Obituaries
Rev. Howard Linn Finger
( August 10, 1938 - December 2, 2024 )
The Reverend Howard Linn Finger passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024. Linn was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Mary Louise Schulz Finger, who was born in Lancaster Pennsylvania and passed away in October 2011. He was also preceded in death by his father Calvin Banks Finger Sr., his mother, Carrie Hallman Finger, his two brothers Calvin Jr. and Neil, and his granddaughter Alexandra “Alex”. He was raised on the family farm in the Startown section of Catawba County.
After graduating from Maiden Senior High School, he attended and graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina and from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He also obtained a Masters Degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University and he was a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Reverend Finger served 50 years as a beloved United Church of Christ minister. He also served as an active-duty Chaplain in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star and for 23 years as an Active Chaplain in the North Carolina National Guard.
His pastoring career took place mainly in rural or smalltown churches in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Linn had an informal, folksy manner and was proud of the fact that both friends and detractors would refer to him as being a “high rise” preacher (stories piled upon stories).
Linn is survived by his sister Patricia Avram, his sister-in-law Lyvonda and the entire Finger family, his two much loved children Jenni and Michael, his beloved grandchildren, his nephew Andy Avram and Andy’s family, his close friend Kocja, a host of wonderful Royal Park Health Center and Liberty Hospice staff, and his many church friends.
A graveside service with inurnment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in the Salem Lutheran and United Church of Christ Cemetery with Rev. Christopher Czarnecki and Rev. J. Lloyd Spencer officiating.
After graduating from Maiden Senior High School, he attended and graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina and from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He also obtained a Masters Degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University and he was a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Reverend Finger served 50 years as a beloved United Church of Christ minister. He also served as an active-duty Chaplain in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star and for 23 years as an Active Chaplain in the North Carolina National Guard.
His pastoring career took place mainly in rural or smalltown churches in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Linn had an informal, folksy manner and was proud of the fact that both friends and detractors would refer to him as being a “high rise” preacher (stories piled upon stories).
Linn is survived by his sister Patricia Avram, his sister-in-law Lyvonda and the entire Finger family, his two much loved children Jenni and Michael, his beloved grandchildren, his nephew Andy Avram and Andy’s family, his close friend Kocja, a host of wonderful Royal Park Health Center and Liberty Hospice staff, and his many church friends.
A graveside service with inurnment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in the Salem Lutheran and United Church of Christ Cemetery with Rev. Christopher Czarnecki and Rev. J. Lloyd Spencer officiating.
Posted on 18 Mar 2025
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125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521