Andrew Walter Wallin, age 67, of Mount Laurel, NJ passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior while surrounded by loving family on Friday, August 3, 2018.

Andy was born and raised in Pennsauken, the eldest of four siblings. He graduated from Pennsauken High School where he was on the wrestling and cross country teams. He then attended Philadelphia College of the Bible in Philadelphia (now Cairn University in Langhorne) where he met his wife Phyllis and graduated with degrees in Bible and Christian Education. He then attended Western Seminary in Portland Oregon where he graduated with an M.Div. They spent the next six years in Richland, Washington at Bethel Baptist Church where Andy was an associate and then head pastor.

Upon moving back east Andy worked at Marland Construction for several years and Cardone Industries as head of security before joining the pastoral staff at Fellowship Community Church where he served for 15 years as the pastor of worship, Christian education and administration before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Andy was a true shepherd pastor and loved using his gifts to serve the church body. He had the gift of singing and blessed the church with leading worship, singing special music solos and duets with Phyllis, participating in the choir, and acting in the church Easter musical as Jesus. He loved children and put himself on the nursery schedule and regularly served there. He had a special heart for widows and always took time to visit them, make sure they were being cared for and just being a listening ear. He was a mentor to many and a wise counselor. One of his greatest legacies was heading up the working of the Living Nativity every year, spending countless hours behind the scenes keeping all the wheels turning and plates spinning. He had a special knack for recognizing peoples’ gifts and putting them to work because he wanted them to feel needed and have a sense of belonging.

Andy, lovingly called "Handy Andy" by his wife, was extremely mechanically inclined and could be found partaking in various handyman projects not only around his house, but also at the houses of his daughters. In his leisure, he enjoyed hiking in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, at state and national parks throughout the country with his wife, and in the Moosehead Lake region of Maine. When he wasn't hiking he could be found zipping down the roads of Mt. Laurel on his bike with a friend or with the church biking group he started. His other passion was reading. He was a deep thinker and loved books on the spiritual disciplines as well as books by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. When he found a good book he would often buy multiple copies and give them to his friends and family.

He was young at heart and was like a pied piper leading the grandkids in wrestling matches, games of tag, jumping on the trampoline and playing at the park. He loved a good practical joke and "busting a gut" (his words) laughing. Letters to his daughters when they were away from home often included a funny story or joke as well as spiritual thoughts he had been meditating on from the Bible. He was extremely proud of his 3 girls and always encouraged them in their various pursuits. He was a gentle, loving husband described as "too good to be true" by his wife when they first met. He will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind.

Andy is survived by his beloved spouse, Phyllis Wallin (nee Yoder); children, Christy Lindsay (Christian), Dawn Sherf (Tom), Amy Eberly (Ricky); parents, Frank and Norma Jean Wallin; siblings, Dan Wallin (LouAnne), Jeff Wallin (Cindi), Cass Locke (Rich); grandchildren, Grace, Aiden, Naomi, Asher and Claire Lindsay, Kira, Kasey and Cole Sherf, Chase, Joanna and Katy Eberly. He was predeceased by his son, Jeremy.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Monday, August 13th from 10:00AM to 11:00 AM immediately followed by a memorial service, both at Fellowship Community Church, 1520 Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel, NJ. The service will be live streamed on the church web site:
https://www.fellowshipsj.org/

The service will also be posted to Facebook at a later date, for those who are not able to attend.

Final disposition will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Fellowship Community Church Building Fund 1520 Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054.