The Mennonite - March 2006

"for the record" - Deaths:


The Mennonite, March 7, 2006, pages 24-25, Vol. 9, No. 5.

Bachman.- Oleta Dorothy Good, 84, Eureka, Ill., died Feb. 15. Spouse: Orville Bachman (deceased). Parents: Alvin and Bessie Kaufman Good. Children: Theodore, Frederick; five grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 18 at Hopedale (Ill.) Mennonite Church.

Becker.- David D., 100, Aberdeen, Idaho, died Feb. 6. Spouse: Lizzie Unruh Koehn Becker. Parents: David and Elizabeth Schultz Becker. Children: Edith Isaak, Milton, Donald, Don; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 9 at First Mennonite Church, Aberdeen.

Bergthold.- Hildur Ahlstrom, 87, Reedley, Calif., died Jan. 30. Spouse: Reuben Bergthold. Parents: Ephraim and Malin Ahlstrom. Children: Aleta Wedel, Bruce, Dean; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 3 at First Mennonite Church, Reedley.

Braun.- Jank N., 82, Altona, Man., died Feb. 1. Spouse: Anita Hoffman Braun. Parents: John B. and Anna Braun. Children: Sharon Voth, Barry J., Marilyn Dick, Lorraine Nickel; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 5 at Bergthaler Mennonite Church, Altona.

Buller.- Elma Mierau, 86, North Newton, Kan., died Feb. 5. Spouse: Howard K. Buller. Parents: Cornelius J. and Maria Peters Mierau. Children: Ruth, Stanley, Charles; five grandchildren. Funeral: Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton.

Eash.- Levi (Lee), 68, Carlsbad, N.M., died Dec. 24, 2005. Spouse: Eileen Stichter Eash. Parents: Enos and Mary Hershberger Eash. Children: Joanna Harrison, John Kenton; two grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 31, 2005, in Goshen, Ind.

Graber.- Wilbert James, 89, Freeman, S.D., died Feb. 14. Spouse: Alice Rulla Graber. Parents: Jonathan and Louise Miller Graber. Children: Tim, Sharon Waltner; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 18 at Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Graham.- Verna May, 76, Grodonville,* Pa., died Dec. 23, 2005. Parents: Warren and Barbara Groff Graham. Funeral: Dec. 27 at Kinzer Mennonite Church, Kinzers, Pa.
*Transcriber’s note:  Grodonville may be Gordonville.

Grieser.- Beulah A., 94, Archbold, Ohio, died Feb. 9 of congestive heart failure. Spouse: Truman Grieser (deceased). Parents: Harvey and Carrie Rupp King. Children: Janet Esh, Carol Martin, Ethel Swartzendruber; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 13 at Fairlawn Chapel.

Gross.- Erwin R., 83, Freeman, S.D., died Jan. 19. Spouse: Adella Kleinsasser Walter Gross. Parents: George J.C. and Mary Gross. Children: Donald, Harley, Derrick Walter, Vera Heiman, LaVern Walter, Errol Walter; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 21 at Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Harter.- Walter, 69, Elkhart, Ind., died Feb. 1. Spouse: Rita Hartman. Parents: Elmer and Lilly Newcomer Harter. Children: Susan Martin, Connie Clark, Cindy Grove; eight grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 6 at Olive Mennonite Church, Elkhart.

Hershberger.- Grace, 78, Davidsville, Pa., died Jan. 29. Parents: Milton and Anna Hershberger. Memorial service: Jan. 31 at Laurel View Village Vista Room.

Hershberger.- Samuel Lee, 95, Peoria, Ariz., died Jan. 26. Spouse: Marie Yoder Hershberger. Parents: Ephraim and Dora Kempf Hershberger. Child: Donald; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 31 at Glencroft Community Church, Glendale, Ariz.

Hollinger.- Edith Marie, 81, Lititz, Pa., died Feb. 7 of Alzheimer's disease. Spouse: Lloyd Leaman Hollinger. Parents: Harry S. and Elizabeth W. Rutt Horst. Children: Marilyn Weaver, Clyde, L. Kenneth, Rosanne Gingrich, Jane Good, Brenda Grimes, Ellen Kanagy; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 11 at Stony Brook Mennonite Church, York, Pa.

Hummel.- Brian J., 55, Millersburg, Ohio, died Feb. 16. Spouse: Karen Gerber Hummel. Parents: Paul and Mary Yoder Hummel. Children: Trent, Darrick; one grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 21 at Walnut Creek (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Kauffman.- Clara Fricke, 97, Hesston, Kan., died Feb. 8. Spouse: Milo Kauffman (deceased). Parents: Charles and Anna Dietrich Fricke. Children: Marilyn Kauffman Miller, Joy Kauffman Sears, Evelyn Kauffman Shellenberger, Gloria Kauffman Yoder, Milo F. Jr., Bonnie Kauffman Sowers, Phyllis Kauffman Hysong; 28 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 11 at Hesston Mennonite Church.

Kuttab.- George M., 83, Wyncote, Pa., died Jan. 24. Spouse: Frocina Ibrahim Nesheiwat Kuttab. Children: Jonathan, Daoud, Lydia Brenneman, Samuel, Phoebe Wurst, Grace El-Yateem, Daniel; 24 grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 28 at Calvary Assembly of God, Wyncote.

Ratzlaff.- Harold Cecil, 94, Newton, Kan., died Feb. 10. Spouse: Ruth Regier Ratzlaff (deceased). Parents: J.C. and Mary Becker Ratzlaff. Child: Mary Ann Ratzlaff Jensen (deceased); two grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 18 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kan.

Schlabach.- Owen J., 84, Sugarcreek, Ohio, died Feb. 5. Spouse: Mary Troyer Schlabach (deceased). Parents: Jonas and Susanna Troyer Schlabach. Children: Esther Warren, Clara, Frances Keim, Freda Troyer, Nancy Miller, Ray; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 9 at Walnut Creek (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Schmidt.- Frederick Paul, 58, Newton, Kan., died Feb. 12. Spouse: Jo-Ann Enns Schmidt. Parents: Rudy and Luella Funk Schmidt. Children: Jeffrey, Rachel, Michael; two grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 16 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton.

Troyer.- Royden R., 82, Milford, Neb., died Feb. 4. Spouse: Doreen Stutzman Troyer (deceased). Parents: John and Elsie Troyer. Children: Rod, Lynn, Trish McWain, Paula Pickerill; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 7 at Bellwood Mennonite Church, Milford.

Transcribed by:  John Ingold


The Mennonite, March 21, 2006, pages 25-26, Vol. 9, No. 6.

Baker.- Robert J.
, 85, Elkhart, Ind., died Feb. 19. Spouse: Anna Mae Moyer Baker. Parents: Frank and Florence Baker. Children: Doug, Solly Walker, Timothy, Nancy, Rebecca Hoyt; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 24 at Belmont Mennonite Church, Elkhart.

Bishop.- Mary Hunsberger, 105, Souderton, Pa., died Feb. 23. Spouse: William Bishop (deceased). Parents: Jacob and Kate Hunsberger. Child: Kenneth; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 27 at Souderton Mennonite Community.

Bowman.- Lydia Ann Horst, 78, died Feb. 18 from complications due to a stroke. Spouse: Leroy H. Bowman. Parents: Joseph and Bertha Sensenig Horst. Children: James L., Richard L., Elvin R."Bo", Janet L., Dale E., Leon M.; 20 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 22 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Lancaster, Pa.

Eby.- Everett J., 92, Elkhart, Ind., died Feb. 21 of cancer. Spouse: (lst) Anna Hunsberger (deceased), (2nd) Katy Persing. Parents: Mervin and Goldie Eby. Children: Roger, Rolland, Rex, Carolyn Blosser, Shelba Lenaburg, Linda Rider; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 25 at Nappanee (Ind.) Missionary Church.

Fisher.- Vernon, 87, Kalona, Iowa, died Feb. 10. Spouse: Hilda Gingerich (deceased). Parents: Samuel and Mary Yoder Fisher. Child: Cheryl Monemi; two grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 13 at East Union Mennonite Church, Kalona.

Goerzen.- Sue Nikkel, 80, Harrow, Ont., died Jan. 14. Spouse: Gerhard Goerzen. Parents: Peter and Katie Nikkel. Children: John, Mary Goerzen Sheard; two grand-Children. Funeral: Jan. 18 at Harrow Mennonite Church.

Graber.- Bertha Gering, 101, Ritzville, Wa., died Feb. 11. Spouse: Joe J. Graber (deceased). Parents: Adolf P. and Elizabeth Schrag Gering. Funeral: Feb. 16 at Menno Mennonite Church, Ritzville.

Hahn.- Mabel, 91, Elkhart, Ind., died Feb. 21 due to complications from a stroke. Parents: Charles and Emma Jane Hahn. Funeral: Feb. 24 at Olive Mennonite Church, Elkhart.

Hunsberger.- Charlotte Meier, 82, Sellersville, Pa., died Jan. 14. Spouse: Harold Hunsberger. Parents: Herman and Clara Rice Meier. Children: Mark, Sylvia H. Shelly, Lynette H. Marksberry, James; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 15 at Blooming Glen (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Jantzen.- Naomi Shellenberg, 75, Cincinnati, Ohio, died Oct. 27, 2005. Parents: Isaac and Tena Schellenberg. Child: Franz; two grandchildren. Memorial service: Dec. 10, 2005, at Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship.

Kaufman*.- Esther Bontrager*, 85, Kalispell, Mont., died Feb. 12. Spouse: Paul S. Kaufman*. Parents: Glen Joseph and Cora May Chupp Bontrager*. Children: E. Elaine, Daniel D., Kenneth G., Stephen G., Brenda M. Younger, Alice L. Arneson; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 17 at Mountain View Mennonite Church, Kalispell.  *Editor's note: names corrected to Kauffman and Borntrager in the Mennonite April 4, 2006.

Krenicky.- Harry Jr., 77, Millersburg, Ind., died Feb. 18 of congestive heart failure. Spouse: Arlis Whirledge Krenicky. Parents: Harry and Mary Dudiak Krenicky. Stepchild: Ronald Spring; two grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 21 at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, Goshen, Ind.

Landis.- I. Marvin, 90, Lititz, Pa., died Jan. 15 of cardiac failure. Spouse: (1st) Belva Dombach (deceased), (2nd) Anna Mae Groff. Parents: Phares B. and Martha B. Landis. Memorial service: Jan. 19 at Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, Pa.

Lauber.- Fern E., 87, Archbold, Ohio, died Feb. 19. Spouse: Kenneth Lauber (deceased). Parents: William J. and Elizabeth Godshall Rupp. Children: John, Jerry, Keith, Brenda Dickinson, Karen Smith; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Feb. 22 at Evangelical Mennonite Church, Archbold.

Martin-. Nelson Lester, 82, Chambersburg, Pa., died Feb. 22. Spouse: Janet Kipe Martin. Parents: David and Rhoda Diller Martin. Children: Arvid, Yvonne, Twila, Freda Witmer; step-children: Joyce Cooper, Warren Hostetter; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 26 at Cedar Grove Mennonite Church, Greencastle, Pa. 

Mierau.- Jacob, 81, Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 19. Spouse: Lucille Culp Mierau. Parents: John and Lena Mierau. Children: Brenda Yoder, Bonnie Bailey, Patricia Martin, Judy Miller, Karyn, Bryan; 23 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 25 at Silverwood Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Miller.- Barbara, 87, Lagrange, Ind., died March 1. Spouse: Freman S. Miller (deceased). Parents: John and Elizabeth Miller. Children: Norma Freeman Weaver, Donald R., DeWayne E.; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: March 5 at Shore Mennonite Church, Shipshewana, Ind.

Moser.- Raymond K., 91, Oley, Pa., died Feb. 12 of cancer. Spouse: Hannah Weller Moser (deceased). Parents: Raymond A. and Sally A. Moser. Children: Betty Angstadt, Donna Moyer, Daniel; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 16 at Ark Bible Chapel, Boyertown, Pa.

Neufeld.- Bruce L., 54, Inman, Kan., died Feb. 17. Parents: Abe E. and Lenora Bartel Neufeld. Burial: Feb. 21 in Inman.

Neuhouser.- Mary Gardner, 83, Leo, Ind., died Feb. 16. Spouse: Merle Neuhouser (deceased). Parents: Jesse and Dora Miller Gardner. Children: Lynne D. Kurtz, Donald M., David A., Sue A. Pownall, Kathy J. Brown; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 19 at North Leo Mennonite Church, Leo-Cedarville, Ind.

Quiring.- Frank Stanley, 78, North Newton, Kan., died Feb. 23 in a car-pedestrian accident. Spouse: Evelyn Wiebe Quiring. Parents: Henry and Helen Lehrman Quiring. Children: Sam, Sherwood, Natalie, Powell; 12 grandchildren. Funeral: March 11 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton.

Rempel.- Arthur, 81, Winnipeg, Man., died Feb. 16 from inflammation of the lungs. Spouse: Helen Wiens Rempel. Parents: Peter and Maria Wiebe Rempel. Children: Evelyn Rempel Petkau, Melita Rempel-Burkholder, Roberta M. Renz, Janet L. Anderson, Therresa H. Rempel; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 21 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg.

Sawatzky.- Mabel Worms, 87, Mountain Lake, Minn., died Feb. 13. Spouse: John J. Sawatzky. Parents: Jacob J. and Marie Goertzen Worms. Children: Fay Krause, Elsie Stomberg, Liz Schmidt, Lorena Mierau, David, Gerhardt, Mary Ann Fredrickson; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 17 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake.

Vercler.- May Yoder, 98, Eureka, Ill., died Feb. 23. Spouse: Ralph E. Vercler (deceased). Parents: Cary and Maud Strubhar Yoder. Foster child: Marcia Russell; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: March 2 at Calvary Mennonite Church, Washington, Ill.

Wyse.- Delila B., 92, Archbold, Ohio, died March 2. Spouse: Rolland Wyse (deceased). Parents: Adam J. and Edith Short. Children: Linda Kinnan, Jeanette Miller, Richard; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Funeral: March 6 at Fairlawn Chapel, Archbold.

Transcribed by:  John Ingold



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