The Rev. Glenn H. Oberdick passed away peacefully on November 27, 2023 at Masonic Village, Sewickley, PA with his loving family at his side. He was born on the family farm in Luckey, OH on August 24, 1934 to the late John and Nelda (Fahle) Oberdick.
Glenn graduated from Capital University in 1956 and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1960, both in Columbus, OH. He served as the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Coraopolis, PA from 1960-1981. Glenn later worked as a Direct Support Professional at the Verland Foundation Homes in Sewickley from 1982 to 2004, where he served many residents with intellectual disabilities. It was his life’s mission to serve others, and he also became a familiar face at Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, where he continued to share his love of God and formed many lifelong friendships with members in his church.
At Webster Township High School, Glenn was an outstanding basketball player and was affectionately nicknamed “Kangaroo” by his teammates for his jumping and rebounding ability. His love of sports continued throughout his life and particularly for the black and gold sports teams of his adopted city of Pittsburgh. He also loved to attend (and sometimes help coach) the various sports games of his grandchildren, and he could be seen in the stands at various basketball, volleyball, and football games in the Pittsburgh area. Freed from his earthly constraints, his family fully expects him to quickly organize pick-up games in heaven.
His other true passion was working as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years and, more recently, as an Ambassador at the Pittsburgh International Airport – where he greeted and assisted international passengers who were visiting the Pittsburgh area. Even into retirement, Glenn served as a minister by baptizing children, marrying countless couples, visiting people in the hospital, and offering words of comfort to those in need.
Glenn was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Anley (Rafferty) Oberdick. He is survived by his sons: David (wife Sally) Oberdick, Pittsburgh, PA, Jon (wife Julie) Oberdick, Southlake, TX, and Mark (wife Renea) Oberdick, York, PA; seven grandchildren: Jocelyn (husband Ezequiel), Jonathan (wife Elicka), Sam, Elise (husband Brett), Abby, Bryce and Shane; six great-grandchildren: Damian, Micaela, Belen, Jaxon, Brielle, and Lilie; his brother Allen (wife Gretchen) Oberdick, Reading, MI; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Friends and family will be received for viewing from 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Copeland’s Funeral Home, Coraopolis, PA. Services will be held at Copeland’s Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, with a viewing at 10 a.m. before the service.
He will then be taken to Hoy Cemetery in Napoleon, OH for a burial service and internment at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 3rd. Friends and family are invited thereafter for a celebration of life at the Napoleon Church of the Nazarene a 630 Appian Ave., Napoleon, OH 43545.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Urban Impact at https://uifpgh.org/ or Lutherlyn at https://www.lutherlyn.com/.
