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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.

 2007  -  T to V


  Tahara, Sandra Lorraine Buchtel;   Thomas,  Dorothy M. Erb;   Thomas, Marie Miller;   Toews, George W.;   Toews, John G.;   Toews, Wilma Frieda;  Troyer, Erma V. Stutzman;   Troyer, Phyllis M. Gresser;   Umble, Blanche Buckwalter;  Unruh, I. Marjorie Holdeman;   Vance, Margaret Jones;  Voth, Alfred G.;   Voth, Alfred Harry;   Voth, Irvin Willard;  Voth, Wilma Justina Unruh


Tahara, Sandra Lorraine Buchtel, 73, of Middlebury, Indiana died July 5, 2007 at South Bend, Indiana. She was born August 8, 1933 at Ligonier, Indiana to Morris and Lois (Hershberger) Buchtel.  On May 22, 1954 in Middlebury, Indiana she was married to Tom Tetsuo Tahara, who was born May 5, 1929 and died June 4, 2006.

Surviving are children, Terrence Lee Tahara, Robin Kay Tahara Miller (Michael), Timothy Wade Tahara (Denise), Kelly Jon Tahara, seven grandchildren and a sister, Sharon Vogelsang.

Memorial services were held July 10, 2007, arranged by Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church at Middlebury Church of the Brethren, Middlebury, Indiana with burial in Grace Lawn Cemetery, Middlebury, Indiana.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Rachel Nafziger Hartzler, Middlebury, Indiana
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Thomas,  Dorothy M. Erb, 97, of Landisville, PA died July 26, 2007 at Lititz, Lancaster County, PA.  She was born May 11, 1910 at Landisville, Lancaster County, PA  She was married to Martin B. Thomas, who is deceased.

Surviving are children, Marianne, wife of Michael L. Grove; Nancy, wife of J. Nelson Hess; Lois, wife of Glen E. Showalter; Barbara Jean, wife of Gerald Landis; nine grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, J. Robert Thomas, a grandson, Timothy Landis, a brother, Lester Erb, and a sister, Mildred Peifer.

Memorial services were held July 29, 2007  at Landis Homes, Lititz PA with burial in Landisville Mennonite Cemetery, Landisville, Lancaster County, PA.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Christy Heatwole, Landisville, PA
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Thomas, Marie Miller, 81, of Telford, PA died September 22, 2007 at Sellersville, PA.  She was born February 24, 1926 at Uniontown, Ohio to Jacob L. and Fannie (Sommers) Miller.  On July 22, 1950 she was married to Coevel W. Thomas, who survives.

Surviving are children, Karen Loker & husband, David Jr.; Lois Thomas; Bruce Thomas & wife, Joy, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are siblings, Alta Miller, Grace Gingerich, Calvin Miller, Catherine Hartzler,
Floyd Miller, James Miller, Ruth Pankratz, Jacob Miller Jr., Martin Miller, Virginia Fenske,  and Glenn Miller.

 A sister, Dorothy Miller and a brother, Willis Miller preceded her in death.

Memorial services were held September 25, 2007 at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen, Bucks Co., PA with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Peggy Buzzard, Blooming Glen, PA
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin




Toews, George W., 65, of Canton, KS, died February 9, 2007 from cancer.  He was born to John H. and Martha (Krehbiel) Toews.  He was married to Diane Hett, who survives.

Surviving are children, Flint Toews, Mardi Heintzman, and two grandchildren.

Memorial services were held February 12, 2007 at West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Toews, John G., 69, of Hesston, KS died February 7, 2007 from a heart attack.  He was born to John H. and Martha (Krehbiel) Toews.  He was married to Dorothy Bickel, who survives.

Surviving are children, John D. Toews, Bill Toews, Duane Toews and eight grandchildren.

Memorial services were held February 12, 2007 at West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Toews, Wilma Frieda, 94, of North Newton, Harvey County, Kansas died May 21, 2007 at North Newton, Kansas. She was born September 11, 1912 at Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada to Henry F. and Agnes Toews.

Memorial services were held May 25, 2007 at the historic Mennonite Brethren Church Hillsboro, Marion County, Kansas with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Troyer, Erma V. Stutzman, 88, of Kalona, Iowa died December 12, 2007 at Iowa City, Iowa.  She was born December 27, 1918 at Wood River, Nebraska to Joseph and Anna (Stoltzfus) Stutzman.  On May 18, 1941 at Wellman, Iowa she was married to Lloyd J Troyer.

Surviving are children, Omer Troyer and wife Mary Jane, Marlene Miller and husband Daniel, Carolyn Troyer, Loren Troyer and wife Kathy, Clayton Troyer and wife Laverna,
9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are a brother, Wilford Stutzman and a sister, Berdine Beckler.

Two brothers, Merle Stutzman, and Gerald Stutzman and an infant grandaughter, Sarah Troyer preceded her in death.

Memorial services were held December 17, 2007 at Wellman Mennonite Church, Wellman, Iowa with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Jennifer Archer, Wellman, IA
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin


Troyer, Phyllis M. Gresser, 71, of Smithville, OH died December 24, 2007 at Wooster, Wayne Co., OH.  She was born June 5 1936 at Massillon, Stark Co., OH to Homer and Bertha (Martin) Gresser.  Homer was born February 24, 1900 and died July 9, 1972.  Bertha was born September 8, 1910 and died July 9 1972.

On September 1, 1956 at Smithville, Wayne Co., OH she was married to Willis D. Troyer, who was born January 28, 1935 and survives.

Surviving are children, daughter, Cheryl (Terry) Zehr of Goshen, IN;  son, Dan (Karen) Troyer of Smithville, OH, and 5 grandsons.

Also surviving are a sister, Nancy (Leonard) Douce, and a brother, Philip Gresser.

Two daughters, Janet Troyer and Louise Troyer preceded her in death.

She was an active member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church and volunteer at Wooster Community Hospital. She & Willis volunteered at Sunshine Children's Home in Maumee, OH, where their daughter Louise lived for many years. They received the Spirit of Sunshine volunteer award in May of 1997. She and Willis had been actively volunteering with Mennonite
Disaster Service for the last seven years.

Memorial services were held January 5, 2008 at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, Smithville, Wayne Co., OH with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Submitted by: Carol Phillimore,  Smithville, Ohio
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin


Umble, Blanche Buckwalter, 87, of Atglen, PA died January 2, 2007 at Lititz, PA of  coronary artery disease.  She was born August 12, 1919 in Chester County, PA to Park and Malinda (Smoker) Buckwalter.  She was married to Willis D. Umble, who is deceased.

Surviving are children, Glenn, Willis, Robert Umble, Susan Eby, Patricia Townsend,
15 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Lila Hess, Rhoda Umvle, and a brother, Galen Buckwalter. She was preceded in death by four brothers, John, Nathan , Nevin and Park Buckwalter, Jr.

Memorial services were held January 5, 2007 at Maple Grove Mennonite Church Atglen, Chester Co., PA with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: RuthAnn Bruner, Atglen, PA
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Unruh, I. Marjorie Holdeman, 86, of Hesston, KS died May 18, 2007. She was born to Ezra and Ann (Jantz) Holdeman. She was married to Eli Unruh, who is deceased.

Surviving are children, Donice Manos, Janet Stutzman, Douglas Unruh, Lowell Unruh, and nine grandchildren.

Memorial services were held May 22, 2007 at Olinger Crown Hill Chapel of Peace, Wheat Ridge, CO.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Unknown
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Vance, Margaret Jones, 90, of Frederick, PA died January 9, 2007.  She was born to David and Ella (Strouse) Jones.  She was married to Harry F. Vance, who is deceased.

Surviving are a sister, Esther Clemmer and a brother, D. Stanley Jones - Wife, Jane.
She was preceded in death by siblings: Sarah Frederick, Mary Jones, Abram, Charles, and  Paul Jones.

Memorial services were held January 14, 2007 at Providence Mennonite Church, Collegeville, PA.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Earl Anders, Elroy, PA
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Voth, Alfred Harry, 88, of Hesston, Kansas died July 26, 2007 at Wichita, Kansas.  He was born February 11, 1919 at Goessel, Kansas to Henry F. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Voth.  On April 2, 1943 he was married to Rosella Pearl Funk, who survives.

Surviving are children, Diana and Clint Hull; Richard and Sue Voth; Kenneth and Ann Voth;
Dennis and Joy Voth; Gerald and Michele Voth; nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are siblings, Marna Abrahams; Lila Harris; Norma Martinez; and Ernie and Rose Voth.
       
Memorial services were held July 30, 2007 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, Marion Co. Kansas with burial in Haven of Rest, Hillsboro, Marion Co., Kansas.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Kim Funk, Newton, KS
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin



Voth, Alfred G.

Alfred G. Voth died on October 6th, 2007 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, KS from Alzheimer's disease.  He was born Aug 23, 1921 in Newton, KS, the oldest child of Jacob A. and Maria (Unruh) Voth.  The family attended Tabor Mennonite church.  Raised in rural Harvey County, he graduated from Walton High school and attended one year at Bethel College before returning home to help on the farm.  On Feb. 23, 1944, he married Clara Neufeld at First Mennonite Church in Newton.  She survives at Schowalter Villa.  He served his country in World War II as a non-combatant and was sent to Japan just as the war ended.  Al and Clara ran a small dairy outside Walton, KS until a number of newly purchased heifers turned out to have "bangs" disease.  After selling the farm, Al and Clara and their three children moved to Newton where Al worked in lumber yards for the next 17 years.  They joined First Mennonite Church and Al taught Sunday School, participated in jail ministries and served on the board of deacons.  Because of his long participation in the Gideon's, he was later awarded a lifetime membership.

In 1971, as an outgrowth of his jail work, he began a "habilitative program for juvenile offencers" working with young men on probation, teaching handyman and construction skills with a heavy dose of good work habits.  With help from his brother Larry, and Otto Unruh (a probation officer), Al formed First Step Industries, Inc.  In 1975, First Step was incorporated into USD 373 as part of the Alternative High School.  With it's innovative structure tying payment for work to good work habits, the program eventually had a rehabilitation success rate of 85 percent.  First Step won several state and national awards, including Kansas Outstanding Vocational Special Needs Teacher of the Year in 1986.  With
only one year of college, Al was required to take college courses, working toward his degree in order to continue teaching with a provisional certificate.  In 1983, at age 63, Al graduated from Bethel College.  He continued to teach until his retirement when he focused on family and fishing and camping at Harvey County East Lake and Spring lake.  Joined by his wife's siblings, they would park their camper for days or weeks and he fished to his heart's content, often giving away much of the catch.

About 2000, Al was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  Al and Clara moved into an apartment at Schowalter Villa, and later into assisted living with Al moving to memory care.  He died peacefully on Saturday evening after all of his children were able to spend time with him.  He retained his gentle spirit throughout the course of the disease and was a joy to care for.  Survivors include his wife, Clara Voth of Hesston; daughters, Roberta (Birdie) and Tim Vandermolen of Morton Grove, ILL, Mary (Cookie) and David Wiebe of Newton, KS; son, John and Colleen Voth of Derby; brother Harold and Vernelle Voth of Haven;
sister-in-law Jane Voth and five grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a sister, Gladys Reimer, granddaughter Bethany Wiebe and followed just three weeks later by his youngest brother, Lawrence (Larry) Voth.  The memorial service was at First Mennonite Church, Newton, on Oct. 10th with Pastor Clarence Rempel officiating.

Memorials were made to the Gideon's International.  A life sketch including photos, may be viewed on line at www.charitableliving.net.

Submitted by: Daughter, Cookie Wiebe



Voth, Irvin Willard, 86, of Newton, KS died November 30, 2007 at Newton, Kansas.  He was born January 31, 1921 at Marion County, Kansas near Goessel to John F. and Helena (Hildebrand) Voth.  On November 29, 1944 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, KS he was married to Wilhelmina Koehn.

Surviving are children, Sherry Voth, Allen Voth, Arlene Voth Carter, Donald and Bonnie Voth, Kenneth and Becky Voth, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are his brothers, Alden Voth, Melvin Voth, Roy Voth, and Gary Voth.

A son, Raymond Voth, two sisters, Elma and Verna and a great-grandchild, Kami Mae Green preceded him in death.

Memorial services were held December 4, 2007 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, Marion Co., KS.

He was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Kim Funk,  Newton, KS
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin


Voth, Wilma Justina Unruh, 82, of Peabody, KS died December 3, 2007 at Marion Co. KS  from cancer.  She was born March 17, 1925 at Goessel, Marion Co., KS to John P. and Augusta (Unruh) Unruh.  On June 11, 1948 she was married to Arnold Voth, who survives.

Surviving are children, Rodney Voth and Karen "Susie" Hammond, Annette Voth and Daryl Regier, Lois Voth and Tim O'Leary, Ellen Voth, 6 grandchildren, and two brothers, Robert and Erlene Unruh, and Wilfred Unruh.

Memorial services were held December 7, 2007 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, Marion Co., KS.

She was a member of Mennonite Church USA.
Submitted by: Kim Funk,  Newton, KS
Edited by: Thelma Hoover Martin

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