care of General Patton after Patton’s automobile accident. After leaving the service, he contacted Anderson College (Church of God) in Anderson, Indiana to find out what courses were necessary to enter college so he could pursue his calling to enter the ministry. He took a few courses at Heildelberg University while in Germany with the thought of preparing for service to the Lord when discharged. In July 1949 he packed up his family and headed by faith to Anderson. While attending college, he worked in construction building houses to support the family. He graduated from Anderson with a Bachelors of Arts degree. He has since then pastored at the following Church of God congregations, Pickard, Indiana; Coldwater, Michigan; Windsor Heights, WV; Green Valley Church of God in St. Albans; Madison Avenue in Huntington and Madigan Avenue in Morgantown. From Morgantown he and his wife, Doris retired from active ministry to enjoy the log home he built in Bowerstown, OH. After retirement, he serves as interim pastor at the following churches, Liberty Street Church of God in Parkersburg; Ash Avenue Church of God in Moundsville; Amsterdam Church of God in Ohio and Green Valley Church of God in St. Albans. While in the state of West Virginia he served the Church of God as World Service DAYman, secretary and treasurer for Camp Ground Board of Directors, Credentials Committee, Chairman on the Board of Evangelism, Chairman of General Assembly, Jr. High Camp Director for three years at Camp Caesar in Webster Springs and Church of God Youth Camp. He loved the Lord with all of his heart and served Him faithfully from the age of 14 until his death. The ministry was his great love. He was a man of great integrity, compassion and kindness. Throughout his 40 years of ministry he touched and changed many lives by his example of a true faith. He depended upon the Lord for everything. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and great granddaughter, Samantha Thomas. Surviving him are his daughter, Carol (Jim) of Poca; son, LeRoy (Melinda) of St. Albans; sister, Helen Lohman N. Cambria of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Nicole Haynes (JP), Kim Foster (Melvin), Jimmy Saunders (Alisha), Tony Midkiff (Pam), Timmy Midkiff (Rita) and great grandchildren, Harley Thomas, Chase Haynes, Leah Haynes, Shane Saunders, Savanna Saunders, Brittany Workman (Brandon), Mitchell Midkiff (Kassie), Alyssa Midkiff (John), Kayla Midkiff (Harvey) and Corey Midkiff; also survived by great-great-grandchildren, Michael Washington, Sophia Thomas, Braxton Midkiff, Zoey Workman, Kayden Riggan and Harvey Booker, Jr. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at Green Valley Church of God, 518 Green Valley Drive, St. Albans. Burial with military honors will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Green Valley Church of God, 518 Green Valley Drive, St. Albans, WV 25177. Visit his tribute page at ChapmanFuneralHomes.com to share memories or condolences with the family. Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and operated at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Royer family.

Reverend Robert E. Royer

January 28, 1922 - November 24, 2016