The Mennonite - May, 2001

"for the record" - Deaths:


theMennonite, May 8, 2001, page 13, Vol. 4, No. 18.

Bianchi.- Pearl Carter, 72, Orrville, Ohio, died March 5. Spouse: Armando Bianchi (deceased). Parents: William and Marie Carter (deceased). Survivors: children Angela Ratcliff, Toni Norris, Betty Smizer, Stephen Carter; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral: March 11 at Martins Mennonite Church, Orrville.

Bontrager.- Sarah Roth, 90, Scottdale, Pa., died April 1 of congestive heart failure. Spouse: Eli Bontrager (deceased). Parents: Nickalous and Mary Wagler Roth (deceased). Survivors: children Kenneth, Lucille Yoder, June Schrock, Joyce Millslagle, Charlotte Bontrager, Candace Frey, Bonnie Norris; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Memorial service: April 6 at Alden (N.Y.) Mennonite Church.

Jones.- Sheryl Dirks, 44, Wichita, Kan., died March 26. Spouse: Dean Jones. Parents: Ernest and Betty Dirks. Other survivors: children Kyle, Morgan, Sara, Teddy. Memorial service: March 28 at Hope Mennonite Church, Wichita.

Kaufman.- Ethel Horrisberger, 92, Millersburg, Ohio, died April 3. Spouse: Moses Kaufman Jr. (deceased). Parents: John and Tilla Jaberg Horrisberger (deceased). Survivors: children Shelba Swartzendruber, Harold, Stanley; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 7 at Berlin (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Nickel.- Rudolf, 96, Hesston, Kan., died April 5. Spouse: Lillian Janke Nickel (deceased). Parents: Heinrich and Sara Penner Nickel (deceased). Survivors: children Henry, Mary Goosen, Betty Andres, Elsie Macklin, Sharon Franzen; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Memorial service: April 9 at Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston.

Nightengale.- Amelia Penner, 92, Newton, Kan., died March 30. Spouse: (1st) Menno Penner (deceased); (2nd) Henry Nightengale (deceased). Parents: Benjamin and Eva Boese Unruh (deceased). Survivors: children Donald, Virgil; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 2 at Grace Hill Mennonite Church, Whitewater, Kan.

Pankratz.- Ardith Schmidt, 62, Hillsboro, Kan., died April 2. Spouse: Eldon Pankratz. Parents: Harlow and Theresa Schmidt (deceased). Other survivors: children Kevin, Terry, Cindy Jantzen, Kristi Diller; eight grandchildren. Funeral: April 5 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan.

Peachey.- Leonard, 84, Belleville, Pa., died April 6. Spouse: Mollie Hartzler Peachey. Parents: Ezra and Ella Mae Stoltzfus Peachey (deceased). Other survivors: children Alta Auker, Lee Ann Peachey Peachey, Sara, Dianne Saner, Gladys Turnbull; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 9 at Locust Grove Mennonite Church, Belleville.

Weirich.- Susie Chupp Hershberger, 94, Middlebury, Ind., died March 22. Spouse: (1st) Daniel Hershberger (deceased); (2nd) Samuel Weirich (deceased). Parents: Moses and Susanna Hochstetler Chupp (deceased). Survivors: children Fannie Mabie, Dorothy Hooley, Barbara Crossgrove, Betty Crowley, Alvin Hershberger, Daniel Hershberger, Floyd Hershberger, Dale Hershberger, Lee Hershberger; step-children: Mary Weaver, Elizabeth Miller, Lydia Mae Ganger, Enos Weirich, Levi Weirich, Eli Weirich, Manass Weirich, Joas Weirich, Samuel Weirich Jr.; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: March 26 at First Mennonite Church, Middlebury.

Yoder.- Curtis, 80, Hesston, Kan., died March 24. Spouse: Hazel Beck Yoder (deceased). Parents: Christian Jr. and Mary Miller Yoder (deceased). Survivors: children Ronald, Deanna Yutzy, Melinda Baedke; six grandchildren. Memorial service: March 28 at Hesston Inter-Mennonite Fellowship.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana


theMennonite, May 15, 2001, page 12-13, Vol. 4, No. 19.

Amos.- Nydia, 64, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, died April 6. Spouse: Clifford Amos. Other survivors: children Martin, Jess, Eric, Raymond, Jewel; five grandchildren. Funeral: April 8 at Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Mount Pleasant.

Bowen.- Ethel Farrar, 86, Newport News, Va., died April 13. Parents: William and Mary Farrar (deceased). Survivors: children Donald and Ken; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 16 at Huntington Mennonite Church, Newport News.

Denlinger.- Elizabeth Hess, 87, Landisville, Pa., died April 13. Spouse: Lloyd Denlinger. Parents: Paul and Susan Herr Hess (deceased). Other survivors: son Robert; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 17 at East Petersburg (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Detweiler.- John, 91, Hesston, Kan., died April 19. Spouse: Opal Detweiler. Parents: Valentine and Catherine Slagell Detweiler (deceased). Other survivors: children Patsy Dirks, Ruth Ann Toews, Mary Lee Wiens; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 23 at Hesston Mennonite Church.

Eash.- Dorothy Rensberger, 93, Kalona, Iowa, died April 12. Spouse: Amelius Eash (deceased). Parents: Ervin and Mary Yoder Rensberger (deceased). Survivors: children Betty Jean Eash Essex, Maynard Eash; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 16 at West Union Mennonite Church, Parnell, Iowa.

Erb.- Virgil, 67, Henderson, Neb., died April 15 of cancer. Spouse: Arlyce Erb. Parents: Mose and Ida Erb (deceased). Other survivors: children Scott, Diana Schunn, Kent; five grandchildren. Funeral: April 19 at Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson.

Esch.- Millie, 87, Sarasota, Fla., died April 16 of heart complications. Parents: Joseph and Ella Mae Esch (deceased). Funeral: April 20 at Bay Shore Mennonite Church, Sarasota.

Ewy.- Berniece Reif, 97, Moundridge, Kan., died April 6. Spouse: August Ewy (deceased). Parents: John and Mary Ping Reif (deceased). Survivors: children Angie, Lois. Funeral: April 10 at West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge.

Fast.- John, 89, Beatrice, Neb., died April 8. Spouse: Esther Voth Fast. Parents: Gerhard and Helene Andreas Fast (deceased). Other survivors: children Joan Smith, Robert, Vi Juhnke, Vernon; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 10 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice.

Friesen.- Martha Wall, 74, Henderson, Neb., died April 7. Spouse: Leslie Friesen. Parents: Jacob and Agnes Epp Wall (deceased). Other survivors: children Vicky Mierau, Carey, Robin; six grandchildren. Funeral: April 10 at Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson.

Friesen.- Lois Musser, 82, Henderson, Neb., died April 7. Spouse: Frank Friesen (deceased). Parents: Steward and Elsie Musser (deceased). Survivors: children Karen Reed, Dona Rose; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 11 at Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson.

Gonzales.- Tony, 54, Phoenix, died April 7. Spouse: Nancy Deswarte Gonzales. Other survivors: children Rebeka, Daniel. Memorial service: April 13 at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church, Phoeniz.

Hochstetler.- Harvey, 79, Apple Creek, Ohio, died April 17. Spouse: Nettie Hochstetler (deceased). Parents: Eli and Mattie Hochstetler (deceased). Survivors: children Ken, Roy, Elsie Zuercher, Ron; six grandchildren. Funeral: April 20 at Kidron (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Horst.- Lorne, 92, Baden, Ont., died April 13. Spouse: Iona Meyer Horst. Parents: Enoch and Anna Grem Horst (deceased). Other survivors: children Dennis, Marlene Gingerich; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 17 at First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ont.

Labedis.- Angela Wallace, 76, Hopedale, Ill., died April 25. Spouse: (1st) Gaylord Wallace (deceased); (2nd) Joseph Labedis (deceased). Survivors: children William Wallace, Joseph Labedis, Angie Miller, Candace Kleen, Joline Labedis, Margaret Wolfe; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 27 at Hopedale.

Landis.- Iva, 90, Manheim, Pa, died April 15. Parents: Harnish and Selena Brubaker Landis (deceased). Funeral: April 19 at Manheim.

Litwiller.- Isaiah Peter, 89, Kalona, Iowa, died April 8. Spouse: Ruth Rensberger Litwiller (deceased). Parents: John and Delilah Swartzendruber Litwiller (deceased). Survivors: children Stanley, Wilbur, Calvin; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 12 at West Union Mennonite Church, Parnell, Iowa.

Litwiller.- Lyle, 70, Hopedale, Ill., died April 9. Spouse: Loretta Litwiller. Parents: Eli and Fannie Sutter Litwiller (deceased). Other survivors: step-children Warren Darnall, Brian Darnall, Joline Graff, Janet Canfield, Linda England, Debra Yoder; 16 step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 12 at Hopedale Mennonite Church.

Martin.- Lydia Slabaugh, 94, Harrisonburg, Va., died April 26. Spouse: Lewis Martin (deceased). Parents: Moses and Lydia Slabaugh (deceased). Survivors: son Richard; three grandchildren. Funeral: April 30 at Lindale Mennonite Church, Linville,Va.

Miller.- Gaylord, 41, Goshen, Ind., died March 25. Spouse: Kathy Nice Miller. Parents: Melvin and Lavina Herschberger Miller. Other survivors: children Josh, Jen, Steph. Funeral: March 28 at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Miller.- Velma Bender, 86, Berlin, Ohio, died April 14. Spouse: Daniel Miller (deceased). Parents: Mahlon and Elizabeth Bender (deceased). Survivors: children Louise Dietzel, Grace Ramer, Lois Schlabach; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 18 at Berlin (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Nofziger.- Roy, 87, Archbold, Ohio, died April 10. Spouse: Lucille Frey Nofziger. Parents: Jacob and Caroline Burkholder Nofziger (deceased). Other survivors: children Rodney, Terry, Jueldine Rupp, Jeanne Birky; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. Memorial service: April 14 at Fairlawn Chapel, Archbold.

Nyce.- Irma Bishop, 87, Dublin, Pa., died April 9. Spouse: Lawrence Nyce (deceased). Parents: Henry and Clara Gross Bishop (deceased). Survivors: children Carolyn Weidman, Mary Lee Chittick, Nancy Friesen, George Nyce; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 13 at Doylestown (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Rogalsky.- David, 62, Reedley, Calif, died April 23. Spouse: Gracie Flaming Rogalsky. Parents: Heinrich and Anna Rogalsky (deceased). Other survivors: children Shelly Sorensen, Debbie Linman; five grandchildren. Memorial service: April 27 at First Mennonite Church, Reedley.

Sauer.- Anne Krehbiel, 78, Moundridge, Kan., died April 20. Spouse: Alfred Sauer. Parents: Nelson and Gladys Krehbiel (deceased). Funeral: April 23 at West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge.

Shenk.- Lydia, 85, Harrisonburg, Va., died April 7. Memorial service: April 9 at Harrisonburg. Funeral: April 10 at Newport News,Va.

Stucky.- Esther Ries Kramer, 90, Marion, S.D., died April 5. Spouse: (1st) Fred Kramer (deceased); (2nd) John Stucky (deceased). Parents: Jacob and Lydia Schrag Ries (deceased). Funeral: April 7 at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman, S.D.

Ulrich.- Myrtal Harvey, 92, Eureka, Ill., died April 14 of a stroke. Spouse: Wilmer Ulrich (deceased). Parents: David and Caroline Harvey (deceased). Memorial service: April 17 at Maple Lawn Homes, Eureka.

Wyse.- Ilva King, 94, Archbold, Ohio, died April 21. Spouse: Leland Wyse. Parents: Harvey and Carrie Rupp King (deceased). Other survivors: children Lowell, Richard, Denver, Everett, Evelyn Grieser, Shirley Shenk, Charlene Steuer; 24 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. Memorial service: April 25 at Fairlawn Haven Chapel, Archbold.

Yoder.- John, 81, Goshen, Ind., died March 29 of a blood clot. Spouse: Millie Eash Yoder. Parents: Jacob and Lovina Helmuth Yoder (deceased). Other survivors: children Samuel, Clarence, Rhoda Troyer, Rachel Cook; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 2 at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana


theMennonite, May 22, 2001, page 15-16, Vol. 4, No. 20.

Bickel.- Fred, 94, Ordway, Colo., died April 28. Spouse: Ella Yoder Bickel. Parents: John and Alice Bare Bickel (deceased). Funeral: May 2 at Rocky Ford (Colo.) Mennonite Church.

Friesen.- Raymond, 84, Henderson, Neb., died May 2. Spouse: Erma Wiens Friesen (deceased). Parents: Jacob and Lena Kroeker Friesen (deceased). Survivors: children Edward, Allyn, Kenneth, Janet Turner; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: May 7 at Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson.

Gerber.- Herman, 79, Sugarcreek, Ohio, died April 12. Parents: Lloyd and Florence Hochstetler Gerber (deceased). Funeral: April 14 at Walnut Creek (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Gerber.- Katie Lenhart, 94, Walnut Creek, Ohio, died April 15. Spouse: John Gerber (deceased). Parents: Oliver and Anna Miller Lenhart (deceased). Survivors: children Richard, Robert, Marian Zuercher;11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: April 19 at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church.

Graber.- Karen Swartz, 83, Stryker, Ohio, died April 25 of cancer. Spouse: Charles Graber. Parents: Clyde and Anne Flisher Swartz (deceased). Other survivors: children John, Ann Graber Hershberger; four grandchildren. Funeral: April 28 at Pine Grove Mennonite Church, Stryker.

Kramer.- Erma Moyer, 77, Souderton, Pa., died April 11 of pulmonary fibrosis. Spouse: Roscoe Kramer. Other survivors: children Paul, Linda Devine; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 16 at Rockhill Mennonite Church, Telford, Pa.

Kroeker.- Gerald, 43, Steinbach, Man., died April 29. Spouse: Marilyn Kroeker. Parents: Clarence and Agnes Kroeker. Other survivor: daughter Jenna. Funeral: May 3 at Steinbach Mennonite Church.

Loux.- Esther Brunk, 83, Souderton, Pa., died April 22 of ovarian cancer. Spouse: Norman Loux. Parents: Henry Sr. and Nora Krause Brunk (deceased). Other survivors: children Elizabeth Kraybill, Philip, Peter; six grandchildren. Funeral: April 28 at Blooming Glen (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Martin.- Mary Olive Christophel, 85, Elkhart, Ind., died April 24. Spouse: Owen Martin (deceased). Parents: Wesley and Amanda Miller Christophel (deceased). Survivors: children Wendell, John, Millard; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 28 at Prairie Street Mennonite Church, Elkhart.

Moshier.- Luella, 87, Glenfield, N.Y., died April 20. Parents: Joseph and Sarah Moshier (deceased). Funeral: April 24 at Lowville (N.Y.) Mennonite Church.

Nunemaker.- Lois, 85, Lansing, Mich., died March 18 of heart failure. Parents: Sam and Mable Nunemaker (deceased). Funeral: March 22 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Ashley, Mich.

Peterson.- Susie Mac Clark, 96, Elkhart, Ind, died March 3. Spouse: Edward Peterson (deceased). Parents: Melvin and Emma Rose Clark (deceased). Survivors: children Russell, Charles; seven grandchildren; several great- and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: March 7 at Osceola, Ind.

Schmeichel.- Betty, 68, Freeman, S.D., died April 21. Spouse: Melvin Schmeichel. Parents: Charles (deceased) and Celia Fliginger. Other survivors: children Vernetta Waltner, Steven; five grandchildren. Memorial service: April 24 at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Schwartzentruber.- Isabel Ruby, 74, Tavistock, Ont., died April 22. Spouse: Harold Schwartzentruber (deceased). Parents: Clayton and Christina Ruby (deceased). Survivors: children Dale, Paul; three grandchildren. Funeral: April 25 at Tavistock Mennonite Church.

See.- Polly Baro Coffey, 76, Stuarts Draft, Va., died April 18. Spouse: Hayes See (deceased). Parents: Ernest and Rosa Coffey (deceased). Survivor: daughter Carolyn. Funeral: April 21 at Springdale Mennonite Church, Waynesboro.Va.

Short.- Mary Green, 87, Archbold, Ohio, died April 22 of cancer. Spouse: Glen Short (deceased). Parents: John and Ella Green (deceased). Survivors: children Walter, Dale, Glen Jr., Joyce Jones, Cheryl Eicher;14 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild. Funeral: April 26 at Lockport Mennonite Church, Stryker, Ohio.

Shrock.- Mary Etta Mishler, 68, Topeka, Ind., died April 13 of cancer. Spouse: Mose Shrock. Parents: Stanley and Norma Mishler. Other survivors: children Lorene Schrock, LaMar, LaVon, Leon; two grandchildren. Funeral: April 17 at Emma Mennonite Church, Topeka.

Correction: In the May 22 issue, the parents of Mary Etta Mishler Shrock should have been listed as Howard (deceased) and Violetta Mishler.

Stauffer.- Harry, 88, New Enterprise, Pa., died April 23. Parents: Milton and Mary Stauffer (deceased). Survivors: son Ronald; two grandchildren. Funeral: April 26 at Martinsburg (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Styer.- Marie Detweiler, 77, Souderton, Pa., died April 29 of respiratory failure and meningitis. Spouse: Abraham Styer. Parents: Harvey and Anna Stover Detweiler (deceased). Other survivors: children Jack, Barry, Darlene Boyle, Donna; four grandchildren. Funeral: May 2 at Blooming Glen (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Yoder.- Daniel, 77, West Liberty, Ohio, died April 16. Spouse: Mary Jeannette Yoder. Parents: Daniel and Maude Allgyer Yoder (deceased). Other survivors: children Gregory, Eric, David, Joan Macrae; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 19 at South Union Mennonite Church, West Liberty.

Zook.- Aaron, 92, Hannibal, Mo., died April 21. Spouse: Naomi Detwiler Zook (deceased). Parents: Lewis and Clara Stutzman Zook (deceased). Survivors: children Marlin, James, Samuel, Rozella Lehman, Phillip, Lester; foster daughter Joy Ward; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren. Funeral: April 24 at Hannibal.

Zuercher.- Lloyd, 86, Walnut Creek, Ohio, died April 24. Parents: Clarence and Ada Hershberger Zuercher (deceased). Funeral: April 27 at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church.

Transcribed by: John Ingold, Indiana


Copyright 1999 - All rights reserved - Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, PA
Used with permission by the Archives of the Mennonite Church, Goshen, INDIANA
Permission granted to private family researchers to use selected portions of these files to tell their family stories.
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