An expanded obituary project of
MennObits. Includes additional information of obituaries
appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers. Source of
individual obituaries given with each record. Project managed by
Thelma Martin.
2024
I to K
Janzen, Anna Stutzman
February 23, 1950 - March 19, 2024
Anna Stutzman Janzen, passed away at age 74 on March 19th, 2024 surrounded by her family, friends, and neighbors in Newport News, Virginia.
Anna is survived by her husband of 28 years, Jay Milton Janzen; step-daughter Erika Janzen, Kaneohe HI; step-son Jacob (Tressy) Janzen, Arlington VA; granddaughter Alyssa (Adam) Picadura and great-daughter Addison Gail Picadura, Honolulu HI; sisters, Viola Stutzman, Arthur IL; Mary Ellen (Danny) Rowe, Louisville KY; Sarah (Virgil) Kauffman, Arthur IL; brothers, Willis Stutzman, Arthur IL; Paul (Carol) Stutzman, Arthur IL; and Nelson (Karen) Stutzman, Conrath WI; and, in-laws Lois (Lyle) Preheim, Freeman SD; Ruthanne (Leo) Heatwole, James Melvin Janzen, Carla (Sherwin) Jacobs all of Harrisonburg VA; Rebecca Becky (Jack) Fullmer, Nampa ID, Deanna (Marlo) Kauffman, Goshen IN; and Margaret (Mustapha) Abderrahmane, Oakland CA; along with a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew Justin Kauffman, and sister-in-law Betty (Willis) Stutzman.
Anna was born in Arthur, IL on February 23, 1950 to Mr. Levi W. and Mrs. Lydia D. (Yoder) Stutzman and happily grew up on a dairy farm. Her memories of helping on the farm gave her plenty of material for storytelling. Following her graduation from Arthur High School, she attended Rosedale Bible Institute in Irwin, OH, and then volunteered as part of the Mennonite Voluntary Service in Jackson, MS. After her term of service, she resided in Jackson to become a licensed Respiratory Technician. These skills and experiences helped support her through college at the Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, VA earning a degree in Elementary Education. She felt called to service as a teacher at the Warwick River Christian School in Newport News and her loving spirit, gentle voice, and infectious humor endeared her to hundreds of school children and their parents, giving her delight as a teaching professional.
She joined the Huntington Mennonite Church and found life-long Christian love and support from the congregation. Their encouragement helped her to pursue a degree in a Masters of Arts of Theological Studies (MATS) at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, IN. She faithfully used her new found knowledge and training for a life of service. This service included time as a youth minister at Warwick River Mennonite Church and as the Associate Pastor at Huntington Mennonite Church. She also served as a member with the Eastern District of the Virginia Mennonite Conference as well as VMC’s Faith and Life Commission. A highlight of her ministries was baptizing young girls when they came to Christian faith.
Anna was a very engaging, loving, and forgiving wife and friend. She was certainly courageous in undergoing a liver transplant in 2002. The 22 years since then gave her fulfillment in returning to the teaching profession and time to enter pastoral work. As a teacher, understanding her students and individualizing their learning experiences gave her special joy. Her ministry legacy will include what she believed was the participatory engagement of church members in the life of the church, especially in praise and worship. Her absence will be keenly felt.
Anna’s friendships kept her emotionally balanced through thick and thin, offering a listening ear, words of encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on when needed. These friendships were a source of strength and joy for her, helping her navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and resilience. Whether celebrating achievements or consoling each other during tough times, their bond was unbreakable and filled her heart with gratitude. She knew she was lucky to have such amazing friends by her side, and she cherished every moment spent with them.
Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13th, followed by a celebration of life at the Huntington Mennonite Church, Newport News, VA.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Huntington Mennonite Church or to the Warwick River Christian School.
Kauffman, Esther Miller
March 9, 1952 - March 7, 2024
Esther Kauffman 71, of 5819 TR 362, Millersburg, passed away at the Pomerene Hospital surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 7, 2024 from heart failure.
She was born on March 9, 1952 to the late Albert and Ada (Wengerd) Miller. On March 9, 1971 she married Raymond Kauffman who survives.
Esther was a homemaker and a member of the Old Order Amish Church. She found joy in serving others and will be dearly missed by her family.
In addition to her husband Raymond she is survived by her children, Ada (Andrew) Miller, Robert (Edna) Kauffman, Joe (Mae) Kauffman all of Millersburg, Raymond (Amanda) Kauffman and Freeman (Bena) Kauffman both of the home; 24 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings, Iva (Alfred) Yoder of Canton, Freeman (Carol) Miller of Holmesville and Ray (Diane) Miller of Navarre.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at the home on Saturday, March 9, at 9:00 AM with Bishop Monroe Mast officiating. Burial will follow in the Miller Cemetery. Friends may call at the home after 5 PM on Thursday and any time on Friday.
A special thank you to to the staff at Pomerene Hospital for their exceptional care.
Miller Funeral Care – Walnut Creek, OH 330-893-2273.
Kauffmann, Lola Mildred Good
December 23, 1924 - February 15, 2024
Lola Mildred Kauffmann, 99, of Goshen, died Thursday, February 15, 2024 at Greencroft Healthcare.
She was born December 23, 1924 in Stanford, Illinois to Alvin and Bessie (Kaufman) Good. Lola grew up on farms in central Illinois with her parents and seven siblings. Family, farm, friends and church filled her life. From age 12, Lola felt a call to serve Christ and the church.
On May 23, 1946 she married Ivan J. Kauffmann who became a pastor, so she worked out her call as the wife of a pastor. Lola used her skills to teach Bible classes and children’s Sunday school classes. She participated in the Women’s Missionary and Service Commission, serving as Illinois state WMSC President for two years.
Lola and Ivan moved multiple times: rural Hopedale Illinois, suburban Lombard Illinois, Chicago Illinois, Tinley Park Illinois, and finally Goshen. Lola shared that moving to new locations was not always easy but “they were growing experiences in understanding myself, the world around me, and the church. I was often reminded of the verse in Isaiah 43.19 ‘Behold, I will do a new thing.’” Through the moves, she was active in Mennonite Churches: Hopedale MC, Lombard MC, Oak Park MC and most recently College Mennonite Church in Goshen. In 1989, Lola wrote “Simple living, responsibility and faith in God are my heritage and I am deeply grateful to God, my family and the Church.”
Lola always had some sewing or quilting project going. She sewed clothes, stuffed animals and quilts as gifts for grandchildren. Quilts were her passion, and she pieced and quilted those as well as wall hangings and comforters for family and for Mennonite Central Committee. Gardening was both a passion and a necessity, raising vegetables and fruit for her family of six children, as well as flowers for enjoyment and beauty.
Volunteering was a way of life for Lola. While living at Greencroft Goshen, she volunteered more than 3000 hours, including quilting, Library Committee, and serving evening meals in Manor IV.
She is survived by five children, Paul (Patti Borom) Kauffmann, Columbus, Georgia, John (Suzi Wilgus) Kauffmann, Knoxville, Tennessee, Mary (Jon) Kauffmann-Kennel, Elkhart, Ruth (Brian Roots) Kauffmann, Goshen, and James ( Deb Sawatsky) Kauffmann, Oak Grove, Minnesota; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Geiser Kauffmann, Goshen; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Eileen Nafziger, Illinois and Marilyn Kauffmann, South Carolina, and a brother, Walter (Lorene) Good, Illinois.
Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Joel Kauffmann; a granddaughter, Angela Kauffmann; three sisters, Helen Mumaw, Marcella Kossen, and Oleta Bachman, and a brother John Good.
A service to celebrate Lola’s 99 years of life will take place on April 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. The service will be live streamed.
Memorials may be given to Goshen College and designated for The Joel Kauffmann Scholarship Fund in memory of Lola Kauffmann.
Lola’s cremated remains will be scattered at Greencroft Goshen Memorial Garden.
Knepp, Katie Mae Bontrager
January 3, 1929 - March 24, 2024
Katie Mae Knepp, 95, of Topeka, (district: 32-1), died at 12:00 noon, on Sunday, March 24, [2024] at her residence. She was born on January 3, 1929, in LaGrange Co. to Mahlon N. and Rosa A. (Lambright) Bontrager. On November 23, 1950, in LaGrange Co. she married Roy J. Knepp, he died June 10, 1992.
Surviving is her daughter, Susie Ellen (Larry M.) Borkholder of Topeka; sister, Susie Lehman of Shipshewana; brother, Elmer Bontrager of Shipshewana; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Bontrager of Middlebury and Wilma Bontrager of Goshen.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, Mahlon, Wayne, and Mervin Knepp; sister, Clara Bontrager; brothers, Menno and Floyd Bontrager.
Katie Mae was a homemaker and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 2:00 pm on Monday, March 25, and all-day Tuesday, March 26, at the Joas Lehman Residence: 8430 West 400 South, Topeka. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Wednesday, March 27, at the same residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop Vernon Yoder and the home ministers. Burial will be in Bontrager Cemetery, Shipshewana.
Knicely, Amos Daniel
June 25, 1925 - February 5, 2024
Amos Daniel Knicely, 98, a resident of Dayton, passed away Feb. 5, 2024, at his home.
Mr. Knicely was born June 25, 1925, in Rockingham County and was a son of the late Daniel Coakley and Mary Etta Jones Knicely.
He was a dairy farmer and member of the Pleasant View Old Order Mennonite Church.
On Oct. 12, 1954, he married Anna Grace Wenger Knicely, who preceded him in death Oct. 14, 2018.
Surviving are his children, Dale Knicely and wife, Sharon, of Dayton, Steven Knicely and wife, Michelle, of Rockingham, Everett Knicely and wife, Martha, of Dayton and Margaret Michael and husband, Steve, of Mount Crawford; 17 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Knicely.
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Knicely was preceded in death by his siblings, Pauline (Amos) Horst, Marie (Frank) Rohrer, Marvin (Maude) Knicely, Ethel (Marvin) Rohrer, Alice Knicely, Reba (Owen) Shank, David (Mabel) Knicely, Martha (Paul) Shirk, Blanche (Oscar) Martin, Louella (Harry) Wenger and Howard Knicely.
Ministers of the Church will conduct a funeral service Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasant View Old Order Mennonite Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The body will be taken to the home of Dale Knicely, 1390 Coakley Town Road, Dayton, where the family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.
McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kreider, Nevaeh Danielle
March 7, 2024 - March 7, 2024
Nevaeh Danielle Kreider, infant daughter of Daniel Lee and Audrey Lovina (Kuhns) Kreider of Arcola, Illinois was stillborn at 11:29 P.M. on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.
A daughter loved and longed for by her parents and sisters, with dreams of a long and joyous life, she was instead welcomed straight into the arms of Jesus.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at the Pleasant View Church, 155 N CR 300 E in rural Arcola, Illinois.
Funeral services for Nevaeh will be held at 4:30 P.M. on Sunday at the Pleasant View Church. Pastor Matthew Bontrager will officiate. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Church Cemetery. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Nevaeh is survived by her parents, Dan and Audrey Kreider of Arcola, IL; three sisters, Felicity Spring (6), Roxana Peace (4), and Sarita Hope (2); grandparents Gerald and Esther Kreider of South English, IA, and Howard and Edith Kuhns of Arthur, IL; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends.
Her parents and sisters are left with a hole in their hearts and home, but also the hope that Nevaeh will be the first to welcome them to Heaven when their turn comes to go.
Kuhns, Deanne K. "Dee" Gisel
August 2, 1946 - January 15, 2024
Deanne K. “Dee” Kuhns, 77 of Arthur, Illinois passed away at 10:15 PM on Monday, January 15, 2024 at Carriage Crossing in Arcola, Illinois, with her husband by her side.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Arthur Mennonite Church, 710 East Park Street, Arthur, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 22, 2024 at the Church. Pastor Glen Rhodes will officiate. Burial will follow in the Arthur Cemetery. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Dee was born on August 2, 1946 in Wauseon, Ohio. She was the daughter of Ralph “Bud” and Violet “Vi” (Rupp) Gisel. She married Willis E. Kuhns on August 19, 1972 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
She is survived by her husband, Willis Kuhns of Arthur, IL, two sons, JD Kuhns of Effingham, IL and Mark Kuhns of Arthur, IL, four grandchildren, Laura, Elizabeth, Chris and Ethan, two sisters, Barb Hoth and her husband Phil, and Mary Martin and her husband Steve all of Fort Wayne, IN, her father-in-law, Jerry Kuhns of Arthur, IL, as well as brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, twin sons, Christopher Adam Kuhns and Curtis Andrew Kuhns, daughter-in-law, Kara Kuhns, one sister, Pat Gisel, and her mother-in-law, Ann Kuhns.
Dee graduated from Archbold High School, Archbold, Ohio in 1964. She then pursued her love for teaching by attending Goshen College and later earning her Masters in Elementary Education from Indiana University in 1972.
Dee began her teaching journey in the East Allen County School District where she taught 3rd grade until her move to Arthur in 1975. In Arthur, she continued to teach 3rd grade until the time came to raise her family. After the boys were old enough to attend school themselves, Dee became a substitute teacher across Moultrie and Douglas County. Dee’s impact extended beyond the classroom. She spent many years screening children for preschool with the EIASE program all over East Central Illinois and had served as the director for EIASE.
Dee was a devoted member of the Arthur Mennonite Church. Whenever the church doors were open, you could always find her there. She was an integral part of the Church.
Generosity and thoughtfulness defined Dee’s character. She had a heart full of love for everyone around her and never missed an opportunity to show it. Sending cards to friends and family for all occasions became one of her signature ways of expressing her care. In her free time, Dee dedicated herself to visiting friends in the nursing home and shut-ins, hoping to bring joy to their day. Additionally, you could find her volunteering her time at the MCC Thrift Store in Arthur.
Outside of work, Dee enjoyed entertaining guests at home. Cooking delicious meals, playing games and solving puzzles were among some of her favorites. She also had a passion for travel, four cruises with friends, creating cherished memories along the way. Coffee dates with friends were always a delight for Dee, as she cherished the warmth of friendship and engaging conversations, but spending time with her family was her most favorite.
A notable milestone in Dee’s life was her 60th birthday surprise party when she received a little green Volkswagen as a gift, one she loved and cherished.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Transitions Hospice or Arthur Mennonite Church.
Kulp, Justus Rhodes
July 27, 1961 - January 26, 2024
Mr. Justus Rhodes Kulp, age 62, of The Mount Hermon Community, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024. Justus was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia on July 27, 1961, a son of the late Paul E. and Hannah Elizabeth (Rhodes) Kulp. Justus was an Agricultural Mechanic and devout member of Monroe County Mennonite Church.
He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Emma Ruth (Showalter) Kulp, his nine children; Jedidah Kulp, Jochebed Zimmerman and husband Christopher, of Canada, Maaseiah Kulp and wife Ida Marie, Andronicus Kulp, Matthias Kulp, Jerushah Kulp, Priscilla Kulp, Obadiah Kulp, and Othniel Kulp. Three sisters; Betty Troyer of Pennsylvania, Amanda Kulp and Rebecca Kulp, both of Mt. Hermon, and three grandchildren, Ivan and Elam Zimmerman, and Manasseh Kulp also survive.
In addition to his parents, Paul E. and Hannah Elizabeth Kulp, he is preceded in death by three sisters; Vada Reber, Mary Mazelin, and Rosalee Kulp, and one brother, George Kulp.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at The Monroe County Mennonite Church, 235 Mt. Hermon Road, Mt. Hermon, Kentucky 42157, with interment to follow at The Monroe County Mennonite Church Cemetery.
The visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Church.
Bartley & Sons Funeral Home considers it an honor to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Justus Kulp and his family at this time.