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Reverend Arthur Edgar Gladfelter, 89, of Hughesville, Pennsylvania, joined the church triumph on March 25, 2026.
Born in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania on September 12, 1936, Art was the son of the late Harry Robert and Lillie May Gladfelter. He was the youngest of three children, brother H. Robert Gladfelter of Chapel Hill, NC, and the late Lillian Ruth Gladfelter McCubbin.
Art was married to his sweetheart for 58 years, the former Sharon A. Snyder. He was a proud father to his sons, Mark (Beckie) of Chesapeake Beach, MD and Joel (Sara) of Manchester, MD. He was a cherished grandfather to his six grandsons, Jack, Sean, Luke, Jude, Asher, John.
A 1959 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with an electrical engineering degree, Art worked for the Bendix Corporation in York doing circuit analysis and circuit design. At the age of 33, he entered Lancaster Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1972. He served as a student pastor at Violet Hill United Methodist from 1972-1974. He served as pastor at Dover Otterbein United Methodist from 1974-1981 (changed name to Dover New Creation United Methodist Church), Hughesville Christ-Clarkstown United Methodist from 1981-1995, and Hughesville Christ United Methodist 1995-1999 (now The Beacon). The "content, power, delivery, and sincerity" of Art's sermons granted him the privilege to be a long-term tenured pastor, serving eighteen years at Hughesville Christ United Methodist Church. In 1999, after serving four different churches, Rev. Arthur E. Gladfelter retired.
In his beloved hometown of Hughesville, PA, Art served. He was on the United Methodist Williamsport District Board of Church Location and Building as well as the Hughesville Borough Water Authority. He was at Hughesville High School recording the student concerts and at church recording the Christmas cantatas for the radio. He was walking the streets greeting all he met. Art had a servant's heart, and he willingly served his community.
Art's electrical engineering degree and his love of circuits shaped the hobbies that brought him joy and that he loved sharing with others. His model train display was thoughtfully designed and meticulously wired, always drawing children and adults who wanted to watch the trains run. He also built and flew radio-controlled airplanes with the Sky High Fliers and gave demonstrations to spark children's curiosity about flight. Whether on the tracks or in the air, Art's passion for circuits was evident.
"Well done, good and faithful servant!" Having touched many lives, Art leaves a cherished legacy and will be profoundly missed. He now rests in the eternal presence of Christ.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 from 5 to 7 p.m. at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home-Hughesville, 557 E. Water Street. A funeral service will be held at Noon Saturday, April 11, 2026, at The Beacon: A United Methodist Church with the Reverend Doctor Gary Weaver officiating. Interment of the ashes will be at Union Cemetery in Glen Rock, PA at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made in Art's name to The Beacon: A United Methodist Church, 146 S. Main Street, Hughesville, PA, 17737.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.