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
T to V
Thomas, Kenneth D.
March 18, 1947 - February 14, 2025
Kenneth D. Thomas, 77, of Goshen passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at his home.
He was born March 18, 1947 in Goshen to Raymond J. and Betty Lou (Miller) Thomas.
On December 30, 1971 he married Elaine Miller.
She survives along with three children, Kelly Thomas, Kyle (Lori) Thomas and Kami Thomas, all of Goshen; grandchildren, Victoria, Perry and Lance; a sister, Ginny (Keith) King of Goshen; and a brother, Keith (Brenda Powers) Thomas of Middlebury.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Thomas.
Ken was a long-time member of North Goshen Mennonite Church. He worked in the local RV manufacturing industry and enjoyed being active in his younger years, playing baseball and basketball. Following a stroke in 1991 he continued to enjoy watching sports.
Visitation will be Friday, February 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen.
An 11 a.m. memorial service will be held Saturday, February 22 at North Goshen Mennonite Church, 501 N. 8th Street, Goshen. Pastor Izaete Nafziger will officiate. The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.
A private burial at Clinton Union Cemetery will precede the memorial service.
Memorial gifts may be directed to North Goshen Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 505, Goshen, IN 46527.
Thomas, Paul E.
September 22, 1931 - March 11, 2025
Paul E. Thomas, 93, of Kidron, died Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Barberton Citizens Hospital, hospice unit.
Paul was born September 22, 1931, in Soap Hollow, PA to Elmer and Elda (Livingston) Thomas. He married Irene Miller on June 13, 1959. Irene preceded him in death on March 5, 2004.
Paul was a member of Millersburg Mennonite Church and after a move to Kidron attended Kidron Mennonite Church. Paul taught science at Hiland Middle School, having previously also taught at Orrville and Eastern Mennonite School in Virginia. He also worked in the lab at Pomerene Hospital. After retirement Paul stayed busy for many years volunteering at Pomerene Rehab, Save & Serve and MCC Connections.
Surviving are four children, Ron (Melissa) of Louisville, KY, Missy (Tim) Short of Wadsworth, John (Susan) of Tallahassee, FL, Sally Krabill of Elkhart, IN; grandchildren, Zach Thomas, Isaac (Lauren) Thomas, Faenyx, Phil and Kate Krabill, Marianne and Rose Short.
Three brothers and three sisters died previously: Kermit, Coevel, Maynard, Nada Geiser, Velma Geiser, Mary Thomas.
The family thanks Bethany Bryant, Paul’s “guardian angel” home health aide.
Graveside services will be held at 9:30 am Saturday, March 15th at Martins Creek Church Cemetery with Keith and Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach officiating. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am Saturday at Martins Creek Mennonite Church. Friends may call Friday, March 14th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Millersburg Mennonite Church.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500.
Arrangements are being handled by Alexander Funeral Home in Millersburg. Online condolences can be made by visiting www.alexanderfhinc.com.
Troyer, June Evelyn Larimer
June 18, 1936 - February 2, 2025
June Evelyn Troyer, 88, of Millersburg passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Sodalis Oak Assisted Living, San Antonio, Texas.
She was born June 18, 1936 in Elkhart County, daughter of Chester Larimer and Mary (Leer) Larimer.
On June 30, 1957 she married Mervin Ezra Troyer at Rock Run Church, Goshen. He died September 15, 2021.
Surviving are three sons, Patrick S. (Denise) Troyer of San Antonio, Texas, Kevin M. Troyer of Thornton, Colorado, Derek R. Troyer of Denver, Colorado, 2 grandchildren, two sisters, Grace Huber of Millersburg, and Joellen (Alan) Sands of Goshen, and a brother, Glen W. (Laverle) Larimer of Millersburg.
June worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Columbine High School in Denver and as a Clerk in a print shop in New Jersey.
June was avid follower of Genealogy and traced her ancestry back several generations. She also enjoyed many different crafts and travelling to see all the states.
June was a long-time member of Rock Run Church of the Brethren.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, where a 10 a.m. funeral service will be conducted Friday, February 14.
Burial will follow at Rock Run Cemetery, Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rock Run Church of the Brethren.
Troyer, Nicolas J. "Nick"
February 8, 1988 - January 8, 2025
Nicolas J. “Nick” Troyer, 36, of Dover, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at the Cleveland Clinic surrounded by his loving family, following an unforeseen illness.
Nick was born on February 8, 1988 in Mansfield, OH to David D. and Anna M. Troyer. He married the love of his life, Beth Castor on February 8, 2024, and she survives.
He graduated from Central Christian High School in 2006 and continued his studies at Eastern Mennonite University and completed his schooling at Keene State College, NH.
Nick had a passion for geology and history throughout his life. He had a great appreciation for the outdoors and could be found camping, skiing/ snowboarding, mushroom hunting, or perfecting his “gourmet grilling.” Nick enjoyed all kinds of music, whether he was singing karaoke, playing the guitar, or just listening to his favorite bands. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could always put a smile on your face. Most of all he loved spending precious time with his wife.
In addition to his wife and parents, he will be deeply missed by his bothers, Derrick (wife Manuella Nogueira) Troyer, and Cody (wife Taylor Wenger) Troyer; sister, Kaitlyn (husband Solomon Brenneman) Troyer; his nieces and nephews, Lucas & Siena Troyer, and Wesley Troyer all of Harrisonburg, VA; his paternal grandparents, Levi and Lillis Troyer of Sarasota, FL, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, many special friends; and his beloved dog, Roxy.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William and Esther Troyer.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 11 from 3:00-5:00 and 6:00-8:00pm at Berlin Mennonite Church, 4718 US 62, Berlin, OH. Funeral Services will be held 2:00pm Sunday, Jan 12, also at the church, with Pastors Jeff Hochstetler and Travis Troyer officiating. Private family burial will be held, at a later date.
Schlabach Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Troyer, Rose M. Stoltz
June 1, 1934 - January 8, 2025
Rose M. Troyer, age 90, of Ligonier, left this life on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Albion, Indiana to begin her eternal journey with her heavenly Father. She was born on June 1, 1934, the youngest of four to John and Freda (Nelson) Stoltz in Ligonier, Indiana. She lived most of her life in Noble County.
Rose was an active member of Topeka Mennonite Church where she sang in the choir, attended Bible study groups and sat on several boards. She was a member of the Ladies Aid Group that would get together and sew quilts for the Mennonite relief sale in Goshen. Rose worked at Plastimatics in Albion, D&J Tool in Albion and most recently the Albion Bowling Alley. She enjoyed reading, taking care of the yard and being with family and friends. No matter what was going on, Rose was the kind of person that always put others first.
Rose is survived by her sons, Ryan (Shawn) Troyer of Albion, Ron Troyer of Topeka; grandchildren, Rachel (Erik) Stangland of Brownstown, IN, Heath (Jessica) Troyer of Leo, IN, Rebecca (Spencer) Clements of Topeka, IN, Tanner (Liz Helms) Troyer of Bloomington, IN; great-grandchildren, Caroline Troyer, Elijah Troyer and Teddy Clements. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ross Stoltz, Tom Stoltz; sister, Nancy (Robert) Sutton and daughter-in- law, Sallie Troyer.
A service will be held in Rose’s honor at 2 pm on Monday, January 13, 2025 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, Indiana 46767. A gathering of family and friends will take place 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Pastor Harold Gingerich will officiate. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Topeka, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be directed to Donor’s Choice.
VanPelt, Willard J.
May 27, 1935 - February 12, 2025
Willard J. VanPelt, 89, passed away on February 12, 2025, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Born on May 27, 1935, in Columbiana, Ohio, he lived a life marked by craftsmanship, service, and devotion to family and faith.
Will graduated from North Lima High School in Ohio before embarking on a career as a self-employed building contractor. Skilled in both carpentry and masonry, he built numerous homes and fireplaces through-out his career. One of his most ambitious projects was the construction of a stone castle in Ohio--a testament to his creativity and dedication to his craft. Beyond his professional work, Will generously shared his expertise with his children, assisting them with renovations and projects on their properties.
Service was an integral part of Wills life. He spent two years in Germany rebuilding homes after World War II through the Mennonite Central Committee PAX program. His commitment to helping others extended to Guatemala City following an earthquake and numerous Mennonite Disaster Service projects across the United States. For many years, he also volunteered with a congregation in Youngs-town, Ohio, assisting with building and maintenance projects.
A man of quiet wit and deep thought-fulness, Will found joy in simple pleasures. He had a lifelong love of basketball that began during his high school years and continued as he avidly followed college and professional games. Fishing vacations with family in Ontario were cherished moments of relaxation and connection. Along-side Charlene, his wife, he traveled extensively throughout the continental United States, Alaska, and Europe.
Faith played a central role in Wills life. He was a longtime member of Midway Mennonite Church in Columbiana, Ohio. After moving to Pennsylvania in 2016, he regularly attended James Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster.
Will is survived by his wife of 63 years, Charlene (King) VanPelt; daughter Deborah VanPelt; sons Todd VanPelt and Rick VanPelt (Marie); grand-daughters Teniqua (Matt), Tanee (Rob), Aisha (Michael), Hannah, Rachel, and Sarah; great-grandchildren Phoenix, Brooklyn, Boston, Vivian, and Victoria; his sisters Alice Helmuth and Mary Good, in laws MaryAnn VanPelt, Marilyn VanPelt, Lana VanPelt, Judy and Wendell Selzer and Dan and Lynette King as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Ida VanPelt and siblings Arthur, Perry, Elsie, Jake, and Albert.
A memorial service will be held on April 5, 2025, at James Street Mennonite Church, 323 W James St, Lancaster, PA 17603 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 AM prior to the service and a light lunch will follow. A second memorial gathering will be held on April 6, 2025, at Midway Mennonite Church, 13376 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., Columbiana, OH 44408 at 3:00 PM. Visitation and sharing will follow, along with a light supper.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the memory of Will to Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S 12th St., Akron, PA 17501 or Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Rd., Lititz, PA 17543. Online remembrances and condolences may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.
Willard J. VanPelts legacy of crafts-manship, generosity, and quiet strength will be remembered by all who knew him.