The Mennonite - December, 2011

"for the record" - Deaths:



The Mennonite, December 2011, pages 52-55, Vol. 14, No. 12.

Beachy.- Elsie Marie Leaman, 91, Lancaster, Pa., died Oct. 17. Spouse: Alvie Roy Beachy (deceased). Parents: M. Martin Rohrer Leaman and Elizabeth Leaman. Children: Glenn, Dottie Hathaway, Don, Lois Eby; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 22 at Mellinger Mennonite Church, Lancaster.

Bender.- Delmar, 92, Parnell, Iowa, died Oct. 3. Spouse: Goldie J. Miller Bender (deceased). Parents: Irving and Ethel Yoder Bender. Children: John, Alice Golden, Virginia Rew, Les, Laurie Bender; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 6 at West Union Mennonite Church, Iowa County, Iowa.

Blosser.- Wilma Lehman, 101, Columbiana, Ohio, died Oct. 19. Spouse: Harvey Blosser (deceased). Parents: Edwin and Mary Basinger Lehman. Step-children: Rosetta Martin, Virgil Blosser. Funeral: Oct. 22 at Midway Mennonite Church, Columbiana.

Buhr.- Eva Rempel, 86, Altona, Manitoba, died Oct. 16. Spouse: Edward Buhr. Parents: Jacob J. and Marie Gerbrandt Rempel. Children: Sharon Boivin, Robert, Bonita Grande, Patricia, Charles, Rodney, Julie, Laurie Loewen, James, Raymond, Stuart, Nicole Schultz; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 21 at Bergthaler Mennonite Church, Altona.

Clemens.- Phyllis G. Walker, 94, Souderton, Pa., died Oct. 27. Spouse: Marcus Clemens (deceased). Children: Donald, Orrie, Leanne Wentorf. Jane Landes, Carolyn Bontrager; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 30 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Souderton.

Cunningham.- Miriam F. Morse, 100, Goshen, Ind., died Nov. 6. Spouse: John W. Cunningham (deceased). Parents: Winthrop B. and Lucy Johnson Morse. Child: David; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Nov. 9 at The Meetinghouse, Greencroft Retirement Communities, Goshen.

Derstine.- Jean Marie Langenwalter, 78, Hesston, Kan., died Sept. 24. Parents: Edwin and Marie Dester Langenwalter. Children: Alonna Smith, Rebecca Esch, Deborah Zug, Timothy, Regina Overton, Sarah Epp, Ben; 11 grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 3 at Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston.

Freyenberger.- Joseph Dean, 81, Wayland, Iowa, died Oct. 18 of lymphoma. Spouse: Janice Carolyn Ruth Freyenberger (deceased). Parents: Christian J. and Leah Mast Freyenberger. Children: Barbara Freyenberger, Michelle Frederick, Carmen Martinez, Maria Roth; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 21 at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Wayland.

Hofer.- Margaret L., 96, Freeman, S.D., died Nov. 9. Spouse: George M. Hofer (deceased). Parents: Jacob L. Hofer, Sr., and Elizabeth Kleinsasser Hofer. Children: Yvonne Schnarr, George Hofer, Jr., Rodney; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 14 at Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Horst.- Elam Bauman, 93, Kitchener, Ontario, died Nov. 3. Spouse: Myrtle Feick Horst. Parents: Menno and Lovina Bauman Horst. Children: Gloria King, Dale, Mary Lou Snyder, Myrna Schlegel, Steven; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: Nov. 7 at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, St. Jacobs, Ontario.

Irwin.- Laura "Eleanor" Johnson, 93, Germantown Hills, Ill., died Oct. 15. Spouse: John W. Irwin (deceased). Parents: John and Laura Gaull Johnson. Children: William D., John, Robert, Dennis, Janice; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 22 at Cazenovia Mennonite Church, Cazenovia, Ill.

Jantzi.- Emery K., 90, Liverpool, N.Y. and Lowville, N.Y., died Nov. 8. Spouse: Doris Church Jantzi. Parents: Christian and Anna Kennel Jantzi. Children: Patricia Jantzi. Funeral: Nov. 12 at Adirondack Funeral Home, Croghan, NY.

Janzen.- Dorothy, 84, Goessel, Kan., died Oct. 29. Parents: Peter F. and Susie Janzen Janzen. Funeral: Nov. 3 at Bethesda Home Chapel, Goessel.

Kaufman.- Clyde Sidney, 83, Marion, S.D., died Oct. 19. Spouse: Fern Kleinsasser Kaufman (deceased). Parents: Leon and Lena Waltner Kaufman. Children: Sharla Unruh, JoLeen Cunningham, Allison Russell, Robin Anderson; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 24 at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman, S.D.

King.- Maurice, 89, Archbold, Ohio, died Oct. 25. Spouse: Martha E. Lugbill King (deceased). Parents: William and Carrie Nozinger King. Children: Bill, Linda King, Bonita Beck, Karen Koellein; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 30 at Fairlawn Haven, Archbold.

Kiser.- Ruth Voth, 75, Harrisonburg, Va., died Oct. 31. Spouse: Merle Kiser. Parents: John and Linda Graber Voth. Children: Randy, Cindy Garletts; two grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 7 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.

Klassen.- John L., 86, Altona, Manitoba, died Oct. 25. Spouse: Helen Klassen. Parents: John H. and Helena Loeppky Klassen. Children: Richard, Ruth Friesen, Alvina Hildebrand; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 30 at Bergthaler Mennonite Church, Altona.

Lehman.- Phyllis Jutzi, 84, Croghan, N.Y., died Oct. 22. Spouse: William Lehman (deceased). Parents: John and Susan Kennel Jutzi. Children: Brian, Brent; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 26 at First Mennonite Church, New Bremen, N.Y.

Miller.- Helen Marie Hostetler, 81, Cleveland, Ohio, died peacefully at home Oct. 20. She was born on Feb. 13, 1930, to Amra and Ruth Balmer Hostetler. She began her life on a farm in Harper, Kan., as the second of six children. She graduated from Hesston College and received her Bachelor's degree from Goshen College in 1951. Helen and Vern Miller were married on Oct. 28, 1951. They felt called to the city, so they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they worked with the Mennonite Missions Board to build two churches rooted in the community, first Gladstone Mennonite Church then Lee Heights Community Church. Helen was well known for playing the organ at Lee Heights almost every Sunday, and she was a vibrant contributor to the Lee Heights congregation throughout her life. In 1983, she was ordained as a minister and served as a pastor alongside her husband. Helen managed the Ministerial Alliance Retirement Center for 18 years. She served on the MARC Board almost until the time of her death. In all her roles, she was a friend and mentor to many, and even after retirement, people looked to her as a constant source of guidance, advice and comfort. Survivors include: Robin (Cynthia), Rosina Berkey (Craig), Rochele Beachy (Nathan) all of Cleveland Ohio, Renita Strange (David) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ryan (Lisa) of Morganton, N.C., her 5 siblings, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was a loving role model who laughed and fussed and worried and prayed her family into adulthood. Helen was a vibrant woman who lived with radical compassion, love and practicality. With an easy, resounding laugh and a straightforward honesty, she was a joyful presence in the lives of many. Memorial Services were held at Lee Heights Community Church. Burial was in Aurora Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Miller.- James S., 58, Goshen, Ind., died Oct. 9. Spouse: Linda Suderman Miller. Parents: Oscar Miller and Elizabeth Bixel Jeschke. Children: Lisa Rose Martin, Leanne Miller, Robert; one grandchild. Funeral: Oct. 17 at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Miller.- Katherine "Kathy" Annette, 54, Stuarts Draft, Va., died Oct. 23. Parents: Wayne E. and Betty Miller. Funeral: Oct. 28 at Springs Mennonite Church, Springs, Pa.

Miller.- Lloyd P., 77, Sarasota, Fla., and Harrisonburg, Va., died Oct. 29. Spouse: Lois E. Barkey Miller. Parents: Peter and Elizabeth Miller. Children: Joleen Myers, Starla Borror; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 9 at Bay Shore Mennonite Church, Sarasota.

Moser.- Marvin M., 81, New Bremen, N.Y., died Oct. 17. Spouse: Belva Zehr Moser. Parents: Jacob and Nina Lehman Moser. Children: Lynn, Lawson; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Oct. 21 at First Mennonite Church, New Bremen.

Morrow.- John W., 81, Sellersville, Pa., died Nov. 9. Spouse: Margaret Fretz Morrow. Children: John, Jeffrey; two grandchildren. Funeral: Nov. 14 at Grace Mennonite Church, Lansdale, Pa.

Mullet.- Mary Yoder, 91, Goshen, Ind., died Oct. 17. Spouse: Roman B. Mullet (deceased). Parents: Henry and Ruby Miller Yoder. Children: Freida Welty, Ruby Farmwald, Betty Hochstetler, Carolyn Mullet, Alvin; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: Oct. 21 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Musser.- Jacob H., 95, New Holland, Pa., died Oct. 6. Spouse: Etta H. Weaver Musser (deceased). Parents: Shelly and Alice Hertzler Musser. Children: Dorthy Weaver, Ruth Mae Lapp, Roy, Janice Wyble, James, Jacob, Jr.; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 11 at Garden Spot Village, New Holland.

Neufeld.- John R., 85, Inman, Kan., died Oct. 15. Spouse: Amanda Kroeker Neufeld. Parents: Henry and Justina Neufeld. Children: Carolyn Buhler, Leland, Betty Hamm, Faye Grounds; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 21 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Inman.

Ranck.- Donald E., 84, Gordonville, Pa., died Nov. 1. Spouse: Kathleen Martin Ranck. Parents: Edwin G. and M. Helen Hershey Ranck. Children: Beth L. Yoder, Louise Ranck; two grandchildren. Nov. 5 at Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, Pa.

Rich.- Gwendolyn Almeda Brenneman, 66, Archbold, Ohio, Oct. 24, of cancer. Spouse: Phillip J. Brenneman. Parents: Dr. J. James and Maude Brenneman. Children: Sarah Berry, Jonathan Witmer-Rich, Rebecca Rich; five grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 28 at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold.
* note from Andrea – CORRECTION: Husband Phil’s last name is RICH, not Brenneman. Brenneman was the deceased’s maiden name.

Ruth.- Walton C., 81, Telford, Pa., died Sept. 11. Spouse: Ruth B. Bower Ruth. Parents: Paul L. and Naomi L. Clemens Ruth. Children: Marlin, Elaine Grote, Ronald; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Sept. 16 at Salford Mennonite Church, Harleysville, Pa.

Schrock.- Alta M. Roth, 98, Archbold, Ohio, died Sept. 29. Spouse: Elmer Schrock (deceased). Parents: Frank and Ada Schmucker Roth. Children: David, Grace Stutzman, Barbara Gingerich, Robert, Joyce Guinness, Sara Knackstedt; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 3 at Tedrow Mennonite Church, Wauseon, Ohio.

Selzer.- Alice B., 87, Hesston, Kan., died Oct. 23. Parents: Edward and Lorena Neuschwanger Selzer. Funeral: Oct. 27 at Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston.

Shoemaker.- Thelma Louise Rembold, 88, Springs, Pa., died Oct. 4 of Alzheimer's Disease. Spouse: Carl David Shoemaker (deceased). Parents: Homer and Nettie Livengood Rembold. Children: David Eugene, Craig, Sharon Urban; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 6 at Springs Mennonite Church.

Supplee.- Elizabeth "Lizzie" L. Moyer, 95, Sellersville, Pa., died Oct. 11 of coronary artery disease. Spouse: Patrick L. Supplee (deceased). Parents: Vincent and Mary Ellen Landis Moyer. Children: Betty Wismer; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 16 at Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Telford, Pa.

Tressler.- Elwood "Piney" Ray, 86, Springs, Pa., died Oct. 17. Spouse: Audrey Elaine Engle Tressler (deceased). Parents: John and Annie Eichorn Tressler. Children: Rhonda Hershberger, Clyde; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Oct. 22 at Springs Mennonite Church.

Troyer.- Andy E., 86, Hartville, Ohio, died Oct. 11. Spouse: Sylvania Slabaugh Troyer. Parents: Eli and Mary Farmwald Troyer. Children: Clara Sommers, Raymond, Viola Wittmer, Andrew, Marcus, Donnie; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 14 at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Hartville.

Ulrich.- Elton E., 90, Eureka, Ill., died July 13. Spouse: Fern Ida Grieser Massanari-Ulrich. Spouse: Miriam Bachman Ulrich (deceased). Parents: Andrew J. and Ella Elma Unzicker Ulrich. Children: Cheryl Ryniak, Joyce Klokkenga, Diane Geiser, Douglas Ulrich; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Step-children: David Massanari, Annette Sommer, Elizabeth Ingold, Dennis Massanari; 10 step-grandchildren. Funeral: July 29 at Roanoke Mennonite Church, Eureka, Ill.

Umble.- Lena Irene Mast, 91, Atglen, Pa., died Sept. 5. Spouse: Harold M. Umble. Parents: David C. and Mamie Stoltzfus Mast. Children: Loretta Sharp; Kenneth, Joanne Weaver, Dennis, Twila CharleS, Galen; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Sept. 9 at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Atglen.

Wess.- Miriam L. Maurer, 86, Canton, Ohio, died Oct. 10. Spouse: Harold Wess (deceased). Parents: Harvey and Mary Krabill Maurer. Children: LuAnn Sassaman, Larry, Lynn, Lon; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 14 at Beech Mennonite Church, Louisville, Ohio.

Widmer.- Dr. James Glen, 93, Wayland, Iowa, died Aug. 10 of cancer. Spouse: Helen Yoder Widmer. Parents: Christian and Elisabeth Rediger Widmer. Children: Gwen Widmer Clancy, Theodore, Jane Widmer Yoder, Jean Clark, James, Janice Hadley; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: Aug. 12 at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Wayland.

Yoder.- Merlin Jay, 60, Bay Port, Mich., died Oct. 24 from injuries sustained in a farm accident. Spouse: Patricia Shetler Yoder. Parents: Luke D. and Cora Maust Yoder. Children: Shari Craig, Michael; one grandchild. Funeral: Oct. 27 at Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Pigeon, Mich.

Transcribed by: John Ingold



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