The Rev. James H. Fisher, 78, of Salisbury Township and formerly of Berwyn, died July 15, 2014. He was the husband of Elissa L. Fisher for 58 years. Born in Rochester, he was a son of Mary Annette Wallace and Howard Delbert Fisher.

He graduated from Gettysburg College with a bachelor of arts degree in history. He then attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, where he earned a master's degree in divinity.

He was called to serve at First Lutheran Church, Johnstown; St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Allentown; and St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Devon. In 1974, he left the ministry to join his wife, who had together, co-founded The Hill Top Preparatory School, Rosemont, three years earlier. For the next 25 years, they built a model educational institution, meeting the needs of learning disabled adolescents.

He was the director of counseling and headed the school's clinical program, which was unique in private education at the time, and an invaluable component of the school's educational philosophy. Upon retirement, he continued to work with his wife as an educational consultant.

He attended St. David's Episcopal Church, Wayne, where he was a choir member for nearly 30 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, William J. and his wife Cynthia L.; and two grandchildren, Kelsey E. and Nicholas J., all of Allentown; and a daughter, Deborah and her husband J. Neill McKenna; and two grandchildren, Cana M. McKenna and Keely M. McKenna, of Wayne.

There will be a memorial service 2 p.m. Aug. 2 at the church, 763 S. Valley Forge Road, Wayne, 19087. A reception will follow immediately at the church.

Contributions may be made in Reverend Fisher's memory to The Hill Top Preparatory School, 737 S. Ithan Ave., Rosemont, 19010 or to the Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company, 3425 Eisenhower Ave., Allentown, 18103.

Arrangements were made by Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Allentown; www.eliasfuneralhome.com