Rev. Elmer E. Johnson III, 79, of Allentown, PA, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 in Westminster Village, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Elmer was born in Easton, PA in May, 1941. He was the oldest son of the late Elmer E. Johnson, Jr. and Ruth Louise (Marshall) Johnson. He spent his childhood and his young adult years on the East Coast, before relocating to the Mid-West, eventually settling in Fort Wayne, IN with his family in 1983. After many years in Fort Wayne, he returned home to the Leigh Valley in 1999.

Elmer was married to Susan S. (Snyder) Johnson for 41 years, until her recent passing in 2019. He was a graduate of Wilson High School, class of 1959, where he participated in football, baseball and basketball, and held many leadership positions within the student body. After graduating high school, he played football at Muhlenberg College for one year before transferring to Philadelphia College of Bible. After graduating from PCB with a B.S. in Bible in 1964, he continued his education at Dallas Theological Seminary where he completed his Masters of Theology in 1969. He also attended Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where he was studying toward his Doctorate.

Elmer's professional achievements include being an ordained minister, a beloved college professor, and a successful curriculum advisor. Over the years he shepherded congregations in Tampa, FL, Woodbridge, NJ, Lehighton, PA and Allentown, PA. He spent many happy years teaching Bible courses at Philadelphia College of Bible early in his career, and later in life became the Director of their NJ campus for a short time. While in the Mid-West, he was employed by Scripture Press Publications, of Wheaton, IL, for 16 years.

Elmer is survived by his daughters Jodi E. Shorb of Center Valley, Rebekah R. Sampson and husband Jeffrey A. of Allentown; a brother Keith R. Johnson and wife Candace of York, PA; grandchildren Taylor, Logan, Reece, Lia, Parker, Hayden, Eli, and Lyla. In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by a daughter, Stephanie S. Johnson.

The family invites you to join them for a graveside service, followed by an outdoor, COVID-compliant time of fellowship on Saturday, November 7, 2020. The graveside service will begin at 12:00 pm at Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 6782 N. Main Street, Coopersburg, PA 18036. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas Street, Easton, PA (Palmer Twp). Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com.