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Lazarus Project

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.

2004 G


Garman, Emma N. ; . . Gehman, Miriam Ruth Groff ; . . Geissinger, Anna H. ; . . Givens, Clarence L. ; . . Gongwer, Nelson L. ; . .  Good, Cloyd G. ; . . Good, Edna M. ; . . Good, Isaac G. ; . . Graybill, Alma E. Brubaker ; . .  Groff, Clarence V. ; . .   Groff, Jean E. ; . .  


Garman, Emma N
.,
Born: 8-20-1917, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.  Died: 4-5-2004, Fairmount Homes, Ephrata, Pa.
Wife of: Paul S. Garman (3-9-1916/6-23-2001) He was son of Isaac H. & Anne G. Sauder Garman
Daughter of: Elmer M. and Anna M. Nolt Weaver

Survivors: Sons, Luke (Mary Ann) Garman, and Lamar (Eileen S.) Garman, both of Denver, Pa., Lawrence (Anna Mary) Garman of Quarryville, Pa., Landis Garman of Manheim, Pa., and Leon of Denver, Pa. Daughters, Erma (Mahlon S.) Martin of Lititz, Pa., Anna (Leon S.) Musser of Manheim, Pa., Martha Jane (Phares S.) Hurst of Leola, Pa. Esther Mae (Robert J.) Burkholder of Millerstown, Pa., and Irene (Joel B.) Showalter of New Holland, Pa. Grandchildren: 55. Great-grandchildren: 81

Sisters, Nora N. (Ivan H.) Wenger of Idabel, Okla., Alma N. (Samuel B.) Kurtz, and Anna N. (Lester R.) Sauder, both of Ephrata, Pa., Bernice N. (Rufus Z.) Nolt of Manheim, Pa., and Mary N. Weaver of New Holland.

Preceded in death by a brother, Isaac N. Weaver; two sisters, Rhoda N. Weaver and Ada N. Sensenig

Emma was a homemaker and also operated a Quilt Shop and Bake Shop. She was a member of Springville Mennonite Churc, Ephrata, Pa.

Services: Springville Mennonite Church, Ephrata Twp., on Friday April 7, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Lester B. Martin and ministers, Lloyd Burkholder, Walter Zimmerman and Wilmer Martin officiating.
Interment in adjoining cemetery.
Original obituary may be obtained
 from Intelligencer Journal,
 published Wed., 4-7-2004, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard




Gehman, Miriam Ruth Groff
, 83, died Feb. 23, 2004, at the Ephrata Community Hospital in Ephrata, Pa. Her husband, Samuel R. Gehman, in 1996. She was a member of the Blue Ball Mennonite Church.

Survived by three sons, Melvin C. Gehman of Annville, Pa., John M. Gehman of Ephrata and Samuel G. Gehman of Peach Bottom, Pa.; three daughters, Janet M. Henry of Hephzibah, Joyce C. Quackenbos of Blythe and Ruth Ann Page of Maryville, Tenn.; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; and sister, Elsie Martin of New Holland, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel R. Gehman, in 1996.

Funeral service was Feb. 28, 2004 at the Hepzibah Mennonite Church in Hephzibah, GA

Source: Georgia Obituary and Death Notice Collection
Submitted by Leon Hertzler



Geissinger, Anna H.


Born: 7-20-1942, Lancaster, Pa.  Died: 8-29-2004, New Holland, Pa.

Daughter of: Late Howard and Kathryn M. Hurst Geissinger.  She was a member of Hammer Creek Mennonite Church, Lititz, Pa.

Services: Graveside service Hammer Creek Mennonite Church Cem. on Thursday, 9-2-2004, at 11 am.
Original obituary may be obtained from
Intelligencer Journal, published
Monday, August 30, 2004, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by Peggy Reichard



Givens, Clarence L.
, 80, of Elizabethtown, PA died November 28, 2004 at Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA. Born February 26, 1924 in Swatara Twp., Dauphin County, PA to Arthur T. and Sadie L. Longenecker Givens. He was married to Ruth L. Lehman Givens for 58 years on February 2. Mr. Givens was a member of Strickler's Mennonite Church in Middletown where he had served as a Sunday school superintendent and taught a boys Sunday school class. He was also the caretaker of Shope's Cemetery for many years. Mr. Givens also was a Mennonite Disaster Services representative.

Survived by his wife and two daughters, Janet L., wife of William S. Derstine of Telford; Joanne E., wife of Elmer M. Martin of Stevens; a son, James A., husband of Judy A. Zell Givens of Elizabethtown; a foster daughter, Stacey, wife of Dave McCord of Harrisburg; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a brother, Norman L., husband of Dorothea Givens of Andover, NY; and a sister, Anna Mae Zeager of Elizabethtown. He and his wife were foster parents to 33 children over the years.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Alvin L.

A funeral service was December 2, 2004 at Strickler Mennonite Church, Middletown, PA with Pastors Elmer K. Breneman and Edward N. Myers officiating. Interment will be in Shope's Cemetery, Highspire, PA .

Source: Find A Grave Memorial # 57068167
Submitted by: Leon Hertzler



Gongwer, Nelson L.

May 9,1916 June 15, 2004

WAKARUSA - Nelson L. Gongwer, 88, of 604 Maple Lane, founder of Port-a-Pit by Nelson's Golden Glow, Wakarusa, died at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday (June 15, 2004) at Elkhart General Hospital, after a recent stroke.   

Mr. Gongwer was born May 9, 1916, in  Elkhart County [Ind.] to Maurice and Olive (Stauffer) Gongwer. He married Eva Bixler on Jan. 1, 1938, in Goshen.

He is survived by his wife, Eva Gongwer; along with one son, Dean (Jeanne) Gongwer of Wakarusa; one daughter, Janet (Mr. Lynn) Hahn of Mishawaka; two brothers, Ivan Gongwer of Elkhart and Dale (Toky) Gongwer of New Paris; one sister, Grace (Roy) Hershberger of Union; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert L. Gongwer.

Rieth-Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 117 W Waterford St., Wakarusa, is handling arrangements.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Nappanee Missionary Church, where the funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday. Pastors David Engbrecht, Marvin Engbrecht and Norm Reiner will officiate. Burial will follow in Olive (West) Cemetery.

Mr. Gongwer founded Nelson's Port-a-Pit by Nelsons Golden Glow in 1967. He built the prototype of the Port-a-Pit cooking machine. He enjoyed trying to find a better way of doing things, and in this case he was trying to find a way that would allow him to help others (nonprofit organizations). The product is now a household name throughout Northern Indiana as a well-known fundraising business. It is operated by members of the third-generation Nelson Gongwer family throughout Indiana and Michigan, helping nonprofit organizations raise millions of dollars.

-Memorials may be made to the Nelson Gongwer Memorial Fund and sent to Nappanee Missionary Church, P.O. Box 110, Nappanee, IN 46550.

The Truth, Elkhart, IN
June 17, 2004
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Good, Cloyd G
.

Born: 9-3-1925, Hinkletown, Pa. Died: 6-7-2004, Lancaster, Pa.
Husband of: Esther Herr Good, who survives
Son of: Late Henry H. and Lizzie Good Good

Other survivors
Sons, LaVerne and Kenneth (Elena) Good, both of New Holland, Pa., Donald (Lillian) Good of Lancaster, Pa.
Daughters, Shirley (Angel) Orta, and Arlene (Francisco) Delgado, both of  East Earl, Pa., and Louise (Israel) Colon of Mohnton, Pa.
Grandchildren: 14  Great-grandchildren: 8
Sisters, Anna Mary Weber of Ephrata, Pa. and Magdalena Auker of Willow Street, Pa.
Brothers, Harvey G. Good of New Holland, Pa., Henry Jr. (Treva) Good of Stevens, Pa. and William H. (Darle) Good of Akron, Pa.

He worked as a machinist for Sperry New Holland for 34 years
He was a member of New Holland Mennonite Church. He sang in a male chorus.
Services: New Holland Mennonite Church, 18 Western Ave., New Holland, Pa. on Friday, June 9, 2004, at 2 PM. Interment will follow in New Holland Mennonite Church Cem.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer  Journal,
published Wed., June 9, 2004, Lancaster, Pa.

Submitted by: Peggy Reichard




Good, Edna M
.

Born: 8-2-1923, East Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.  Died: 8-8-2004, Lititz, Pa.

Daughter of: Late Harvey H. and Alice W. Taylor Good.

Survivors: Brothers, Lester T. (Kathryn Eckenrode) Good of Stevens, Pa., Paul T. (Vera Fox) Good of Lititz, Pa. and Raymond T. (Nancy Stoltzfus) Good of Ephrata, Pa.

Edna was a member of Weaverland Mennonite Church.

Services: Landis Homes Bethany Chapel, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, Pa. on Thursday, 8-12-2004, at 10:30 am. Interment in Weaverland Mennonite Church Cem., East Earl, Pa.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Intelligencer Journal, published Monday,
8-9-2004, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard




Good, Isaac G.
, 87, of Lititz, formerly of Bowmansville, died May 28, 2004 at Landis Homes following a brief illness. Born in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster County, he was the son of the late Barton and Lizzie (Giegley) Good. His wife, Eleanor H. (Burkhart) Good. They observed their 64th anniversary on November 5. He was a member Bowmansville Mennonite Church where he taught Sunday School and served as a trustee. He enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Perry County, PA.

Survived by his wife and a daughter, Jeanette married to Jim Oberholtzer, Manheim; three sons: Mervin married to Sonia Good, Wernersville; Warren married to Deborah Good, Denver; and Isaac Ray married to Carolyn Good, Ocean View, DE; six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; a sister Ruth Burkhart, Ephrata.

He was preceded in death by three sisters: Edna Good, Lizzie Fox, and Ella Weaver and two brothers: Amos Good and Edwin Good.

Memorial service was June 6, 2004 at the Bowmansville Mennonite Church, East Earl, PA with Rev. Chester E. Yoder and Rev. Donald W. Good officiating. Private interment at the convenience of the family in the adjoining church cemetery.

Source: GenealogyBuff.com Lancaster Co., PA
Obituary and Death Notice Collection 05/28/2004



Graybill, Alma E. Brubaker
, 94, of Vassalboro, Maine where she had been living with her daughter, Emma, for the past six years, and formerly of Evendale, Pa., died July 9, 2004, at Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, Waterville, Maine. She was born Dec. 15, 1909, in Evendale, Juniata Co., PA to Jacob G. and Ella (Gingrich) Brubaker. On Oct. 6, 1936, she married Eli S. Graybill, he died Oct. 30, 1978. he was a member of Lauver's Mennonite Church, HC 63 Richfield, Pa., where she taught the children's Sunday school class. For the past six years, she had been attending Kennebec Mennonite Church, Augusta, Maine.

Survived by two children, Carl E. Graybill and his wife Sharon of Selinsgrove,Pa., and Emma Graybill of Vassalboro, Maine
She was preceded in death by her husband Eli and a infant son, David Graybill, and a sister, Ida Brubaker. She was the last of her immediate family.

Funeral service was July 11, 2004 at Lauver's Mennonite Church by Pastors John W. Gehman and Glenn Metzler. Burial was in Lauver's Mennonite Cemetery, Richfield, PA

Source: Find A Grave Memorial# 18794401
Submitted by Leon Hertzler



Groff, Clarence V.


Born: 8-17-1906, Salisbury Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.
Died: 1-12-2004, Kinzers, Pa.

Husband of: Mabel Martin Groff (11-10-1906/10-16-1994)
Son of: Late John H. and Anna Brackbill Groff

Survivors: Daughters, Mildred V. Groff of Kinzers, Pa., Almeda (Edwin J.) Landis of Lampeter, Pa. and a son, Harold Martin (Mary Ellen Landis) Groff of Kinzers, Pa.
Grandchildren: 8 Great-grandchildren: 17
Sisters, Elsie (Earl) Martin of New Holland, Pa., and Miriam Gehman of Ephrata, Pa.
Preceded in death by a son, C. Victor; two brothers, John and Roy; and five sisters, Barbara Graham, Anna Hess, Elva Lehman, Esther Groff and Elizabeth Groff.
Clarence was a farmer.
He was a member of Kinzer Mennonite Church, and served 23 years as a deacon.
Services: Kinzer Mennonie Church, 45 N. Kinzer Road, Kinzers, Pa. on Friday, 1-16-2004, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Paul L. Clar, Pastor Dwight L. Groff and Deacon Benjamin L. Clark, officiating. Intement in Kinzer Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, published,
Wed., January 14, 2004, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Groff, Jean E.


Born: 11-4-1937, Salisbury Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.  Died: 8-27-2004, Lancaster, Pa.

Wife of: Merle E. Groff, who survives.  Daughter of: Late Maurice and Mary Martin Hershey.

Other survivors: Sons, Merle E. Jr. (Shirley Pierce) Groff of Manheim, Pa., and J. Marlin (Nancy
Mohler) Groff of Lititz, Pa.  Daughters, Joanne K. (David) McIlvaine II of Lancaster, Pa., Donna J. (John)
Alexander of Ronks, Pa., and Jennifer D. Groff of Philadelphia, Pa. A sister, Ruth Denlinger of Intercourse, Pa.
Brothers, Clair M. (Kitty) Hershey, and Glenn A. Hershey, both of Lancaster, Pa.

Preceded in death by a brother, Melvin Hershey.

Jean was a active member of Strasburg Mennonite Church where she taught Sunday School for 20 years.

Services: Strasburg Mennonite Church, 1514 Village Road, Strasburg, Pa. on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 at 9:30 am. with Pastor John Meck, Pastor Steven Weaver and Deacon John Good officiating. Interment in adjoining cemetery.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Intelligencer Journal, Lanc., Pa. published
Monday, August 30-2004, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by Peggy Reichard



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