David Blattner

David A. Blattner, previously an Assembly of God minister, went to be with the Lord in Findlay, Ohio, early morning on May 4, 2021. David was born in Coro, Falcon, in Venezuela on November 15, 1932, the only child of missionaries Adolph and Elsie (Fearey) Blattner. He was sent to the United States at age 15 to attend high school at Dubose Academy in Florida. He subsequently attended Southwestern Bible Institute (AG) in Waxahachie TX, and then graduated from Central Bible Institute (AG) in Springfield, MO. In 1955 he married his late wife of 58 years, Doris Lazar, who preceded him in death. David pastored his first church in Honesdale, PA. He subsequently pastored in Paradise Valley, PA; Tyrone PA; McKeesport, PA; Ashtabula, OH; Parma, OH; Carlisle, PA; and finally Erie, PA. before he "retired." Upon "retirement," he was a mortgage lending advisor for the Assembly of God Financial Services for many years. He successfully worked with many Spanish-speaking churches to arrange financing for new Church buildings. David was a kind, loving, faithful, passionate, mighty man of God his entire life. During his pastorate years, he impacted thousands of lives and mentored many young people who later went into full-time ministry. His passion for Godly education caused him to start two Christian schools in McKeesport, PA. and Ashtabula, OH. He also served in leadership in the Assembly of God Eastern District, worked with Teen Challenge, and traveled to the nations. But because of his heritage, his heart was in Latin America. In 2006, Pastor Blattner was honored to be the guest speaker at the 75th anniversary of the church in Venezuela that his parents planted in 1931. That weekend he preached passionately in his native tongue, in the town that he grew up in as a child. Family was everything to David, and he brought roses every Friday to his first late wife, Doris, until she went Home. He then did the same thing for second wife, Betty. His heart and love for his children and grandchildren will always be remembered. David is survived by his son, David Blattner (TX) and daughter, Debbie Blattner Oman (OH); four grandchildren, John Oman (OH), Joshua Blattner (TX), Justin Oman (OH), and Dylan James (TX); two step-grandchildren, Paul Calhoun (AR) and Eric Calhoun (TX); a great-grandson, Arrow Joshua Oman (OH); and his second wife, Betty Beck Blattner (PA). His Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at Gateway Church in Findlay with Pastor Ben Borsay officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the services from 1-2 p.m. Interment will follow at Powell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to a missionary of their choice for the furtherance of the Kingdom. Coldren-Crates Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the family and online condolences are welcomed at www.coldrencrates.com