Anabaptist World
January - March 2022
Mennonite World Review & The Mennonite merged September 2020
Anabaptist World, January 21, 2022, pages 38-39, Vol. 3, No. 1.
----------------
Hege, Nathan Baer
October 9, 1927 - December 8, 2021
Hege-. Nathan Baer, 94, of Lititz, Pa., died Dec. 8, 2021, at Landis Homes. He was born to Jonas Eby Hege and Elizabeth Martin (Baer) Hege in Hagerstown, Md. He was a member of Willow Street Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in 1949 and from Syracuse University with a master's degree in journalism in 1963.
On May 1, 1951, he married Arlene Emma Landis. Along with his wife, he served as a missionary in Ethiopia from 1950 to 1974 as a teacher and in production of Christian Literature in the Amharic language. He later worked at Eastern Mennonite Missions in Salunga in church relations until his retirement. He also served as associate pastor of Willow Street Mennonite Church and, for eight years, as bishop of the Willow Street-Strasburg district of Lancaster Mennonite Conference. In 1998 he authored Beyond Our Prayers, a 50-year history of the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia.
Survivors include a daughter, Beth Ann (Matthew) Bonk of Lancaster; a son, Harold (Pat) Wharton-Hege of Delran, N.J.; a daughter-in-law, Sylvia Hege of Johns Island, S.C.; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene E. Landis Hege, on Nov. 15, 2020; and two sons, John Allen and Peter Nathan Hege. A private graveside service was held at Willow Street Mennonite Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial contributions may be sent to Eastern Mennonite Missions.
---------------
Nyce, Donald James "Don"
June 16, 1936 - November 30, 2021
Nyce-. Donald James "Don", 85, of Lititz, Pa., died Nov. 30, 2021, at Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy. He was born June 16, 1936, to Wynne James and Grace L. (Nice) Nyce in Doylestown. He was the husband of Faye Marie (Hochstetler) Nyce, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. Raised in Doylestown, he graduated from Central Bucks High School in 1954. He graduated from Millersville University and obtained a master's degree from Trenton State College.
From 1956 to 1958, he completed a voluntary service term in Phoenix, Ariz., through Mennonite Board of Missions. He was an industrial arts teacher in Mechanicsburg schools. Also, he and Faye served with Habitat for Humanity International in Americus, Ga. They spent a number of weeks in Brazil building playground equipment for a school and volunteering in other capacities in a marginalized community.
A faithful member of Landisville Mennonite Church, he was known for kindness, gentleness and integrity and approached life with a good sense of humor. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed woodworking, Sunday school teaching and other roles within the church, good conversation, sports and the outdoors.
Survivors include his wife, Faye; two sons, Edward Bruce Nyce and Douglas James (Dawn) Nyce; a son-in-law, Rodney (Sheri) Yoder; two siblings, Joyce (Millard) Osborne and John (Dorothy) Nyce; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Beth Nyce Yoder; and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Ruth) Nyce. Memorial services took place at Landisville Mennonite Church. Donations may be made to Christian Peacemaker Teams.
---------------
Schnabel, Erma Frey Metzler Betz
June 22, 1921 - June 27, 2021
Schnabel-. Erma, 100, a 20-year resident of Souderton Mennonite Homes in Pennsylvania, died June 27, 2021. She was born Erma Mae Frey in Elizabethtown. After graduating from Elizabethtown High School, she received a registered nursing certification from St. Joseph School of Nursing and later worked for St. Joseph Hospital of Lancaster, Western Virginia State Hospital in Staunton, Va., Rockingham County Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va., and the Visiting Nurses Association of Norristown. At age 51, she went to Montgomery County Community College to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing to supplement her RN certificate.
She lived in ever-widening circles, going to Puerto Rico and Jamaica with her first husband, Warren Metzler, who died in 1975; to California with her second husband, Merle Betz, who died in 1990; and on extensive world travels that touched every continent but Antarctica with her third husband, Fred Schnabel, who died in 2006. Whether crisscrossing the United States, sharing her boundless energy and compassion with her nursing patients in Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Caribbean, supporting Metzler's pastoral and missionary work in Pennsylvania and Jamaica, or posing for photographs with Schnabel at countless global landmarks, she remained a faithful, longtime member of Methacton Mennonite Church and a devoted and charitable Christian.
As her circles of travel widened, she developed new perspectives, thirsting for a deeper understanding of the world and developing an increasingly compassionate and tolerant worldview. She was gifted with a particular social genius, such that her friendships grew throughout every stage of her journey.
Survivors include her children, John (Adeline) Metzler of East Lansing, Mich., Sharon (Marlin) Metzler-Ruth of Harleysville and Philip Metzler of Washington, D.C.; a foster daughter, Iris (Ransford) Nicholson of Sarasota, Fla.; two stepsons, Carl (Lynne) Schnabel of Green Lane and Richard (Cheryl) Schnabel of Lansdale; two siblings, Lois Frey of Elizabethtown and Wilbur Frey of Lancaster; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition to her three husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Warren Frederick; and 10 of her 12 siblings. Memorial services were held at Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to Living Branches Souderton Mennonite Homes Agape Fund.
------------------
Mann, David Winfield
April 30, 1930 - December 13, 2021
Mann-. David Winfield, 91, died Dec. 13, 2021, at Phoenix, Ariz. He was born April 30, 1930, to Cleo Aaron and Nellie Marie (Miller) Mann in Elkhart, Ind. He accepted Christ when he was 9 years old and was baptized at Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart. In 1947-48, between his junior and senior years of high school, he spent 14 months in Belgium under Mennonite Central Committee, where his father was director of reconstruction following World War II.
After graduating from Goshen College in 1953 and Goshen Biblical Seminary in 1954, he married Mona M. Aeschliman on Oct. 10, 1954. Their first year of marriage was spent in Hannibal, Mo., where he served a pastoral internship. In 1955 he was called to serve Albany Mennonite Church in Oregon, where he was pastor for 15 years. During this time he served in various capacities in Pacific Coast Mennonite Conference, the Oregon Mennonite Camping Association and on the overseas committee and board of directors of Mennonite Board of Missions. At Albany he was ordained to the ministry on July 8, 1956. On June 5, 1960, he was ordained as a bishop and served in this capacity with the Albany, Logsden, Lebanon, Eugene and Corvallis congregations.
In 1970 they moved back to Elkhart for two years while he continued his studies toward a master of divinity degree at Goshen Biblical Seminary. In 1972 he was called as pastor of Sunnyslope Mennonite Church in Phoenix, where he served for 20 years. Again he served in various leadership positions, including nine years as moderator in Southwest Mennonite Conference. He served on the Mennonite Church General Board for 14 years and as moderator of the Mennonite Church from 1991 to 1993. He was pastor at Hesston Mennonite Church in Kansas from 1992 to 1997. On retiring to Phoenix in 1997, he and Mona became members of Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale. They moved to Glencroft Retirement Community in June 2013.
Survivors include his wife, Mona; two sons and a daughter, David and Jeanne of San Diego, Calif., and Timothy (Lynne) of Phoenix; a sister, Dorothy Horst of Elkhart, Ind.; three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by twin sons, Stephen Kent and Thomas Brent, who died at birth in January 1961.
-------------------
Weaver, Henry
May 5, 1928 - December 7, 2021
Weaver-. Henry, 93, former Goshen College professor, provost and president, died Dec. 7, 2021. He was born May 5, 1928, to Henry and Sallie (Wenger) Weaver in Harrisonburg, Va. He attended Eastern Mennonite School and College, now Eastern Mennonite University. As a 19-year-old in the wake of World War II, he became a "seagoing cowboy" and volunteered as a hand on a livestock boat delivering donated horses to war-torn Europe. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from George Washington University in 1950 and a master's degree in organic chemistry and doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1953.
He married Mary Eby on June 7, 1952. They started married life in Virginia, where he taught chemistry at Eastern Mennonite College. In 1957 they moved to Goshen, Ind. He worked for Goshen College for 22 years, from 1957 to 1979, as a chemistry professor and provost. In 1996 he returned as interim president. In the 1960s he was instrumental in developing Goshen Study-Service Term, one of the first programs in the nation to make international study a graduation requirement. In 1979 he and Mary moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where he became deputy director of the Education Abroad Program of the University of California System.
He retired in 1991. He worked all his life to help others have the kinds of life-expanding experiences with other cultures that he had. He was a traveler, photographer, ham radio operator, and lover of life. He was a cancer survivor who taught his family to take joy in each new day. He and Mary returned to Goshen in retirement. They were members of College Mennonite Church in Goshen.
Survivors include four children, Sally (John) Weaver Glick of Goshen, Judy (Richard Aguirre) Weaver of Goshen, Debora Weaver of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and J. Donald (Rosanna) Weaver of Hyattsville, Md.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; and four siblings.
Transcribed by: John Ingold
Anabaptist World, February 11, 2022, pages 42-43, Vol. 3, No. 2.
------------------
Bishop, James V. "Jim"
May 22, 1945 - January 16, 2022
Bishop-. James V. (Jim), 76, of Harrisonburg, Va., died Jan. 16, 2022, of complications from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He was born May 22, 1945, to J. Vernon and Ann Dayton Bishop in Doylestown, Pa. On July 22, 1967, he married Anna M. Mast of Cochranville, Pa. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Eastern Mennonite University in 1969 and did graduate work in communications at Jame Madison University, 1981-82.
After graduation, he was an editor-writer for Mennonite Board of Missions in Elkhart, Ind. He and Anna moved to Harrisonburg in 1971. He served 40 years as public information officer at EMU. He also was involved with the school's public radio station, WEMC. He contributed to radio programs including "The Wax Museum," an oldies request show on WHBG; "Warped Records" on WSVA; and "Friday Night Jukebox," an all-'50s music show on WEMC -- from 1990 until retirement in 2011.
He pursued freelance writing, including "Bishop's Mantle," which appeared Weekly in the Daily News-Record from 1990 to 2011 and returned in March 2020. His column, "Virginia Ham," appeared in Mennonite Weekly Review for 20 years. He was a member of Community Mennonite Church of Harrisonburg since 1973, where he served as unofficial publicist and photographer, usher coordinator, worship leader and Sunday school teacher. In retirement, he continued as a member of the Shenandoah Valley Public Relations Council.
Perceiving himself as a '50s guy marooned in the 21st century, he took an old-school approach to life, preferring print, radio and face-to-face conversations to social media. He delighted in growing exotic indoor and outdoor plants, doting on grandchildren, generating "pundemoanium," line dancing with friends, cruising in his Mazda Miata convertible while enjoying a Kline's black raspberry cone and the Bose radio blasting oldies but goodies.
Survivors include his spouse of 54 years, Anna; two daughters, Jennifer Hummel of Weyers Cave and Sara (Jason) Kiser of Hinton; four siblings, Robert (Sharon) Bishop of Doylestown, Pa., Rebecca Ann (Daniel) Swartzendruber of Rocky Ford, Colo., J. Eric (Linda) Bishop of Souderton, Pa., and Michael (Brenda) Bishop of Blooming Glen, Pa.; five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 12 in Lehman Auditorium at EMU. Memorial contributions may be given to Patchwork Pantry, Community Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg.
--------------
Carper, Hilda Weber
March 4, 1927 - Dec. 22, 2021
Carper-. Hilda Weber, 94, died Dec. 22, 2021, at home in Evanston, Ill. She was born March 4, 1927, to Reuben and Eva Carper, on a farm in Lancaster County, Pa. She attended Eastern Mennonite College for a year and finished her degree at Goshen College in 1950. She then accepted an assignment writing children's church curriculum in Basel, Switzerland, with Mennonite Central Committee from 1953 to 1957.
From her contacts among Mennonite expatriates in Europe came an invitation from John Miller to become part of the intentional Christian community forming at Reba Place Fellowship in Evanston. But her skills were more needed at a sister church in Chicago's inner city, so she volunteered instead at Church of Hope in Chicago's West Side Christian Parish as a teacher, choir director and eventual pastoral assistant to Pastor Julius Belser. Urban renewal forced the church's closure in 1966 when the Belsers and she moved to Reba Place.
There she organized the Reba Day Nursery, now known as the Reba Early Learning Center. In 1976 she assisted the growth of Reba Place Fellowship by taking on pastoral and administrative leadership as an elder and household leader. Worship life was enhanced by her work in compiling a songbook, making worship banners and singing in the music group. She eventually reunited with Julius and Peggy Belser in leading the Clearing Household in the early 1980s. Contact with homeless people at the Clearing led her to seek a more structured way to support the needs of Evanston's homeless.
In 1984, her volunteer stint making breakfasts for overnight guests at Lake Street Church led to her becoming the first director of the Connections for the Homeless Shelter there until 1992. Residents began to say they lived at Hilda's Place. When she retired, the name became official. In retirement, she designed greeting cards for sale, supported several justice endeavors and continued offering pastoral care.
Survivors include a sister, Jean Miller of Lititz, Pa.; and many nieces, nephews and "spiritual children." She was preceded in death by her brother, James Carper, and a sister, Ruth Eitzen. Memorial services were held at Reba Place Church, Evanston.
------------------
Martin, Alice L. Kropf
April 10, 1925 - November 5, 2020
Martin-. Alice L., 95, of Goshen, Ind., died Nov. 5, 2020. She was born April 10, 1925, to Chauncey and Lomie (Detweiler) Kropf in Hubbard, Ore. On Nov. 3, 1946, she married Roy Martin. She was a member of Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen.
Her employment included cooking in a school cafeteria and clerical work. A transplant from Oregon at age 16, her heart found its true home on the North Dakota prairie. In her quiet way, her hospitality spoke volumes. She and Roy had an open door for friends and strangers alike. Delicious meals often ended with her legendary pies, which had the power to convert dessert nonbelievers. Carefully tended gardens provided for the family, their bounty preserved in jars that transformed the "fruit room" into a colorful work of art. An excellent seamstress, she made clothing and pieced hundreds of comforter tops for her family and Mennonite Central Committee.
She and Roy loved to travel and stay connected to their scattered family and friends. Their love for these folks was generous and unwavering. She was a loyal friend, making regular phone calls to folks from all decades of her life. She was a keeper of memories: Stories and genealogy could keep conversations going late into the night. She lives on in the lessons she taught: always extend hospitality; give love; games are more fun when you don't keep score; sing while you work; never be afraid to laugh until you cry.
Survivors include six children, Darlene Dintaman of Goshen, Maxine (Joe Fretz) Martin of Lakewood, Colo., Marilyn (Jay) Shetler of Phoenix, Ariz., Marjorie (Barry) Weaver of Bloomington. Ill., Ronald (Joy) Martin of Minot, N.D., and Galen (Karyn Angell) Martin of Eugene, 0re.; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; a sister, Wilma Kauffman; three brothers, Floyd, Ellis and Lester Kropf; and a son-in-law, Carl Dintaman. An online memorial service was held. Her family gathered for her burial at Fairview Cemetery, Surrey. N.D.
-------------------
Yutzy, Homer E.
July 19, 1926 - Dec. 12, 2021
Yutzy-. Homer E., 95, of Wauseon, Ohio, died Dec. 12, 2021. He was born July 19, 1926, to Emery and Florence (Kramer) Yutzy in Plain City. He attended Michigan Mennonite Bible School in Fairview, Mich., which led to his going to Naubinway, Mich., to serve the church through the Mennonite voluntary service program. Here he met his wife-to-be, Elizabeth Williams. They were married in Naubinway on Nov. 29, 1952. Education was important to him. While living in Petoskey, Mich., he attended North Central Michigan College and completed an associate's degree.
He left Petoskey in 1976 to attend Goshen Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., graduating with a master of divinity degree. At age 18 he was drafted. He registered as a conscientious objector and joined Civilian Public Service, where he served for 22 months, cutting trails and watching for fires in three national parks, Shenandoah, Sequoia and Glacier. He also worked for a National Forest Department tree nursery in Indiana.
Ordained as a Mennonite minister in Naubinway on Oct. 18, 1953, he was sent to Gay, Mich., to continue a church-planting mission. in 1959 he and his family moved to Petoskey to pastor the church there. After graduating from seminary, he and Elizabeth moved to Tavistock, Ont., to minister at East Zorra Mennonite Church. In 1987 they moved back to the U.S. and served at Inlet Mennonite Church in Wauseon until he retired in 1991. He supplemented his income as a pastor by working as a carpenter and selling insurance. They remained in the Wauseon area, where he volunteered for agencies including David's House, the Red Cross, Shalom Restorative Justice Ministries and Hands of Grace.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth; three children, Joy (Ike), Rhoda (Pat) and Keith (Linda); a daughter-in-law, Kathy Vutzy Nabitz; four siblings, Ada Schlabach, Paul (Martha) Yutzy, Allen (Connie) Yutzy and Esther Zeitz; a brother-in-law, Bud Legault; a sister-in-law, Sherry Wicker; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Paul Yutzy; an infant daughter, Faith Ann; four brothers, Ralph, Dan, Norman and Val; and two sisters, Katherine and Lula. Memorial services were held at Tedrow Mennonite Church. Donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity in Delta and Sunshine Community in Maumee.
Transcribed by: John Ingold
Anabaptist World, March 4, 2022, page 43, Vol. 3, No. 3.
----------------
Mejia, Pedro C.
December 8, 1929 - January 16, 2022
Mejia-. Pedro C., 92, of Rock Island, Ill., died Jan. 16, 2022, at his home. He was born Dec. 8, 1929, to Jose Antero Mejia and Josefa Castro Mejia in Oklahoma City, Okla. He married Maria Lira on Aug. 24, 1953, in Santa Elena, Texas. He retired from John Deere Foundry after 30 years of service. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and reading. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of Spanish Mennonite Church in Moline, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa.
Survivors include eight sons, Eliseo (Mikaela) Mejia of Oklahoma City, Isaias "Ike" [Josefina] Mejia, Ismael [Anna] Mejia, Guadalupe [Ramona] Mejia, Pedro Mejia Jr. and Adalberto [Blanca] Mejia, all of Rock Island, Antero Mejia of Crystal City, Texas, and Santos Mejia of East Moline; three daughters, Margie [Josue] Mejia~Caraballo of Rock Island, Josefa Mejia of East Moline and Maria Brannan of Dothan, Ala.; a sister, Bersabe Alvarado of Weslaco, Texas; 33 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Mejia; and grandsons Cody Brannan and Joseph Mejia. Funeral services were held at
Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island.
--------------
Hallman, Willis Christian
January 2, 1927 - January 18, 2022
Hallman-. Willis Christian, 95, of Kansas City, Mo., died Jan. 18, 2022, after a bout with congestive heart failure. He was born Jan. 2, 1927, in Vineland Station, 0nt., to Anna and Aaron Hallman. He spent his first years on his parents' fruit farm, pruning trees and preparing fruit for sale. At age 21 he entered Eastern Mennonite University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology. In 1950 he married Katherine Anne Hertzler from Elverson, Pa. His home congregation asked him to serve as pastor in the future, so he was ordained and the family moved to Goshen, Ind., for seminary. After seminary, he accepted a call to serve as pastor in Scottdale, Pa.
Because of his interest in counseling, he felt the need to study psychology. He and Kit drove out to the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Within two days, plans were completed for him to study psychology and serve as pastor for two Evangelical United Brethren churches in the area. A parsonage was supplied, and the family spent six good years among the generous farmers of Stull and Richland, Kan. A KU professor suggested he apply to work with challenged children at Marillac School, in Kansas City, which he did, and served there 14 years. During this time, Vicki Lynn Melching joined the family in her teen years, continuing to adulthood and beyond. Next came his move to private practice, which he carried on informally into his final years. He and Kit lived at Kingswood Senior Center for two and one-half years. It was a sudden passing, but 37 years after his first cardiac arrest. Services were held at The Summit Church, Lee's Summit, Mo. A family burial was in Green Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
Transcribed by John Ingold
Anabaptist World, March 25, 2022, pages 46-47, Vol. 3, No. 4.
-------------------
Witmer, Dennis Lamar
November 23, 1958 - September 19, 2021
Witmer.- Dennis Lamar, 62, of Newville, Pa., died Sept. 19, 2021. He was born Nov. 23, 1958, to John E. and Evelyn I. Witmer in Lancaster County. He was a gentle, kind man of faith with a beautiful smile, a twinkle in his eyes and a sense of humor. His faith and values of God's love, grace and mercy were reflected in his daily life and interactions. His generous spirit and embodiment of stewardship led him to have a global network of friends. He has left behind a giant hole in the lives of those who knew him. He loved life and his family. He enjoyed playing softball and watching baseball and basketball. A graduate of Rosedale Bible College, Hesston College, Bethel College and Lancaster Theological Seminary, he was a lifelong learner who loved reading and history.
In all areas of his life, he was a minister. He and his wife, Lori, spent a total of 11 years working with the Mennonite church in Guatemala and Honduras through Eastern Mennonite Missions. He continued his ministry in Newville as a pastor at Diller Mennonite Church and more recently as a custodian at Mount Rock Elementary. He delighted in his cats, goats, chickens and cows and helping with work on the family farm. He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his parents, John E. and Evelyn I. Witmer; his wife, Lori (Leatherman) Witmer; his daughters, Carmen Witmer and Elizabeth Witmer, and son-in-law Brandon Boust; his sisters, Sheryl Benzinger, Deb Sell and Judy Horst; his father-in-law and mother-in- law; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; four nieces, eight nephews and a great-niece; and his cat, Francis. He was preceded in death by a nephew, Christopher Sell; and a great-nephew, Owen Horst. Donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
-------------------
Santiago, Fidel M.
December 8, 1926 - February 12, 2022
Santiago.- Fidel M., 95, of Lancaster, Pa., died Feb. 12, 2022. He was born Dec. 8, 1926, in La Plata, Puerto Rico. In his adolescent years he befriended volunteers who came to Puerto Rico during World War II under the Civilian Public Service program. From their influence, he became a conscientious objector during the Korean War and served as receptionist at the Mennonite General Hospital in La Plata. In the summer of 1954, he met Patricia Brenneman. On June 8, 1956, Patricia's father, a Mennonite pastor, married them at Bayshore Mennonite Church.
He earned a bachelor's degree in education, and shortly after was called to a career in social work with the government of Puerto Rico that included earning a master's degree. He served 30 years with the Puerto Rico government. At the same time, he volunteered for short periods as pastor of Mennonite churches in Cayey and Guavate, served as radio announcer for Audicion Luz y Verdad and became a member of the board of Academia Menonita Betania. During this time, they raised their two children.
Upon retirement from government service in 1981, he and Patricia moved to Los Angeles. In their first year there he was treated for dermatomyositis, and after a full recovery he embarked on a second career selling memorial property at Forrest Lawn Memorial Park. He was awarded Salesperson of the Year honors for three of his 18 years of service. In 2001 after he retired, he and Patricia moved to Harrisonburg, Va., where they cultivated many friendships at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Park View Mennonite Church and the community. In 2018 they moved to Woodcrest Villa in Lancaster to be close to their son.
Survivors include his spouse, Patricia; his son Rolando (Raquel); a sister, Daisy Santiago (Paul) Reagan; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Ricardo David; and six siblings, Angel Santiago, Elena Santiago, Ana Matilde Reagan, Maria Isabel Santiago, Elisa Santiago and Aida Luz Santiago.
-------------------
Kreider, Harold Glenn
May 3, 1924 - February 19, 2022
Kreider.- Harold Glenn, 97, died Feb. 19, 2022. He was born May 3, 1924, to John F. and Mattie (Hinkle) Kreider. He was the eldest of 10 children and grew up on the family farm in Palmyra, Mo. He married Roberta Showalter in May 1946. He served in Civilian Public Service, stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Gulfport, Miss. He attended Hesston College in Kansas and graduated from Goshen College and Goshen Biblical Seminary in Indiana.
He served as pastor at Hannibal Mission Church in Missouri and Osceola Mennonite Church in Indiana. He was part of the ministerial teams at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church in Goshen and Perkasie Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania. He and Roberta were active in LGBT and church concerns. He worked in construction in various locations. Over the years, he built or remodeled several of the family's homes. He stayed connected to his farming roots, enjoying gardening into his latter years. Having lived the farming transition from horses to tractors, he developed a hobby collection of antique model tractors, especially those familiar to his childhood years.
He touched many lives and modeled a life of faith and service. In keeping with that spirit and per his wishes, his body has been donated to science. Memorial donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee. Survivors include his wife of 76 years, Roberta; two daughters: Evelyn (Nelson) Martin and Bonita (Dean) Nussbaum; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda; and a great-granddaughter, Liza Martin.
-----------------------
Kreider, Jan Frederick
December 11, 1942 - January 24, 2022
Kreider.- Jan Frederick, 79, of Boulder, Colo., died Jan. 24, 2022. He was born Dec. 11, 1942, to Charles Steiner Kreider and Lois Yoder Kreider in Portland, Ore. He attended Bethel Mennonite Church in Wadsworth and excelled academically at Wadsworth High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio, with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He pursued graduate work at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he completed master's (in 1968) and doctorate (in 1973) degrees in mechanical and chemical engineering, respectively.
His love of the great American West kept him based in Boulder for the rest of his life. He taught at UC Boulder from 1976 until retiring in 1996 as professor emeritus. He was founding director of the Joint Center for Energy Management in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at UC Boulder from 1986 to 1996, and the recipient of numerous awards. He authored or co-authored more than 200 articles and 12 books on solar and related applications.
In 1992, he and his wife spent six months in Paris while he was a guest professor at the Ecole de Mines, followed by six months on the Lago Maggiore as visiting professor at the Joint Research Center in Italy. The time in Italy confirmed him as an Italophile. He carried his love of Italian cars, wine and food throughout his life. After retirement, he continued consulting work on alternative energy sources for companies like Toyota. He donated expertise to projects with the World Wildlife Fund and the government of Ecuador to preserve the ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.
He hiked, biked, skied, climbed and drove at top speed throughout the West, always pursuing the best. He spent hours restoring, driving and modifying cars, often including his grandchildren in this and their school science projects. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy (Dottie) Lang Kreider; her daughter, Valerie (Gary) Mesch; a brother, Gerald (Karen) Kreider; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Susan.
-------------------
Bechler, Irene Marie Springer
September 25, 1928 - February 27, 2022
Bechler.- Irene Marie (Springer), 93, of Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 27, 2022, at her home. She was born Sept. 25, 1928, to Theodore and Leah L. (Naffziger) Springer in Saybrook, Ill. On Aug. 24, 1950, she married LeRoy Bechler. She graduated from Hesston College in Kansas with an associate's degree, Pepperdine University with a bachelor's degree and California State University with a master's degree.
She was a teacher, counselor and a member of College Mennonite Church, Goshen. She was involved in the jail ministry and Mennonite Women USA. She enjoyed singing, sewing, playing piano, crossword puzzles and traveling. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, LeRoy, of Goshen; three children, Kathleen (Michael) Lechlitner of Greenville, S.C., Kent (Karen) Bechler of Glendora, Calif., and Curt (Shari) Bechler of Hudsonville, Mich.; two siblings, Bill (Darlene) Springer, of Baton Rouge, La., and Merle (Joan) Springer of Austin, Texas; a sister-in-law, Eileen Springer of Eureka, Ill.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Myron, Robert and Paul Springer. A celebration of life service will be held March 27 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. A family burial will be in Violett Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to Mennonite Mission Network.
----------------
Schroeder, Clarence Ray
July 24, 1931 - February 14, 2022
Schroeder.- Clarence Ray Schroeder, 90, of Aberdeen, Idaho, died Feb. 14, 2022, from complications caused by COVID-I9. He was born July 24, 1931, to Armin and Katherine Schroeder in American Falls. He was raised in the old rock house on the Blackstone Ranch between American Falls and Aberdeen. Farming in those days required hard work from the whole family. This work ethic would later serve him well in Europe.
He graduated from high school in American Falls. In his junior year, he was the starting center for the American Falls basketball team when they won the 1948 state basketball championship. He went on to play football and basketball at Bethel College in Kansas, where he attended for 3 semesters.
Returning to the farm, he felt called to alternative service work, and he joined with Mennonite Central Committee's Pax program in Europe. He spent two years cleaning up after a devastating flood in Holland, building an earthen dam in Yugoslavia and building refugee housing in Germany. When he returned from Europe, he married Sylvia Hege on Jan. 4, 1957. He worked hard farming with his dad and brothers. He served on the boards of directors for Aberdeen Springfield Canal Co. and American Falls Reservoir District. He had a passion for water policy and was committed to serving the company's interests over his own. He was inducted into the Idaho Water Users Hall of Fame. He was a lifelong member of First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Sylvia; a daughter, Linda Roberts; a son, Philip (Lura); a brother, William (Anne); a sister, Bonnie Kaufman; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven; a brother, Kenneth; and a sister, Anne. Funeral services were held at First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen. Memorial donations may be made to MCC or to First Mennonite Church for installing handrails in the fellowship hall.
---------------
Bartel, Lois Agatha Franz
December 26, 1937 - February 26, 2022
Bartel.- Lois Agatha, 84, of North Newton, Kan., died Feb. 26, 2022, after living at Kidron Bethel since 2007. She was born Dec. 26, 1937, to Julius A. and Agatha Dyck Franz and grew up with seven siblings in eastern Washington. As a teen she was baptized and became a member of Menno Mennonite Church near Ritzville, Wash. She met Gladwin Bartel at Bethel College in Kansas, and they were married in 1957. They served two years in Mennonite Central Committee voluntary service at Boys' Village in Smithville, Ohio, as an alternative to military service.
She earned degrees in elementary education and social sciences at Bethel College. She and Gladwin's first son, Baron Craig, was born in Newton in 1962. They moved to Wisconsin for graduate studies, where their second son, Kelvin Franz, was born in 1964. The family moved to Spokane and then Pullman, Wash., where she earned a master's degree in sociology at Washington State University. The family moved to La Junta, Colo., in 1970, and was active at Emmanuel Mennonite Church. She taught English and social studies for 22 years. She and Gladwin moved to Kansas in 2007 to be close to family and joined Shalom Mennonite Church.
Survivors include two sons, Barry (Brenda) Bartel of Golden, Colo., and Kelvin (Lisa) Bartel of Newton; a sister, Lucille (Les) Harms; a brother-in-law, Craig Dorsing; a sister-in-law Rosalie (Robert) Neufeld; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gladwin; and six siblings, Leonard Franz, Henry (Dorothy) Franz, Marie (Elmer) Ewert, Viola (Ralph) Boese, Clara (Walt) Reimer and Judy Dorsing. A memorial service will be held at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan., on May 28. Memorial gifts may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
--------------
Smith, Evelyn May Hartzler
May 24, 1932 - October 28, 2021
Smith.- Evelyn May (Hartzler), 89, of Goshen, Ind., died Oct. 28, 2021, at Greencroft Healthcare. She was born May 24, 1932, to Clarence and Nellie (Yoder) Hartzler in Cass County, Mo. On June 27, 1956, she married Maurice E. Smith in Garden City, Mo. She was a member of East Goshen Mennonite Church and a life member of Arkansas State Teachers Association. She had a master's degree in education and was a kindergarten and elementary school teacher. She enjoyed amateur radio and crafts, was very creative and photographed nesting and feeding birds. She wrote a book of wildflowers of Izard County, Ark., and identified butterflies and mushrooms.
Survivors include her husband, Maurice; three children, Gail (Randy) Blosser of Goshen, Stanley (Carolyn) Smith of Elkhart and Susan (Milad) Hanna of Goshen; two sisters, Mary Kathryn Yoder and Esther Hartzler, both of Harrisonville, Mo.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Kenagy and Ethel Hartzler; and a brother, J.T. Hartzler. Funeral services were held at East Goshen Mennonite Church. Burial was in Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Mo.
Transcribed by: John Ingold