David Hepler Lower of Ellwood City was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 12, 2009, following a brief illness. He was a man who loved his family and dedicated his life to God's work.

Born April 12, 1936 in Pittsburgh, Pa., David was raised in New Bethlehem, Pa. He attended Redbank Valley High School and continued his education at Williams College and Alfred University where he obtained an engineering degree. He began his career with his family's business, New Bethlehem Tile Company and later worked for Minteq Inc. where he retired in 1998. He continued working with his wife, Marlin Jo, as co-owner of Quad L Mercantile located in Franklin Township until 2003.

David was a long-time member of Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder, a Sunday school teacher and mission leader. He was a missionary both near and far having worked global missions in Sudan and Mexico and local missions with the Mercer County Prison, Carpenter's Project, Meals on Wheels and the Big House. He possessed a love for life and a love for people he met along his way. He was an avid reader, bicycler, fisherman and kayaker.

He will be deeply missed by his four children and their spouses, Greg and Diane Lower of Beaver Falls, Susan and Chris Rabenold of Allison Park, Becky Guisler of Ellwood City, Amy and Greg Foreman of Dillsburg, Pa., three grandchildren; Nathan and Emily Rabenold and Josh Guisler and two sisters, Lois Carney of Barberton, Ohio and Christine Hunes of Seattle, WA.

David was preceded in death by Marlin Jo Lower, who was his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 47 years; an infant son, Nathan Andrew; parents, Gladys and Clarence Lower and a sister, Mary Ann Lebowitz.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 13 from 2-4 and 7-9, at the Marshall Funeral Home 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City.

Funeral Services will be held at the Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. His final resting place will be Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Portersville.

The family requests that any monetary donations be made to Bell Memorial Presbyterian Church mission funds.