Retired Episcopal Bishop Honaman Dies
Episcopal News Service. April 1, 1982 [82085]
HARRISBURG, Penn. (DPS, April 1) -- The Rt. Rev. Earl M. Honaman, retired suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, died March 17, at Landis Homes in Lititz after a lengthy illness.
Honaman became the first and only suffragan bishop of the diocese in 1956, serving in that post until his retirement in 1969.
A native of Lancaster, Honaman was born April 13, 1904, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Honaman. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and attended General Theological Seminary in New York in 1925. Both schools awarded him honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees.
He graduated cum laude from Philadelphia Divinity School in 1928. Ordained to the priesthood in 1928, Honaman served in six parishes located in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Bloomsburg, Carlisle and York before he was consecrated a bishop.
An Army reserve chaplain since 1934, he was called to active duty in 1941 as a chaplain with the 28th Division, serving until 1945. He earned the Bronze Star medal during World War II and was promoted to the post of division chaplain. lie returned to active duty in 1950 and served one year before turning to the parish ministry.
The Rt. Rev. Dean T. Stevenson, diocesan bishop, upon learning of Honaman's death, said, "Bishop Honaman was a caring and effective priest, bishop, servant and soldier. His years of active ministry spanned more than 40 years as he served in just about every post in the diocese. He was called upon many times to serve on provincial and national church committees. His deep faith, keen intellect and strong courage have been an example for the whole church."
Honaman is survived by his wife, Mary Shenk Honaman; one son, W. Frederick Honaman of Tokyo, Japan; two grandsons, Andrew Honaman of Yemen, Arab Republic and Walter llonaman, a Junior at Franklin and Marshall. He is preceded in death by one son, Walter H. Honaman, and one grandson, Stephen I. Honaman.
A memorial service was conducted March 22, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Lancaster.