MEADVILLE — Lynn Shepard Hollinger, 89, retired merchant, businessman, farmer, church and community leader, left his earthly home, in Meadville, to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010.

Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. today at Meadville United Methodist Church with the Rev. David E. Cox of Meadville officiating and assisted by the Rev. Michael F. Childs of Louisville.

Burial will follow at Midway Cemetery in Meadville under the direction of Franklin Funeral Home in Meadville.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Hollinger was born May 24, 1921, the son of John Fielding Hollinger Sr. and Edna Sullivan Hollinger. He was a lifelong resident of Meadville.

Mr. Hollinger graduated with honors from Meadville High School in 1937, and Bowling Green Business University, with an accounting degree, in January 1943. He served during World War II from February 1943 through December 1945. While working in the Army Air Force Service Command/Mediterranean Theater of Operations unit in Naples, Italy, Hollinger was the first to confiscate and report a counterfeit “Italian Allied Military Currency” bill.

Upon his return after the war, Mr. Hollinger rejoined the family business, Hollinger’s Store, retiring at its closing in 1997. In the 1950s, he began what became one of his most enjoyed occupations, that of a tree farmer. In earlier years he also served on the Meadville School Board, volunteered with the Meadville Fire Department and was an active member of the Meadville Civitan Club.

Mr. Hollinger attended Meadville United Methodist Church his entire life, serving as church treasurer for more than 50 years. He served on various committees, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir until May 2001. He was an active member of The Intercessors, a prayer group which met in his home until his death. He was a one-man visitation ministry to Franklin County Memorial Hospital, Meadville Convalescent Home and home-bound citizens for a number of years, even after he could no longer drive himself.

He epitomized the gift of giving. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Olive Hollinger Hagan and husband, Lowell F.; one brother, John F. Hollinger Jr. and wife, Irene Mullins Hollinger; and two infant granddaughters, Angela Joy Kimbrough and Emily Parker Kimbrough.

Survivors include his faithful and loving wife of 62 years, Doris Jean Wilkinson Hollinger; three sons, Fred Hollinger of Cary, N.C., Dr. Bruce Hollinger and wife, Leigh of Nashville, Tenn., and Mark Hollinger of Tucker, Ga.; three daughters, Doris Lynn “Susie” H. Kimbrough and husband, Bob, of Meadville, Jean Shepard Hollinger of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Joni Lee H. Smith and husband, Carey, of Brookhaven; 11 grandchildren, Holli Lynn K. Bizarro and husband, Pascal, of Bowling Green, Ohio, Lindsay Alexander “Allin” Kimbrough of Jackson, John Robert Kimbrough of Meadville, Anna Grace Kimbrough, Bradley Shepard Hollinger and Sarah Elizabeth Hollinger, all of Nashville, Savannah Lynn Boles of Tempe, Ariz., Bonni Renee Boles of Greely, Colo., Fred Prentiss Smith, Madison Fielding Smith and Maggie Lynn Smith, all of Brookhaven; one infant great-grandson, Parker Benjamin Bizarro of Bowling Green; one sister-in-law, Glenna Wilkinson Reihl of Algonquin, Ill.; six nieces and nieces-in-law; five nephews and nephews-in-law; six great-nieces and nieces-in-law; and five great-nephews and nephews-in-law.

Memorials may be made to Meadville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 548, Meadville, MS 39653.