Obituaries

Reverend James H. Fetterman, 77, of Oakland Park, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale FL. He was born on December 6, 1945, in Bloomsburg, PA, the son of the late L Edgar Fetterman and Eleanor (Singley) Fetterman.

James graduated from Southern Columbia High School in 1963 and went on to Bloomsburg State College graduating in 1978 and then Virginia Theological Seminary in 1980.

He was married for 34 years to Susan Schlieder Matthew of Haughton, Louisiana.

He was married for 12 years to his devoted husband; Ildefonso Gonzalez.

James was employed by Milco in the early 60’s and Aetna insurance in the early 70’s. He served the Episcopal Churches and in Northumberland in Selinsgrove, PA from 1979-1985; Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Danville, PA from 1985-1998; St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Shreveport, LA from 1998-2001 and Trinity Episcopal Church in Roslyn, NY from 2001-2003.

During his early years as a priest, he played an instrumental role as an activist during the AIDS crisis. He organized participation in the first AIDS quilt that was ever made.

During his last 8 years of life, Jim was a member of the St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Pompano Beach, Florida. There he enjoyed an amazing community of Love and Service, assisted in the Altar when he could and now members remember him for his amazing humor, sweet smile and interest to make new visitors feel welcome.

Jim was incredibly talented in so many ways. He left paintings, beautiful needle point works, and sculptures made from paper. He did volunteer work for Romanza Lyric Opera where he played the character of Messiur Frimin in the musical Phantom. His major contribution for this company was creating all the customs for scenes of Rigoletto, L'Elisir d'Amore, West Side Story and The King and I in 2018. He made everything by recycling materials like curtains, blankets, carpets, etc... He was in his happiest mood when he was creating with his mind and hands.

Jim will surely be remembered by how fast he could respond with humor, his contagious laugh and his unconditional Love and Compassion. Jim was the ultimate Pacifist. He always lived in Forgiveness mode. Jim was an extrovert and treated everyone equally. He will be remembered for his many talents, including his amazing singing voice. Even the most unusual hymns were sung when Jim was in church.

In addition to his husband, Jim is survived by one son; Peter M. Fetterman and his wife Sandra of Shreveport, LA and one granddaughter; Eve Fetterman. He is also survived by two nieces; Barbara Davis and her husband Trell of Bernville PA and their sons; Connor and Landon and Denise Rhone of Catawissa PA.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Rhone.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of James’s Life to be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 2:00PM at Christ Memorial Episcopal 120 East Market Street Danville PA with Rt. Reverend Audrey C. Scanlan, Bishop. Friends will be received from 12:30pm to 1:45pm. Burial will follow in Grace United Church of Christ Cemetery, Mill Grove, PA.

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made online http://www.stnicholasfl.org click giving, then donate to the Holy Grill of St. Nicholas.