Rev. Dr. Larry J. Staner, 58, of Littlestown, PA died Wednesday, September 15, 2010 while vacationing in West Palm Beach, FL.
Born December 7, 1951 in South Bend, Indiana, he was the son of the late Robert and Katherine Fred Staner. He was the husband of Diana Pennington Staner, whom he married December 21, 1973.
On May 19, 1977 he received his Graduate of Theology from the Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri. He also received a bachelors degree on May 3, 1996 and a Masters of Arts degree on May 9, 2003 from Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport, Louisiana. On July 11, 2004 he received his Doctorate in Theology from Southern Indiana Baptist College in Dupont, Indiana.
He was a pastor at the Church of the Open Door since May 1987 and for 23 years he was the Leader of the Soulwinning Outreach Program at the Church.He enjoyed being a pastor and being with people. His love for Jesus and people's souls' eternal resting was his daily mission. His program was taught and received by many churches and is implemented today.
Through his program and leadership, thousands and thousands of people across the World have been reached through his ministries. His devotion to winning souls was his main purpose in life. His wife Diana and daughter Michelle are anticipating the day when they can be together again.
Surviving in addition to his wife are daughter Michelle Staner of Littlestown, brother Michael Staner and wife Linda of Niles, MI, sister Kay Farmer and husband Mike of Salem, OR and sister Linda Ernsperger and husband Dave of South Bend, IN.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm at the Church of the Open Door, 550 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster and from 12 noon until time of service, 1:00 pm Thursday at the church, with Rev. Dr. Norris Belcher, Jr. officiating and assisted by Dr. Shelton L. Smith, Editor of the Sword of the Lord. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum of Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Finksburg. Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, Westminster are assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Open Door, 550 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157.