Rev. Merton Steelman named grand marshal

The Rev. Merton A. Steelman, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Allentown, has been selected to be the grandmarshal of the 55th Allentown Memorial Day parade to be heldMay 26.

Steelman was born and raised in Vineland. As a youth, he was very active in his church and the Boy Scouts. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of theArrow.

After graduating from Vineland High School, hewent on to Pfeiffer College,North Carolina,where hemajored in sociologywith aminor in religion. Fromthere, he attended and graduated from Eastern Baptist Seminary, Philadelphia.

Steelman has four children and five grandchildren.His oldest child, Paul, is serving with the Army National Guard in Afghanistan. His daughters, Kimberly and Jelyn, live locally. Daughter Kristin lives in Pennsylvania.

At an early age, he felt God was calling him to be a minister. His father was a local pastor and his role model. Steelman has served the people in many churches in New Jersey for almost 40 years and is completing his 11th year inAllentown.He is amember of the Hope Fire Company, the Alliance for DrugAbuse, theGoodNeighbor Fund, an active supporter of the CROP Walk and the Loaves and Fishes,Cub Pack 180 and he answers all calls for assistance.

It is Rev. Steelman's dedication to the communities of Allentown and Upper Freehold that has prompted theAllentown Lions Club to select him as grand marshal of this year's parade.