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Lazarus Project

An expanded obituary project of MennObits.  Includes additional information of obituaries appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers.  
Source of individual obituaries given with each record.  Project managed by Thelma Martin.

 2003 -  S


  Sauder, Roy E.;    Sharp, Alta;   Sheeler, Nancy;   Shenk, Esther S.;   Shirk, Kenneth L.;   Siegrist, Mary B.;   Snader, Mary;   Snyder, Miriam H.;   Stoltzfus, Aaron E.;   Stoltzfus, Amos E. Sr.;   Stoltzfus, Christ S.;   Stoltzfus, Fanny S.;   Stoltzfus, Katie;   Stoner, Elizabeth;   Stonesifer, David C.;   Stuckey, Gladys M.;   Stutzman, Lawrence Dale;    Swartley, G. Merrill; . .

Sauder, Roy E.

Roy E. Sauder, 91, Archbold, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, at the Fulton County Health Center; Wauseon, where he was admitted that afternoon. He had resided at the Fairlawn Haven Complex, Archbold, since 1993.  Born Aug. 6, 1912, near Archbold, he was a son of Albert and Ida (Weaver) Sauder; He married Selma Gautsche on Dec. 25, 1934, and she
preceded him in death on Sept. 10, 1998.  A lifelong resident of the Archbold/Pettisville area, he farmed, and in 1943 he became an ordained minister and served at Central Mennonite Church, and was the first minister of Tedrow Mennonite Church, where he served for 14 years, and then served in various capacities within the Mennonite Church through 1983. He was a charter member of the Tedrow Mennonite Church.  Survivors include, four daughters, Virginia Frank, Archbold; Mrs. Sam (Joan) Ozuzu, Pensacola, Fla.; Eloise Miller, Archbold; and Mrs. Oren (Arlene) Horst, Goshen, Ind.; five sons; Robert (Pam) Sauder, Pioneer; Duane (Nedra) Sauder Archbold; John (Lois) Sauder, Goshen, Ind.; R. Wendell (Veronica)
Sauder, Hesston, Kan.; and Neil Sauder, Wichita, Kan.; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grand-children; and one brother, Floyd Sauder, Archbold. 
Memorial services were Monday, at the church. Randy Nafziger, Pam Short, Carl Yoder and Charles Gautsche were the officiating pastors. Burial in Pettisville Cemetery preceded the service.
Obituary: Bryan Times (Ohio), 2003
Submitted by: Mona Mann



SHARP, Alta, SS# 198-14-7300

Born: 5-31-1918, Elverson, Pa. Died: 3-8-2003, New Holland, Pa.

Wife of: David D. Sharp, who survives  Daughter of: Late Levi and Mary Beiler Stoltzfus

Survivors: Sons, Merle (Bonnie E. Reese) Sharp of Mount Joy, Pa., Donald D. (Loretta J. Umble) Sharp of Akron, Pa., Dennis Ray (Bonnie
R. Shelly) Sharp of Denver, Pa. Grandchildren: 7.  Brother, Marvin (Esther Hess) Stoltzfus of Elverson.  Sisters, Erma Stoltzfus of Elverson, and Mabel (Melvin) Zimmerman of Strasburg, Pa.

Alta was a member of Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, Pa. where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the sewing circle.

Services: Memorial service at Forest Hills Mennonite Church on Wed., March 12, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Calvin Yoder and the Rev.
J. Lester Graybill officiating.  Intement in Eby Cem., Leola, Pa.

Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal,
published Monday, March 10, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


SHEELER, Nancy, SS# 211-32-7039

Born: 4-5-1918, Defiance County, Ohio.  Died: 1-9-2003, Honey Brook, Pa.

Wife of: Paul G. Sheeler (9-16-1917/12-23-2002/SS# 179-05-4399).  Daughter of: Jeremiah and Nancy Kurtz Miller

Survivors: Daughters, Rosetta (Edwin) Hoffman, of Landenberg, Pa., Roberta (Rev. Alvin) Horning of Morgantown, Pa., Virginia (Steven)
Morse of Elverson, Pa. Sons, Donald of Sarasota, Fla., Virgil of Harrisburg, Pa. and David (Joann) Sheeler of Royersford, Pa.
Grandchildren: 16.  Great-grandchildren: 13.  Sisters, Dema Wisserman of Polson, Mont., Esther Miller and Elsie Miller, both of Greenwood, Del., and Bertha Bowers of Kingman, Arizona.  Brothers, Manford Miller of Hartville, Ohio and Val Miller of Greenwood.

Preceded in death by a son, Ronald; a brother Roy Miller; and three sisters, Martha Embleton, Cora Riehl and Lydia Bouvier. Nancy was a member of Conestoga Mennonite Church, Morgantown, Pa.

Services: Conestoga Mennonite Church, 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, Pa. where friends and family may call on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.   Private funeral in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, published
Friday, January 10, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard
 


SHENK, Esther S., SS# 174-30-0378

Born: 2-20-1910, East Lampeter Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. Died: 5-1-2003, Lancaster, Pa.

Wife of: Daniel M. Shenk (7-5-1910/12-25-1997/SS# 208-26-9906).  Daughter of: Tobias G. & Hettie Denlinger Leaman.
 
Survivors: Sons, Kenneth E. (Mae Myers) Shenk, and Jay R. (Joyce Kreider) Shenk, both of Lancaster, Pa., Daniel M. Jr. (Naomi Dagen)
Shenk of Conestoga, Pa., Glenn R. (Mary L. Brinser) Shenk of Elizabethtown, Pa., John C. (Kim) Shenk of Salunga, Pa.; daughters Arlene L. Herr of Lititz, Pa., Betty Jane (Roy D.) Herr of Beallsville, Md., Mary E. (Robert M.) Mylin of Willow Street, Pa., Elsie M. (Clayton S.) Groff of Conestoga, Pa., Erma J. (Robert L.) Work of Quarryville, Pa., and Janet L. Huber of Mountville, Pa. Grandchildren: 33.  Great-grandchildren: 61.
One great-great-grandson.  Brother, Tobias G. (Elva) Leaman of Rothsville, Pa.; and two sisters, Ruth (Edwin) Rutt of Lancaster and Mabel Hershey of Turbotsville, Pa.

Preceded in death by a son, Melvin L. Shenk and a daughter, Dorothy E. Shenk; two sisters, Anna Kreider and Mary Leaman; and two brothers, Ivan and Clayton Leaman.

Esther was a member of New Danville Mennonite Church, Lancaster County, Pa.  She tended a meat and cheese stand at West End and Arcade Farmers Market in Lancaster Co.   She enjoyed crocheting and knitted many items for Mennonite Central Committee.

Services: New Danville Mennonite Church, 103 Marticville Road, Lancaster, Pa. on Sunday May 4, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Jay C. Garber and Rev. Curtiss L. Kanagy officiating.  Interment in Masonville Mennonite Cemetery, Washington Boro, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard

SHIRK, Kenneth L., SS# 187-32-6649

Born: 10-29-1940, Kinzers, Pa.  Died: 2-18-2003, Lancaster, Pa.

Husband of: Dorothy Frederick Shirk, who survives.  Son of: Late Paul E.and Bertha Mae Denlinger Shirk.

Survivors: Daughters, Leona A. (Richard John) Bennett of Taunton, Mass.,  Cynthia K. (C. Nelson) Horning of Denver, Pa. Grandchildren: 4
Sisters, Betty S. Byler of Harrisonburg, Va. and Lois E. (J. Clair) Hollinger of Lititz, Pa.

Preceded in death by his twin brother, P. Nelson Shirk and a sister, Mary J. Frederick.

Kenneth was a member of Welsh Mountain Mennonite Church, where he led the singing.

Services: Paradise Mennonite Church, 148 Singer Ave., Paradise, Pa. on Saturday, Feb.22, 2003 at 10:00 am with Bishop Mark Lehman, Pastor
Robert Kauffman and Deacon Paul Leaman Officiating.  Interment in adjoining cemetery.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, published
 Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


SIEGRIST, Mary B
. SS# 203-36-3413 Born: 1-22-1911, Bird-In-Hand, Pa. Died: 8-17-2003, Mennonite Home, Lancaster, Pa.

Daughter of: Late John E. and Susan Burkhart Siegrist

Preceded in death by brothers, Jason, John, Samule and Landis Siegrist Mary was a member of Stumptown Mennonite Church, Bird-In-Hand, Pa.
Services: Oreville Chapel of the Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, Pa. on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Donald Sensenig officiating.  Interment in Stumptown Mennonite Cem.
Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal,
published 8-18-2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by Peggy Reichard



SNADER, Mary, SS# 172-36-8950

Born: 4-13-1910, Lancaster Co., Pa. Died: 4-4-2003, Lititz, Pa.

Wife of: Jacob Z. Snader (11-1-1912/4-1-1996/SS# 179-10-7625).  Daughter of: Late Harry M. and Emma W. Myer Landis

Survivors: Son, John (Evelyn spangler) Snader of Myerstown, Pa. Daughters, Emma (Lloyd) Oberholtzer of Bamber, SC, Amanda (John) Clymer Jr. of Broomfield, Colo., Sarah (Kenneth) Shearer of Mt. Joy, Pa., Pear (Richard K.) Lantz of Harrisonburg, Va., Anna (Aaron) Groff, Jr. and Ada (Kenneth) Martin, both of Denver, Pa., Martha (John) Stoltzfus of Lancaster, Pa. Brothers, Luke (Marion Stauffer) Landis of Akron, Pa. and Ivan (Martha Cristen) Landis of Arlington, Tx. Sisters, Ruth (Norman) Ebely of New Holland, Pa., Martha Nolt, Ada Landis and Esther Charles, all of Lititz, Pa. and Grace Bailey of Ephrata, Pa.
Preceded in death by son, Aaron Snader, daughters, Ruth Snader, Rhoda Lapp and Grace Sensenig Brothers, Paul and John Landis Sisters, Norma Weaver, Anna Metzller and Lena Landis.

She was a member of Blainsport Mennonite Church.

Services: Landis Homes West Chapel, Lititz, Pa. on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at 10:00 am. with Rev. James Fahnestocke, Rev Donald Good and Bishop Keith Weaver officiating.  Interment in Weaverland Mennonite Cem., East Earl, Pa.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer
Journal,
published Saturday, April 5, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


SNYDER, Miriam H., SS# 161-30-7263

Born: 10-14-1934, Ephrata Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.  Died: 2-17-2003, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Wife of: Paul S. Snyder, who survives.  Daughter of: Late Ervin B. & Anna Horst Martin.

Survivors: Sons, Glenn M. (Janice W.) Snyder of Denver, Pa., James M. (Susan B.) Snyder of Narvon, Pa., Paul M. (Jean H.) Snyder of Shippensburg, Pa., Mervin M. (Loreen H.) Snyder of Newville, Pa., and Gerald M. (Rhonda G.) Snyder of New Holland, Pa.  Daughters, Norma Jean (J.Paul) Weaver of East Earl Pa., and Ruth Ann (Michael) Burkholder of New Holland, Pa. Grandchildren: 24.  Brothers, Elvin H. (Martha W.) Martin of Lititz, Pa., Ammon H. (Anna N.) Martin of Ephrata, Pa., and Adin H. (Martha H.) Martin of Mount Joy, Pa.  Sisters, Elsie H. (Lester) Brubaker of Plymouth, Ohio, Alta H. (Aaron)  Leid of Shelby, Ohio, and Nora H. (Elam) Hoover of Ephrata, Pa.

Preceded in death by a brother, Earl Martin.

Miriam was a homemaker and also worked in housekeeping department of Fairmount Homes, Ephrata, Pa. She died in Lancaster General Hospital after suffering a fall in her home.  She was a member of Groffdale Mennonite Church, Weaverland Conference, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.

Services: Crest Chapel of Fairmount Homes, Cats Back Road, Ephrata, on Friday at 9:00 a.m. with further services at Groffdale Frame Mennonite
Church with Bishop Jeremiah O. Sensenig officiating.  Interment in adjoining cemetery.

Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal,

published Wed., Feb. 19, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


STOLTZFUS, Aaron E., SS# 178-24-1208

Born: 6-4-1927, Narvon, Pa. Died: 4-23-2003, Bird-In-Hand, Pa.

Husband of: Malinda King Stoltzfus, wife of 52 years, who survives. Son of: Late Gideon M. and Katie Stoltzfus Stoltzfus.

Survivors: Daughters, Mary (Samuel D.) Kauffman of Kinzers, Pa., Elizabeth (Jonathan E.) Lapp of Ronks, Pa., Katie (David A.) Fisher of Loysville, Pa. A son, Gideon L. (Mamie Ebersol) Stoltzfus of Bird-In-Hand, Pa. Grandchildren: 20.  Great-grandchildren: 10. Brothers, Omar (Sadie Fisher) Stoltzfus of Gap, Pa., David L. (Lydia Beiler) Stoltzfus and Samuel J. (Barbara Smoker) Stoltzfus, both of Narvon, Pa., Gideon K. (Susie Fisher) Stoltzfus of Bird-In-Hand, Pa., and Jonathan (Marietta Hostetter) Stoltzfus of Goshen, Ind.; and a sister, Hannah (Jonathan) King of Gordonville, Pa.

Aaron was a retired farmer and worked at Weavertown Coach Shop.  He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.

Services: The late home, 3081 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-In-Hand, Pa. on Friday at 9:00 am standard time.  Interment in Gordonville, Cem.
Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

published Thursday, April 24, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted  by: Peggy Reichard

 



STOLTZFUS, Amos E. Sr., SS# 203-07-9736

Born: 3-19-1911, Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.  Died: 1-19-2003, Gordonville, Pa.

Husband of: Rachel L. King Stoltzfus (10-24-1910/1-19-1989/SS# 162-54-7273).  Son of: Samuel L. and Annie Esh Stoltzfus.

Survivors: Sons, Samuel L. (Sadie Fisher) Stoltzfus of Strasburg, Pa., and Daniel K. (Hannah Lapp) Stoltzfus of Waterford.
Daughters, Anna K. (Eli) Smucker and Rebecca K. (Gideon) Dienner, both of Gordonville, Pa.  Brother, Stephen (Rebecca King) Stoltzfus of Gordonville, Pa. and sister, Lavina Stoltzfus, of Bird-In-Hand, Pa.  Grandchildren: 39.  Great-grandchildren: 117. Great-great-grandchildren; 16.

Preceded in death by a son, John, four brothers, Abe, Daniel, Samuel, John and a sister, Rebecca.

He was a member of Old Order Amish Church.

Services: Levi Esh residence, 3875 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gordonville, Pa. on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.  Interment in Gordonville Cem.

Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, published

Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard
 


STOLTZFUS, Christ S.

Born: 3-21-1985, Lancaster, Pa.  Died: 12-14-2003, Caernarvon Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.

Son of: John L. and Salina C. Beiler Stoltzfus.

Survivors: Besides his parents, brothers, Samuel, Daniel, John Jr., all at home; six sisters, Edna, Lizzie, Ann, Fannie, Mary, Rebecca and
Leah, all at home.  Paternal grandmother, Rebecca Stoltzfus of Honey Brook, Pa. and maternal grandfather, Chirst (Fannie) Beiler of Paradise, Pa.

Christ attended Old Order Amish Church.

Chist and four other friends died in a traffic accident, in the same vehicle.

Services: From the late home, 480 Centerville Road, Gordonville, Pa. on Wed., Dec. 17, 2003, at 9:00 am. Interment in Bart Amish Cem.
Bart Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.

Original obituary may be obtained from:
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal
published Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


STOLTZFUS, Fanny S.,

Born: 9-19-1940, Honey Brook Twp., Chester Co., Pa.  Died: 12-9-2003, Williamsport, Pa.

Wife of: Christian D. Stoltzfus, who survives

Daughter of: Morris B. and Rebecca Stoltzfus

Survivors: Besides her husband and father, sons, Morris Z. (Rebecca E.) Stoltzfus of Jersey Shore, Timothy L. (Levina K.) Stoltzfus of Loganton, Pa., and Moses J. (Sara Jane) Stoltzfus of Rebersburg, Pa.; a daughter, Catherine (Samuel) Esh of Rebersburg.
Grandchildren: 35

Brothers, Alvin (Sadie) Zook of Honey Brook, Pa. and Ruben (April) Zook of Fleetwood, Pa.

Sisters, Lydia (Noah) Beiler of Narvon, Pa., Susie (Christ) Blank of Kinzers, Pa. and Marian (David) Stoltzfus of Gap, Pa.
Fanny was a member of Old Order Amish Church. She was a storekeeper for Brush Valley Dry Good, Rebersburg, Pa.

Original obituary may be obtained from:
 Lancaster Intelligencer Journal,
published Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard



STOLTZFUS, Katie
, SS# 186-42-7501

Born: 2-27-1908, Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. Died: 5-31-2003, Lititz, Pa.

Wife of: Rev. Aaron F. Stoltzfus (8-3-1904/7-1984/SS# 210-30-7472).  Daughter of: Late Beuel and Fannie Fisher Lapp.

Survivors: Daughter, Fran G. (John) Eberly of Lititz, Pa. Son, Melvin (Nancy Groff) Stoltzfus of Port Charlotte Grandchildren: 5
Great-grandchildren: 13.  Great-great-granson.

Preceded in death by brothers, Elias, Samuel, Emanuel, Darius, & Christian Lapp; and sisters, Annie Smoker, Rachel Smoker, Amelia Lapp, Betsie Lapp and Malinda Pennington.

Katie was a member of Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Atglen, Pa. She was a homemaker and avid quilter.

Services: Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Swan Road, Atglen, Pa. on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at 11 a.m. with Don Good, Doug Gehman and
Herman Glick officiating.  Intement in adjoining cemetery.

Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

published Monday, June 2, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


STONER, Elizabeth, SS# 159-05-8634

Born: 3-24-1916, Ephrata Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa.  Died: 5-6-2003, Lititz, Pa.

Wife of: Clyde Buchen Stoner, who survives.  Daughter of: Late W. Irving and Eva E. Messner Sheaffer.

Survivors: Sons, James C. (Sharon E. Weaver) Stoner of Lancaster, Pa., and David E. (Sandra Martin) Stoner of Phoenix.  Daughter, Janet E. (Irvin S.) Wenger of Guatemala City, Guatemala.  Grandchildren: 5.  Great-grandchildren: 5.

Preceded in death by a brother, Henry L. Sheaffer and a sister Caroline M. Sheaffer.
 
Elizabeth was a member of Mellinger Mennonite Church, Lancaster, Pa.

Services: Mellinger Mennonite Church, West Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. on Friday, May 9, 2003 with Rev. Leon Oberholtzer officiating. 
Burial: Groffdale Mennonite Church Cem., Leola, Pa.
Original obituary and photo may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer
Journal,
published Thursday, May 8, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


STONESIFER, David C., SS# 188-30-9232

Born: 3-4-1938, Manheim Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. Died: 1-30-2003, Mt. Joy, Pa.

Husband of: Lydia A. Sharp Stonesifer, who survives.  Son of: James and Edithy Stief Stonesifer and foster son of Earl and Ida Brubaker

Survivors: Daughter, Carol A. (kirk L.) Stein of Camp Hill, Pa. Broghter, John W. married to Marilyn Balmer of Lebanon, Pa.;
Sisters, Betty (Norman) Detwiler of Saudertown, Pa. Dorothy (Lester) Metzler of Lancaster, Pa. and Ruth (Lester) Lepley of Aberdeen, Md.
Preceded in death by sisters, Jane LeBlanc and Joan Low David was a maintenance woker for former Raymark industries of Manheim, Pa.

He attended Landisville Mennonite Church Services: Landisville Mennonite Church, 3320 Bowman Road, Landisville, Pa. on Monday, Feb. 2, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Sam Thomas officiating.  Burial in Landisville Mennonite Cemetery.

Original obituary may be obtained from
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal,
published Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, Lancaster, Pa.
Submitted by: Peggy Reichard


Stuckey, Gladys M.
 

Gladys M. Stuckey
(1916 - 2003)
WEST UNITY - Gladys Marie Stuckey, 87, of West Unity, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, at Grand Blanc, Mich.
Born May 24, 1916, in Archbold, to Elizabeth (Sauder) and Menno S. Grieser, she married Charles Edward Stuckey on July 30, 1939, and he preceded her in death on July 5, 1981.
A 1934 Pettisville High School graduate, she was a homemaker. She was also a meat packer for Jacoby Meat Packing of West Unity and operated Stuckey's Ceramic Shop in West Unity.
She was a member of the Lockport Mennonite Church and the church sewing circle.
Surviving are two sons, Marvin Dean (and wife, Delores) Stuckey of West Unity and James Edward (Charlotte) Stuckey of Greenwood, Ind.; a grandson, Dean Alan (Sheila) Stuckey of West Unity; two granddaughters, Mrs. Ned (Jeanne Ann) Baker of Fenton, Mich. and Holly Lynn Stuckey of Indianapolis, Ind.; a great-granddaughter, Rachel Marie Baker of Fenton, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Lola Stuckey of Stryker; a brother-in-law, Caleb Disbrow of Archbold; three stepgrandchildren; and six stepgreat-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ora Grieser; and three sisters, Stella Grieser Disbrow, Ida Grieser and Alberta Grieser.
Visitation will be held today from 3-8 p.m. in the Hollingshead-Beck Funeral Home in West Unity.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Lockport Mennonite Church with the Rev. Allen G. Rutter to officiate. Burial will be in Lockport Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Friends of the Library of West Unity.
Obituary: Bryan Times (Ohio), 29 Dec 2003
Submitted by: Mona Mann




Stutzman, Lawrence Dale


Lawrence Dale Stutzman, of Commerce City, CO, died November 11, 2003, at the Life Care Center of Westminster, CO at the age of 74 years 11 months and 12 days. He was born June 30, 1929, on a farm near Milford in Seward County, Nebraska to Earl W. and Esther Ella (Eicher) Stutzman, the oldest of five children. He attended Glendale Country School and Milford Public Schools. He accepted Christ as his personal savior in his youth and was baptized at East Fairview Mennonite Church. On December 29, 1979, Lawrence was blessed with a marriage to Ruby Mathews.

Lawrence began driving a truck as a young man and has lived most of his adult life in the Denver area. In his retirement, he enjoyed playing bingo and visiting the many small mountain towns around Denver, a favorite was Black Hawk.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Ruby Stutzman, Commerce City, CO, son and daughter-in-law, Marcus J. and Deb Stutzman, Thornton, Co, daughter and son-in-law, Lori and David Henry, Denver, CO, ten grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, step-son and spouse, Jerry and Ronnie Wilcox, Newport News, VA, step-daughters and spouse, Viola and Bruce Fales, Whitewood, SD, Karen Crouch, Commerce City, CO, sisters and brothers-in-law, Joyce and David Buschert, South Bend, IN, Verba Mae and Lyle Wilson, Ft Wayne, IN, Pauline B. and Harlan Hochstetler, Coralville, IA, brother and sister-in-law, Cloy E. and Linda Stutzman, Milford, numerous nieces and nephews and host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2003, at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, with Rev. Bill Saltzman officiating. Interment will be in East Fairview Mennonite Cemetery, rural Milford. Visitation is from 6-8pm Sunday, at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home with the family receiving friends. Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford, in charge of local arrangements. A Memorial Service was held in Commerce City at the Aspen Magnolia Chapel on Friday, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Kristi Beebe of the Nativity Lutheran Church officiating.
From: Lauber-Moore Funeral Home Obituary
-  Milford, Friend, and Beaver Crossing, Nebraska
Submitted by: Ann Miller White, Lincoln, NE


Swartley, G. Merrill

April 22,1919-Jan. 4, 2003

GOSHEN - G. Merrill Swartley 83, of 1354 Greencroft Drive, died at 7:30 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 4, 2003; at Elkhart General Hospital.
Mr. Swartley was born April 22, 1919, in Souderton, Pa., to Warren H. and Florence (Price) Swartley and married Miriam Landis on Oct. 23, 1943, in Souderton.

She survives with two sons, G. Alan (Bonnie) of Indianapolis and David W. (Jane) of Goshen; one daughter, Barbara Swartley of Goshen; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. William (Arlene) Gross of Souderton.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and one hour before the service at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church, The Revs. Firman Gingerich and Klaudia Smucker of College Mennonite Church and The Rev. Terry Tessari of Plymouth United Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery.

Mr. Swartley lived in the Goshen area since 1947. He taught vocal music and directed high school choirs from 1957-62 at Topeka, 1964-66 at Jimtown and 1966-83 at Goshen. He directed the Goshen High School Crimsonaires for 17 years, as well as church music and choirs, including five years at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, 22 years at First United Methodist Church and six years at Plymouth United Church of Christ. Also, he directed the Swartley Singers for nine years, following retirement, and was a former assistant director of the Elkhart County Symphony Choir.

Mr. Swartley was a member of College Mennonite Church. A 1938 Souderton High School graduate, he earned a bachelor's degree from Goshen College in 1964 and a master's degree from NSB in 1979. He was in CPS, stationed four years in Rhode Island.

The Elkhart Truth, Elkhart, IN
Jan. 2003
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin


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