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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.

 2006 - N to Q


Naffziger, Keith Tilton;   Nafziger, Freeman A.;   Nelson, Robert E.;   Neumann, Helen Ruth Elliott;   Newswanger, Alice Sauder;   Noftsier, Judson R.;  Nofziger, Hermia E.; . . Nye, Lois Metzler Unruh ; . .  Obold, Eleanor A. Diefenderfer;   Ortman, Walter A.  Oswald, Martha Duerksen;   Oyer, Elsie Katherine;   Pankratz, Henry J.;   Pauls, Irvin "Irv" A.;   Penner, Anna Lichti,;   Plank, John Philip;   Quiring, Stanley Frank;  


Naffziger, Keith Tilton
, 66, of Washington, IL died July 9, 2006 at Sycamore, IL.  He was born January 4, 1940 in IL to the late Kenneth & Helen (Tilton) Naffziger.  On May 20, 1961  he was married to Patricia Kamp, who survives.

Surviving are children, Lane Naffziger, Eric Naffziger, Lynnette Haller, Anne Livingston, Sarah Naffziger, and  9 grandchildren.

Also surviving brothers, Ronald and Lou Ann Naffziger, and Neil Naffziger.

The funeral was held July 13, 2006 at Calvary Mennonite Church, Washington, IL with burial in the Glendale Cemetery, Washington,, IL.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Calvary Mennonite Church Washington, IL
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Nafziger, Freeman A.


ARCHBOLD - Freeman A. Nafziger, 82, of Archbold, died Friday afternoon, Jan. 27, 2006, at Harborside Healthcare, Swanton.

Among his survivors is his wife, Marian.

Arrangements are pending at Short Funeral Home, Archbold

http://www.bryantimes.com 1/28/2006

Nafziger, Freeman A., 1923-2006
Retired farmer loved family, church

ARCHBOLD, Ohio - Freeman A. Nafziger, a retired longtime farmer who also worked for many years for an Archbold farm machinery consignment auction firm, died of congestive heart failure Friday at Harborside of Swanton. He was 82.

Mr. Nafziger, who was born on an 80-acre family farm near Pettisville, Ohio, raised livestock and grew corn, beans, and wheat on the farm for about 25 years, from 1947 until renting the farm in the early 1970s.

A Pettisville High School graduate, he also was a clerk at Yoder & Frey Inc., of Archbold, for 58 years, from 1947 until retiring last year. His son, Charles, called him a hard worker and a devout Christian for whom the family was very important.

" 'If you never know me, you will miss nothing - If you never know my Savior, you will miss everything.' This [saying] would summarize his whole life and what he lived for," his son said.

Mr. Nafziger was a charter member of Tedrow Mennonite Church in Tedrow, Ohio.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Marian; sons, Roger, Charles, and Ron; daughter, Charlotte Stepp; brothers, Clifford and Maurice; seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

The body will be in the Tedrow Fellowship Hall after 2 p.m. tomorrow. Memorial services will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Tedrow Mennonite Church, Tedrow. Arrangements are by the Short Funeral Home, Archbold.

The family suggests tributes to the Calvary Hour Inc. in Orrville, Ohio, or Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Williams and Fulton Counties.

Article published Sunday, January 29, 2006 The Toledo Blade


Nafziger, Freeman A.
(1923 - 2006)

ARCHBOLD - Freeman A. Nafziger, 82, of Archbold, died Friday afternoon, Jan. 27, 2006, at Harborside of Swanton, where he had resided since Jan. 17.

Born June 1, 1923, near Archbold, to Ruth (Eicher) and Alfred Nafziger, he married Marian Christner on Feb. 9, 1947, and she survives.
A lifelong resident of the Archbold area, he farmed, worked at Zehr & Co. and for Sam H. Nofziger. He was the clerk for Yoder & Frey, Inc. for 58 years and also for Yoder & Frey Auctioneers for 40 years.

He was a charter member of the Tedrow Mennonite Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Roger (and wife, Karen) Nafziger and Charles (Laura) Nafziger, both of Archbold, and Ron (Elizabeth) Nafziger of Wauseon; a daughter, Mrs. Jon (Charlotte) Stepp of Nappanee, Ind.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clifford (Mary) Nafziger and Maurice E. (Dorothy) Nafziger, both of Archbold.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Karen Nafziger; and a brother, Chester Nafziger.

Visitation will be held today from 2-8 p.m. in the Tedrow Church Fellowship Hall.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Tedrow Mennonite Church with Pastors Randy Nafziger and Rachel Hartzler to officiate. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Pettisville Cemetery.

Short Funeral Home in Archbold is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Calvary Hour or Visiting Nurses & Hospice of Williams and Fulton Counties.

http://www.bryantimes.com 1/30/2006
Contributed by: Rose Burkholder


Nafziger, Freeman, 82, of Archbold, Ohio died January 27, 2006 of congestive heart failure.  He was born to Alfred & Ruth (Eicher) Nafziger.  He was married to Marian Christner, who survives.

Surviving are children, Roger, Charles, Charlotte Stepp, Ronald 7 grandchildren, and 9
great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held January 31, 2006 at Tedrow Mennonite Church, Wauseon, Ohio.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by Randy Nafziger, Wauseon, OH
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin

------------

Freeman A. Nafziger
  (1923 - 2006) 

ARCHBOLD - Freeman A. Nafziger, 82, of Archbold, died Friday afternoon, Jan. 27, 2006, at Harborside of Swanton, where he had resided since Jan. 17.

Born June 1, 1923, near Archbold, to Ruth (Eicher) and Alfred Nafziger, he married Marian Christner on Feb. 9, 1947, and she survives.

A lifelong resident of the Archbold area, he farmed, worked at Zehr & Co. and for Sam H. Nofziger. He was the clerk for Yoder & Frey, Inc. for 58 years and also for Yoder & Frey Auctioneers for 40 years.

He was a charter member of the Tedrow Mennonite Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Roger (and wife, Karen) Nafziger and Charles (Laura) Nafziger, both of Archbold, and Ron (Elizabeth) Nafziger of Wauseon; a daughter, Mrs. Jon (Charlotte) Stepp of Nappanee, Ind.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clifford (Mary) Nafziger and Maurice E. (Dorothy) Nafziger, both of Archbold.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Karen Nafziger; and a brother, Chester Nafziger.

Visitation will be held today from 2-8 p.m. in the Tedrow Church Fellowship Hall.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Tedrow Mennonite Church with Pastors Randy Nafziger and Rachel Hartzler to officiate. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Pettisville Cemetery.
Short Funeral Home in Archbold is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Calvary Hour or Visiting Nurses & Hospice of Williams and Fulton Counties.                     
Obituary: Bryan Times (Ohio), 30 Jan 2006
Submitted by: Mona Mann




Nelson, Robert E
., 77, of Hopedale, IL died July 21, 2006.  He was born April 28, 1929 at Pekin, Illinois.  On November 11, 1950 he was married to Frances M. Mont, who survives along with a son Dwight E. (Lori) Nelson.

Also surviving is a brother, David (Francesca) Nelson, and two sisters, Mary Thompson and Georgia Hawkins.

The funeral was held July 24, 2006 at Hopedale Mennonite Church, Hopedale, IL with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Neumann, Helen Ruth Elliott
, 83, of Hesston, Harvey Co., KS died May 8, 2006 at Hesston, Harvey Co., KS.  She was born January 19, 1923 at Welda, Anderson Co., KS to Guy & Fern Elliott.  On July 11, 1953 she was married to Harold H. Neumann, who is deceased.

Surviving are children, Susan (Mike) Neumann Lamb and two grandchildren.

The funeral was held May 11, 2006 at Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, Harvey Co., KS with burial in Eastlawn Cemetary, Hesston, Harvey Co., KS.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Norma Diller, Hesston, KS
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Newswanger, Alice Sauder
, 93, Lititz, PA died May 30, 2006 at Landis Homes. She was born in New Holland, PA on June 29, 1912, to Michael and Annie Brackbill Sauder.

She was the wife of Roy H. Newswanger who died in 1978. She was a member of New Holland Mennonite Church. She, along with her husband, Roy, helped to plant the Chester Mennonite Church in the 1950's and lived in Chester, PA until 1980.  

Surviving are her 5 children, Orpha of Morrisville, PA; Wesley married to Betty Hershey of Lancaster, PA; Larry married to Janet Weaver of Landisville, PA; Blanche Renshaw of Annville, PA; and Marian married to Bruce Bedford of Muncy, PA; seven grandchildren: Lynda, Ryan, Daryl, Greg, Randy, and Kendall Newswanger and Raymond Renshaw, Jr. and three great-grandchildren: Ursa (7), Lowry (4), and Avin (3). Also surviving are two sisters: Ella High of Lititz, PA (was married to Elvin High, deceased); Naomi Martin of Denver, PA (was married to Isaac Martin, deceased) and three brothers: John Sauder married to Bertha Bowman of Lititz, PA; Amos Sauder of Lititz, PA (was married to Ruth Sauder, deceased), and Luke Sauder married to Willa Mae Good of Denver, PA.

A brother Aaron Sauder died in 1968 married to Edna Risser and sister Laura Sauder died in 1980, was married to John David High, deceased.

Funeral service was June 2, 2006 at West Bethany Chapel, Landis Homes, Lititz, PA. Burial wa in the Churchtown Mennonite Cemetery Churchtown, PA.

Source: Genealogybuff.com. Lancaster Co., PA
Obituary & Death Notice Collection
Submitted by: Leon Hertzler




Noftsier, Judson R
., 74, of Lowville, NY died January 27, 2006.  He was born June 16, 1931 to Romeyn & Laura (Moser) Noftser, Sr.  On May 10, 1957 he was married to Alta Lyndaker, who survives.

Surviving are children, Marcelle Noftsier, Wanda (Noftsier) Smith, and  1 grandchild.

Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Newell and Carol Noftsier, Inez Lyndaker, Harry and Violet (Noftsier) Fairchild, Lila Weber, Shirley Noftsier, Gary and Carol (Noftsier) Widrick, and sisters-in-law Alice Noftsier and Annie Noftsier.

Predeceased by siblings: Lansing, Arlin, Romeyn, James, Grant Noftsier; and Elvira Noftsier.

The funeral was held January 31, 2006 at First Mennonite Church of New Bremen, Lowville, NY with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Geneva Virkler, Lowville, NY
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Nofziger, Hermia E.

(1912 - 2006)
PETTISVILLE - Hermia E. Nofziger, 94, of Pettisville, died early Tuesday morning, May 9, 2006, at the Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon, where she was admitted Monday. She had resided at Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home in Archbold for the past eight years. Born Jan. 2, 1912, near Grabill, Ind., to Emma (Yoder) and Henry Stuckey, she married LaVern Nofziger on Jan. 9, 1931, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 1981.

A resident of the Pettisville area for many years, she was a cook at the Detwiler Hospital and later the Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon. She then worked at the former LugbillÕs Bakery near Pettisville.

A volunteer quilter at the Tatter Club and at Sauder Village, she was a member of the West Clinton Mennonite Church near Pettisville, where she was active as an adult Sunday School teacher and the WMSC.

Surviving are a son, Verlyn (and wife, Marge) Nofziger of Elkhart, Ind.; two daughters, Mrs. Walt (Shirley) Short and Mrs. Dave (Sharon) Sauder, both of Wauseon; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Luella Grieser Rupp of Goshen, Ind.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Darlene; two brothers, Lavern Stuckey and Jesse Stuckey; and three sisters, Delilah Stuckey, Violet Rupp and Genevieve Stuckey.

Visitation will be held Friday from 2-8 p.m. in the Fairlawn Chapel.
Graveside services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Pettisville Cemetery with a memorial service to be held at 11 a.m. in the West Clinton Mennonite Church with Pastors Jim Roynon, Edward Diener and Bob Stuckey to officiate.
Short Funeral Home, Archbold, is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary: Bryan Times (Ohio),  9 May 2006
Submitted by: Mona Mann




Nye, Lois Metzler Unruh

January 9, 1915 - March 9, 2006

Lois Unruh Nye was born January 9, 1915, in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. She passed away March 9, 2006 in Harper, Kansas. Her parents were Clarence and Margaret Metzler who raised the family on a dairy farm.

Lois was the oldest child and early in life learned about hard work from the demands of milking by hand a herd of Holstein cows. She tilled the soil with a team of horses, experiencing an episode where the horses spooked and ran wildly until they tired and became entangled in the harness. To supplement their income the family butchered and took produce to the Saturday market in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Metzler family knew how to mix work with play. Baseball and airplanes were the main diversions. Carl Lindberg, on his celebratory trek across the continent, buzzed the Martinsburg airport and one of Lois's favorite memories was seeing his face as he leaned out of the cockpit waving to people.

In 1934 Lois went to Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, where she met Lee Unruh from Harper, Kansas. Their relationship blossomed rather quickly, after one year they decided to marry and settle in Harper. To this union four sons were born; Ken, Gary, Philip and Stanley. Farming was the primary focus but education, culture, religion and play were promoted. Lois used to frequently joke on ham radio that she had four tractor drivers and no dishwashers. Her call letters were WOYEF or WO Young Energetic Farmerette.

Lois's mission in life was to be the best possible wife and mother. She was dedicated to her church and spent considerable time nurturing her Christian faith through reading and seminars.

She loved her kitchen and never tired of creating an excellent meal. Salads were a staple long before it was emphasized as good for your diet. A special persona revealed itself at Christmas for the grandchildren. Lights, dolls, trains, and story telling highlighted a world of make believe. Her rendering of the story, "The Night Before Christmas" was galvanizing and memorable.

Lois was severely tested in 1968 when Lee Unruh died from a truck accident near one of the farms where he was planting a new crop of wheat. With the help of Phil and Stan, only teenagers, the three of them teamed up to restore continuity in the farm operation. She had to quickly acquire an accounting and business mentality.

In a few years, Lois met Bill Nye, from Harper, and the two married. He was a decorated WWII veteran and someone to be counted on to "deliver the mail". The two of them spent a couple of decades traveling the world, attending veteran's reunions and sharing homemade cooking. Bill died April 10, 2001. Also preceding her in death were her parents, brothers L.C. "Red" Metzler, Paul Metzler, and John Metzler in infancy, and step-mother Dorothy Metzler.

She is survived by her sons, Ken Unruh and his wife, Susan Leesman, of Breckenridge, Colorado, Gary Unruh and his wife, Betty, of Monument, Colorado, Phillip Unruh of Harper, Kansas, Stan Unruh and his wife, Mary, of Wichita, Kansas, a sister, Helen Shaffer and her husband, Richard, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a half-brother, Dick Metzler of York, Pennsylvania, nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial services were held Sunday, March 12, 2006 at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, Harper, Kansas. Interment was in the adjoining cemetery.

Transcribed and edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin
Source: Memorial card
Submitted by: Don Stutzman, Halstead, KS



Obold, Eleanor A. Diefenderfer
, 87, of Hesston, Harvey Co., KS, died January 9, 2006  at Hesston, Harvey Co., KS.  She was born March 12, 1918 at Berks County, PA to the late James T. & Elise (Troelsch) Diefenderfer.  On April 11, 1937 she was married to James Frederick Obold who is deceased.

Surviving are children, Fred (Ruth)Obold; Kathryn Obold Hunsberger; 4 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held January 12, 2006 at Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston, Harvey Co., KS with burial in PA.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Norma Diller, Hesston, KS
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Ortman, Walter A.
, 84, of Freeman,  Hutchinson Co., SD died June 25, 2006.  He was born to August K. & Caroline (Waltner) Ortman.  He was married to Leora Graber, who survives.

Surviving are two sons, Ross Ortman and Karl Ortman.

The funeral was held June 28, 2006 at Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, Freeman, SD.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Elizabeth
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Oswald, Martha Duerksen
, 86, of Glendale, Arizona died April 2, 2006 of congestive heart failure .  She was born  to John R. & Susanna Quiring Duerksen.  She was married to C. Evan Oswald, who survives.

Surviving are a daughter, Sylvia Oswald Beneze and two grandchildren.

The funeral was held May 6, 2006  at Glencroft Retirement Community Auditorium, Glendale, Arizona.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Evan Oswald, Glendale, Arizona
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Oyer, Elsie Katherine
, 92, of Dewey, Illinois died October 6, 2006.  She was born  to Manuel & Elizabeth (Baecher) Oyer.

The funeral was held October 9, 2006 at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher IL.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Pankratz, Henry J.
, 95, of Goshen, IN died October 3, 2006 at Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN.  He was born January 10, 1911 at Mountain Lake, MN  to Jacob & Helena (Harder) Pankratz.  He was married to Elsie Penner, who survives.

Surviving are children, Lenore Waltner, Louise Kreider, Barbara Fast, Stanley Pankratz,
12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held October, 27, 2006 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN with burial in Mountain Lake, MN.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Pauls, Irvin "Irv" A.
, 80, of Buhler, KS died June 13, 2006.  He was married to Louise Schroeder, who survives.  Also surviving are children, Gaylene Van Horn, Shirley Grubbs, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.  He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

The funeral was held June 16, 2006 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Inman, KS.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma
Hoover Martin



Penner, Anna Lichti,
95, of Beatrice, Gage Co., Nebraska died December 17, 2006 at Beatrice, Gage Co. , Nebraska of  natural causes.  She was born January 10, 1911 at Paso Robles , CA to Rev. John and Mary (Schroeder) Lichti.  In 1940 she was married to Gerhard H. Penner, who is deceased.

Surviving are children, Judy White and husband Mark; Alan Penner and wife Sue; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters: Marie White of Lake Alford, FL and Martha Leininger of Avalon, CA.
       
Memorial services were held December 20, 2006 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, Gage Co.,  Nebraska  with burial in the Mennonite Cemetary, Beatrice, Gage Co., Nebraska.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Mary Baumfalk, Beatrice , NE
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Plank, John Philip
, 86, of Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio died May 8, 2006 at Bellefontaine,  Logan Co., Ohio after a lengthy battle with cancer.  He was born September 7, 1919 at Belleville, PA to Samuel E. & Corrine (Beiler) Plank.  On September 7, 1941 he was married to Alma Fern Headings, who survives.

Surviving are children, Edwin Jay Plank, Gene (Connie) Plank, Susan (Rob) Weseloh, Joyce (Bob) Bazzle, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are three brothers and one sister, J. Donald (Edna) Plank, William (Helen) Plank, Samuel E. (Vivian) Plank, and Betty Stuter.

The funeral was held May 13, 2006  at South Union Mennonite Church, West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Kathy Hammond
South Union Mennonite Church
West Liberty, Ohio
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Quiring, Stanley Frank
, 78, of North Newton, Kansas died February 23, 2006 at Orlando, Florida in a car-pedestrian accident.  He was born September 2, 1927 at Goessel, Marion Co., Kansas to the late Henry & Helen (Lehrman) Quiring.  On August 16, 1950 he was married to Evelyn Wiebe, who survives.

Surviving are children, Sam, Sherwood, Natalie, Powell and  12 grandchildren.

The funeral was held March 11, 2006 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kansas with burial in BCMC Columbarium, North Newton, Kansas.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.

Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



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