Anabaptist World 2026

The obituaries below were published in Anabaptist World, January to December, 2026, Vol. 7. Transcribed by John Ingold.

Alphabetical Index:

Brenneman, James Allan "Jim" 1939-2025

James Allan "Jim" Brenneman, 86, died Oct. 22, 2025, in Englewood, Colo. He was born May 23, 1939, in Joetown, Iowa, to Henry and Minnie (Knepp) Brenneman.
  He attended Brush #8 school and Iowa Mennonite School, graduating in 1958. Then he attended the Reisch School of Auctioneering. He served two years in Mennonite Voluntary Service at Frontier Boys Village in Divide, Colo., after which he attended the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in social work. He then attended the University of Denver graduating in 1971 with a masters degree in social work with a specialization in psychotherapy. During this time, he married Eunice Yoder Brenneman.
  He worked for the Jefferson County, Colo., school district as a school social worker for 27 years. During his time in the public schools and after retirement he also worked as an auctioneer for Linnebur Auction Co. in Byers, Colo., and was inducted into the Colorado Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 2005. He was heavily involved in Glennon Heights Mennonite Church, Mennonite Central Committee and Ten Thousand Villages. He was instrumental in conducting the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted elk, moose and antelope. He and Eunice camped, fished and enjoyed bird watching.
  He is survived by his wife; sister Lois Gugel; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters Ada Fisher, Blanche Brenneman, Irene Brenneman and Virginia Ann Ryan; and brothers Dave Brenneman, Dan Brenneman and Wallace "Wally" Brenneman.
(AW, March 2026, p. 55)
(longer obituary here)

Gunden, Gabrielle (born Gabriel James) 2004-2025

Gabrielle Gunden (born Gabriel James), 21, of Sellersville, Pa., died unexpectedly Nov. 10, 2025, in Goshen, Ind., leaving family and friends devastated. She was deeply beloved and a good friend to many. Her friendliness and contagious sense of humor brought joy to the lives of those around her. Born Jan. 22, 2004, in Sellersville, Pa., Gabrielle grew up the youngest of three siblings. She enjoyed many happy times with her family in Pennsylvania and Indiana and looked forward to annual family vacations in Maine.
  Gabrielle was a junior at Goshen College, majoring in social work. She wanted to pursue a career where she could make a positive change in people's lives. Before Goshen, she studied history at Temple University in Philadelphia, and in 2022 she graduated magna cum laude from Dock Mennonite Academy, where she earned an award in technology and made many lifelong friends. Gabrielle had many hobbies, including listening to music on vinyl records, shooting hoops with friends, analog film photography and learning about ancient history. She enjoyed cooking and eating delicious food and was often found cooking late-night batches of fettuccine alfredo. She spent a lot of time gaming with friends on the computer she designed and built.
  Gabrielle worked and volunteered in humble ways, including cleaning at the Souderton Ten Thousand Villages store and Dock Mennonite Academy. She also volunteered at both places and participated in service projects at Bethany Birches Camp in Vermont and Academia Menonita Betania in Puerto Rico. She was a baptized member of Zion Mennonite Church in Souderton, Pa. and enjoyed fellowship and activities with friends at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church in Hilltown Township, Pa.
  She is survived by parents James and Suzanne Gunden; siblings Erica and Michael Gunden; grandmother Esther (Martin) Clymer; uncles Eric Clymer, James Marshbank and Geof Landis; aunts Elizabeth Gunden and Mary Jean Gunden; and cousins Andrew, Ashley (Joyce) and Finn Landis. The service will be at 11:45 a.m. Jan. 3 at Zion Mennonite Church. Livestream: zionmennonite.org/worship/live-stream. 
(AW, January 2026, p. 50)
(longer obituary here)

Huber, Lois Kae (Friesen) 1950-2025

Lois Kae (Friesen) Huber, 75, who served God and her community in ministries of music and education, died Nov. 14, 2025, in Hutchinson, Kan. She was born Oct. 14, 1950, in Fowler, Kan., to Isaac (Ike) L. and Kathryn M. Friesen, and grew up on a dairy and wheat farm and attended church in Meade, Kan.
    She was preceded in death by older brothers Lloyd and Clyde who both died in infancy. Her father died in 1951, two weeks after her first birthday, and she and her mother formed an inseparable bond.
    Lois was baptized at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Meade, where already in junior high she began accompanying congregational singing and performing special music on organ and piano. She would share these God-given talents for the rest of her life. She enrolled at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., in 1970, where she met her partner in music and life, Jay Huber. They were married Aug. 19, 1973, in Meade. After graduating from Tabor with degrees in music and education in 1974, she began her career teaching at schools in western Reno County, Kan. The couple moved to South Hutchinson in 1978.
    Lois taught 1,004 children, including her sons, in her kindergarten classroom at South Hutchinson Elementary School. She introduced students to letters, numbers, Stone Soup, teddy bear picnics, churned butter on Kansas Day, basic concepts in treating others as you would like to be treated and Christmas programs she directed and accompanied on piano at the same time.
    She retired after three decades but couldn't stop teaching, graduating to junior high as a paraeducator assisting in math and English classrooms. At South Hutchinson Mennonite Church, now known as Journey Mennonite Church, Lois could be found at the organ and piano for four decades. She accompanied hymns and choirs, shared preludes and special music and planned worship services and Christmas programs.
    She was preceded in death by her brothers and parents and is survived by her husband, Jay; sons Tim (Heidi) in Newton and Jonathan (Jessica) in Wichita; and three grandchildren.
(AW, January 2026, p. 50)
(longer obituary here)

Kauffman, Sherman 1943-2025

Sherman Kauffman, 82, died Dec. 6, 2025, at his home in Goshen, Ind., after along battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born June 5, 1943, in Fairview, Mich., to Ira and Glada Kauffman, one of six children.
  After graduating from Fairview High School, he left for Voluntary Service through the Mennonite Church in Anzac, Alberta. There he worked for the Northland School Division that served children in some of the northernmost parts of Alberta, as well as community development. There he met his lifetime partner, Betty Yoder, from Kokomo, Ind., also serving in VS. Following his first pastorate in Three Rivers, Mich., Sherm attended Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries and Goshen College, receiving a bachelor degree and certification.
  For the remainder of his life, Sherm served the church in Sarasota, Fla., as associate pastor at Bayshore Mennonite Church and in Goshen as executive secretary and executive conference minister for Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. During this time, he completed a master's degree in nonprofit administration at Notre Dame. He also served on the boards of Sarasota Christian School and Goshen College. After retirement he served as a transitional minister in Ohio, Indiana and Nebraska. He also volunteered with Mennonite Disaster Service in Florida.
  In retirement, he enjoyed wood-turning, creating wood bowls and vases. He loved the church and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a man of strong faith with a deep sense of justice and the importance of caring for God's creation.
  He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter Shana (Marty) Hodel; son Jeff; six grandchildren; and siblings Polly Kauffman, Sandy Kauffman, Kathy (Wayne) Hochstedler and Bert Jacklitch. He was preceded in death by brother Merrill, sister-in-law Linda Kauffman and brother-in-law Jim Jacklitch. He maintained a strong bond with Jerry Boucher, considered family through lifelong connection. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 27 at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen. 
(AW, January 2026, p. 50)
(longer obituary here)

Krehbiel, Ronald 1931-2025

Ronald Krehbiel, 94, of Hesston, Kan., died Dec. 9, 2025. He was born to Olin and Dorothy Krehbiel on his grandparents' ranch in Porterville, Calif. He spent his childhood in Lansdale, Pa. In high school, the family moved to Berne, Ind., where he met Cynthia Kirchhofer. They were married June 3, 1951, and were blessed with 73 Wonderful years of marriage. They taught many marriage seminars and followed these practices where they were in love and dating all their lives.
  He graduated from Bluffton College and the Mennonite Seminary in Chicago. The General Conference Mennonite Church asked him to start a congregation in Markham, Ill., and he accepted, going door to door until he gathered a diverse group of people. After leading Markham Mennonite Church, he pastored Deep Run Mennonite Church in Bedminster, Pa.; Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, Minn.; Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel, Kan.; West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge, Kan.; and Salem Mennonite (South) Church in Freeman, S.D., as well as an interim pastoral position with Eden Mennonite Church in Moundridge.
  Known for his engaging sermons, he was never afraid to speak his mind and always emphasized love and empathy. He wasn't just a preacher; he was a great listener. He loved nature and was an avid reader, especially of history and science. He was never rigid; his understanding and sympathy grew with the years. He wasn't afraid to change his mind or broaden his vision.
  He traveled the world, pastored in Lesotho, joined a Mennonite delegation to the Middle East and served as vice president of the General Conference Mennonite Church. He earned his doctorate in pastoral ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
  Ron was a devoted husband and father who loved to laugh and play with his children. He was deeply loved by the many friends and family members whose lives he touched and enriched.
  He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; children Deb (George) Lehman, Tom (Susan) Krehbiel, John (Rita) Krehbiel and James (Melissa) Krehbiel; daughter-in-law Rhonda Krehbiel; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  
  He was preceded in death by son Tim Krehbiel; daughter-in-law Julie Waltner Krehbiel; sister Beverly (Glen) Grandlinard; and sister-in-law Jean Kirchhofer.     A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 31 at Hesston Mennonite Church. Memorials may be made to Hesston Mennonite Church and Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund.
(AW, February 2026, p. 46)
(longer obituary here)

Leatherman, Mary E. (Landis) 1941-2026

Mary E. (Landis) Leatherman, 84, of Doylestown, Pa., died Jan. 26, 2026, at her residence. She was the beloved wife of the late William C. Leatherman, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. She was born in Harleysville, Pa., to the late Dayton C. Landis and the late Mattie H. (Landes) Landis.
  A 1959 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale, she graduated from Grand View Hospital School of Nursing in Sellersville in 1962. She devoted her professional life to nursing, serving as a Registered Nurse at Doylestown Hospital for 55 years. She was a faithful member of Doylestown Mennonite Church and served as a board member of Rockhill Mennonite Community (now known as The Community at Rockhill).
  She cherished her roles as a devoted wife, mother, Nana and friend. She will be lovingly remembered for her sincerity, kindness, generosity, gentle spirit and remarkable ability to listen and care deeply for those around her.
  She is survived by three daughters, Victoria Kim Leatherman of Palatine, Ill., Jennifer B. Gidley of Doylestown and Bonnie Sue Leatherman of Doylestown; and four grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sons Douglas W. Leatherman and Michael James Leatherman; and siblings Stanton Landis, Heber Landis, Minerva Godshall, Henry Landis, Floyd Landis, Dayton Landis Jr. and Mark Landis.
(AW, March 2026, p. 54)
(longer obituary here)

Preheim-Bartel, Dean A. 1946-2026

Dean A. Preheim-Bartel, 79, died Feb. 5, 2026, in Goshen, Ind. He was born to Henry and Dora Ewert Bartel on Oct. 30, 1946, in Hillsboro, Kan.
  After graduating from Tabor College in 1968, he did Voluntary Service at the Colorado State Home and Training School for the Mentally Retarded. He continued to work for the Colorado Department of Institutions and Social Services in Denver. In 1978, he moved to Elkhart, Ind., to attend Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. There he met and married Gwendolyn Preheim. A year later he became a consultant for the Developmental Disabilities Program of Mennonite Health Services. By 1988 he became the manager of church relations and advocacy programs at Mennonite Mutual Aid. He also coordinated the Mennonite Health Assembly national conference for health professionals. He graduated with an MSA in nonprofit administration from Notre Dame in 1988.
  Eager to use his skills in an ecumenical setting, he developed a new program for Catholic Charities in Red Wing, Minn., in 1999. Called back to Indiana in 2005, he was the director of Church Community Services in Elkhart until his retirement in 2011 due to Parkinson's disease. Work with the disenfranchised was dear to his heart. Known for his kind and gentle spirit, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening as well as studying his genealogy. His volunteer efforts included helping to develop God's Eye Art, working at The Depot, Mennonite Archives and Greencroft.      
  Surviving are his wife; sisters-in-law Nina Preheim, Elizabeth Osborne, Anita Preheim, Justina Neufeld and Delores Bartel; and brothers-in-law William Preheim and Michael Preheim. Preceding him in death were brothers Floyd, Alfred and Marvin; sisters-in-law Pearl Schroeder Bartel and Dorothy Preheim; and brothers-in law Gary Goertz, Kirk Preheim and Mark Osborne. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 7 at Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen.
(AW, March 2026, p. 54)
(longer obituary here)

Schrag, Myron Dave 1937-2025

Myron Dave Schrag, 88, pastor and follower of Jesus, a sojourner whose ministry carried him from India to Indiana, died Dec. 6, 2025, at his home in Goshen, Ind. Born Jan. 10, 1937, in Norwich, Kan., he was the fifth of six children of Dave and Adina Schrag.
  He credited his rural upbringing for shaping his character and work ethic. His faith was nurtured at Bethany Mennonite Church, where he was baptized as a teenager. In later years, he described baptism as the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship, rooted in Jesus call to peacemaking, justice and the "upside-down kingdom" of the Sermon on the Mount.
  At Norwich High School, Myron excelled in football, basketball and track. At Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., he initially prepared for a career in teaching and coaching but developed a deepening interest in Bible and religion courses, while also setting a school record in the 120-yard hurdles. After graduating in 1959, Myron served through Mennonite Voluntary Service in Ontario, working with troubled youth.
  A summer with Mennonite Central Committee in Nashville and time at Koinonia Farm with Clarence Jordan strengthened his commitment to a gospel-rooted faith expressed through racial justice, nonviolence and shared community. These experiences led him to Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. There he met Ericka "Rickey" Koop. Married in 1965, they shared more than 60 years of partnership in life and ministry.
  Myron served congregations in Kansas, India and Minneapolis, where he helped found People of Faith Peacemakers, and concluded his pastoral career at Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen. In retirement, Myron and Rickey continued to serve, including teaching in China. Following a second cancer diagnosis, Myron lived fully and faithfully until his death.
  He is survived by his wife, Rickey; three sons; seven grandchildren; siblings; and extended family. Myron will be remembered for his humility, warmth, love of sports, devotion to family and enduring witness to the peaceable way of Jesus. 
(AW, January 2026, p. 50)
(longer obituary here)


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Used with permission by the Archives of the Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana
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