The Mennonite - February, 1999

"for the record" - Deaths:


The Mennonite - Volume 2, Number 5, February 2, 1999 - page 13

Aeschliman, Viola Frances Rupp, 86, Phoenix, died Jan. 5. Spouse: John Aeschliman (deceased). Parents: Frank and Lydia Lugbill Rupp (deceased). Survivors: children Mona Mann, Merlin; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Jan. 9 at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church, Phoenix.

Bontrager, Edna Bontrager, 94, South Hutchinson, Kan., died Jan. 12. Spouse: Jerry Bontrager (deceased). Parents: Edward and Fannie Yoder Bontrager (deceased). Survivors: children Ray, Grace Hershberger, Lola Faye Erb, Donna Mae Martin; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Jan. 15 at Yoder Mennonite Church, Haven, Kan.

Brunk, Margaret Suter, 87, Harrisonburg, Va., died Jan. 5. Spouse: George Brunk II. Parents: Early and Nettie Pearl Blosser Suter (deceased). Other survivors: children Gerald, George III, Paul, Conrad, Barbara Gascho; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four step great-grand-children. Memorial service: Jan. 8 at Harrisonburg.

Ediger, Ben, 87, Inman, Kan., died Jan. 6. Spouse: Eleanor Ediger. Parents: Peter and Katie Martens Ediger (deceased). Other survivors: children Warren, Donovan, Donna Smith; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 9 at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, Inman.

Emswiler, Emma Garber, 92, Harrisonburg, Va., died Dec. 26 of heart failure. Spouse: Ray Emswiler (deceased). Parents: Benjamin and Ella Snavely Garber (deceased). Survivors: children David, Frank, Esther Kraybill, Irene Good; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 30 at Trissels Mennonite Church, Broadway, Va.

Epp, Lizzie Mierau, 85, Henderson, Neb., died Jan. 7. Survivors: children Wilbur, Ralph; five grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 7.

Greaser, Stanley "Quay," 80, Souderton, Pa., died Jan. 7. Spouse: Martha Allebach Greaser. Parents: Matthew Quay and Sarah Grater Greaser (deceased). Other survivors: children Thaley, Newton; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 12 at Souderton.

Headings, Samuel Glen, 75, Albany, Ore., died Dec. 29 of a stroke and congestive heart failure. Spouse: Barbara Headings. Parents: Elmer and Ada Hooley Headings (deceased). Other survivors: children Milton, Starla Beck, Mary Anne Zoss, Glen; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 2 at Albany (Ore.) Mennonite Church.

Hershey, Curtis, 27, Harrisonburg, Va., died Jan. 4 of injuries received in an automobile accident. Spouse: Stephanie Moyer Hershey. Parents: Cleo and Mary Ann Hershey. Memorial service: Jan. 8 at Harrisonburg, Va., and Jan. 10 at Old Road Mennonite Church, Gap, Pa.

King, Edward, 56, Peoria, III., died Jan. 8. Spouse: Gloria Horst King. Parents: Floyd (deceased) and Naomi Hartzler King. Other survivors: children Eric, Bradley, Dan, Monica Ruthenberg, Maria Hatfield; four grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 12 at Trinity Temple, Peoria.

Miller, Ada Fern Yoder, 93, Hesston, Kan., died Jan. 8. Spouse: Billie Miller (deceased). Parents: Charles and Susanna Heatwole Yoder (deceased). Survivors: children Alma Kuhns, LaVera Ressler, Chester, B.J., Galen; 22 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 11 at Hesston (Kan.) Mennonite Church.

Miller, Lena Fisher, 42, Lancaster, Pa., died Jan. 8 of cancer. Spouse: Leon Miller. Parents: Elmer and Mary King Fisher. Other survivors: children Analies Noel, Joel. Funeral: Jan. 13 at Mellinger Mennonite Church, Lancaster.

Peters, Aldus, 85, Lancaster, Pa., died Dec. 25. Spouse: Nora Metzler Peters. Parents: Aldus and Emma Chambers Peters (deceased). Other survivors: children Robert, Elsie Minnich, Martin, Walter, Ray, Roy; 11 grand-children; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 28 at New Providence (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Shantz, Rosetta, 96, Cambridge, Ont., died Dec. 23. Survivors: son Paul; two grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 26.

Shoemaker, Verna, 82, Hesston, Kan., died Jan. 8. Spouse: Orval Shoemaker (deceased). Parents: Alvin and Emma Kauffman Springer (deceased). Survivors: daughter Ruby Brown; one grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 12 at Hesston (Kan.) Mennonite Church.

Wiens, Jacob, 77, Hesston, Kan., died Jan. 11. Spouse: Helene Dyck Wiens. Parents: Jacob and Katie Vogt Wiens (deceased). Other survivors: Donald, Arlen, Robert, Kenneth, Donata Gillen, Paul; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 14 at First Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan.

Witmer, Robert, 40, Lancaster, Pa., died Jan. 1. Spouse Sharon Burkholder Witmer. Parents: Anna May Habecker (deceased) and Clyde Witmer. Other survivors: children Jenna, Heather, Deron, Mitchell. Funeral: Jan. 5 at Willow Street (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Transcribed by Carl and Doris Metzler, Indiana


The Mennonite - Volume 2, Number 6, February 9, 1999 - page 17

Amstutz, Loa, 100, Bluffton, Ohio, died Nov. 12. Spouse: John Amstutz (deceased). Parents: Isaac and Jane Greiser Bender (deceased). Funeral: Nov. 16 at Bluffton.

Blosser, Richard, 83, North Newton, Kan., died Dec. 24 of a stroke. Spouse: Mary Ann Pankratz Blosser. Parents: Christian and Carrie Yoder Blosser (deceased). Other survivors: children Donald, Debbie Penner, Carol Temple; four grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 28 at North Newton.

Breckbill, Mary, 78, Willow Street, Pa., died Jan. 21. Spouse: Parke Breckbill. Parents: John and Annie Shaubach Meck (deceased). Other survivors: children Mervin, John, Miriam Peters, Anna, Wilmer; 12 grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 24 at New Providence (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Diener, Wilma, 80, Canton, Kan., died Dec. 26 of a stroke. Parents: Arthur and Katie Diener (deceased). Other survivor: brother Christian. Funeral: Dec. 31 at Spring Valley Mennonite Church, Canton.

Eschliman, Nora, 100, Orrville, Ohio, died Jan. 11. Parents: John and Amelia Eschliman (deceased). Funeral: Jan. 16 at Orrville (Ohio) Mennonite Church.

Graber, Marie, 79, Leo, Ind., died Jan. 9. Parents: Ben and Anna Graber (deceased). Funeral: Jan. 12 at North Leo Mennonite Church, Leo.

Graber, Verne, 82, North Newton, Kan., died Dec. 2. Spouse: Delia Goering Graber. Parents: John and Anna Goering Graber (deceased). Other survivors: daughter Paula Morris; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Dec. 5 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton.

Harder, Waldo, 81, Whitewater, Kan., died Jan. 5. Parents: Henry and Margarethe Entz Harder (deceased). Survivors: children Steven, David, Mark, Barbara Thomsen, Janice Schoen; 10 grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 9 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kan.

Hofer, Walter, 80, Freeman, S.D., died Jan. 18. Spouse: Luella Hofer. Other survivors: children Maureen Friesen, Jonetta Barta; five grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 22 at Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Freeman.

Leis, Oscar, 77, Tavistock, Ont., died Dec. 28.

McProud, Elma Regier, 90, Newton, Kan., died Jan. 18. Spouse: Donald McProud. Parents: Bernhard and Auguste Epp Regier (deceased). Funeral: Jan. 21 at Newton.

Metzler, A. Jay, 58, Belleville, Pa., died Dec. 26. Spouse: Ruth Ann Yoder Metzler. Parents: Ross (deceased) and Margaret Blough Metzler. Other survivors: children
Barbara, Alan, Arlin; four grandchildren. Memorial service: Dec. 29 at Locust Grove Mennonite Church, Belleville.

Mishler, Mary Ruth, 80, Shipshewana, Ind., died Jan. 18 of complications from a stroke. Parents: James and Verba Mishler (deceased). Funeral: Jan. 20 at Shore Mennonite Church, Shipshewana.

Oyer, Elmer "Dutch," 84, Fisher, Ill., died Jan. 10. Spouse: Ida Jane Yoder Oyer (deceased). Parents: Joseph and Bertha Zimmerman Oyer (deceased). Survivors: children Darrell, Gary, Norman; seven grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 23 at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher.

Short, Harold, 80, Archbold, Ohio, died Jan. 18. Spouse: Katherine Stamm Short. Parents: Simon and Emma Kutzli Short (deceased). Other survivors: children Gerald, William, Delvin, Jerry, David, Donald, Harold Jr., Betty Tingley; 14 grandchildren;
eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 22 at Central Mennonite Church, Archbold.

Stampfler, Emma, 94, McMillan, Mich., died Dec. 14. Spouse: Raymond Stampfler (deceased). Survivors: children Patricia Olson, Ann Littlejohn, Jerome; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 16 at Newberry, Mich.

Unruh, Olin, 75, Great Bend, Kan., died Jan. 11 of a heart attack. Spouse: Wynona Kehn Unruh. Parents: Walter and Lena Unruh (deceased). Other survivors: children Steven, Lois Ratliff, Bonita Puck, Dale; 11 grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 14 at Bergthal Mennonite Church, Pawnee Rock, Kan.

Wedel, Richard, 86, Moundridge, Kan., died Jan. 3. Spouse: Marie Miller Wedel. Parents: Peter and Emma Kaufman Wedel (deceased). Other survivors: children Kenneth, Kay McNab, Keith. Funeral: Jan. 6 at First Mennonite Church of Christian, Moundridge.

Zimmerly, Edna Blough, 94, Sterling, Ohio, died Dec. 21. Spouse: Dennis Zimmerly
(deceased). Parents: Christian and Amanda Blough (deceased). Survivors: children Ann Detweiler, Dennis, Evelyn, Jacob, Twila, Velma; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 24 at Crown Hill Mennonite Church, Rittman, Ohio.

Transcribed by Carl and Doris Metzler, Indiana


The Mennonite - Volume 2, Number 7, February 16, 1999 - pages 12,13

Alderfer, Isaiah, 86, Harleysville, Pa., died Dec. 18 of acute myocardial infarction. Spouse: (1st) Lovina Clemens Alderfer (deceased); (2nd) Irene Benner Alderfer. Parents: Harvey and Susan Alderfer (deceased). Other survivors: children Rhoda Benner, Lois Zook, Rachel Hartzler, Ralph, David; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 23 at Souderton (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Baker, Mildred, 71, Henderson, Neb., died Jan. 27. Spouse: Donald Baker. Other survivors: son Robert; two grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 1 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Neb.

Birky, Lorna Birky, 70, Valparaiso, Ind., died Jan. 16. Spouse: Orville Birky. Parents: Dean and Hazel Fleener Birky (deceased). Funeral: Jan. 19 at Kouts, Ind.

Detweiler, Delson Dee, 28, Henderson, Neb., died Jan. 21 from a car and train accident. Spouse: Barbara Detweiler. Parents: Wilton and Delores Detweiler. Other survivors: child Tierney; brother Dennis. Funeral: Jan. 25 at First United Methodist Church, York, Neb.

Detweiler, Dortha Stutzman, 88, Albany, Ore., died Jan. 14. Spouse: Elmer Detweiler (deceased). Parents: Ora and Lydia Boshart Stutzman (deceased). Survivors: children Mary Lois Kuhns, Carol Gross, Don; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 16 at Fair view Mennonite Church, Albany.

Gingerich, Cyril, 77, Zurich, Ont., died Jan. 20. Spouse: Carol Erb Gingerich. Parents: Jacob and Pearl Gingerich (deceased). Memorial service: Jan. 23 at Zurich Mennonite Church.

Headings, Gertie Garver, 87, Plain City, Ohio, died Jan. 17. Spouse: Chauncey Headings. Parents: David and Fannie Garver (deceased). Other survivors: children Vernon, Jerry, Fred, Velma Miller, Norman, Mary Lou Miller, Martha Beachy, Alice Schlabach, Delmar, Ester Campbell; 38 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 20 at Sharon Mennonite Church, Plain City.

Kuhns, Clarence, 80, Chambersburg, Pa., died Jan. 11. Spouse: Mabel Diller Kuhns
(deceased). Parents: Joseph and Leah Horst Kuhns (deceased). Survivors: children Eunice Sauder, Anna Predoti, Evelyn Schliestett, Nancy Leatherman, Fern, Miriam,
Jay, James, Nathan; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 15 at Diller Mennonite Church, Newville, Pa.

Lehman, Donovan, 67, Dalton, Ohio, died Jan. 13. Parents: Willis and Sarean Amstutz Lehman (deceased). Funeral: Jan. 16 at Sonnenberg Mennonite Church, Kidron, Ohio.

Oswald, Alvin, 94, Shickley, Neb., died Jan. 7. Spouse: Susie Springer (deceased). Parents: Christian and Elizabeth Birky Oswald (deceased). Survivors: children James, Gerald, Elaine Good; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 11 at Salem Mennonite Church, Shickley.

Oyer, Lona, 96, Chenoa, Ill., died Dec. 31. Spouse: Lester Oyer (deceased). Parents: Ben and LaVina Sharp (deceased). Survivors: children June Kirkton, Carol Kramer, Judith Robinson; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 6 at Meadows Mennonite Church, Chenoa, Ill.

Rocke, Cecil, 78, Pontiac, Ill., died Dec. 4. Spouse: Frances Rocke. Parents: Joseph and Ella Rocke (deceased). Other survivors: children Mary Crutcher, Linda Brucker, Ella Pennington; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Dec. 7 at Meadows Mennonite Church, Chenoa, Ill.

Roggie, Elmer, 88, Lancaster, Pa., died Jan. 18. Spouse: Lola Zehr Roggie (deceased). Parents: Andrew and Anna Widrick Roggie (deceased). Survivors: children Ronald, Charlotte Ross, Bertha, Claire, Orpha Wilson, Rhoda Snider; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 23 at Lowville (N.Y.) Mennonite Church.

Roth, Dwight, 92, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 20. Spouse: (1st) Lillian Schrock Roth (deceased); (2nd) Maynona Ranallo Roth. Parents: Harry and Ellen Burkhart Roth (deceased). Other survivors: children Janet Bradford, Vicki Mast, Nancy Hutchison; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 22 at Silverwood Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Snider, James, 66, Souderton, Pa., died Jan. 19. Spouse: Pauline Snider. Other survivors: children James, Donald, Kerry, Doran; two grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 23 at Salem Mennonite Church, Quakertown, Pa.

Thieszen, Abraham, 90, Henderson, Neb., died Jan. 12. Spouse: Martha Epp Thieszen (deceased). Parents: Aaron and Elizabeth Peters Thieszen (deceased). Survivors: children Esther Quiring, Erna Rempel, Edwin; 10 grandchildren; 14
great-grandchildren. Memorial service: Jan. 15 at Henderson, Neb.

Wilt, Irene Lee, 89, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, died Jan. 14. Spouse: Everett Wilt. Parents: John and Eva Lee Wilt (deceased). Other survivors: children Mary Martinez, Walter, Robert; six grandchildren; two step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 18 at Mount Pleasant.

Transcribed by Carl and Doris Metzler, Indiana


The Mennonite - Volume 2, Number 8, February 23, 1999 - page 16

Boshart, Ferne Weller, 93, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 29. Spouse: Walter Boshart. Parents: John and Eva Gertrude Pinkerton Weller (deceased). Other survivors: stepchildren Jean Stucky, James, Richard; seven stepgrandchildren; nine stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 31 at Goshen, Ind.

Brubaker, Esther Oberholtzer, 82, Lancaster, Pa., died Jan. 5. Spouse: Aaron Brubaker. Parents: Elmer and Alta Oberholtzer (deceased). Other survivors: children Mark, Glen, Fred, Lynn, Jere, Omer, Alta, Dean, Deb, Deana Erdman; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 9 at Willow Street (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Eisenhour, Jay, 53, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 30 of a stroke. Spouse: Sue Yoder Eisenhour. Parents: Roy and Grace Miller Eisenhour. Other survivors: children Jed, Tex, Sid; one grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 3 at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen.

Franz, Harold, 81, Wichita, Kan., died Jan. 20. Spouse: LaVona Franz. Parents: Henry and Anna Ewert Franz (deceased). Other survivors: children Dennis, Diane Genova; stepchildren Gary, Carol Hill, Linda King, Sherry Unruh; two grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild. Memorial service: Jan. 23 at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, and Feb. 6 at Menno Mennonite Church, Ritzville, Wash.

Grieser, Jennie Henschen, 57, Archbold, Ohio, died Jan. 14 of cancer. Spouse: Ralph Grieser. Parent: Esther Henschen. Other survivors: children Ann Marie Olmstead, Todd; two grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 17 at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold.

Groff, Anna Mae, 73, Ephrata, Pa., died Feb. 1. Parents: Henry and Ella Stoner Groff (deceased). Funeral: Feb. 5 at Ephrata (Pa.) Mennonite Church.

Hjelmstad, Harold Kenneth, 81, Golden, Colo., died Jan. 31 of a heart attack. Spouse: Doris Shenk Hjelmstad. Parents: John and Mary Hjelmstad (deceased). Other survivors: children Shirley Hostetler, Sharon Marner, Ken, Rick; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 3 at Crown Hill Chapel, Lakewood, Colo.

Hunsberger, William, 94, East Pikeland Township, Pa., died Feb. 1 of pneumonia. Spouse: Waneta Shenk Hunsberger. Parents: Martin and Emma Jane Jones Hunsberger (deceased). Other survivors: children Ray, Phillip, June Nafziger, Jane; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 5 at Vincent Mennonite Church, Spring City, Pa.

Jantzi, Eunice Zehr, 58, Beaver Falls, N.Y., died Feb. 2 of cancer. Parents: Christian and Martha Moser Zehr (deceased). Survivors: children Todd, Kara McIntosh, Anne Maria; one grandchild. Funeral: Feb. 6 at First Mennonite Church of New Bremen, N.Y.

Knechtel, Matthew, 9, Bloomingdale, Ont., died Dec. 11 of congenital heart condition. Parents: Wayne and Cathy Knechtel. Funeral: Dec. 14 at Breslau (Ont.) Mennonite Church.

Mininger, Emma Florence, 83, Quakertown, Pa., died Dec. 2. Spouse: Raymond Mininger. Parents: Samuel and Anna Overholt Trauger (deceased). Other survivors: children Marion Mae Clymer, Stanley, Ruth Mindler, David; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 5 at Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown.

Neuhouser, Lorraine, 80, Fort Wayne, Ind., died Jan. 3 of a stroke. Funeral: Jan. 7 at Churubusco, Ind.

Ramseyer, Charles, 74, Pulaski, Iowa, died Dec. 31 of pulmonary fibrosis. Spouse: Lois Ramseyer. Parents: Sam and Maude Hartzler Ramseyer (deceased). Other survivors: children Larry, Dennis, Paul; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral: Jan. 3 at Pulaski (Iowa) Mennonite Church.

Roulet, Samuel, 72, Bloomfield, Iowa, died Dec. 14 of heart and kidney failure. Spouse: Mildred. Parents: Sam and Fannie Roulet (deceased). Other survivors: children Kenneth, Keith; two grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 17 at Bloomfield, Iowa.

Weaver, Esther Mae Burkholder, 88, Ephrata, Pa., died Dec. 4 of an aneurysm. Spouse: Titus Weaver (deceased). Parents: Frank and Minnie Burkholder (deceased). Survivors: children Arlene Stauffer, Robert, Evelyn Witmer, Pauline Boll, Romaine Huber, Joyce Mummau; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 7 at Hess Mennonite Church, Lititz, Pa.

Weaver, Ralph, 73, Boswell, Pa., died Jan. 28 of a rare blood disorder. Spouse: Grace Shaffer. Parents: Benjamin and Rebecca Miller Weaver (deceased). Other survivor: son Russell. Funeral: Jan. 31 at Thomas Mennonite Church, Hollsopple, Pa.

Weber, Oliver, 84, Kitchener, Ont., died Dec. 18. Spouse: Almeda Snyder Weber. Parents: Allen and Sarah Weber (deceased). Other survivors: children Ken, Ross, Edward, Paul, Ralph. Funeral: Dec. 21 at Bloomingdale (Ont.) Mennonite Church.

Wyse, Nellie Schmucker, 74, Archbold, Ohio, died Jan. 19. Spouse: Warren Wyse. Parents: Myron and Herma Schmucker (deceased). Other survivors: children Jerry, Ronald, Kenneth, Sandra Miller, Cynthia Preston; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral: Jan. 22 at Lockport Mennonite Church, Stryker, Ohio.

Yoder, Elda Kaufman, 93, Hollsopple, Pa., died Dec. 4. Spouse: Ammon Yoder (deceased). Parents: Noah and Malinda Kinsinger Kaufman (deceased). Survivors: children Noah, Dorothy Shetler, Twilla Thomas, Paul, Bernice Alwine, Emma Mae Alwine, Marlin, Erma Kauffman, Merle; 31 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 7 at Blough Mennonite Church, Hollsopple.

Transcribed by Carl and Doris Metzler, 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 images to tell their family stories.
May not be mass-produced in any form for commercial purposes.