The Rev. Dr. Charles P. Cressman Sr., 91, died Thursday in Rocky Mount, Va.

He was born in White Haven, Luzerne County, June 16, 1914.

He graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown and Mount Airy Seminary in Philadelphia and was ordained as a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He later earned his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Rev. Cressman served churches in Philadelphia and Lebanon, Pa.; Middletown, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; Parkville, Md.; and Prospect.

He also was a sociology professor at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and retired from Grove City College after 22 years as professor and head of the sociology department.

Following his retirement, he and his wife lived in Ocean City, N.J. and Sebring, Fla., before moving to Union Hall, Va.

He was often in demand as a supply preacher and most recently was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Va.

He will long be remembered for his warm smile, his compassionate heart for all, and his sweet spirit.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anna Surbeck Cressman; and three children, Philip and his wife, Linda, and Judy Monsma and her husband, William, all of Union Hall, Va., and Lois King of Lake Placid, Fla. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Chip Cressman of Roanoke, Cindy Collins of Salisbury, Md., John Getty of Chicago, Debbie Hale of Orlando, Fla., Beth Tomblin of Sebring, Fla., Bill Monsma of Marysville, Ohio, and Chris Karabec of Hudson, Ohio; and 10 great-grandchildren.

<B>CRESSMAN </B>— A memorial service for the Rev. Dr. Charles P. Cressman Sr., who died Thursday,May 18, 2006, will be held at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4608 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke, Va., after the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday, when the ashes will be placed in the columbarium of the church.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church's memorial fund.Arrangements are being handled by <B>Oakey's South Chapel</B>, Roanoke, Va.