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
R
Raber, Gloria M. Sauder
July 19, 1953 - January 8, 2025
Gloria M. Raber, 71, of Stevens, PA passed away following a brief battle with cancer on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
She was the wife of Noah J. Raber with whom she shared 51 years of marriage.
Born in Denver, PA, she was the daughter of Luke and Willa Mae (Good) Sauder of Ephrata, PA.
Gloria was a member of New Life Fellowship in Holmesville, OH.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by 5 children: Joel, husband of Linda (Sensenig) Raber of Ephrata, PA; Lisa, wife of Daniel VanPelt of Leetonia, OH; Sheldon, husband of Rhoda (Zimmerman) Raber of Arthur, IL; Monica Rennicker of Newcomerstown, OH; Conrad, husband of Krista (Goff) Raber of Bridge City, TX. In addition, she is survived by 27 grandchildren and 3 sisters, Shirley Sauder of Ephrata, PA; Karen, wife of Ronald Wiebe of Vanderhoof, BC; and Dawn, wife of Ronald Diller of Fairmount City, PA.
She was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Rose and Linda, and 2 brothers, Ronald and Luke Ray.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 13, at 10:00 AM at Farm Crest Chapel, 333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata, PA with Bishop Moses Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery, Lancaster, PA.
Viewings will be held at Farm Crest Chapel on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Arrangements are handled by C. Stanley Eckenroth Home for Funerals, Terre Hill.
Ranck, J. Ray
October 8, 1939 - March 9, 2025
J. Ray Ranck, age 85, of Paradise, PA, passed away at the Lancaster General Hospital on Sunday, March 9, 2025. He was the husband of Reba A. Kauffman Ranck with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage on September 15th. He was born in Paradise, son of the late John H. & Mary Eby Ranck.
He was an active member of the Ridgeview Mennonite Church, where in the past he was a Sunday School Teacher and on the leadership board. He was a dairy farmer and held many leadership positions with various farm organizations.
Along with his wife for many years they operated Rayba Acres Guest House. He was a member of the Gap Male Chorus and a member of the Studebaker Club. He loved to travel and was known as an all-around handyman.
Surviving besides his wife are 3 children: J. Robert (Beth Morgan) Ranck of Paradise, Rhonda K. (Jeffrey) Stoltzfus of Atglen, Ryan D. (Grace Nauman) Ranck of Reinholds, 8 grandchildren: Carrie (Eric) Metzler, Nathan Ranck, Neal (Morgan Good) Ranck, Maria & Heidi Stoltzfus, Hailey, Stephen & Caitlin Ranck, 2 great-grandchildren: Jaxon Metzler and Hollis Ranck. He was preceded in death by 2 siblings: Erma Kauffman & Helen Sands.
Funeral service will take place at Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville, on Saturday, March 15th at 2 p.m. with a viewing time from 12 Noon until time of service. Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery. Pastors Katelyn Robbins and John Denlinger will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS).
Ratzloff, Carol K.
January 21, 1938 - February 24, 2025
Carol K. Ratzloff, 87, of Goshen passed away Monday, February 24, 2025 at the Waterford Crossing Health Campus.
She was born January 21,1938 in Greensburg, Kansas to John L. and Elvina (Buller) Ratzloff.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Wilbert Ratzloff, Vernard Ratzloff, Darlene Reed and Ruth Weaver. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Ms. Ratzloff held a master’s degree in education, serving Goshen Community Schools for 30 years at Chamberlain Elementary where she coached girls’ basketball. She travelled extensively including among other places, the Holy Lands, Australia and New Zealand, the Brazilian rain forest, and the Antarctic.
According to her wishes, cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory. Her cremated remains will be scattered at the memorial garden at College Mennonite Church where she was a long-time member.
Rohrer, Esther Evelyn Wenger
March 17, 1934 - February 12, 2025
Esther Evelyn Wenger Rohrer, 90, a resident of 6599 Horeb Church Road, Dayton, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at her home.
Mrs. Rohrer was born on March 17, 1934, in Dayton, VA, and was a daughter of the late Amos and Nettie Wenger. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant View Old Order Mennonite Church.
On October 12, 1954, she married Paul Daniel Rohrer, who survives.
Also surviving are her children, Marilyn (Wayne) Eberly, Marjorie Shank, Mary Ethel (Kenneth) Wenger, Jesse Rohrer, Melissa (Glendon) Wenger, all of Rockingham, VA; 16 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 2 great great grandsons; 4 step-grandchildren; 19 step great grandchildren; and 2 step great great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were a son-in-law, John Robert Shank, two great grandchildren, Lorna Knicely and Gabriel Rohrer, and a grandson through marriage, Kenneth Zimmerman.
Mrs. Rohrer was also preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses; Paul (Hazel R.) Wenger, Ruel Wenger, Martha Wenger, Frances (Gilbert) Rohrer, Anna (Amos) Knicely, Fred (Alma) Wenger, Frank (Mary Etta) Wenger, and Jake Wenger, whose wife Mary Lou Wenger survives.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Pleasant View Old Order Mennonite Church with the ministers of the church officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Friends may call at the Rohrer home on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rupp, Arnold Dean "Arnie"
April 13, 1964 - January 11, 2025
Arnold “Arnie” Dean Rupp, age 60 years, of Pettisville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, January 11, 2025. He was born April 13, 1964 to Marlin and Bueta (Yoder) Rupp. He was a 1982 graduate of Pettisville High School, and completed his Bachelor’s degree at Bowling Green State University. He married Ronda Snyder on January 7, 1984 and enjoyed 41 years of marriage together.
Arnie was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, and “Pop Pop” to his grandchildren. Arnie was the true embodiment of a servant leader, dedicating his life to his faith, his family, and his community. He was a dedicated and hardworking man who always put the needs of others before his own. Arnie worked at ITW Tomco in Bryan, OH for more than 20 years and for the last 9 years was the IT Director at Sara’s Garden.
Arnie was also a passionate sports fan, cheering on his beloved Cleveland teams and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Arnie’s legacy of love, service, and dedication will live on in the hearts of his family and friends as well has his ability to bring fun and laughter wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Ronda; his children, Aaron (Carlee) Rupp of Livonia, MI; Laura (Brandon) Noll of New Haven, IN; three grandchildren; father Marlin (Esther) Rupp of Wauseon; 6 siblings, Monica (Dennis) Zimmerman of Wauseon; Gary (Audrey) Rupp of Whitestown, IN; Diane (Mike) Kempf of Pettisville; Carol (Sam) Hines of Newton, KS; Eileen (Ruben) Yoder of Pettisville; and Tom (Deanna) Rupp of Pettisville and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Bueta, and his sister, Nora Jean “Jeanne” Rupp.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 14 from 4-7 PM at North Clinton Church. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, January 15, at 11 AM at North Clinton Church with Pastor Neil Wyse and Pastor Janet Miller officiating. A private interment will precede in the Pettisville Cemetery. Short Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements. The family suggests that memorials be given to Harbour Light Ministries, or Sara’s Garden.
Rutt, Glenn Elvin
January 12, 1930 - February 3, 2025
Glenn Elvin Rutt of New Holland, PA was born on January 12, 1930 and died on February 3, 2025 at the age of 95. He was the oldest son of Clarence H. Rutt, Sr and Elva S. Sauder and the beloved husband of Pauline Landis Rutt. Glenn and Pauline were married on September 13, 1952 and celebrated 71 years of marriage prior to Paulines death in August of 2024.
Glenn was a member of Stumptown Mennonite Church, Bird-in-Hand, PA at the time of his death. Earlier in his life, he was an active member of East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA for 49 years, during which time he and a group of investors from the church were instrumental in buying and managing properties to provide affordable housing for Lancaster City residents.
Glenn had a long and successful career in the insurance business and operated his own agency for many years. He was affiliated with Goodville Mutual Casualty Company in various capacities for 44 years and served as Secretary and Treasurer of Mennonite Mutual Insurance Association in Intercourse, PA for 32 years. Prior to embarking on his insurance career, Glenn fulfilled 1-W alternative service during the Korean Conflict at Fairfield State Hospital in Newtown, CT. He and Pauline developed many life-long relationships during their time in alternative service.
Glenns life was a testament to his faith, and he readily shared his time and resources. He served as a board member and treasurer of the Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale for 20 years. He also served as a board member and treasurer of the Intercourse Public Library during their 2004 capital campaign and continued in that capacity until completion of the building project several years later. Glenn and Pauline were also involved locally as volunteers with Church World Service, assisting with refugee settlement and developed and nurtured life-long friend-ships with several refugee families. Glenn was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and was deeply loved and appreciated for his generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, com-passion and sensitivity. He treasured spending time with his immediate and extended family members and helping them with household projects. He and Pauline also enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Canada and Southern Africa.
Glenn was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pauline and grandson, Tyler (Robert and Regina Rutt). He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Daniel Enck (Mary Rutt Enck); brother, Dr. Clarence Rutt, Jr. and his wife, Helen Althouse Rutt; brother-in-law, Charles Longenecker (Barbara Rutt Longenecker); brother, Dr. John Rutt (Rebecca Hertzler Rutt) and sister, Joyce Rutt Eby (John Eby).
He is survived by two sisters, Mary Rutt Enck and Barbara Rutt Longenecker and a brother, Dr. Carl Rutt (Lovina Gingerich Rutt); two sons, G. Roger Rutt (Pamela Rohrer Rutt) and Robert D. Rutt (Regina Brunk Rutt) and two daughters, Ann L. Rutt (Richard L. Buckwalter) and Jane M. Rutt (D. Richard Augsburger). He is also survived by five grandchildren and nine great-grand-children.
Gifts in memory of Glenn may be given to Mennonite Central Committee or Stumptown Mennonite Church.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Stumptown Mennonite Church on Saturday, March 8 at 11 AM with family visitation from 10 AM to 10:45 AM. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland is in charge of arrangements.