The Reverend Harold W. Von Nessen, Sr., 94, departed this life surrounded by his family on April 1st after a brief illness.

Reverend Von Nessen was born on Long Island in New York to Lily and Charles Von Nessen on October 2, 1921. He joined the Army during World War II and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas where he met and married his wife of 67 years, Minnie, who preceded him in death.

He was selected for Officer Candidate School while stationed in the South Pacific and returned to San Antonio to earn a commission as a Military Police officer. At the end of the war, he was a member of the occupation forces in Japan when hostilities broke out in Korea. He was deployed with the initial US forces as an MP company commander and was decorated for his involvement in the Pusan Perimeter.

Active in the Officer's Christian Union, he felt the calling to enter the ministry. He retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel in 1962 and moved his family to Columbia, SC to attend what was the Columbia Bible College, now CIU. As a component of his studies he served the Augusta Street Church in West Columbia, the first of a series of churches he served either as Pastor, interim or associate Pastor until his more permanent retirement in 2007. He last served with the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia. Minnie and Harold moved to St. Simons Island to be near his daughter, her children and his great-grandchildren.

Reverend Von Nessen is survived by his brother, Rollie; numerous nieces and nephews; daughter, Dr. Peggy Ginn (Gene); sons Hal Von Nessen (Susan), and Dr. Paul Von Nessen (Pauline); six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his parents, wife, Minnie, and an older brother, Howard.

A memorial service will be held at Magnolia Manor, 2255 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA, Saturday, April 16th at 2PM with inurnment at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Frederica Baptist Church Building Fund, 1700 Frederica Rd., St Simons Island, GA 31522 or to Magnolia Manor, 100 Heritage Drive, St Simons Island, GA 31522