Anabaptist World
April - June 2025
Mennonite World Review & The Mennonite merged September 2020
Anabaptist World, April 2025, pages 56-58, Vol. 6, No. 4.
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Stoesz, Edgar
August 10, 1929 - March 12, 2025
Stoesz-. Edgar, 95, died March 12, 2025, with a faith confident in God's grace. Born in Mountain Lake Minn., he was the son of Dietrich and Anna Stoesz. Edgar and his wife, Gladys, did two years of alternate service, which blossomed into a career that included working with Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Indemnity, Goodville Mutual Insurance and Menno Travel.
Some themes in his work were Mennonite resettlement in the Paraguayan Chaco, world hunger, the civil rights movement and creating a mutual aid insurance plan for missionaries. He considered his career a calling from God and a service to others. He chaired the boards of Habitat for Humanity International, Heifer International, Bridge of Hope National, American Leprosy Mission, Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti and Fuller Center for Housing and served on many other boards. He was a member of Akron Mennonite Church and served as moderator of Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
He shared generously of his time and talents, assisted good causes and built lifelong friendships. He enjoyed making and fixing all sorts of things, from home improvement projects, gardening and woodworking to improving how boards and businesses functioned. He read extensively, enjoyed writing and authored numerous books, including Doing Good Better! How to Be an Effective Board Member. He cherished his wife, Gladys, enjoyed the love of his family and was actively engaged in their lives.
He is survived by children Susan, Dean, Marcia, Randall, Ellen and Kristine; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister Helen Peifer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years; and brothers Eldor, Harvey and Dietrich Jr. Memorials may be given to Mennonite Central Committee or Habitat for Humanity International. The memorial service will be at 4 p.m. April 5 at Akron Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania.
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Flickinger, Calvin
January 7, 1927 - February 18, 2025
Flickinger-. Calvin Flickinger, 98, of North Newton, Kan., died Feb. 18, 2025. He was born Jan. 7, 1927, and raised on a farm in Pretty Prairie, Kan. His parents, Amos Flickinger and Ida Graber, were children of Mennonite immigrants from Russia. Their deep faith sustained them, and they instilled in him their values of kindness, justice, service and hard work. His passion for a challenge kept him engaged in lifelong growth.
He earned degrees at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Neb., Bethel College in North Newton, Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago and Arizona State University. While a student at Bethel, he met Sidonnia (Sid) Nickel at the hospital where she was a student nurse. They married in 1953 and served as missionaries in Colombia and northern Arizona through the Mennonite Church.
They had four children during that time and sensibly waited to have a fifth until they left mission work and moved to Phoenix in 1963, where Cal taught at El Mirage Elementary School until retirement in 1986. With their move to Phoenix, they became members of First Mennonite Church and invested deeply in that community. Calvin served on committees, taught classes, directed music and led worship. They were a part of First Mennonite until a division over LGBTQ+ membership caused them to leave in 1992.
They moved to the Glencroft retirement community in Glendale, Ariz., in 1985. Cal
volunteered and worked as a part-time resident manager. He golfed, organized bowling tournaments and participated in Senior Olympics. During many summer months and most holidays, they traveled to visit family and explore new places. He was passionate about music, leading singing and participating in choirs.
He is survived by his children, Ronald (Colleen Kliewer), Daniel, John (Douglas Basinger), Susan (Doris Bartel) and Lois; a grandson, Martin; and a brother, Chester. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sid; a daughter-in-law, Colleen; and a granddaughter, Teresa.
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Byler, Priscilla Sue Ann Miller
December 18, 1937 - February 23, 2025
Byler-. Priscilla Sue Ann (Miller), 87, died Feb. 23, 2025, in Goshen, Ind. She was born Dec. 18, 1937, in Shipshewana, Ind., to Irwin and Mildred (Yoder) Miller. She graduated from Shipshewana High School in 1955. She completed a one-year secretarial program at Goshen College in 1956 and held several secretarial jobs during her life. In 1962 she graduated from Ontario Mennonite Bible Institute.
She then served a year of voluntary service in Indianapolis, in the home of Nellie and Cleo Mann, pastor at First Mennonite Church. In Indianapolis she met Ezra Byler, who was also doing voluntary service as part of the 1-W program. They were married in 1963. Her children were born in 1968 (James Jay), 1970 (Jennifer Dawn) and 1975 (Janine Renee). She was a full-time homemaker for 22 years.
She was known for her hospitality, cooking and volunteer work. She was part of a group of women who started a fair-trade store in Bloomington, Ill., called Crossroads, which marketed goods made by international artisans to help them provide for their families. After moving to Goshen in 2005, she volunteered for many years at a similar store, Ten Thousand Villages. She was a longtime member at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen.
Surviving are three children, Jay (Inge) Kaufmann of Berlin, Germany, Jennifer Youngberg of Goshen and Janine (Jason) Byler of Byler Kalamazoo, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and three siblings, Betty (Vernon) Roth of Cambridge, Ont., James Lee Miller of Shipshewana and Joann Buerge of Indianapolis. She was preceded in death by her husband on Jan. 7, 2003, in Normal, Ill.; four siblings and their spouses, Ernest (Ruth) Miller, Waneta (Payson) Miller, Richard (Lois) Miller and Kenneth (Bertha) Miller; brother-in-law Dennis Buerge and sister-in-law Barbara Miller.
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Linscheid, Allen Richard
July 20, 1929 - January 15, 2025
Linscheid-. Allen Richard, 95, died Jan. 15, 2025. He was born in 1929 at Mountain Lake, Minn. The family moved to Freeman, S.D., to pastor a Mennonite church. Pacifism was a minority position in the public school, and the family negotiated alternatives to pro-war class projects. Mennonite Central Committee provided some of those alternatives. Thus began a lifelong relationship between Allen and MCC.
Allen attended Freeman Academy and Junior College and graduated from Bethel College, focusing on debate, drama and singing. The draft was a V defining point in his life. The draft board resisted conscientious Linscheid objectors. He appealed his classification of 1-A and subsequent offers of noncombatant service and deferments. MCC helped men with their CO status. Allen went before a federal judge to get his CO status. He applied to MCC for alternative service and was sent to Reedley, Calif., to work with the Voluntary Service units connected with Kings View Hospital. He met Georgia Sommer there. They were married in 1954.
Allen received his master's degree from Stanford University and was hired as director of live programming for television Channel 12 (later 30) in Fresno. He was the first administrator of Sierra View Homes in Reedley. He then worked for Kings View Hospital as administrator for 22 years. Finally, he ran a burial plan, Pacific Mennonite Aid Society. He helped begin the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale. He was instrumental in starting the first regional MCC and was the first chair of that board. A member of First Mennonite Church in Reedley, he served as moderator, deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member. Reedley Peace Center began at the church, and Allen was one of its leaders.
He is survived by his sons, Jerry (Roberta) and David; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Agnetha Linscheid; parents-in-law, David and Viola Sommer; sister, Rosemary (Harold) Moyer; wife, Georgia Linscheid; and daughter, Karen Minyard.
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Penner, Kevin Lynn
March 8, 1967 - February 17, 2025
Penner-. Kevin Lynn, 57, of Harrisonburg, Va., died unexpectedly Feb. 17, 2025, in his home, following a decade of struggle with mental health. He was born March 8, 1967, to Alvin and Susanne Penner in Newton, Kan. , Kevin graduated from Newton High School in 1985 and Bethel College in 1989.
He facilitated gatherings of his friends from college, high school and even grade school. He enjoyed traveling, including in Europe, Russia and Turkey. He lived in Sacramento, Calif., Austin, Texas, and Indianapolis, Ind., before settling in Goshen, Ind., for 26 years. On April 29, 2000, he married Marlene Martin at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Mich.
He worked for Everence Financial in Goshen for almost 25 years as a computer programmer. He and Marlene divorced in 2024, and Kevin moved to Harrisonburg in 2025. Kevin found joy in entertaining in his home and in adding on to his house in a way that facilitated gatherings. Many people enjoyed playing poker and watching sporting events with him.
He loved supporting his children and their activities. He enjoyed birding, pickleball, racquetball, softball and disc golf. With a heart service, he used his talents to volunteer at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, Lexington House in Elkhart, Mennonite Disaster Service and Habitat for Humanity Restore in Harrisonburg.
He is survived by his son and daughter, Canyon and Sienna Penner; his wife of 24 years, Marlene Martin Penner; his parents, Alvin and Sue Penner; brother Keith (Sharon) Penner and sister Connie (Jerl) Banning. Services are at 11 a.m. March 29 at Belmont Mennonite Church, streaming at belmontmc.org. Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Harrisonburg (centralvalleyhabitat.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/36387) or the Belmont Mennonite Church Love Fund.
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Smucker, Donna Louise Gerber
March 15, 1931 - February 16, 2025
Smucker-. Donna Louise, 93, died Feb. 16, 2025. She was born March 15, 1931, in Sugarcreek, Ohio. She was the daughter of Clayton and Sophia Gerber of Walnut Creek, Ohio, and married John Robert Smucker on July 21, 1956, at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church.
An elementary education graduate of Goshen College, she was a teacher all her life and enjoyed teaching children in Sunday school well into her 80s. In the classroom, the church, at home with four children or interacting with her grandchildren and great-granddaughters, she enjoyed nurturing, encouraging and supporting everyone in her many circles of family and friends. She loved reading, quilting, hosting many guests for meals and sending cards and letters to keep up with family and church friends' birthdays and milestones.
Being a pastor's wife, she made hospitality look easy and was known to bake two pies every Saturday for the inevitable Sunday company. She lived in many communities, including East Greenville, Ohio, Fort Wayne, Ind., Goshen, Ind., Sturgis, Mich., Harleysville, Pa., Berlin, Ohio, and Manson, Iowa, finally settling back in Goshen in 1988. Her family will miss her spunk, her infectious laugh and her creative way of engaging telemarketers.
She is survived by two sisters, Nancy (Dick) Graber of Salem, Mo., and Margaret (Brian) Stoltzfus of Goshen. Donna and John were parents to four children, Elisabeth (Michael) Grieser of Goshen, John David (Beth) Smucker of Goshen, Emily (Lorin) Beidler of Lancaster, Pa., and Steve (Judy) Smucker of Huntsville, Texas. They enjoyed their 10 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Amigo Centre or Mennonite Central Committee.
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Lehman, Betsy Hirschler
December 3, 1933 - January 31, 2025
Lehman-. Betsy, 91, died Jan. 31, 2025. She was born Dec. 3, 1933, in Beatrice, Neb., to Henry and Helen (Wiebe) Hirschler. On June 1, 1957, she married Jim Lehman in Beatrice. Together, they graduated from Bethel College in Kansas, where she received her nursing degree, and then Indiana University, where she received her master's degree in nursing. She later earned her Ph.D. in nursing education from Columbia University. Betsy devoted her life to teaching future generations of nurses. She was a professor of nursing at Pace University in New York for 18 years and planned and led trips for nurses to India, Nepal, Egypt, Israel, South Korea and Taiwan. She presented professional papers at international nursing conferences in Taiwan and South Korea. Along with her husband, Betsy lived in India for 25 years. She was a consultant to The Christian Medical Association of India, where she, along with several Indian colleagues, developed nursing curriculum for schools of nursing, authored several textbooks and conducted workshops throughout the country. A new building at the Sister Florence College of Nursing, an affiliate of Kolkata University, was named after her as recognition for her contributions to nursing education in India. Her faith and her family were of utmost importance to her. She was an avid world traveler, almost always thinking about and planning her next trip. Most of her travels were professionally related, and she also loved to explore new places and meet new friends. She loved planning family gatherings at a lake house in Indiana. She is survived by her husband, Jim Lehman; children Stanley Lehman (Leslie) of Atlanta, Deanne Lehman (Benjamin) of England, Carole (David) Nasralla of Colorado, Jeffrey (Alison) Lehman of England and Priya (Carey) McDurmon of Clermont Ga.; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Karl Lehman; granddaughter Anna Barnard; and brother Dan Hirschler. A celebration of life will take place at 4 p.m. April 12 at Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind.
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Miller, Donald C.
February 10, 1936 - February 27, 2025
Miller-. Donald C., 89, died Feb. 27, 2025, at his home in Goshen, Ind. He was born Feb. 10, 1936, near Emma, Ind., the second child of Clyde J. and Bertha (Leichty) Miller. He lived most of his childhood years near Leo, Ind. He married Sylvia Steiner on Sept. 5, 1959, in Goshen. They vowed upon their engagement that "together we will serve the Lord," which they did for more than 63 years. Don humbly shared his heart, humor and wisdom with others, even in his last days.
He graduated from Goshen College and earned a master's degree from the University of Wyoming. He taught math at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School (1963-67) in Pennsylvania, Eastern Mennonite College (1968-72) and Broadway High School (1972-79) in Virginia and Westview High School (1979-80) and Bethany Christian High School P(1980-94) in Indiana.
In 1994 he began a new career as a certified nursing assistant, retiring in September 2024 at the age of 88. He also served as a funeral home greeter until his death. He was a member at Waterford Mennonite Church and involved in lay ministry roles at the churches he attended in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Indiana.
He was predeceased by his wife, Sylvia; and two brothers, Harold and Garold. He is survived by special friend Christine Falcon; sons Kevin (Lorene) and Carey (Joani); daughter Carla (chosen through adoption) and bonus daughter Christine (Glenn) Stutzman; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Forrest (Anne), Cliff, and Diane (Vern) Heacock; and a sister-in-law, Carol. His cremated remains are housed in the Waterford Mennonite Church columbarium. His memorial service, held March 8, may be viewed at waterfordchurch.org/streaming.
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Detweiler, Lowell
June 11, 1936 - March 1, 2025
Detweiler-. Lowell, 88, died March 1, 2025, at Landis Homes, Lititz, Pa. He spent most of his life working and traveling for Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service. Born to Oren and Nettie Miller Detweiler in Fairview, Mich., he earned teaching degrees from Goshen College and Tuskegee Institute. He taught for 12 years, including MCC assignments in Newfoundland and Tanzania.
In 1957 he married Ruth Kauffman from West Liberty, Ohio. From 1959 to 1961 they taught in a Newfoundland fishing village two-room school. They returned to West Liberty, and two children joined them. When Cheryl was 6 and Steve was 3, they moved to Tanzania for three years with MCC's Teachers Abroad Program. During holiday breaks, they enjoyed East African safaris, and Lowell climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.
In 1971, Lowell began working in human resources at MCC's Akron, Pa., headquarters and invited many to meaningful Christian service around the world. The family attended Akron Mennonite Church, where he held numerous positions over the years. Lowell was director of MDS from 1986 to 1998. At MCC's invitation, he traveled to help set up earthquake response programs in Japan and Armenia.
In 1998 he stepped down from MDS leadership to write a book about MDS's first 50 years. The Hammer Rings Hope was the culmination of a life of service and a reminder that we all can bring hope through service to others. Since 1998 Lowell had many roles and volunteer projects at MCC, MDS, Ephrata ReUzit Stores and Landis Homes, where they moved in 2011.
He is survived by children Cheryl (Brent Kaufman) of Grafton, Vt., and Steve (Barbara Perry) of Akron, Pa.; a granddaughter; and siblings John (Luetta) of Fairview, Mich., and Reuel (Joy) of Goshen, Ind. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; an infant son, Douglas Keith; his parents; siblings Carl (Janet) Detweiler, Mary Lawrence) Wyse and Lucille Detweiler, all of Michigan; and sister-in-law Sara Detweiler of Goshen. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. May 3 at Akron Mennonite Church. Contributions may be designated to MDS or the Landis Homes Caring Fund.
Transcribed by: John Ingold