Rev. Dr. John A. Toms, age 71, of State Line, PA, went to meet his Lord and Savior at York Hospital on Monday, June 8, 2026. Born July 4, 1954, in Waynesboro, PA, he was the son of the late Raymond Lester Toms and Johanna Franciska Schinko Palmer.
Dr. Toms served honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Conflict from 1972-1978. While on active duty he achieved the rank of Quartermaster (QM3). While in the Navy he earned his GED. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he began his lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology from Shippensburg University. John went on to earn a Master of Ministry and lastly his Doctor of Ministry Degree. In his early career he developed and administered a residential psychiatric rehabilitation program, Chambersburg United Housing. He was a logistics coordinator at Letterkenny Army Depot. He worked as a psychologist for Turning Point of Washington County, Washington County Health Department Mobile Treatment Program, and the ARC of Washington County.
John then answered the Lord’s call and went on to serve his Lord and Savior for over 20 years. He served as minister with Heidelberg Church in Marion, PA and lastly retiring from St. Paul’s Reformed Church, Clear Spring, MD. He spearheaded numerous mission trips to Germany and Israel. Among his many hobbies, he most enjoyed amateur gold panning, collecting baseball cards, and he was an avid reader. Most of all he enjoyed watching Penn State football and cheering on his beloved Philadelphia Phillies!
Surviving is his wife of 41 years, Rebecca Myers Toms, whom he married on September 22, 1984; their daughter, LaChylle Marie Toms of Martinsburg, WV; grand dog, Ziva; siblings, Mark Faust (Ruth) of Chambersburg, PA and Beverly Toms of Waynesboro, PA; sister in laws, Leah Rodes of Waynesboro, PA, and Faith Gable of VA; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Raymond Rodes and Kevin Gable and a sister, Robin Toms.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11 AM at Heidelberg Church, 166 Colorado St., Marion, PA, where Pastor Dave Riley will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the above church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Inc., Greencastle, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hagerstown Area Pregnancy Clinic, 152, W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD 21740 or at www.hapconline.com. Online condolences may be offered on his page at www.zimmermanfh.com.
