The Mennonite - March 2009

"for the record" - Deaths:


 The Mennonite, March 3, 2009, pages 25-26, Vol. 12, No.5.

Allebach.- Richard Z., 59, Harleysville, Pa., died Feb. 4. Spouse: Diane Seaman Allebach. Parents: Willard M. and Lourene Ziegler Allebach. Funeral: Feb. 8 at Salford Mennonite Church, Harleysville.

Follett.- William, 98, Goshen, Ind., died Dec. 19, 2008. Spouse: Katherine Follett (deceased). Children: Charles, David, Mary Jo Wright, Katherine Jean Bidwell; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Jan. 5 at Greencroft Manor II, Goshen.

Gerber.- Brenda D. Miller, 36, Dalton, Ohio, died Jan. 28 following an eight-month illness. Spouse: Jeremy L. Gerber. Parents: Rex and Diane Ramsier Miller. Children: Brandon S., Brooke N. Gerber. Funeral: Feb. 2 at Living Water Community Church, Dalton.

Glick.- Elam H., 94, Belleville, Pa., died Dec. 30, 2008, of complications following a stroke. Spouse: Thelma A. Stoltzfus Glick. Parents: Gideon Sharp Glick and Nannie M. Yoder Glick. Children: Esther Wert, Darlis, Del, Loren; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 10 at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Belleville.

Glick.- Susie L. Lapp, 85, Quarryville, Pa., died Jan. 29. Spouse: Aaron S. Click (deceased). Parents: Samuel F. and Susie Lantz Lapp. Children: Samuel L., John V., Kenneth J., Merle E., J. Elvin, Calvin W.; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 3 at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Atglen, Pa.

Hoover.- Roma, 84, Harrisonburg, Va., died Jan. 30. Parents: Hardy W. and Anna Andrews Forren Hoover. Funeral: Feb. 3 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

Johns.- Edith Mae Hoover, 85, Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 5 of heart failure. Spouse: Galen Ira Johns. Parents: John Maynard and Mandella Bachtel Hoover. Children: Joe Alan, Steven, Lois Kaufmann, Loren, Lindale, Rachel Nanlee Johns; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 8 at Benton Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Johnson.- Lulu Belle Kauffman, 92, Perryton, Texas, died Dec. 15, 2008. Spouse: Floyd Kauffman (deceased). Parents: Felty and Susanna Kauffman. Children: Lynn Johnson, Marcella Williamson, Michelle Fowler; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 17 at Perryton Mennonite Church.

Kauffman.- Marilyn Jean Steiner, 81, Marshallville, Ohio, died Feb. 3. Spouse: John S. Kauffman. Parents: Frank and Edith Gregory Steiner. Children: Stan, David, Roland, Barry, Jeff; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 7 at Orrville Mennonite Church, Orrville, Ohio.

Klassen.- Otto Dyck, 81, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 31. Spouse: Jerrie Ganger Klassen. Spouse: Helen Bohn Klassen (deceased). Parents: John P. and Anna Dyck Klassen. Children: Ruth Andrews, Frieda McRae, Bess Klassen-Landis, Michelle Antioho, Suzy Klassen; 18 grand-children; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: March 14 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Loewen.- Edith Frances Claassen, 95, Newton, Kan., died Nov. 1, 2008. Spouse: Henry R. Loewen (deceased). Parents: John and Mary Ensz Claassen. Children: Jan Landis, Craig; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 22 at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton.

Miller.- Thurman L., 85, Fairview, Mich., died Jan. 12. Spouse: Dorothy Mae Neuhauser Miller. Parents: Oliver J. and Alta May Mast Miller. Children: T. Lee, Janis M. Bontreger, Gwendolyn K. Black, Clinton J., Brenda S. King; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 17 at Best Funeral Home, Sun City, Ariz.

Orosz.- Mary O. Steffe, 91, Wakarusa, Ind., died Feb. 13. Spouse: Michael Francis Orosz (deceased). Spouse: Oreal Corl (deceased). Parents: Glen and Ruth Goshert Steffe. Children: Ronald Corl, Dennis Corl; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 18 at North Main Street Mennonite Church, Nappanee, Ind.

Plank.- Helen Litwiller, 95, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 24. Spouse: Alden J. Plank (deceased). Parents: Silas and Ella Berkey Litwiller. Children: David, Martha Sechler; four grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 27 at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Sawatzky.- David Leon, 51, Windom, Kan., died Feb. 6 of cancer complications. Spouse: Kathryn A. Porzelius Sawatzky. Parents: James Lee and Darlene Goering Sawatzky. Children: Melissa Hodgson, Tracy White; one grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 9 at First Mennonite Church, McPherson, Kan.

Sutter.- Mervin Earl, 84, Sarasota, Fla., died Feb. 11 of a massive stroke. Spouse: Ruby Virginia Shank Sutter. Children: Mike, Karen Hess, Patricia Pitts, Jacque, Delores Mead; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 15 at Bay Shore Mennonite Church, Sarasota.

Wagler.- Verna Magdalene Boshart, 82, Baden, Ontario, died Jan. 8. Spouse: Chris L. Wagler. Children: Keith, Kathy Loree, Karolyn Fournier; four grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 11 at Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden.

Weaver.- Edith Metzler, 85, Harrisonburg, Va., died Feb. 3. Spouse: Cleo W. Weaver. Parents: Rev. Isaac and Laura Durr Metzler. Children: Larry, Richard, Sue Weaver Funk, Ken, Bill; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 7 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

Weaver.- Grace Martin Hostetter, 72, Staunton, Va., died Jan. 17. Spouse: Robert "George" Weaver. Parents: Isaac Eby and Ruth Martin Hostetter. Children: Steven, Jennifer Weaver Novotny; one grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 24 at Springdale Mennonite Church, Waynesboro, Va.

Wiens.- Walter D., 82, Inman, Kan., died Dec. 20, 2008, of prostate cancer. Spouse: Kathryn Friesen Wiens (deceased). Parents: Daniel P. and Katie Heidebrecht Wiens. Children: Gail, Randall, Carrie Moser, Connie Luty; nine grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 23 at Inman Mennonite Church.

Witmer.- Ralph, 89, Leo, Ind., died Dec. 19, 2008. Spouse: Agnes Graber Witmer (deceased). Parents: Myron and Irene Kruse Witmer. Children: Deloris Martin, Lois Schwartz, Donna Miller, Karen Jacquay, Janice Kimes; 20 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 3 at County Line Church of God, Auburn, Ind.

Zehr.- Elmer P., 88, Hesston, Kan., died Feb. 4. Spouse: Emily Hughes Zehr. Spouse: Violet Bender Zehr (deceased). Parents: Emanuel and Emma Brenneman Zehr. Children: Farrel, Paul, Carol Zehr Brown, Wanda Zehr Doig, John, Dennis, Timothy; 18 grandchildren; four step grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 9 at Hesston Mennonite Church.

Transcribed by:  John Ingold


The Mennonite, March 17, 2009, pages 26-28, Vol. 12, No.6.

Brallier.- Mary Knepp, 103, Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 24. Spouse: Loren J. Brallier (deceased). Parents: Peter and Mary Gingerich Knepp. Funeral: March 3 at North Goshen Mennonite Church.

Buckwalter.- Galen N., 77, Chambersburg, Pa., died Feb. 21. Spouse: Gladys Lehman Buckwalter. Parents: Park Leroy and Melinda Smoker Buckwalter. Child: Gregg; three grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 28 at Marion Mennonite Church, Chambersburg.

Burkholder.- Harold E., 77, Baltimore, Md., died Jan. 15 of complications from a stroke. Spouse: Mary Jane Myers Burkholder. Parents: Clarence A. and Blanche Herr Burkholder. Children: J. Michael, David K., Ruth Ann Gochnauer, Barbara Sue Liberto; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Jan. 24 at Catonsville, Md.

Christophel.- Warren H., 92, Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 16. Spouse: M. Lucille Troyer Christophel (deceased). Parents: Elmer and Mary Hartman Christophel. Children: Janice Langstaff, Joseph; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 20 at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Fast.- Edward Arthur, 76, Butterfield, Minn., died Feb. 20 of cancer. Spouse: Gladys Rosella Schmidt Fast. Parents: John and Helena and John Vogt Fast. Children: LaVonne Jungas, DeLyle, LaRoy; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 23 at First Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minn.

Goossen.- Edgar Leon, 83, Windom, Minn., died Jan. 26. Spouse: Ione Rassler Krause (deceased). Parents: Jacob A. and Helen J. Derksen Goossen. Children: Nancy Sell, Neil Krause; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 30 at LaCanne Family Funeral Service, Windom.

Graber.- Ryan Scott, 23, Hurley, S.D., died Feb. 12 in a farm accident. Parents: Calvin Scott and Linda Thompson Graber. Siblings: Tracy Petersen, Kayla Graber, Katelyn Graber. Funeral: Feb. 17 at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman, S.D.

Hershberger.- Irene, 89, Walnut Creek, Ohio, died Feb. 25. Parents: Homer and Leora Hostetler Hershberger. Funeral: Feb. 28 at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church.

Kauffman.- Dorothy Dick Preheim, 94, Freeman, S.D., died Dec. 9, 2008. Spouse: Ralph Kauffman (deceased). Spouse: Clifford Preheim (deceased). Parents: John and Marie Heinz Dick. Funeral: Dec. 13 at Walter Funeral Home, Freeman.

Kulp.- Gladys Derstine, 88, Harrisonburg, Va., died Feb. 14. Spouse: Floyd G. Kulp. Parents: Edwin A. and Elizabeth Krupp Derstine. Children: James D., Donald D., Janice Kulp Long; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 20 at Lindale Mennonite Church, Linville, Va.

Landes.- Ruth M. Allebach, 80, Franconia, Pa., died Feb. 13. Spouse: Curtis H. Landes. Parents: Paul and Mamie Moyer Allebach. Children: David, Jane Leatherman, Marlene Clemmer, Lisa Yoder, Alan; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 20 at Franconia Mennonite Church.

LeFever.- Lloyd K., 91, East Petersburg, Pa., died Feb. 18 of congestive heart failure. Spouse: Miriam E. Blank LeFever. Parents: Isaac H. and Anna H. Kilheffer LeFever. Child: Kenneth L.; one grandchild; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 19 at East Petersburg Mennonite Church.

Lehman.- Donald E., 78, Lowville, N.Y., died Feb. 19 of cancer. Spouse: Irene Repak Lehman. Parents: Ezra and Clara Roggie Lehman. Child: Clairon; two grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 22 at First Mennonite Church of New Bremen, Lowville.

Lehman.- Elsie Elizabeth, 85, Harrisonburg, Va., died Feb. 5. Parents: Daniel W. and Ada Neff Lehman. Funeral: Feb. 8 at Weavers Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg.

Martin.- Richard Warren, 59, St. Jacobs, Ontario, died Feb. 17 of a brain tumor. Parents: Moses and Alice Drudge Martin. Children: Brad, Sabrina Hussey. Funeral: Feb. 25 at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church.

Neumann.- Harold R., 75, Goshen, Ind., and Metamora, Ill., died Feb. 12. Spouse: Joanne E. Herbst Neumann. Parents: Emanuel and Martha Springer Neumann. Children: Laurie Nafziger, Lisa Heinz, Mark, Kurt; 10 grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 17 at Metamora Mennonite Church.

Preheim.- Harvey W., 94, Freeman, S.D., died Nov. 6, 2008. Spouse: Margaret Graber Preheim. Parents: Jacob and Mary Waltner Preheim. Children: Janis Preheim, Arlo, Roger; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 11 at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Richenberger.- Mae R., 98, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, died Jan. 25. Parents: Jacob Chris and Druzilla Ann Essley Richenberger. Funeral: Jan. 28 at Kimzey Funeral Home, Mount Pleasant.

Sears.- Shirley M. Swartzendruber, 77, Tiskilwa, Ill., and Sarasota, Fla., died Feb. 21 of a massive stroke. Spouse: Wilmer L. Sears. Parents: Herb and Fern Miller Swartzendruber. Funeral: March 5 at Bay Shore Mennonite Church, Sarasota. Memorial service to be held at Willow Springs Mennonite Church, Tiskilwa, in April.

Shenk.- Mabel Powell, 94, Harrisonburg, Va., died Feb. 14. Spouse: Amos Shenk (deceased). Parents: Samuel J. and Laura Shenk Powell. Child: Bill. Funeral: Feb. 28 at Strite Auditorium at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Harrisonburg.

Smoker.- Helen Buch, 92, Lititz, Pa., died Feb. 4. Spouse: David Renno Smoker (deceased). Parents: Harvey K. and Anna M. Buckwalter Buch. Children: Jane Davidson, Marie Breneman, Albert, Claude; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Feb. 7 at West Bethany Chapel, Landis Homes, Lititz.

Stoltzfus.- Myrtle Phoebe Sutter, 82, Kalona, Iowa, died Feb. 26. Spouse: Sterling Stoltzfus (deceased). Parents: Daniel and Magdalena Roth Sutter. Children: Ruth Boller, Donna Wyse, Jane King, Philip, Barb Garber; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 28 at Yoder Powell Funeral Home, Kalona.

Stutzman.- Lela Fern Hershberger, 82, Kinross, Iowa, died Feb. 25. Spouse: Harold Stutzman (deceased). Parents: Samuel and Mabel Hartzler Hershberger. Children: Jerry, James, Stan, John, Donavan, Mary Stutzman; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 28 at Powell Funeral Home, Wellman, Iowa.

Syzdek.- Debra "Debbie" Lynn, 50, Philadelphia, Pa., died Feb. 8 of ovarian cancer. Spouse: Joe Syzdek. Children: Jason, Emily Syzdek; one grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 12 at Woodland Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.

Transcribed by:  John Ingold

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