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
A to B1
Beachey, Sara W. Miller
April 7, 1942 - January 1, 2025
Sara W. Beachey, 82, of Topeka, (district: 29-4), died at 11:27 am, on Wednesday, January 1, [2025] at home. She was born on April 7, 1942, in Haven, KS, to William and Mary (Schrock) Miller. On September 17, 1998, in Topeka, she married Lewis A. Beachey, he died October 17, 2020.
Surviving are step-daughter, Darlene (Glenn) Hostetler of Topeka; three step-sons, Devon (Cathy) Beachey of Shipshewana, John (Lora) Beachey of Topeka, Richard (Niva) Beachey of Millersburg; 24 step-grandchildren, 27 step-great-grandchildren; seven brothers, Ora W. Miller of Topeka, Enos W. Miller of Haven, KS, William Jr. (Edna) Miller, Harry W. (Katie) Miller, Calvin W. (Katie) Miller, David W. (Esther) Miller all of Topeka, Eldon W. (Esther) Miller of Ligonier; three sisters, Wilma (Samuel) Bontrager of Rome City, Mary (Levi) Miller of Shipshewana, Martha (Ernest) Bontrager of Topeka.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; step-granddaughter; two brothers, Eli W. (Katie) Miller, Andy W. Miller; sister, Gertie Yoder; two sisters-in-law, Vera Miller, Cathryn Miller.
Sara was a homemaker and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 2 and all-day Friday, January 3 at the John Beachey residence, 6650 S. 900 W., Topeka. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Saturday, January 4 at the Jerold Mast residence, 6780 S. 900 W., Topeka. Services will be conducted by Bishop Willard Yoder and the home ministers. Burial will be in Hawpatch Cemetery, Topeka.
Bender, Ethel P. Hershey
November 2, 1931 - January 27, 2025
Ethel Bender passed away at the age of 93 on January 27, 2025, at home in the Bronx, New York, surrounded by her family.
Ethel P. Hershey was born November 2, 1931, to Mark and Anna Kreider Hershey in the family home on the farm in Paradise, PA. Ethel was affectionately known as Eb, Hi-Test, Sister Bender, Sister B, and Mother Church.
At the age of 16, Ethel made a commitment to Christ at Kinzer Mennonite Church. She moved to Philadelphia to work at a girls house with Oxford Circle Mennonite Church and served at Tel Hai Camp as a girls counselor. It was there at Oxford Circle that Ethel met Martin Bender, whom she later married at Kinzer Mennonite Church in September 1956.
After moving to the Bronx, New York in 1970, the Benders founded and pastored Joy Fellowship Church and started a street evangelism ministry as well as a prison ministry for inmates in Rikers Island and Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. They worked with New Life for Girls (Dover, PA) and operated a halfway house for women. Martin and Ethel traveled to Guatemala to study Spanish and to Colombia to support the ministry of a church in Medellin and spent a sabbatical in China mentoring and discipling young Chinese men and women.
Ethel is survived by five children: Karen J., wife of Byron Brenneman; Kenneth M.; Kristine L.; Kay L., wife of Bayron Olayo; and Keith B., husband of Tonya Gunter Bender; nine grandchildren: Julia Brenneman Tesfalidet, wife of Eb; Cheryl Brenneman; Vanessa Brenneman Kneebone, wife of Seth; Michael Olayo; Marcus Olayo; Craig Bender; Brett, husband of Madisan Greenberg Bender; Donovan Bender; Ariana Bender; five great-grandchildren: Marcus and Moriah Tesfalidet; Aiden, Asher, and Kya Kneebone; two brothers: Lynford, husband of Jeanie Kauffman Hershey; Robert, husband of Margy Lehigh Hershey; and three sisters: Janet Martin; Doris Lichty; and Velda, wife of Warren Peachey.
Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Martin; her parents; a sister, Jean Hershey; a brother, Kenneth, husband of Betty Jane Hershey; and a daughter-in-law, Lina Arango Bender.
Family and friends will remember Ethel for her quick wit and dry humor tempered by compassion and genuine love. She welcomed everyone with open arms, counseling, reassuring, advising, comforting, and sometimes giving a few home truths. She lived her life putting others before herself. She will be missed.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day......2 Timothy 4:7-8.
The funeral service will be held at Joy Fellowship Church, 66 E. Mt. Eden Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453, on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM. There will be a viewing preceding the service at 1:00 PM. A second viewing will be held at the former Kinzer Mennonite Church, 45 N. Kinzer Road, Kinzers, PA 17535 on Monday, February 10th at 11:30 AM. The burial will follow at Kinzer Mennonite Cemetery at 1:30 PM.
Bollinger, Esther M. Leininger
May 22, 1935 - February 2, 2025
Esther M. Bollinger, 89, of Reinholds, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at home.
She was born in Reinholds, daughter of the late Norman and Mae (Wenger) Leininger and was the wife of the late Ray B. Bollinger who passed away in 2023. They shared 58 years together.
Esther was a part of Heidelberg Brethren Church of Myerstown and was a faithful member of the former Cocalico Church of the Brethren where she served as a Deacons wife, Sunday School Teacher, chorister and church cleaner.
Esther was a homemaker, farmed alongside her husband and worked in a sewing factory. She enjoyed spending time with family and grand-children, sewing, tending her garden, preserving vegetables, baking bread, playing games, bird watching, and music.
She is survived by 4 children, Dale L. Bollinger, husband of Cheryl, Michael L. Bollinger, husband of Donna, Diane M. Eby, wife of Phil, and Nelson R. Bollinger, husband of Treva; 14 grand-children, 5 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings, Norman Leininger, Jr., Stanley Leininger and Glenn Leininger.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Paul, Richard, and Mark Leininger.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 6-8 PM at the Roseboro Stradling Funeral Home, 533 Walnut St., Denver. A private graveside service will be held at Kurtz Cemetery. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 11th, at 11 AM, at Heidelberg Brethren Church, 162 Reistville Rd., Schaefferstown.
Arrangements by Roseboro Stradling Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., Denver.
Bontrager, Marilyn Kay Lehman
November 22, 1942 - January 27, 2025
Marilyn Kay Bontrager, 82, of Goshen, formerly of Middlebury, died at 3:13 pm, on Monday, January 27, [2025] at Majestic Care of Goshen. She was born on November 22, 1942, in LaGrange County, to John and Edna (Eash) Lehman. On March 26, 1966, in LaGrange, she married Menno Bontrager, he died October 23, 2018.
Surviving are sister, Ellen Lehman of Middlebury; six brothers, Merlyn (Grace) Lehman of Syracuse, Leland Lehman of Elkhart, Harley (Debbie) Lehman of Cedar Springs, MI, Olin (Katie) Lehman, Perry Lehman, Jerry Lehman all of Middlebury; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Lehman of Middlebury; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three sisters, Loranna Lehman, Leverna Lehman, Wilma Schrock; and a brother, Ora Lehman.
Marilyn was a homemaker and a member of First Mennonite Church. She was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing and hanging out with her family and friends.
Visitation will be from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, January 31 at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, 1003 South Main Street, Middlebury. Family and friends will gather at 9:00 am on Saturday, February 1 at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home to go in procession at 9:45 am to Grace Lawn Cemetery, Middlebury for a 10:00 am graveside service. A Celebration of Life service will follow the burial at 11:00 am at First Mennonite Church, 203 E. Lawrence Street, Middlebury. Services will be conducted by Pastor Phil Yoder. Memorials may be given to First Mennonite Church.
Bontreger, Mary Alice Miller
September 23, 1931 - January 9, 2025
Mary Alice Bontreger, 93, of Noblesville, formerly of Shipshewana, passed away peacefully after an eight-year decline with dementia, at 12:36 am, on Thursday, January 9, [2025] at Heritage Woods of Noblesville. She was born on September 23, 1931, in LaGrange County, to Chris D. and Lizzie (Miller) Miller. On October 10, 1954, in Elkhart County she married Omer Bontreger, he died November 23, 2018.
Surviving are son, Dean (Lynnette) Bontreger of Carmel; daughter, Rosie (Greg) White of Asheville, NC; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Susie (Jay) Yoder of Versailles, MO, Emma (Dana) Kauffman of Caledonia, MI, and Betty (Loren) Kauffman of Hastings, MI; two brothers, Harley (Marlene) Miller of South Bend and Chris (Gloria) Miller of Goshen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Martha Hostetler, and two brothers, Vernon and Wil Miller. Mary
Alice was a homemaker who enjoyed quilting, sewing, baking, and cleaning. She enjoyed listening to inspirational music, playing her harmonica at family gatherings, and loving on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and her husband were former members of the New Life Fellowship Church in Topeka. Visitation will be from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon on Monday, January 13, at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, 1003 South Main Street, Middlebury. Funeral services will immediately follow visitation beginning at 12:00 noon also at the funeral home. Services will be conducted by Pastor Ken Bontreger. Burial will be in Clinton Union Cemetery, Goshen. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mary Alice’s memory to Menno Clinic India (https://mennoclinicindia.org/).
Borkholder, Larry J.
September 11, 1948 - January 27, 2025
Larry J. Borkholder, age 76, of Nappanee, died at 1:20a.m. Monday, January 27, 2025 at his residence. He was born in Bremen on September 11, 1948 to John and Sarah (Miller) Borkholder. On June 4, 1970, he married Etta Schmucker. He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Survived by his children: David (Regina) Borkholder of Milford, Ruth (Glenn) Miller of Nappanee, Rose (Kenneth) Slabaugh of Nappanee, Devon Borkholder of Pierceton, and Jean (James) Miller of Nappanee; 19 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brothers, Eli (Clara) Borkholder, John Henry (Roseanna) Borkholder; sister, Irene (Eli) Lehman; and sister-in-laws, Elnora Borkholder, Sharon Schrock, and Edna Borkholder.
He was preceded in death by his wife on October 29, 2023; parents; brothers, Roman, Gilbert, Tobias, LeRoy, and Eddie Borkholder; sisters, Malinda Bontrager, Katie Yoder, and Ruby Yoder; brother-in-laws, Mahlon Bontrager, Levi Yoder, and Albert Yoder; sister-in-laws, Bertha Borkholder, and Mary Ellen Borkholder.
Visitation will be held after 2pm on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, and after 10am on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 9:30am on Thursday, January 30, 2025. All services will be held at the Mark Borkholder residence (13920 N 1100 W., Nappanee). Burial will be at Weldy Cemetery, Nappanee. Home Ministries of the Old Order Amish will officiate. Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home.
Bowman, Mary Catherine Garber
June 24, 1940 - February 6, 2025
Mary Catherine (Garber) Bowman, 84, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord & Savior on February 6, [2025] at Brethren Village.
She was born on June 24, 1940, in Neffsville, to the late Christ B. and Grace (Eby) Garber. She was married to the late Kenneth T. Bowman for 62 years, until the time of his passing on October 21, 2023.
She was the loving mother of Kaye Witmer (Kirk), Ephrata, PA and Kevin Bowman (Anna Ruth) of Lancaster, PA. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Grace and Nathan Witmer, as well as two brothers, Ben Garber (Kathryn) and Paul Garber, and a sister, Esther Wenger (John). In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Pauline Garber.
The family would like to thank Brethren Village & Hospice for their loving care of Mary Catherine during her illness.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at New Danville Mennonite Church, 103 Marticville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 on Friday, February 14 at 11:00 a.m. An open casket viewing will be held at the church on Thursday, February 13 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A visitation will also be held on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in the adjoining church cemetery. Please omit flowers.