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.
2025
G
Garber, Russell S.
March 17, 1930 - March 4, 2025
Russell S. Garber, 94 of Millersville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Born in West Hempfield, PA. He was the son of the late Elizabeth (Shenk) and John H. Garber. Russell was a devoted husband of Esther W. (Hertzler) Garber with whom he shared an incredible 73 years of marriage built on faith, love and steadfast commitment.
A man of deep convictions, Russell previously attended Habecker Mennonite Church and River Corner Mennonite Church, where he nurtured his faith and community ties.
Russell dedicated his life to hard work, spending his career as both a farmer and a skilled cabinet maker before retiring in 1996. His craftsmanship was more than a trade--it was a passion. He lovingly created desks for his grandsons, chests for his granddaughters, and furniture for charitable causes.
Beyond his work, Russell enjoyed gardening, jigsaw puzzles, and traveling. Together, he and Esther visited every state except Hawaii.
Above all, Russells greatest love was his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Esther and his children: Mary Ann Barley (Roy) of Manheim, Barbara Zeiset of Lancaster, Nancy, Louise Smith (Stephen) of Willow Street, and Linda Harnly of Lititz. His legacy continues through his 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Anna Ruth Groff of Mountville and Paul L. Garber of Lancaster.
He was preceded in death by his infant son Gerald Lynn, two infant daughters, his grandson, Conor Zeiset, and his son-in-law Clifford Harnly.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Water Street Mission Lancaster PA, www.wsm.org.
A private service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
Russells life was a testament to faith, hard work, and the power of love. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Geiser, Vincent C.
July 14, 1945 - January 23, 2025
Vincent C. Geiser, 79 of Wooster, passed away on Thursday January 23, 2025 surrounded by family.
He was born in Orrville on July 14, 1945 to the late Harvey and Esther (Steiner) Geiser and married Janet E. Nussbaum on June 25, 1966 and she survives.
He was a member of the Kidron Mennonite Church in Kidron. He lived in the cities of Dalton, Shreve and Wooster. He carried out his alternative selective service as a custodian for Christopher Dock Mennonite HS in Lansdale, PA. He farmed over a decade before working for Triway Schools, retiring in 2013 after 30 years of service. He was a thoughtful husband, father and always happy to help anyone in need.
In addition to his wife Janet, he is survived by his children, Doug (Amy) Geiser of Fairlawn, Chris (Beth Sihto) Geiser of Alaska, and Angela (Mohammed) Quader of Richmond, VA; grandchildren Abigail and Rebecca, Zain and Sofia; brothers and sisters, Vernon Geiser of Wooster, Marcella (Ed) Loker of Dalton, Ruth (Galen) Hershberger of Fredericksburg, Ida Marie (Tom) Yoder of Donnellson, IA, Ron (Janice) Geiser of Dalton, Pauline (Gary) Arnold of Elkhart, IN, Freeman Geiser of Orrville, Russel Geiser and Ellis Geiser, both of Orrville and Delvin (Cindy) Geiser of Orrville and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Harvey Geiser Jr,; sisters, Joyce (Wayne) Miller, Gladys (Lloyd) Nissley and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Geiser, Freda Geiser and Jennie Geiser.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Kidron Mennonite Church, 3987 Kidron Rd. Kidron. Graveside services will be held prior at 10:00 am in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday January 26, 2025 from 2-5 at the church. Spidell Funeral Home in Mount Eaton is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio's Hospice LIfeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691.
Gingerich, John Vernon
October 4, 1945 – January 12, 2025
John Vernon Gingerich, devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, died suddenly and peacefully on January 12, 2025. He was born October 4, 1945, the second of Vernon and Dorothy (Lais) Gingerich's nine children. He was at various times a farmer, ditch digger, math teacher, bond administrator, technology coordinator, peace and nature lover, historian, walker, and volunteer. He was loved by his family and well respected by his colleagues.
He is survived by his wife Emma Louise (Burkholder) Gingerich; his children: Jeremy and Jennifer (Eder) Gingerich, Benjamin and Katrina (Gent) Gingerich, Jennifer Gingerich and Paul Boers, and Andrew Gingerich and Mary Leichty; his grandchildren Harrison (Kyra), Emma, Megan, Connor, Eli, and Olive; five brothers and three sisters and too many cousins, nieces and nephews to name. We already miss him fiercely.
A memorial service will be held at Zion Mennonite Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Drift Creek Camp.
Glick, Rebecca S.
August 31, 1944 - January 9, 2025
Rebecca S. Glick, age 80 of Quarryville, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Lancaster General Hospital. She was born in Gap, daughter of the late Christ F. and Hannah Stoltzfus Glick. She was a member of Pequea Amish Mennonite Church. Becky had a talent and love for painting and drawing.
She is survived by 3 siblings: Benuel husband of Rachel Lapp Glick of Palmer, Massachusetts, John husband of Barbara Stoltzfus Glick of Oxford, New York, and Esther wife of Eugene Grimm of Quarryville. She is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a stillborn brother and a sister, Sarah Glick.
Funeral service will take place from Pequea Amish Mennonite Church, 115 Blank Road, Narvon, PA 17555, on Sunday, January 12th, at 1 p.m. There will be viewing time at the church on Saturday, January 11th, from 2-4 p.m.
Gnagey, Velma I. Sauder
February 14, 1932 - February 9, 2025
Velma I. Gnagey, age 92 years, of Archbold, passed away Sunday afternoon, February 9, 2025 at Fairlawn Haven. She was born February 14, 1932 in Pettisville, the daughter of Edward and Wilma (Wyse) Sauder. Velma married Omar J. Gnagey on October 13, 1951, who preceded her in death on October 4, 2014.
She and Omar were founding members of Tedrow Mennonite Church and she actively participated in that church community for her entire adult life, often serving on the kitchen and hospitality committees. Velma loved preparing large meals for her family and had a heart for serving others. She entertained her grandchildren for a week each summer, starting when the two youngest were still in diapers. She and Omar had a great time taking them to the neighbors to swim and to the Toledo Zoo. The grandchildren looked forward to that week each summer. She loved flowers and always surrounded herself with plants.
Once Omar retired, they come to Tucson, Arizona each winter and Velma continued that tradition, spending cold winters in the warm sunshine of the desert. She loved Mexican food, attending University of Arizona women’s basketball games, and eating meals with Jerry and Kathy, especially having Jerry fix her breaded shrimp, chili, and macaroni and cheese. She regularly attended Shalom Mennonite Church in Tucson, where she is remembered as always having a smile on her face.
Velma is survived by her daughter Kathy G. Short and her husband Jerry from Tucson, Arizona; son Les Gnagey and his wife Nedra of Goshen, Indiana; son Marv Gnagey and his wife Carol of Port St. Joe, Florida; and son Gail Gnagey and his wife Michelle of Lewisburg, Ohio. Her grandchildren include Maria Gnagey Woelk (Sam), Kevin Gnagey, Aaron Gnagey (Rebecca), Brian Gnagey (Ashley), Lydia Gnagey McKinsey (Nathan), Elise Gnagey Striebich (Nathan), and Olivia Gnagey Callicoat (Joel). She is survived by 13 great grandchildren including Kaylee, Josiah, Matthew, Eliana, Charlie, Kathryn, Gabe, Gemma, Emma, Samuel, Corrine, Bradyn, and Killian. Also surviving is her sibling Mary Sauder Eash Evers.
She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Doug Gnagey; granddaughter, Hannah Gnagey; and siblings, Verna Sauder Miller, Lowell Sauder, Orval Sauder, and Marland Sauder.
Friends may call at Short Funeral Home from 5-8 PM on Saturday, February 15. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 16, at 4 PM at Tedrow Mennonite Church with Pastor Doug King officiating. Private burial will precede in the Pettisville Cemetery, next to Omar and their son Doug. The family suggests that memorials be given to Tedrow Mennonite Church.
Good, Hazel Virginia Heatwole
April 20, 1930 - January 26, 2025
Hazel Virginia (Heatwole) Good, 94, formerly of Harrisonburg, passed away January 26, 2025 in Countryside Assisted Living in Pratts, Va.
She was born near Dayton, Va. on April 20, 1930, a daughter of the late Ammon Samuel and Fannie Irene (Shank) Heatwole. She attended Rushville School, and graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School. On April 12, 1949, she married Vernon Andrew Good. Together, they were very active in McGaheysville Mennonite Church, and supported numerous other Mennonite church communities, including the Pike and Bank churches. Hazel also traveled frequently with Vernon to participate in volunteer missions. She served as secretary for Park View Press and Campbell Copy Center. Some of her favorite pastimes included flower-gardening, hiking and walking.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband; son James Lee Good, son Darrell J. Good; three infant children; sisters Geneva Bowman and Gladys Bear; and brother Dr. John Heatwole.
Surviving are daughter-in-law Karron Morris Good of Aroda; former daughter-in-law Anna Slabaugh Good Sensenig and husband Luke of New Holland, Pa.; sister Millie Thompson of Williamsburg; grandchildren Cynthia Renee Dean and husband Stuart, and James Kevin Good and wife Sarah; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, February 3 in Pike Mennonite Church, with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church prior to the service, beginning at 9:30.
Hazel’s family is thankful for the dedicated care ministered to her by the staff of Countryside Assisted Living and Agape Care Group.
Bear Funeral Home in Churchville is serving the family.
Good, Lamar James
November 15, 2008 - January 8, 2025
Lamar James Good was born November 15, 2008 in Orrville, Ohio. He was the son of Norman and MaryLou (Smith) Good. Following a drowning accident, he was pronounced dead at the hospital on January 8, 2025 at the age of 16 years, 1 month, and 24 days.
He is survived by his parents, 5 brothers: Doran (24), Hiram (21), Arthur (13), Nolan (7), Maynard (6),all at home; 5 sisters: Charlotte (31) of Donalds, SC, Marlene (28) of the home, Laurel (27) (Larry) Derstine, of Apple Creek, OH, Crystal (26), Gladys (18), both of the home; his paternal grandparents, Marvin and Loretta Good, of Dalton, OH; his maternal grandparents, Ronald and Florence Smith, of Dalton OH. Also surviving are 1 niece, Melissa (4), and 2 nephews, Kendall (5) and Jared (1).
He was preceded in death by two infant cousins.
The family wishes to thank each one for their deeds of kindness, thoughts, and prayers over this time. Please continue to pray as we adjust in the coming days.
Friends and acquaintances are welcome to the visitation on Sunday, January 12, 2025, from 2-4:00 pm and 6-8:00 pm and the funeral on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:00 am. Everything will be held at the East Union Mennonite Church, 10678 Old Lincoln Way, Orrville, OH 44667.
Graybill, Eileen Rutt
August 19, 1933 - February 11, 2025
Eileen Graybill, 91, of New Holland, died Feb. 11, 2025 at Garden Spot Village.
Eileen was a retired teacher and pastors wife. She and her late husband, Lester, served Orrville (Ohio) Mennonite Church from 1958 to 1979 and Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola from 1979 to 1997.
She and Lester were married 62 years, until his death in 2018. Their family includes three children and two grandchildren: Dave and his wife, Brenda Martin; Beth, her husband, Stock Weinstock, and her son, Julian Graybill Brubaker; and John, his wife, Vineeta Gupta, and their daughter, Nikeeta Gupta Graybill.
Eileen was born in Lancaster in 1933. She was the daughter of the late J. L. and Mary Rutt, who were longtime Mennonite missionaries in South America.
Except for a year in 6th grade, Eileen spent all of her childhood in Argentina, where she grew up fully bilingual. She moved permanently to the United States to attend Goshen (Ind.) College, where she sang in the choir and earned a bachelors degree in elementary education in 1955.
In August of that year, she married Lester, son of the late John and Bertha Graybill of Elizabethtown.
As a teacher, Eileen worked in a wide range of settings and levels. In Ohio she taught elementary school classes and high school Spanish. During Lesters sabbatical in King of Prussia, Pa., in 1968-69, she taught both Spanish and English to adults at the Berlitz School of Languages in Phila-delphia. Later, she was an adjunct Spanish instructor at Elizabethtown College and taught English as a Second Language in the Conestoga Valley School District.
Eileen loved music. She often led congregational singing and sang solos in church and at community performances of Handels Messiah. She sang in a number of choirs over the years, including the Lancaster-Franconia Singers, the Akron (Ohio) Symphony Chorus and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. As a member of the Cleveland group, she performed in Carnegie Hall.
Eileen enjoyed reading and travel. She and Lester took trips to Argentina, Europe, the Middle East and many locations in North America.
Eileen was a member of Akron Mennonite Church. A memorial service will be held there, 1311 Diamond St. in Akron, at 4 p.m. on March 15. Visitation and a light meal will follow.
The family expresses their sincere appreciation for the compassionate care that Eileen received at Garden Spot Village. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to the Benevolent Fund at Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, PA 17557.