The Reverend Donald Henry Moeser, “Pastor Don,” 90, passed away with his beloved daughter, Anne, by his side on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born on January 1, 1935, in Huntington, WV to the late George William ‘Bill’ and Caroline Rothermund Moeser.
Pastor Don’s earthly calling was to be a man of service. He served his country in the Army from 1954 to 1956 during the Korean War, and again as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserves from 1967-1977. He continued his path of public service, by being a preacher, a teacher, a professor of sociology, a social worker and civil rights advocate, having worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other great leaders. It was his great honor to be present for the signing of both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Most importantly, Pastor Don was kind.
He graduated from Huntington East High School in 1952, and continued his studies at Marshall College (later Marshall University), Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, West Virginia University, and The Ohio State University. He received degrees from all of these halls of higher education, and was ordained at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Huntington, WV, in 1962.
Don married Vicki Ann Staker Moeser on September 4, 1960, at St. John Lutheran Church in Powellsville, OH; she passed away on April 20, 2008. He married his second wife, Susan Elizabeth Fisher Moeser, on July 2, 2009, also at St. John; she preceded him in death on May 10, 2017.
He his survived by his daughter, Anne Katherine (Moeser) Yates of New York, NY; stepchildren, Peggy (Lewis) Spears, Kathy (Lewis) Dulje, Jennifer Lewis, and Jeffrey Lewis; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and grand-dog Cody, whom he affectionately called Corey.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings, George William ‘Bill’ Moeser, Jr., Carole Moeser, and Rosemary Moeser; and stepson, Kenneth ‘Frank’ Lewis.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 P.M. on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, 5600 Jr. Fce.-Powellsville Rd., Franklin Furnace, OH, with Rev. Janet Hatch officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery with military rites provided by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Memorial Fund and SOMC Hospice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth, where online condolences may be shared at RalphFScott.com.
In Dad’s memory, the family encourages people to reach out in friendship and compassion to all they may meet, so that we may all build our own better world.
“On earth as it is in heaven.” Amen.