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.
Schoenhals, Liesel Guth
March 15, 1931 - January 9, 2025
Liesel Schoenhals, age 93 years, of Archbold, passed into her eternal home early Thursday morning, January 9, 2025 at Fairlawn Haven. Liesel was born on March 15, 1931 to Ernst and Susanne (Weis) Guth at Worschweilerhof in the Saar region of Germany, where she grew up on a large farm.
In the midst of World War II, Liesel chose to trust Jesus, and was baptized September 1943. Following the war, she enjoyed going to Mennonite youth meetings and retreats in southern Germany where she met her future husband, Heini Schoenhals. They were married on December 30, 1953 and celebrated 62 years of marriage before he passed on March 11, 2016. Heini and Liesel followed the Lord’s leading and moved to Archbold in 1954. They were members at Central Mennonite Church, where she was active as a Bible school teacher, and involved in the Mennonite Women’s sewing. In addition, Liesel and Heini served in migrant ministry and at the Maumee Youth Center. Faith in Jesus was the most important part of Liesel’s life and she faithfully prayed for her family, friends, and church family, and reminded us of God’s faithfulness. The promise of Liesel’s favorite Scripture verse, Psalm 32:8, held true through her entire life; "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
In addition to helping operate the family farm, Liesel had a love for gardening, and raised many vegetables and flowers around the farm. She enjoyed cooking and baking, and inviting people into her home to enjoy a meal and fellowship. Many of us enjoyed that hospitality.
Liesel was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings Herbert Guth and Christel Nolling, and great-grandson Andre Showalter. She is survived by daughter Ruth (Hannah) Schoenhals in Sherwood, OR, sons Walter (Joy) Schoenhals in Archbold, Gerald (Christine) Schoenhals in Dayton, VA, and Mark (Sarah) Schoenhals in Thailand, along with 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, January 16, at 11 AM at the Central Mennonite Church with Pastor Ron Kauffman officiating. Interment will precede at 9:45 AM in the Pettisville Cemetery. Friends may call at Short Funeral Home from 5-7 PM on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Central Mennonite Church, Eastern Mennonite Missions Impact Fund, or to the donor’s charity of choice.
Schrock, Joe L.
May 13, 1952 - January 3, 2025
Joe L. Schrock, 72, of Shipshewana, (district: 51-2), died at 10:15 am on Friday, January 3, [2025] at Memorial Hospital, South Bend. He was born on May 13, 1952, in Elkhart, to Levi and Ida Mae (Wingard) Schrock. On May 14, 1975, in Nappanee, he married Martha Helmuth, she survives.
Survivors in addition to his wife are five sons, Brian (Edith) Schrock of Shipshewana, John Schrock of Ft. Wayne, DeWayne (Loranna) Schrock, Christie (Marla) Schrock, Karl (Retha) Schrock all of Shipshewana; two daughters, Vonda Schrock (special friend, Ken Herman) of Niles, MI, Kara (Aaron) Raber of Middlebury; 18 grandchildren; step-mother, Emma Schrock of Shipshewana; two brothers, Vernon (Mary) Schrock of Mason, MI, Wilbur (Sue) Schrock of Goshen; four sisters, Mary Miller, Anna Mae (Ray) Bontrager, Nora (Amos) Bontrager, Wilma Sue Schrock all of Shipshewana.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Samuel, Levi Jr., and Elmer Schrock; a brother-in-law, Mervin Miller.
Joe worked in the RV factory and enjoyed fishing. He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 4 and all-day Sunday, January 5 at the Cletus Lehman residence, 10290 W. 300 N., Shipshewana. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Monday, January 6 at the same residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop Lavern A. Yoder and the home ministers. Burial will be in Naylor Cemetery, Shipshewana. Miller-Stewart Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.