Donald N. Valentine
Pastor Emeritus Baptist Church of Grafton



GRAFTON / LANCASTER PA: Pastor Donald N. Valentine, 72, of 368 Valleybrook Drive, Lancaster, formerly of Grafton, experienced his physical death on February 21, 2009, and is now living in the nearer presence of his Lord. He was the beloved husband of Carol L. Valentine, with whom he celebrated Fifty Years of Marriage on June 28, 2007. He was a devoted husband and father, a cherished friend, and compassionate Pastor. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Norman M. and Ethel Benson Valentine. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia, Eastern Baptist College in St David, Pa, and Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Mass. He was Licensed to Preach the Gospel by the Willow Grove Baptist Church on Nov. 10, 1958; and Ordained to the Christian Ministry on May 28, 1961 in the Beth Eden Baptist Church of Waltham, MA. It was his honor and privilege to serve his Lord as an American Baptist Pastor for forty-one years in the Beth Eden Baptist Church, Waltham, MA; the Grafton Baptist Church, Grafton, MA; Shawomet Baptist Church, Warwick, RI; Grace Baptist Church in Meriden, CT; and returned to his beloved congregation in Grafton, MA, for the last seven years of his active ministry. Following his retirement in 2002, he and his wife moved to their home at Valleybrook Estates and enjoyed sharing the ministry of hospitality with their many friends from New England. He enjoyed worshipping his Lord in many of the different churches and denominations throughout Lancaster County. For eighteen months, he served as the Minister of Visitation at the West Shore Baptist Church in Camp Hill. It was at this time his beloved congregation of The Baptist Church of Grafton honored him as their Pastor Emeritus. He became fascinated with the simple life and deep commitment of the Amish and cherished friendships with many of them. With his beloved wife at his side, they became visitors throughout Western PA for their American Baptist Pension Board, bringing greetings to many former pastors, missionaries and spouses. Throughout these retirement years, Don and Carol have enjoyed each other and the world about them as they traveled by land, plane and sea to places near and far. Don was seldom seen without his camera and enjoyed sharing the gift of his pictures. Beside his beloved wife, he is survived by his children: Robert, husband of Debbie of Auburn, MA; Roger, husband of Alyson of Royal Oak, MD; The Rev Doug, husband of Jackie of Overland Park, KS; Lisa, wife of William Maynard III of Quaker Hill, CT; and Lindie, wife of Peter Cambi of Fair Lawn, NJ; and fifteen beloved grand-children including baby Cambi's imminent arrival. He is also survived by a sister Lois, wife of Harry David Marks of Lititz, PA and was predeceased by a sister Doris Bogan. Memorial gifts may be made to "Good Samaritan Hospital, LaRomana DR" c/o Carol Valentine, 368 Valleybrook Dr. Lancaster PA 17601.
Services and Interment
Graveside committal of Don's cremains will be Thursday February 26th at 10 am in Pine Grove Cemetery Waterville St. (Rt. 30 ) in North Grafton MA. A Celebration of Life Service will follow the interment at 11 am in The Baptist Church of Grafton, 1 South St. Grafton MA. The service will be concelebrated by Pastor Philip Goff of The Baptist Church of Grafton, Don's son The Rev. Doug Valentine and The Rev. Christopher Stevens.