Rev. David W. Phelps
Rev. David W. Phelps
Rev. David Wesley Phelps, 96, died peacefully at the Star Hospice House in Lakewood, New York, on April 12, 2025. He was born on June 4, 1928 in Batavia, New York, the son of the late Harvey and Viola Woolf Phelps. He was a 1946 graduate of Pembroke Central High School and Morrisville Agricultural & Technical College in 1949. He was employed by the USDA Soil Conservation Service of Orleans County until he was drafted in the US Army in October 1950. He served in the Medical Battalion of the 4th Infantry division in Germany. When discharged from the Army he graduated from Houghton College and Alfred University School of Theology.
An ordained Elder of the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church, he had served as pastor in the following communities: Eagle, East Otto, Eldred, PA, Walworth, Livonia, Rochester Grace, Oakfield, Elba, and Hilton. He was the Protestant chaplain at the Batavia VA Medical Center (1977-1991). After retiring from the VA, he pastored the Basom and Alabama, NY United Methodist Churches. He was pastor emeritus of the Oakfield UMC.
He married Alice Mary Peck on April 2, 1951 sharing in over 64 years of marriage until Alice’s death on Dec. 8, 2015. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his two brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger (Mildred) Phelps, Norman (Grace) Phelps; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ella (Warren) Woolsey, and Ercel (Gerald) Scarborough.
He is survived by his three children John (Barbara) Phelps, Timothy (Elisabeth) Phelps, Lora (Jim) Keiper; sister-in-law Opal Phelps; five grandchildren, Rebecca (Dan) Embt, Joshua Phelps, Aimee (Josey Ferguson) Keiper, Julia Keiper, Jacob Keiper; three great-grandsons, Torren, and Ellis Ferguson, and Theodore Embt. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, family, and lifelong friends.
While pastoring in Genesee County, he volunteered with the ecumenical Churches United and its ministry in the Genesee County Jail. He served as chaplain of the Cathie Wild VFW post in Corfu, NY. In retirement he volunteered with the Genesee County Meals on Wheels for several years. At age 77, he took watercolor painting classes at BOCES, a hobby he enjoyed for many years. In his late 80’s he learned to play violin and then cello in the Suzuki intergenerational class on the Lutheran Campus. Our parents were long time participants in a fellowship of pastors and spouses called First Friday. He lived a life of faith and kindness that influenced and touched countless lives.
Services will be Tuesday April 22 at 11 a.m. in Christ Chapel at Lutheran-Jamestown, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, New York 14701. Enter through the main entrance of the former Nursing Home. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Rev. Laura Csellak and Rev. Daniel Rumfelt will officiate at the service. Interment will be at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Alexander, NY. Memorials may be made to: Star Hospice House, 32 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750, United Methodist Committee On Relief, 458 Ponce de Leon NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, or Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862.
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