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.
Sensenig, Edna Mae Martin Horning
December 21, 1935 - January 16, 2025
Edna Mae Sensenig, 89, of Stevens, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at her residence. She was born in Terre Hill to the late Noah M. and Annie (Musser) Martin and was the wife of the late Clayton Horning and the late Lyman Sensenig.
She was a member of Springville Mennonite Church, Ephrata. Edna was a homemaker.
Edna is survived by a daughter, Alma M. Horning of Stevens; two sons, Curvin M., husband of Rose A. Horning of Ephrata, Glen M., husband of Elaine H. Horning of Reinholds; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grand-children; three step-sons, Marvin, husband of Vera Martin, Arnold, husband of Jane Martin, Jay Clair, husband of Susan Shirk; two step-daughters, June Marie, wife of Melvin Martin, Darlene, wife of Kevin Wise; thirty step-grandchildren; numerous step-great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Eugene Martin, Raymond Martin, Mervin Martin, Carl Martin, Clarence Martin, Arlene Weaver and Marian Martin.
In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Rutt.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 5 to 8 PM, at Midway Mennonite Reception Center, 210 E. Lexington Rd., Lititz. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 22, at 9 AM, from the Midway Reception Center, with further services at 9:30 AM, at Lime Rock Mennonite Church, 99 Penn Valley Road, Lititz, with Bishop Quinton Wenger officiating. Interment will take place in the adjoining church cemetery.
Kindly omit flowers.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.
Sensenig, Erla Faye Good
May 17, 1935 - January 14, 2025
Erla Faye (Good) Sensenig, 89, formerly of New Holland, PA, passed away on January 14, 2025, at Richland Christian Home. Erla was born in East Earl, PA to the late Eli T. and Mary (Kurtz) Good and was married to the late David W. Sensenig for 40 years.
She was a homemaker and a member of Pequea Mennonite Church (Weaverland Conference).
Erla is survived by 5 sons: Craig (Denise), Luther, David (Marilyn), Nolan (Donna), Jeremiah (Mandy) and 5 daughters: Karen (Carl) Nolt, Dawn (Nevin) Horst, Carla (Melvin) Nolt, Darla (Larry) Martin, Violet (Glen) Litzenberger, 32 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren, a great-great grandchild, and a sister-in-law Edna (Lamar) Good.
In addition to her parents, Erla was preceded in death by a daughter Cynthia (8 years old), sisters: Bernice (Ivan) Wenger, Erma (Edwin) Hoover, a brother Lamar Good, daughter-in-law Sandra (Nolan) Sensenig, and a great-grandson Clayton Sensenig.
The family would like to thank the staff at Richland Christian Home for the care they provided.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Martindale Fellowship Center, 352 Martindale Rd., Ephrata from 5 - 8 PM. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 10 AM at Pequea Mennonite Church, 4121 Red Well Rd., Gordonville.
Kindly omit flowers. Arrangements at handled by Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.
Sensenig, Shirley M.
February 9, 1937 - Janary 17, 2025
Shirley M. Sensenig, 87, of Ephrata, and resident of Fairmount Homes, passed away Friday, January 17, 2025. Born in Brecknock Twp., Shirley was a daughter of the late Oliver H. & Mary W. (Zimmerman) Sensenig.
Shirley grew up in Red Run. She worked for the former Dutchmaid as a trimmer from 1953 to 2002 and for the former Skips clothing factory for a few years. She enjoyed caring for her yard, gardening, and cooking for large family gatherings, especially for Christmas. She always baked from scratch; her sour cream cookies were a family favorite. She was a lifetime member of the Hahnstown United Zion Church in Hahnstown. Shirley also loved to sing hymns. She lived with her brother, Melvin, for many years where they lovingly cared for one anothers needs. Shirley was quiet mannered, kind, thoughtful, independent, and loved her family deeply.
Shirley is survived by a sister, Minerva Z. Martin of Stevens, five nieces and nephews, Bruce Sensenig, husband of Denise (Kalbach); Dale Martin, husband of Sue (Zimmerman); Deborah (Sensenig) Youndt wife of Richard, Vincent Sensenig, husband of Crystale (Hersh), and Donna (Martin) Hahn, wife of Chris; and many great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Raymond Z. Sensenig, Melvin Z. Sensenig, and Leroy Z. Sensenig.
A viewing will be held on Sat., Jan. 25th from 10 to 11 a.m. at Good Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc., 34 N. Reamstown Rd., Reamstown (Stevens) and the funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Hahnstown United Zion Cemetery.
Smoker, Kenneth L.
August 7, 1949 - February 1, 2025
Kenneth L. Smoker, age 75, of Atglen, passed away at Newport Meadows of Christiana on Saturday, February 1, 2025. He was the husband of Joyce Nissley Smoker with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 22nd.
He was born in Lancaster, son of the late Omer S. & Dorcas Kauffman Smoker. Ken graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School, Class of 1968. He was a member of Maple Grove Mennonite Church of Atglen, where he was active in the mens prayer group. Ken worked for Walter Dunlap at the former Lancaster Stockyards and also at New Holland Sales Stables before he became self-employed as a livestock broker for sheep and goats. Ken enjoyed watching the Phillies, going to the mountains, reading, and most of all he loved spending time with his family.
Surviving besides his wife are 3 children: Stephanie, wife of Michael Yoder of Hilliard, OH, Kevin Smoker of Denver, CO, Yvonne, wife of Samuel Rivera, Jr. of Berryville, VA, 7 grandchildren, and 2 brothers: Marlin, husband of Judy Siegrist Smoker of Strasburg, and Allen, husband of Susan Stoltzfus Smoker of Palm Coast, FL.
A celebration of life service will take place at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, 549 Swan Road, Atglen, PA, 19310 on Friday, February 7 at 10 AM, with a time to greet the family from 9 AM until time of service. There will also be a viewing at the church on Thursday evening from 6-8 PM. There will be no viewing on Friday. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Maple Grove Benevolence Fund and mailed to the church or to CYWA, 423 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320 where Ken and Joyce volunteered.