James L. Derstine, age 83, of Souderton Mennonite Homes in Franconia Township, PA, sadly passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022.  He was the husband of Kay I. (Keller) Derstine (18 years) and the late Fern (Moyer) Derstine (44 years).

James was born in Sellersville, PA, at Grand View Hospital, one of five children born to the late LeRoy M. and Margaret (Landis) Derstine.  He graduated from Christopher Dock Mennonite Academy in 1957; Eastern Mennonite University in 1968 with a Bible Major; Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1970 in Pastoral Training and Ohio State University in 1980 with a Master's in Adult Education.

He jokingly referred to himself as a preacher, painter and procrastinator.  He was a house painter by trade and worked for various employers and was self-employed as well.  Professionally, James was called to be a pastor at various churches including Methacton Mennonite Church of Worcester, PA, Columbus Mennonite Church of Columbus, OH, and lastly, Germantown Mennonite Church of Philadelphia, PA.  He served as a teacher at Bethany Christian High School, Goshen, IN; as Director of Academic Counseling at Franklin University, Columbus, OH; as Director of Church Relations at Mennonite Mission Network, Elkhart, IN; and as part-time chaplain at Dock Meadows of Living Branches, Hatfield, PA.  He loved to drive and was also employed by Hagey Coach and Tours.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Fern H. (Moyer) Derstine; and a sibling, Louise Ann Derstine. He is survived by three other siblings, Ivan Derstine (Lorene) of Harleysville, PA, Margaret Conrad (Glenn) of Driggs, ID, and Gerald Derstine (Susan) of Hatfield, PA; his two children with his first wife, Jodi Miller (Bryan) of Colorado Springs, CO and J. Darin Derstine of Goshen, IN; and four grandchildren, Indigo Miller (Connor Tyrell) of Boston, MA; Seth Miller of Colorado Springs, CO; and Isaak and Andrew Icenhower-Derstine, both of Denver, CO.

James remarried in 2004 and is survived by his wife, Kay I. (Keller) Derstine; and her three children, Dennis Leatherman (Kathy) of Oakland, MD, Debra Snyder (David) of Green Lane, PA and Donna Halteman (Barry) of Lansdale, PA; and her grandchildren, Sam Leatherman (Karen), Daniel Leatherman (Harley), Brandon Snyder (Julia), Bryan Snyder (Erin), Joshua Halteman, Jessica Halteman and Jaci Halteman; and her great-grandchildren: Carson, Kenleigh, Shyla and Avery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Souderton Mennonite Homes, 207 W. Summit St., Souderton, PA 18964, Zion Mennonite Church, 149 E. Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA 18964, or Germantown Mennonite Church, 21 W. Washington Ln., Philadelphia, PA 19144.

Family will receive friends from 10-10:45 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Zion Mennonite Church, where the public memorial service will begin at 11 am. Burial will be private for the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.WilliamsBergeyKoffel.com .