Blosser.- Solomon S., son of Martin and Elizabeth (Lahman) Blosser, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., Feb. 3, 1882; died at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1976; aged 94 y. On July 22, 1906, he was married to Tillie Kirby, who died on Nov. 10, 1960. Surviving are 3 daughters (Lora Cogdill, Zeida Ellenburg, and Johnnie Louise Ellenberg), 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. One son (Theron V.) preceded him in death. He was a member of Concord Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held at Weaver Chapel, Knoxville, in charge of Edward Godshall and Franklin Hunsberger; interment in Concord Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Clemens.- Raymond S., son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sell) Clemens, was born in Harleysville, Pa., June 4, 1900; died at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville, Pa., May 16, 1977; aged 76 y. He was married to Esther S. Moyer, who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters (Olive-Mrs. James Kuhns, and Mildred-Mrs. Henry Paul Yoder), 2 sons (Edgar and R. Wayne), 18 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers (Henry, George, and Melvin), and one sister (Emma-Mrs. Elwood Derstine). He was a member of Souderton Mennonite Church, where memorial services were held on May 18, in charge of B. Charles Hostetter, Russell B. Musselman, Donald Moyer, and Elwood Derstine; interment in Souderton Mennonite Cemetery.

Funk.- Ella B., daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Buckwalter) Landis, was born in Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 1886; died at Lancashire Nursing Home, Neffsville, Pa., Mar. 30, 1977; aged 90 y. She was married to Martin G. Funk, who died on Oct. 19, 1944. Surviving are 2 daughters (Mary L.-Mrs. Richard Kuski, and Edna L.-Mrs. William Bomberger, Sr.), and one sister (Mabel Whitcraft). She was a member of Landis Valley Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Apr. 2, in charge of Elam W. Stautfer; interment in adjoining cemetery.

Groff.- Elizabeth A., daughter of Harry and Mary (Brooks) Smith, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Feb. 12, 1901; died of heart failure at Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pa., Mar. 25, 1977; aged 76 y. On June 3, 1925, she was married to Arthur C. Groff, who died on May 24, 1956. Surviving are 3 children (Melvin S., Clara-Mrs. Willis W. Rohrer, and Clayton S.), 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and 2 sisters (Maude-Mrs. Landis Ressler, and Clara M. Smith). She was preceded in death by one brother (William). She was a member of Byerland Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Mar. 28, in charge of David Thomas and James Hess; interment in Byerland Cemetery.

Swartley.- Bessie K., was born in Harleysville, Pa., Oct. 15, 1904; died of heart failure and complications at Sellersville, Pa., May 12, 1977; aged 72 y. In 1942, she was married to Walter N. Hunsberger, who died in 1965. In 1970, she was married to Elias F. Swartley, who died in March 1977. Surviving are 5 stepdaughters (Mrs. Esther Detweiler, Grace Hunsberger, Mrs. Naomi Yoder, Mrs. Grace Detweiler, and Mrs. Thelma Yoder), 4 stepsons (Enos, Henry, and Wilmer Hunsberger, and Lawrence Swartley), 21 stepgrandchildren, 10 stepgreat-grandchildren, 2 sisters (Mrs. Miriam Halteman and Mrs. Pearl Smith), and 4 brothers (Granville, Ernest, Lester, and Stanley Moyer). She was a member of Line Lexington Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on May 14, in charge of Dan Longenecker and Arthur Ruth; interment in Line Lexington Mennonite Cemetery.

White.- Anna K., daughter of John and Ella (Hornberger) Kofroth, was born in Oregon, Pa., Apr. 5, 1903; died at Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata, Pa., Apr. 5, 1977; aged 74 y. On Apr. 15, 1922, she was married to Harold Z. White, who survives. Also surviving are 3 sons (John B., Harold K., and Clyde L.), one daughter (Arlene K.-Mrs. Lloyd Mosemann II), 7 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters (Mrs. Maude Seigrist and Mary-Mrs. John Wein), and 3 brothers (John, Paul, and Arthur Kofroth). She was a member of Landis Valley Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Apr. 8, in charge of Elam W. Stauffer and Lloyd Mosemann II; interment in adjoining cemetery.

Yoder.- Joseph Conrad, son of Jesse and Gladys (Wert) Yoder, was born at Milford, Del., Feb. 25, 1964; died in an automobile accident at Cocolamus. Pa., Apr. 24, 1977; aged 13 y. Surviving are his parents, 2 sisters (Shirley-Mrs. Maynard Miller, and Naomi), 3 brothers (David, Paul, and Jonathan), and his maternal grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wert). He was a member of Central Mennonite Church, Dover, Del., where funeral services were held on Apr. 27, in charge of Daniel V. Yoder, Mark Swartzentruber, and David I. Miller; interment in church cemetery.

Yoder.- Robert Seville, son of Jesse and Gladys (Wert) Yoder, was born at Greenwood, Del., Apr. 10, 1959; died in an automobile accident at Cocolamus. Pa., Apr. 24, 1977; aged 18 y. Surviving are his parents, 2 sisters (Shirley-Mrs. Maynard Miller, and Naomi), 3 brothers (David, Paul, and Jonathan), and his maternal grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wert). He was a member of Central Mennonite Church, Dover, Del., where funeral services were held on Apr. 27, in charge of Daniel V. Yoder, Mark Swartzentruber, and David I. Miller; interment in church cemetery.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana

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Bontrager.- Simon P., son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hartzler) Bontrager, was born in LaGrange, Co., Ind., Oct. 29, 1888; died at the Highland County Hospital, Sebring, Fla.. Feb. 19, 1977; aged 88 y. On June 4, 1914, he was married to Pearl Agley, who survives. He is also survived by 2 daughters (Thelma-Mrs. Ivan Bontrager, Wilma-Mrs. Elmer Schermerhorn), 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, a sister (Alma- Mrs. Leland Greenwalt), and a brother (Neri). He was a member of the Marion Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held Feb. 23, at the English Prairie Church of the Brethren, in charge of Robert Ebey and Paul Lauver; interment in church cemetery.

Eby.- Rhoda (Reist), daughter of Amos F. and Annie (Reist) Eby, was born in Mount Joy, Pa., May 6, 1893, died at the Landis Retirement Community, following a lengthy illness, Apr. 29, 1977; aged 83 y. Surviving are 2 brothers (Henry R. and Charles R). She was a member of the Mount Joy Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held at the Nissley Funeral Home in Mount Joy, May 3, in charge of Henry W. Frank; interment in the Kraybill cemetery.

Gehman.- Susanna W., daughter of Daniel G. and Lizzie (Martin) Weaver, was born Sept. 4, 1886, and died May 20, 1977 at the Fairmont Rest Home; aged 90 y. She was married to Jacob L. Gehman, who died in 1960. She is survived by a son (Weaver W.) and 5 daughters (Elizabeth, Mabel-Mrs. Aaron L. Groff, Anna-Mrs. Phares Oberholtzer, Mrs. Esther Groff and Norma-Mrs. Mervin A. Groff), 34 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, a sister (Mrs. Anna M. High), a brother (Benjamin F. Weaver). She was a member of the Bowmansville Mennonite Church were funeral services were held May 23 in charge of Ben Weaver, Paul Z. Martin, and Wilmer Leaman; interment in adjoining cemetery.

Kauffman.- Jacob M., son of David H. and Leah (Yoder) Kauffman, was born at Nampa, Idaho, Dec. 24, 1905; died at Latham Care Center, Bellefontaine, Ohio, May 17, 1977; aged 71 y. On Sept. 3, 1933 he was married to Bernice Wolfer, who survives. He is also survived by 3 sons (David, Eldon, and Dennis), 2 daughters (Iris-Mrs. John D. Esch, Janice-Mrs. Jerry Lockard), 7 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 2 sisters (Julia-Mrs. John Snyder, Margaret-Mrs. Paul Snyder). He was a member of the South Union Mennonite Church where funeral services were held May 20 in charge of Howard S. Schmitt; interment in church cemetery.

Miller.- Freeman (Fritz) S., son of James and Mamie (Yoder) Miller, was born in Somerset Co., Pa., Mar. 16, 1913; died at Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, Pa., May 13, 1977; aged 64 y. He was married to Wiltrude Jones, who survives. He is also survived by 4 daughters (Myrtle-Mrs. Robert Eby, Hilda-Mrs. Ronald Wolf, Joyce- Mrs. Richard Pristas, Retha-Mrs. Dale Thomas), 3 sons (Leonard, Clarence, Mark), 8 grandchildren, 4 sisters (Eleanor Zimmerman, Mary Kaltenbaugh, Shirley Charlesworth, and Thelma Stern). He was a member of the Blough Mennonite Church where funeral services were held Mar. 20, in charge of Don Speigle; interment in church cemetery.

Miller.- Katie J., daughter of John C and Lydia (Yoder) Bontrager, was born in Lagrange Co., Ind., Sept. 17, 1882; died at Millers Merry Manor, Lagrange, Ind., May 16, 1977; aged 94 y. On July 7, 1907 she was married to Samuel M. Miller who preceded her in death Mar. 3, 1919. In 1926 she was married to Abraham L. Miller who died Sept. 18, 1956. She is survived bv 4 daughters (Fayma Irene, Martha Lydia, Maude-Mrs. Archie Byler, Mary-Mrs. Orva Bontrager), 2 sons (Freeman S. and Oscar M.), 6 stepchildren (Allen, Glenn, Lloyd, Able, Minne and Mary). One daughter (Orpha Catherine) preceded her in death. She was a member of the Plato Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held at the Emma Church, Topeka, Ind., in charge of Ivan M. Miller, and Willis C. Troyer on May 18; interment in Miller Cemetery.

Umble.- Ira J., son of Christian M. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Umble, was born at Gap, Pa., Apr. 17, 1895; died of pneumonia at Lancaster, Pa., Apr. 3, 1977; aged 81 y. On May 16, 1918 he was married to Beulah Glick, who survives. Also surviving are 3 daughters (Flora-Mrs. Emory Stoltzfus, Ruth, Thelma), one son (Frank), 6 grandchildren, 1 brother (Edward). He was a member of the Maple Grove Mennonite Church at Atglen, Pa., where funeral services were held Apr. 6 in charge of Herman Glick and Abner Stoltzfus; interment in Millwood Cemetery, Gap, Pa.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana

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Alderfer.- Clayton G., son of Wilson A. and Hannah (Groff) Alderfer, was born at Harleysville, Pa., Sept. 24, 1893; died at Rockhill Mennonite Home, Sellersville, Pa., May 23, 1977; aged 83 y. On Oct. 24, 1914, he was married to Lizzie Springer, who died on Feb. 1, 1926. On May 8, 1927, he was married to Sallie T. Landes, who died on Apr. 18, 1943. Surviving are one daughter (Verna-Mrs. Milton F. Moyer), one grandchild, 3 great-grandchildren, and one brother (Abram G. Alderfer). He was preceded in death by one daughter (Kathryn). He was a member of Salford Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held at Sommers Funeral Home, May 25, in charge of Willis Miller; interment in Saltord Mennonite Cemetery.

Brenneman.- Michael Keith, son of Keith and Marilyn (Poole) Brenneman, was born at Stratford, Ont., May 26, 1970; died as the result of an accident in East Zorra Twp., Ont., May 24, 1977; aged 7 y. Surviving are 2 sisters (Pamela and Criristine), paternal grandparents (Lorne and Selma Brenneman), and his maternal grandfather (Roy Poole). Funeral services were held at Tavistock Mennonite Church, May 27, in charge of Wilmer Martin; interment in East Zorra (16th Line) Mennonite Cemetery.

Frederick.- Hannah A., daughter of Ambrose and Emma (Slotter) Stauffer, was born in Franconia Twp., Pa., Dec. 8, 1905; died at her home in Souderton, Pa., May 27, 1977; aged 71 y. On Sept. 26, 1925, she was married to Norman M. Frederick, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter (Esther-Mrs. Robert Landis), 4 sons (Elmer S., Ralph S., Abram S., and Norman S.), 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers (Edwin, Phares, and Ambrose), and 6 sisters (Edith-Mrs. Norman Anders, Emma, Anna, Ella-Mrs. Raymond Nice, Eva-Mrs. Howard Blosser, and Verna-Mrs. Clyde Allebach). She was preceded in death by 4 brothers (Titus, LeRoy, Marvin, and Willis), and 2 sisters (Alma Cressman and Martha Stauffer). She was a member of Franconia Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on May 31, in charge of Le Roy Godshall, Floyd Hackman, and Curtis Bergey; interment in adjoining cemetery.

Gochnauer.- Ronald Lynn, son of Mervin H. and Emma (Breneman) Gochnauer, was born in East Hempfield Twp., Pa., Aug. 24, 1955; died at his home in Manheim, Pa., May 11, 1977; aged 21 y. Surviving are his parents, 4 sisters (Lois Ann-Mrs. Ronald G. Weaver, Barbara Jean-Mrs Harvey E. Heller, Carol Louise-Mrs. P. Richard Foltz, and Thelma Elaine), 2 brothers (Richard Lee and Raymond B.), and his maternal grandmother (Mrs. Flora Shertzer). Funeral services were held at Gundel Funeral Home, Lancaster, Pa., on May 13; interment in Rohrerstown Mennonite Cemetery.

Habermehl.- Norma Bernice, daughter ot Gordon and Bernice Douglas, died suddenly at Groves Memorial Hospital, May 15, 1977; aged 20 y. She was married to Brian Habermehl, who survives. Also surviving are one son (Grant) and one brother (Gary). Funeral services were held at Parker Funeral Home, Fergus, Ont., May 18, in charge of Simeon Hurst and ----- Hooper; interment in Belsyde Cemetery.

Leichty.- Albert M., son of John and Sara (Neuhauser) Leichty, was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., Sept. 26, 1913; died of a heart attack at Middlebury, Ind., May 26, 1977; aged 63 y. On Jan. 19, 1941, he was married to Elizabeth Miller, who survives. Also surviving are 2 sons (Ernest and Richard), 4 brothers (Noah, Herman, Raymond, and Paul), and 8 sisters (Allie-Mrs. Nelson Short, Lucille-Mrs. Dale King, Velma-Mrs. Wilbur Hostetler, Mrs. Anna Bauman, Elnora-Mrs. Gilbert Bailey, Bertha-Mrs. Clyde Miller, Violet-Mrs. Lester Perry, and Mary-Mrs. Laurel Martin). He was a member of First Mennonite Church (Middlebury), where funeral services were held on May 29, in charge of Samuel J. Troyer and Harold Yoder; interment in Grace Lawn Cemetery.

Yoder.- Paul N. (Jeff), son of Norman S. and Annie (Yoder) Yoder, was born at Pinto, Md., Sept. 8, 1909; died suddenly near his home of a coronary occlusion, May 15, 1977; aged 67 y. On Dec. 25, 1930, he was married to Dorothy E. Moreland, who survives. Also surviving are one son (Donald P.), one daughter (Betty Jane-Mrs. Alfred Anderson), 4 grandchildren, 2 brothers (Walter N. and Norman S. Yoder), and 6 sisters (Mrs. Freda Livengood, Mrs. Rhoda Gross, Mrs. Eva Barton, Mrs. Melda Helmick, Mrs. Viola Johnson, and Mrs. Sue Collins). He was a charter member of Pinto Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on May 18, in charge of Mahlon D. Miller and Robert N. Johnson; interment in Pinto Cemetery.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana

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Gospel Herald, June 21, 1977, page 494.

"To Grammy Clemens" by Joseph C. Nyce

Editor's note: Hannah Rittenhouse Clemens died on March 26, 1977, at the age of 97. She was the widow of the late J. C. Clemens, a former leader in the Franconia Mennonite Conference. This tribute is written by a grandson who is a student at Princeton Theological Seminary.

At your funeral a few days ago, I had a terrible urge to get up and say something to you and to the relatives and friends who had come together to express sorrow at your passing and joy for having known and loved you. I knew what I wanted to say, but somehow could not bring myself to the point of standing and speaking. Maybe I was restrained by the taboo that prevents relatives from taking part in funeral ceremonies. More likely it was the deep feelings of gratitude I had for Gerald Studer and John E. Lapp, who were conducting the most meaningful and sensitive funeral I have ever attended, that kept me from intruding into their thoughtful service. Nevertheless I must share these feelings with you and with those who love you.
Just six days before you died, at the surprise fortieth anniversary party we had for my parents, you said to me three times: "Joey, I never wanted to be a minister's wife. The last thing I wanted to be was the wife of a minister. I thought that would be just awful. But the older ministers' wives were a great help to me." You made it a point to tell me that three different times. Why?
I know you wanted to be a schoolteacher. I also know that you were proud and would probably have been a woman of culture were it not for the fate of being born into a nonconforming religious tradition. I even know that you were never very comfortable with the stigma attached to the position of minister's wife. But is that the message you were so eager to get across to me? Your triple-barreled approach suggested that there was more.
Of course, since I'm at seminary you were concerned for my wife, Kathie. You wanted to be sure that I was awake to the way my vocational plans could easily and brutally swallow her and condemn her to a life she never asked for nor deserves. Grammy, I hear you loud and clear, and I will do everything in my power to create a way for both of us to live out our vocational orientations without denying the other's dreams and faith. But you would have said that straight out. You were never one to mince words. While I'm convinced that that is a pointed part of your message for me, I know now that you were saying more.
The evening before your funeral, after the doors for the public viewing had been closed, Gerald Studer spoke to the family members present. He said that he was going to refer to a few lines at that time, lines that were especially appropriate for the occasion, lines of comfort and of hope. It was then that I knew what you were saying to me. Gerald was referring to lines from the Scriptures-from the Book of Psalms, 1 Corinthians, Revelation-but I saw the lines on your face and hands. I saw those lines of hope and comfort. I still see them. I will always see them.
You never wanted to be a minister's wife. But you were; and you found the love and care to make your way in that new life. You never wanted to get old. But you lived to be 97, finding ways to be fully alive through a century that shattered your world time and time again. Those lines you wear so well are the lines of hope-of death and rebirth.
You were not the wife of an ordinary minister, but of J. C. Clemens, a pioneer in many ways. But, for you his pioneering was a most difficult lot. You were not up front where the excitement and enthusiasm of the new blunted the pain of the death of the old. No, you were the minister's wife, on the sidelines, at home, in the pews, where the idealism of the new was a feeble platitude in the midst of the agony of the old being torn apart. Carried along into the new, you had to hold the family, the farm, and many times the congregation together through the painful process of death. Yes, he showed the way, he charted the course, but you had to bring those through who could not see clearly the shape of the new because the pain of death distorted their vision. You had to live the death in a most painful way. And live it you did!
How often you denied yourself! How often you died to the old world of desire and self-pity only to find and demonstrate new life along the way. Grammy, you have died once more, but only to be resurrected again, not only in the last days, but in the hopes and dreams of those who know you and love you. Thank you, Grammy, for your life has been a witness of the gospel that defines our faith and grounds our hope. As I write to you on this Easter day, I can say He is risen! Grammy, I say that in renewed confidence because of you. I love you, and I surely will miss you. But I am most grateful for having lived with you.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana

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