Peter C. van Lierop

Peter Creswell van Lierop was born in Pontiac, Michigan on Feb. 8, 1944. He went on to glory on Friday, March 29th, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones, joining his parents Peter and Eleanor.

He grew up in Korea and Japan where his parents were Presbyterian missionaries, until he returned to the USA for his senior year of high school at Collegiate School (NYC).

He received a BA (Psychology) in 1965 from Hope College (Holland, MI) where he was President of the touring Chapel Choir and a member of the Arcadian Fraternity. In 1969, he received a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (NJ), after completing a year as a Student Intern Minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown, ND.

He served the following Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches in NJ: Marlton (Christ), Mt. Laurel (New Covenant), Medford (Faith) and NY: Port Jefferson (First) as a pastor, part-time Stated Supply, Associate Pastor, and Sr. Pastor respectively.

During his nearly 20 years in the ministry, he was Coordinator of Burlington County College Campus Ministry, developed and coordinated a volunteer Chaplaincy program at Garden State Community Hospital in Marlton, now Virtua Health. He also provided Counseling Services at Camden County CONTACT, was a volunteer member of the Marlton Rescue Squad and Fire Co. #1 for three years, and Chaplain of the Port Jefferson, NY Fire Dept.

He was Adjunct Professor of Social Science at Burlington Co. (1975-1983) and Camden Co. (1975-1979) Community Colleges teaching Psychology and Sociology. From 1978-1983 he was a Social Worker II and Program Specialist at New Lisbon Developmental Center (NJ).

From 1990-1999 he worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at Skills Unlimited (Oakdale, NY) and from 1999 to 2010 a Mental Health Therapist at Penndel Mental Health Center (Penndel, PA).

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, where he was a soloist and sang with the Chancel Choir, was secretary of the Worship Committee, and weekly Chapel Leader for its Child Care Center.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cheryl (nee Robbins); a brother Ben (Chris) van Lierop, two sisters Eleay (Alan) Austin, Marti (Mike)Valasek and Andrea (John) Paik-Tesch; and sisters-in-law, Darlene Robbins (Harry) Hamilton; Rachel Robbins and Merrybeth (Kevin) Farrell. A daughter, Heather (Dave) Towne; a son, Matthew (Shannon) van Lierop; grandsons Corey Towne, Kyle (Brianna) Towne, Hunter (Courtney) van Lierop, Griffin van Lierop, Parker van Lierop, and Draven van Lierop, granddaughters Emily (Eric) Almeter and Cameron (Daniel) Daubenspeck, and 5 great grandchildren: Lane Towne, Olivia Towne, Wesley Towne, Henry Almeter and Banks Daubenspeck, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A time to gather with family and friends will be held from 10am to 11am on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, with a Celebration of Life Service follow at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, 5918 Bristol-Emilie Road, Levittown, PA, 19057.  Interment is private under the direction of Galzerano Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s name to the First Presbyterian Church of Levittown Chancel Choir.