The Rev. Dr. Arvids Ziedonis Jr., 86, Formerly of Bethlehem (Obituary Brought to You by Heintzelman Funeral Home)

The Rev. Dr. Arvids Ziedonis Jr., 86, formerly of Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, of Paradise Township, died Monday, June 26, 2017 at St. Clares Hospital, Dover, N.J. He was the husband of the late Zigrida M. (Vurlicer) Ziedonis, who died in 2013. Arvids was born in Daugavpils, Latvia on March 8, 1931 to the late Arvids Ziedonis Sr. and Maria (Kostakavich). Rev. Dr. Arvids was a 1955 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, and a 1958 ordinate from the Philadelphia Theological Seminary. His first call was at Holy Trinity Church, Steelton in 1958. He received a call to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill in 1962, where he also became a professor at Muhlenberg College and created the Russian Studies department and taught langauge, literature and religion. His Ph.D was received from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.  He was instrumental in building the new St. Paul’s Lutheran Church building and then received a call to Morgenland Lutheran Church in Orefield, where he continued with building a new church in 1974. In 1968 he was called as Pastor with the Latvian Lutheran Church in Wilmington, Del. In 1970 he was called as Pastor with the Latvian Lutheran Church in Quakertown/Lancaster, and he fulfilled this calling along with serving as Pastor of Morgenland Lutheran Church for 25 years. Affectionately known as “Dr. Z,” he was a professor at Muhlenberg College for 40 years. His legacy went beyond his ministry of long-term pastorates, building two churches, 59 years of ordained ministry, and teaching at Muhlenberg College and in Riga, Latvia. Nine books and journals were a huge part of his life and legacy, and are a testament to his legacy of inspiration and love. He will be remembered by so many for his vision in life and positive outlook. Dr. Ziedonis was a faithful member of Latvian Lutheran Church of Quakertown/Lancaster, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Applebachsville, and Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield. Dr. Z’s legacy at Muhlenberg College will live on through his teaching, students and wonderful memories.

SURVIVORS

Loving children: Dr. Douglas M. Ziedonis and his wife Patrice of San Diego, Calif., and their children Michelle and Mason; Rev. Dr. Ruth S. Ziedonis, Eric A. Ziedonis, both of Cresco; sister: Ilga Ziedonis-Johnson of Baltimore.

SERVICE

Family and friends are invited to call from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2017 at the Egner Memorial Chapel at Muhlenberg College, 2400 W. Chew St., Allentown. The calling hour will be followed by a service of celebration for the life of Rev. Dr. Arvids Ziedonis Jr. at 11 a.m. The interment will conclude services at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Morgenland Church Cemetery Association, 3120 Weidasville Road, Lowhill Township, Orefield, PA 18069. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown.

CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Living Nature Tree Memorial to be placed at Muhlenberg College. Please make check payable to Muhlenberg College, care of the funeral home, 326 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.