EDWARD NELSON HALLMAN JOINED "THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT" and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday morning, December 10th, at his home, surrounded by his family who had taken care of him since his stroke in 2004.

Ed was born in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania on May 6, 1927 to William Eugene and Ethel Finwall Hallman. The Hallmans were active in the Boothwyn Presbyterian Church, and the Hallman and Williams grandparents had lived in the Philadelphia and Delaware area for generations. In the midst of the Great Depression, Edward's parents moved the family - Edward, William, Jr., Arthur, Calvin, Alma, Clinton and Gordon - to South Florida to join the Finwall grandparents who had moved there earlier. From childhood, Ed was always interested in Natural History, with a natural curiosity about plants and animals. This interest blossomed in the Miami area .at his home near the Everglades .with his keen interest in tropical plants and horticulture. During World War II, at the age of 17, with his mother's signature, Ed joined the U.S. Coast Guard and sailed across the Pacific six times as a crew member of the U.SS William Weigel which transported wounded GI's from the Pacific Islands back to the States, and after the end of the war, took Japanese Prisoners of War back to Japan.

Returning to the Miami area after the war, Ed enrolled in the University of Miami, majoring in Botany and Biology. He was always active in the Miami Springs Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon while at UM as well as being President of the Presbytery Youth Council. He dedicated his life to full-time Christian service, and after graduation from the UM, feeling a call to the ministry, he enrolled at Columbia Theological Seminary. Following graduation from Columbia with a theology degree, he accepted a call from the Home Missions Committee of St. Johns Presbytery, Presbyterian Church, U.S. to organize a church in the South Miami area which became the Kendall Presbyterian Church. He was well known throughout the presbytery for his Bible studies and lectures on the history of the English Bible and with youth work including directing Presbytery Youth Camps at Presbytery's Camp Weekiwachee. From Kendall, he became Minister of Education at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church where he met his wife Peggy King, and they were married in September 1957.

Again, a call came from a Home Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church to organize a church in Lakeland, Florida. He and Peggy moved to Lakeland in January 1958, and under their leadership, three buildings were erected and the church flourished. While in Lakeland, he taught Bible and Church History as an adjunct professor at Florida Southern College and he was the Campus Minister to Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ students. He served as a volunteer Chaplain at Lakeland General Hospital and as President of the Friends of the Lakeland Library, and he was a frequent lecturer on the history of the English Bible and on ferns, orchids and other plants. He continued to direct Summer Camps at Presbytery's Camp Weekiwachee. He was named an "Outstanding Young Man" by the Lakeland Jaycees. His interest in art produced lovely watercolors, and his interest in printing led him to purchase a hand printing press where he set the type and produced stationery and postcards for his church.

In 1963, he was persuaded by The Rev. Hugh Ash to accept a call to The First Presbyterian Church of DeLand to become Associate Minister with an emphasis on the educational program and ministry to college students. During his 5 and a half year ministry at First Presbyterian, he was active in the community, serving on the Boards of The Friends of The Library, The DeLand Museum, and on the Mental Health Board and as president of The Evergreen Day School Board. He also served as Chaplain at the State Road Prison in DeLand and as a volunteer chaplain at the West Volusia Memorial Hospital, and he served two terms as President of the DeLand Ministerial Association. He was active in Kiwanis Clubs in both Lakeland and DeLand. He was also elected Moderator of St. John's Presbytery, and he was a delegate to three General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. during his 49 year ministry. In 1968, with his B.S. and M.S in Botany & Biology in hand,, he became a member of the Faculty at Daytona Beach Community College as a Botany and Biology instructor, later elevated to Professor., while continuing in the Presbyterian ministry serving as interim or supply pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Dora, Southminster Presbyterian Church, Glenwood Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Wildwood, Washington Shores Presbyterian Church; Howey-in-the Hills Presbyterian Church., and serving on various Presbytery committees.

At DBCC, in addition to teaching Botany and Biology, he developed a course in Photomicroscopy which he taught. He retired from DBCC in 1996, after a 27 year career. While there, he was selected as a "Great Teacher" and sent by the college to the Great Teacher conference in Wisconsin. He served as a botanical consultant to John's Dewkist Nursery in Apopka where he developed the "Green World Discovery" science kits for children. In 1988, he had become Pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in DeLand, a church which he loved and served for 15 years. In January of 2004, he was named Pastor Emeritus of the Westminster Church and recognized by Central Florida Presbytery for his years of ministry. He had been a member of the Audubon Society; the Fern Society; the Orchid Society; the Cycad Society the Bromeliad Society., and the Native Plant Society and a frequent speaker.
He loved his family, the church of Jesus Christ, Natural History, plants, animals and books. He was a Minister of the Gospel, a dedicated pastor, a scientist, and a scholar and a teacher, always reading and studying and learning, surrounded by books. He was mentor to many, and he was known for his delightful sense of humor. He is survived by his beloved family -his wife of 54 years Peggy, daughter Elizabeth Gaines, and son Matthew Edward who are thankful for his life and devotion. They provided for his care at home after his debilitating stroke of 2004. Surviving relatives are his sister-in-law Ann Hallman Walsh, nephews Eugene Hallman, William Hallman, Gordon Hallman, and Chris and Dale Carlson, and nieces Shari Hallman, Beverly Alexander,, Jana Johnson, Amy Vega, and his brother Gordon's daughters Caroline, Angela and Kathleen and Theresa.. Also surviving are his beloved sister-in-law Sarah Jewett King and nephews and niece by marriage, James King, John King and Antonia Hoffman. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings and by nephews Eddie and Emmet Hallman and his brother-in-law, Richard King.

Interment will be at Oakdale Cemetery, and a Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, DeLand, on Saturday, December 17th..

The family expresses appreciation for the thoughtfulness of loving family and friends and for the loving care of Home Health Aide Halina Stefanski, Eva Lesniewska, R.N; and Gentiva Home Health Care, and to the wonderful staff of Halifax Hospice of Volusia/Flagler for its loving and compassionate care during the past months. Memorial gifts in Rev. Hallmans' memory may be given to Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, or to Halifax Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.
Allen Summerhill Funeral Home will be handling final arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.allensummerhillfuneralhome.com.