Rev. Dr. James H. Zeisloft

The Reverend Doctor James H. Zeisloft, 90, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, died on May 6, 2018, at Community Osteopathic Hospital, Harrisburg. Son of the late Earl B. and Eva (Bowers) Zeisloft, he was born on April 1, 1928, in Centralia, Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Centralia High School in 1945 and Penn State University in 1950. He received a Masters of Divinity degree from Drew University in 1959 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in 1978. His life’s calling to the ministry began in 1957 when he was ordained a deacon of the Methodist Church and in 1959 he was ordained an elder. He served several churches in the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Conference receiving appointments at: Catawissa U.M. Circuit; the U.M. Church of Nescopeck; Christ Church Shippensburg; Beaver U.M. Church of Lewisburg; First U.M. Church of Altoona; Aldersgate U.M. Church of York; Grace U.M. Church of Harrisburg; Harrisburg Intercity Parrish; and Riverside U.M. Church of Harrisburg. He also served as the U.M. District Superintendent of the Altoona District; YMCA Director of Camping, Harrisburg; as a Peace and Justice lobbyist for the PA Council of Churches; and traveled to South Africa as a mission representative.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, H. Jean (Wills) Zeisloft; a brother, Richard; and a sister, Elizabeth Minnich. Surviving are his children; James “Jamie” Howard Zeisloft, Jr. of Kennewick, Washington, Elizabeth Jean Zeisloft of Harrisburg, and Deborah Ann Zeisloft (and husband, Gerald E. Driggs) of Pittsburgh; and two grandchildren, Jacob Driggs and Sarah (Driggs) Turner (and husband, Sean Turner) of Pittsburgh.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 12, at 10 AM at Grace United Methodist Church, 216 State St., Harrisburg. A visitation and luncheon will follow at the church. A private committal service will be held at Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs, in Ashland, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Riverside United Methodist Church, 3200 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

For more information, or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.