Rev. Bruce W. Potteiger

Rev. Bruce W. Potteiger, 76, of Fleetwood, passed away suddenly at home on Thursday morning, January 1, 2026.

Born on March 31, 1949, to Mae Marie (Wehr) and Earl Rentschler Potteiger, Bruce graduated from Wilson Joint School District, West Lawn in 1967, Kutztown State College (now Kutztown University) in 1971, and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1975. Pastor Bruce was called to a three-church union parish, Jacksonville Lutheran Parish, New Tripoli, where he served from 1975 to 1984. He then spent 19 years, from 1984 to 2003, as pastor of Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, Dryville. He concluded his formal pastoral ministry in the name of Jesus Christ in a shared ministry (Lutheran and UCC) at Salem Belleman's Church, Mohrsville, from 2003 to 2015. Bruce served as a speaker for Food for the Poor from 2016 to 2023 and was also called on to supply preach at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stony Creek Mills, and Faith Lutheran Church, Mount Penn.

Bruce was a man of many interests. Besides sitting in the woods, which some refer to as hunting, or standing in a creek, trying to fool fish, he spent time in his workshop and took pride in building stone walls. His time with his sons was precious to Bruce. He relished their time together and enjoyed the challenge of the projects they tackled. His faith in his Lord led him not only into the ministry but influenced how he related to everyone around him. His passion in ministry was mission trips, having led church groups on over 30 trips throughout the United States. Bruce and Anna enjoyed traveling, but even more, they enjoyed returning home to Pennsylvania and to their children and grandchildren.

Bruce is pre-deceased by his first wife Linda Lou (Miller) Potteiger who died July 24, 2000. He is survived by his beloved wife Anna Jane (Miller) Potteiger, his two sons, Andrew M. Potteiger, husband of Amanda J. (Baker) Potteiger, Mertztown, and Joshua

E. Potteiger, husband of Kristin R. (Arndt) Potteiger, Temple, his grandchildren, Austin, Grace, Avery, Ella, Luke, Lily, Maisie and Wayne, his great-granddaughter, Emma, his two step-children, Andrea L. (Boyer) Wright, wife of Michael Wright, Fleetwood, and Jesse L. Boyer, Kutztown, his sister, Carol Andersen, wife of Eric Andersen, Laurel, DE, his brothers, Marc Potteiger, husband of Stacey Potteiger, Fayetteville, GA, and Thomas Potteiger, husband of Cynthia Potteiger, White, GA, and by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his first wife, Linda, and his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by his sisters, Linda J. Peterman and Roberta M. Adam. Beyond family, there were many friends and parishioners whom he loved and he will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral Services for Bruce will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm at Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, 16 Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood, PA. A viewing for Bruce will be held on Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the church.

Burial will take place privately in Strausstown Union Cemetery, Strausstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brandywine Food Pantry, In Memory of Pastor Bruce Potteiger, St. Peter's UCC Church, 122 W. Franklin St, Topton, PA 19562

Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for our life long and very dear friend Bruce. Messages of comfort, sympathy and encouragement can be offered to Bruce's family at www.WalbertFuneralHome.com.