The Mennonite - February 2007

"for the record" - Deaths:


The Mennonite, February 6, 2007, pages 25-27, Vol. 10, No. 3.

Billman.- Howard R., 68, Pipersville, Pa., died Dec. 1, 2006. Spouse: Carol V. Koch Billman. Parents: Walter and Mabel Beegle Billman. Children: Paul E., Susan D., Karen B. Moose; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 8 at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen, Pa.

Boshart.- Nathaniel Dewayne, infant, Lincoln, Neb., died Nov. 16, 2006, of premature birth. Parents: Chad and Kathy Constien Boshart. Funeral: Nov. 22 at Wood River Mennonite Church, Wood River, Neb.

Burkholder.- Gladys Schertz, 91, Goshen, Ind., died Dec. 17, 2006. Spouse: J. Harold Burkholder (deceased). Parents: Edwin and Emma Schertz. Children: John; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 20 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Buckwalter.- J. Harold, 85, Manheim, Pa., died Nov. 13, 2006, of a stroke. Spouse: Helen F. Stauffer Buckwalter. Parents: John and Gertrude Groff Buckwalter. Children: Nancy L., Janet L. Lengacher, Allan; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 20 at Lititz Mennonile Church, Lititz, Pa.

Buckwalter.- Lester R., 95, Millersburg, Pa., died Jan. 12. Spouse: Anna E. Book Buckwalter (deceased). Parents: Jason and Frances M. Hershey Buckwalter. Children: Kenneth B., Lois L. Burkholder, Doris A. Gochnauer, Eileen F. Stone, Darlene M. Sharp, Margaret Miller, Mary Hess; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 18 at Masonville Mennonite Church, Washington Boro, Pa.

Carr.- Minnie Rhodes, 90, Harrisonburg, Va., died Nov. 22, 2006. Spouse: Raymond Carr Sr. (deceased). Parents: Emmer and Stella Heatwole Rhodes. Children: Leroy, Raymond Jr., Everette, Carolyn Huffman; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 25 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

Derstine.- David F., 82, Lansdale, Pa., died Dec. 15, 2006. Spouse: Maxine Troyer Derstine. Parents: David D. and Araminta Fuss Derstine. Children: Anne D. Ehst, Daryl, Barbara Weirich, John; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Dec. 19 at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen, Pa.

Derstine.- S. Esther Myers, 95, Doylestown, Pa., died Nov. 26, 2006. Spouse: Clarence F. Derstine (deceased). Parents: John C. and Bertha Godshalk Myers. Children: E. Lois Myers, Freida Myers, Gerald A.; two grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 2 at Doylestown Mennonite Church.

Ediger.- Albert M., 91, Buhler, Kan., died Jan. 12. Spouse: Lydia Schmidt Ediger. Parents: David J. and Annie Martens Ediger. Children: LaVon, Byron, Glen; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 15 at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, Inman, Kan.

Freed.- Allen B., 80, Telford, Pa., died Jan. 11. Spouse: Hanna Landis Freed. Parents: Allen and Alverda Brunner Freed. Children: Shirley A. Geiser, Elaine Burns, Nancy E. Beachy, Robert; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 15 at Franconia, Mennonite Church, Franconia, Pa.

Frey.- Martin, 93, Elmira, Ont., died Dec. 16, 2006. Spouse: Selina Frey (deceased). Parents: Christian and Lydia Brubacher Frey. Children: David, Seleda, Clare, Marv, Aden, Miriam, Barb Draper, Mary Frey Martin; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 19 at Floradale Mennonite Church, Floradale, Ont.

Frey.- Mattie Helmuth, 82, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 2. Spouse: Harvey S. Chupp (deceased). Parents: Isaac and Lydia Anne Miller Helmuth. Children: Edwin H., Richard Allen, Donald Ray, Dorothy Ellen Reed, Ruby Darlene Duvall, Caroline Elaine Crowel, Edna Marie Brennernan; 26 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 6 at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Frounfelker.- Grace Moyer, 86, Bluffton Ohio, died Dec. 9, 2006. Spouse: George Frounfelker (deceased). Parents: Tobias and Ella Moyer. Funeral: Jan. 6 at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton.

Gundy.- Frances Ramseyer, 87, Goshen, Ind., died Dec. 28, 2006. Spouse: Donald G. Gundy (deceased). Parents: Alvin and Mary Ellen Schrock Ramseyer. Children: Larry, George, Ralph, Duane; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Jan. 14 at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Haddle.- Henry, 88, Columbiana, Ohio, died Dec. 28, 2006. Spouse: Genevieve Haddle. Parents: John and Matilda Haddle. Children: Cheryl Lee, Karen Craig, Helen Walker, Richard Craig, Robert Craig; 12 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 1 at North Lima Mennonite Church, North Lima, Ohio.

Hieser.- Marie Lucille, 89, Bloomington, Ill., died Nov. 26, 2006, of cancer. Spouse: Morris C. Hieser (deceased). Parents: I.S. and Hattie Metger Mishler. Children: Harlan, Gary, Hazel Lautzenheiser, Nancy Herron; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 1 at Mennonite Church of Normal, Normal, Ill.

Hershey.- Mary Shelley, 95, Cochranville, Pa., died Dec. 25, 2006, of heart failure. Spouse: Leroy B. Hershey (deceased). Parents: E.P. and Mary Wert Shelley. Children: Deborah Waterson Schrock, Larry W.; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 28 at Hershey Mennonite, Kinzers, Pa.

Hess.- Evelyn L. Huber, 87, Lancaster, Pa., died Dec. 24, 2006. Spouse: Melvin E. Hess (deceased). Parents: Enos and Grace Leaman Huber. Children: Kenneth, Melvin, Donald, Richard; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Dec. 28 at Landis Valley Mennonite Church, Lancaster.

Hoffstetter.- Elsie M.*, 84, Columbus, Ohio, died Dec. 30, 2006. Spouse: Ward C. Hofstetter. Parents: John and Dawn Shaffter Smith. Children: John, Jim, Diane Phelps; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 7 at Orrville Mennonite Church, Orrville, Ohio.
*Correction: The Feb. 6 obituary for Elsie M. Hofstetter spelled her name incorrectly. [March 6, 2007]

Hostetler.- Clarence A., 98, Kalona, Iowa, died Dec. 21. Spouse: Edna Gascho Hostetler. Spouse: Mary Esh (deceased). Parents: Almon and Ida Troyer Hostetler. Children: Mary Yordy, John, Charlene Marner, Eugene Gascho, Gale Gascho; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 28 at East Union Mennonite, Kalona.

Hostetler.- Norma E., 84, West Liberty, Ohio, died Dec. 14, 2006. Parents: Stephen and Mamie Byler Hostetler. Funeral: Dec. 18 at Bethel Mennonite Church, West Liberty.

Jantz.- Leota Kay, 62, Ritzville, Wash., died Dec. 7, 2006, of complications from pneumonia. Spouse: Gary Jantz. Parents: Charles and Juanita Clinesmith. Children: Dione, Jeffrey. Funeral: Dec. 13 at Menno Mennonite Church, Ritzville.

Kanagy.- Regina Marner, 57, Centre Hall, Pa., died Jan. 6 of a bacterial infection. Spouse: Ronald Ross Kanagy. Parents: Vaughn and Thelma Smith Shoemaker. Children: Teretha, Vaughn; four grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 13 at Christ Community College, State College, Pa.

Lehman.- Betty J. Rice, 85, Topeka, Ind., died Sept. 11, 2006. Spouse: LaVoid Lehman (deceased). Spouse: Myron Don Wiley (deceased). Parents: Charlie and Cora Belle Inles Rice. Children: Gerry Wiley, Marlene Gohl, Greg, Dexter; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Sept. 19 at Topeka Mennonite Church,

Miller.- Margaret, 83, Wellman, Iowa, died Jan. 4. Parents: George and Katie E. Miller. Funeral: Jan. 8 at Powell Funeral Home, Wellman.

Moyer.- Alice Meyers, 81, Sellersville, Pa., died Dec. 5, 2006. Spouse: Lloyd Y. Moyer (deceased). Parents: Clayton and Mabel M. Meyers. Children: Judith, Daniel, Bradley, Stephen, Jennifer; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Dec. 8 at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen, Pa.

Penner.- Anna Lichti, 95, Beatrice, Neb., died Dec. 17, 2006. Spouse: Gerhard H. Penner (deceased). Parents: John and Mary Schroeder Lichti. Children: Judy White, Alan; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 20 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice.

Reeser.- L. Kenneth, 74, LeRoy, Ill., died Dec. 8, 2006. Spouse: Anna Beasley Reeser. Parents: Jake and Lorene Stahly Reeser. Children; Connie Hall, Rhonda Friedrich, Kevin; three grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 12 in Normal, Ill.

Reimer.- John A., 98, Chenoa, Ill., died Dec. 8, 2006. Spouse: Lorene Heiser Reimer. Parents; Johann and Katherine R. Reimer. Children: Robert, Jack, John, James, Linda Clemmons, Janice Kiper; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec 12 at Meadows Mennonite Church, Chenoa.

Schmidt.- Melva Ries, 88, Marion, S.D., died Jan. 4. Spouse: Alfred G. Schmidt (deceased). Parents: Daniel and Emma Preheim Ries. Children: Marlys Sheriff, Erna, Merton, Kenny; eight grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 8 at Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, Freeman, S.D.

Schroeder.- Marlene, 79. Newton, Kan., died Jan. 15. Spouse: Lloyd Schroeder, Parents: Jacob and Justina Regier Schroeder. Children: Rhonda Ramsey, Jana, Ardie Goering; three grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 20 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kan.

Schulz.- Carl G., 88, Swink, Colo., died Jan. 15. Spouse: Marie Schulz. Parents: Henry and Elsie Roeder Schulz. Children: Alvin, David, Jean Hadaway; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 20 at Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home, La Junta, Colo.

Senner.- Robert William, 94, Lawrence, Kan., died Dec. 17, 2006. Spouse: Rachel Epp Senner. Parents: William and Elizabeth Graber Senner. Children: John, Rachel VanWingen, Roberta Hofer, Stan; eight grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 6 at Salem Mennonite, Freeman, S.D.

Styer.- Abraham S., 84, Souderton, Pa., died Nov. 30, 2006. Spouse: Anna Marie Detweiler Styer (deceased). Parents: Alvin and Martha Swartley Styer. Children: Jack A., Barry L., A. Darlene Boyle, Donna L., Thomas; four grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 6 Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen, Pa.

Suter.- Daniel B., 86, Harrisonburg, Va., died Dec. 24, 2006. Spouse: Grace Fisher Suter (deceased). Parents: J. Early and Pearl Blosser Suter. Children: Jan Showalter, David R., Mary Louise Tierney, Daniel Bernard; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 26 at Strite Auditorium, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center, Harrisonburg.

Umble.- Blanche Buckwalter, 87, Atglen, Pa., died Jan. 2 of coronary artery disease. Spouse: Willis D. Umble (deceased). Parents: Park and Malinda Smoker Buckwalter. Children: Robert, Susan Eby, Patricia Townsend; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 5 at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Atglen.

Weaver.- Velma B. Bomberger, 72, Manheim, Pa., died Jan. 3. Spouse: Paul M. Weaver. Parents: Homer and Naomi Bomberger. Children: Tina M. Wenger, Jeffery L., Jay Robert; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 8 at Erb Mennonite Church, Lititz, Pa.

Widmer.- Gladys Catherine, 91, Goshen, Ind., died Dec. 3, 2006. Parents: Daniel and Mary Graber Widmer. Funeral: Dec. 7 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Yoder.- Marion Tex, 75, Kalona, Iowa, died Jan. 14. Spouse: Doris Reber Yoder. Parents: Willis G. and Elizabeth Ann Bender Yoder. Children: Marla, Mary, June, Julie, Morgan. Funeral: Jan. 18 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, Kalona.

Zehr.- Anna I. Birky, 86, Fort Dodge, Iowa, died Nov. 7, 2006, of cancer. Spouse: Leland Zehr. Parents: Simon and Lena Greiser Birky. Children: Hal, Carolyn Uhlenbrock, Judy Heinze; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 10 at Evangelical Mennonite Church, Fort Dodge.

Zehr.- Bertha M. Reedy, 100, Eureka, Ill., died Dec. 25, 2006. Spouse: Albert R. Zehr (deceased). Parents: Peter and Susan Christophel Reedy. Children: Norma Schrock, Carl, Loren, David; 18 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 28 at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, Ill.

Zoll.- B. Beatrice, 74, Ephrata, Pa., died Dec. 30, 2006. Parents: Harvey and Lena Weber Zoll. Funeral: Jan. 3 at Groffdale Mennonite Church, Leola, Pa.

Transcribed by:  John Ingold



The Mennonite, February 20, 2007, pages 25-26, Vol. 10, No. 4.

Burkey.- Burdette, 88, Milford, Neb., Dec. 4, 2006. Spouse: Mary Burkey. Parents: Edd and Barbara Burkey. Children: Joan Schweitzer, Jerry, Kathy Stych; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 6, at Beth-El Mennonite Church, Milford.

Claassen.- Paul, 89, Beatrice, Neb., died Dec. 8, 2006, of a heart attack. Spouse: Ruby Claassen. Parents: J.J.R. and Christine Penner Claassen. Children: John, Alan, Rob, Nathan, Rhoda Frazer; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 11 at Beatrice Mennonite Church.

Cortright.- Mary Whisler, 94, Lancaster, Pa., died Jan. 25. Spouse: Russell H. Cortright (deceased). Parents: Benjamin and Mary Myers Whisler. Children: Carolyn Patrick, Constance Sheaffer, Christine Krentz, Charlotte Parsons, Cynthia Ross, Howard; 10 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan 30 at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster.

Cullar.- Lillie Goering, 91, North Lima, Ohio, died Jan. 17 of cancer. Spouse: John Allen Cullar. Parents: John C. and Adina Wedel Goering. Funeral: Jan. 22 at Midway Mennonite Church, Columbiana, Ohio.

Freed.- Arthur D., 81, Lansdale, Pa., died Jan. 17. Spouse: Cecelia Interrante Freed. Parents: Sylvanus and Margaret Hauck Freed. Children: Mary Ellen, Denise Mathuthtu, Arthur, Robert; two grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 22 at Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.

Fretz.- Grace Y., 92, Souderton, Pa., died Jan. 1. Parents: William D. and Hannah M. Yoder Fretz. Funeral: Jan. 6 at Souderton Mennonite Homes.

Garges.- Carroll A., 82, Blooming Glen, Pa., died Jan. 18. Spouse: Verna Detweiler Garges. Parents: Howard and Mamie Anglemoyer Garges. Children: Cheryl Landis, Jeanelle Yoder; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 21 at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen.

Gingerich.- Mary Maple Berkshire, 80, Elkhart, Ind., died Dec. 18, 2006, of cancer. Spouse: Simon G. Gingerich. Spouse: Norman R. Berkshire (deceased). Parents: Newton and Mary E. Rose Maple. Children: N. James Berkshire, Mary Berkshire Stueben, Jeffrey A. Berkshire, George E. Berkshire. Funeral: Dec. 21 at Prairie Street Mennonite Church, Elkhart.

Graber.- Elizabeth Alston, 92, Newton, Kan., died Jan. 19 of cancer. Spouse: Alvin D. Graber. Parents: Roy and Susan Wittrig Alston. Children: Lorene Kaufman, Lilah Bohn, Rodney, Lavonne Dyck; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 26 at Belhel Mennonite Church, Wayland, Iowa.

Graber.- Ruth Swartzendruber Leichty, 86, Wayland, Iowa, died Jan, 24 of congestive heart failure. Spouse: La Verne L. Graber. Spouse: Raymond Schlatter (deceased). Spouse: Leonard Leichty (deceased). Parents: 0mar and Glenora Peden Swartzendruber. Children: Irvin Leichty, Elaine Canby; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 27 at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Wayland, Iowa.

Harnish.- Donna Hartzler, 83, Tiskilwa, Ill., died Dee. 4, 2006, of dementia. Spouse: James R. Harnish. Parents: R.L. and Nora Hartzler, Children: Laurel Lindahl; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 7 at Plow Creek Mennonite Church, Tiskilwa.

Heavener.- Elenore, 70, Harleysville, Pa., died Jan. 11 of cancer. Parents: Guy and Alice L. Heavener. Funeral: Jan. 14 at Salford Mennonite Church, Harleysville.

Homes.- Elmer L., 92, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 23 of natural causes. Spouse: Barbara M. Helmuth. Parents: Amos and Anna May Bixler Homes. Children: Randy E., Marlene Shank, Sand Birkey, Debra Krawiec; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 27 at Yellow Creek Mennonite, Goshen.

Homes.- Roy B., 89, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 22 of natural causes. Parents: Amos and Anna May Bixler Homes. Funeral: Jan. 27 at Yellow Creek Mennonite, Goshen.

Horst.- Leroy D., 88, Ephrata, Pa., died Jan. 2. Spouse: Esther M. Horst. Parents: Ivan S. and Susan Wenger Horst. Children: Richard, Edwin, Edith Sauder, Elsie Horst, Janet Martin, Judy Hoover, Karen Weber, Mary Jane Martin, Christine Good; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 8 at Ephrata Mennonite Church.

Hostetler.- Garry D., 64, Inman, Kan., died Dec. 29, 2006, of heart failure. Spouse: Judy L. Hostetler. Parents: Ralph V. and Odena Miller Hostetler. Children: Kevin Ediger, Cherie Chasteen, Sonja Good; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 4 at Inman Mennonite Church.

Howe.- Virgina L., 86, Lansdale, Pa., died Jan. 23 of natural causes. Spouse: Kenneth A. Howe. Parents: Adolf and Gertrude Fitzgerald Altman. Children: Nelson, Nancy Gingrich; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 27 at Grace Mennonite Church, Lansdale.

Johns.- Dewayne Joseph, 91, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 18. Spouse: Gladys Yoder Johns. Parents: Ray and Fannie Byler Johns. Children: Joan Mullet, Bonnie Hodge, John; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 22 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Kaufman.- Walter J., 101, Freeman, S.D., died Jan. 2 of natural causes. Spouse: Anna Miller Kaufman (deceased). Parents: Jacob and Anna Gering Kaufman. Children: Duane, Gene, LeAnne Gross, Loren; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 8 at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Mellinger.- Edna Denlinger, 92, Lancaster, Pa., died Jan, 28. Spouse: Alvin K. Millinger (deceased). Parents: Emmanuel and Mary Eby Denlinger. Children: Ronald, Gordon, Joanne Mellinger, Mardel Mellinger; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 1 at Bachman Funeral Home Strasburg, Pa.

Mendel.- Katie Hofer, 99, Freeman, S.D, died Jan, 2 of natural causes. Spouse: Jacob J. Mendel (deceased). Parents: Jacob and Rebecca Hofer Hofer. Children: Lorriane Hofer, Laverne, Doris Schmidt; eight grand-children; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 5 at Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Reeves.- Margaret Hazel Morgan, 72, Fort Wayne, Ind., died Jan. 2 of dementia. Spouse: T.J. Reeves (deceased). Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Morgan. Children: Tom E., Linda G. Miller, Gloria A. Gunnerson; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 5 at Maplewood Mennonite Church, Fort Wayne.

Senner.- Robert William, 94, Lawrence, Kan., died Dec. 17, 2006, of natural causes. Spouse: Rachel Epp Senner. Parents: William and Elizabeth Graber Senner. Children: John, Rachel Wingen, Roberta Hofer, Stan; eight grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 6 at Salem Mennonite, Freeman, S.D.

Vance.- Margaret Jones, 90, Frederick, Pa., died Jan. 9. Spouse: Harry F. Vance (deceased). Parents: David and Ella Strouse Jones. Funeral: Jan. 14 at Providence Mennonite Church, Collegeville, Pa.

Zurcher.- Elva Amstutz, 92, Walnut Creek, Ohio, died Jan. 1. Spouse: Allen Zurcher (deceased). Parents: Eli and Levina Amstutz. Children: Joyce Zurcher, Mildred Myers, Florence Benner, Glenford, Elvin; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 6 at Kidron Mennonite Church, Kidron, Ohio.

Transcribed by:  John Ingold



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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