Lazarus
Project
An obituary project of MennObits.
Source of individual obituaries given with each record.
This file is named for the year the obituary was recorded here, not the
death year.
2026:
H
QUICK REFERENCE INDEX
(click on name to jump to obituary)
Heacock, Loren Vern
April 30, 1986 - January 11, 2022
Loren Vern Heacock, 35, of Mt. Vernon, Kentucky died
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at U. K. Chandler Medical Center after a
courageous battle with cancer. He was a Goshen, Indiana native born April
30, 1986, son of Vern and Diane Heacock, Graduate of Goshen High School,
Class of 2005 and resident in the Berea area of Kentucky the past six years.
Loren was a kind, gentle, soft spoken but strong man who was a self-employed
carpenter known for his construction skills and building the log cabin that
became his home. He enjoyed building, woodworking, traveling, exploring,
hiking, snow skiing, bicycling, and cooking. Loren was a true outdoorsman
active in sustainability and mushroom foraging.
In addition to his parents he is survived by two sisters Angela Borke
(Caleb), Carissa Gaines (Brett); his partner Elora Overbey; nephew and
nieces Kaeli, Luke, Claire, Camille, Scarlett; as well as a host of friends.
In accordance with Loren’s wishes he was cremated. Two Memorial Services
will be scheduled: Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Maple City Chapel in
Goshen, Indiana and Sunday, March 13, 2022 in the Berea, Kentucky area.
Further details will be forthcoming.
https://www.reppertfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Loren-Vern-Heacock?obId=23705764
Accessed January 10, 2026 by Kevin Miller
Heatwole, Betty L.
April 14th, 1933 - January 13th, 2026
The Lord called Betty L. Heatwole’s name in the waiting room of life, and
she peacefully flew home to be with Jesus in her sleep early Tuesday
morning, January 13, 2026. She was born on April 14, 1933, in Reedley,
California, to Jake and Dora Heinrichs.
During WWII at age 9, she helped spot planes, reporting to Fresno what kind
of plane and which direction it was flying. As a teenager during the summer,
Betty packed fruit for shipping, picked cotton, and also grapes, which were
placed in trays to become sun-dried raisins.
At the age of 14, Betty, dressed in white, was baptized by immersion in a
river, confirming her decision to follow Christ. After graduating from
Immanuel High School, Betty worked as a telephone operator, connecting crank
telephones with a switchboard.
On April 10, 1953, she married Harold Leppke. They had four children—two
girls and two boys. Harold died as the result of a tractor accident July 10,
1959.
Two and a half years later in January, she met Hiram Heatwole from the
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They married April 27, 1962 in Reedley,
California, and moved to Virginia in June. They had three children—a boy and
two girls. They lived on a broiler and dairy farm along Cross Keys Road for
45 years. Hiram died of a heart attack February 22, 1996. In December 2006
Betty moved to Floyd, VA, with two of her children.
Betty enjoyed birds, flowers, knitting, gardening, and making Russian
Mennonite food. She was a member of Wills Ridge Mennonite Church in Floyd,
Virginia.
Surviving are her children: Mary Jantzi (David) of Wroxeter, Ontario; Sue
Anderson (Tim) of McGaheysville, VA; Paul Heatwole (Karen) of Rapidan, VA;
John Heatwole (Carolyn) of Raymond, Alberta; Tom Heatwole, of Floyd,
Virginia; Laurel Heatwole, of Floyd, Virginia; and Cheryl Knicely (Eric) of
Bonners Ferry, Idaho; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-nine
great-grandchildren; and sister Marilyn Heinrich of Rancho Cordova,
California, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death besides her parents and husbands were an infant
sister Marjorie, brother Robert and wife Darlene Heinrichs, niece Gayle
Higgins, brother-in-law Bob Heinrich, and infant grandson Peter Anderson.
Her advice was: Learn to know Jesus when you are young and follow Him all
your life. Be submissive and obedient to the Lord. Grow in Him—apply the
fruit of the Spirit in all areas of your life. Live a life pleasing to
God—not pleasing to men.
There will be a private burial service.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. January 19, 2026, at Pike
Mennonite Church with family visitation following.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.
McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
https://mcmullenfh.com/obituaries/betty-heatwole Accessed January 14,
2026 by Phil Kniss
Hertzler, Wilmer Allen
December 17, 1945 - November 18, 2025
Wilmer Allen Hertzler, 79, a resident of Rockingham, passed
away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the home he built 52 years ago.
Mr. Hertzler was born on December 17, 1945, in Newport News, VA, to the late
Vernon Naftzinger and Mary Alice Shenk Hertzler. He worked for Trumbo
Electric and later retired from Broadway Electric and was an avid mountain
man who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He spent many years helping take care
of the Breneman Turner Mill and was an avid black powder enthusiast, often
participating in rendezvous at Fort Seybert, WV. He took great pride in his
1966 yellow convertible, “Daffodil” which he had restored some years ago. He
was a member of Zion Mennonite Church.
On September 4, 1971, he married Lois Elaine Layman Hertzler, who survives.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Hertzler is survived by his son, Anthony “Andy”
LaMar Hertzler, of McGaheysville; brother, Isaac Hertzler and wife Wilma;
and his foster sister, Tammy Glenn and husband Nathaniel.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Hertzler was preceded in death by his
brother and sister-in-law, Roger Hertzler and his wife Betty.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2025,
at Weavers Mennonite Church Cemetery with Pastor Mike Metzler officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday,
November 22, 2025, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brethren and
Mennonite Heritage Center - Breneman Turner Mill, P.O. Box 1563,
Harrisonburg, VA 22803, or to the Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport
Road, Lititz, PA, 17543
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.
McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
https://mcmullenfh.com/obituaries/wilmer-hertzler, accessed January 7,
2026
Submitted by Phil Kniss
Hostetler, Willis H.
July 7, 1941 - December 12, 2025
Willis H. Hostetler, 84, passed away Friday, December 12,
2025. He was born July 7, 1941 in Maysville, Ohio to the late Harry D. and
Mary E. (Coblentz) Hostetler.
Willis moved to Sarasota in 1966 from Holmesville, Ohio. He was a member of
Bayshore Mennonite Church and worked in block masonry. Willis graduated from
Auctioneering School, loved to read and was a skilled ventriloquist.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Gloria; siblings Harry
Hostetler, Jr. and his wife Carolyn; Irene Swartzentruber and her husband
David; Sam Hostetler and his wife Helen; John Hostetler and his wife Ruby;
Bob Hostetler and his wife Ina; Ruby Neuenschwander and her husband Jim;
Vernon Hostetler and his wife Janet; and Ruth Ann Schlabach and her husband
Steve; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Willis was preceded in death by his brother
Raymond.
There will be a visitation on Thursday from 6-8 pm at Maloney Funeral Home,
2401 Cattlemen Road Sarasota, Florida 34232. Burial will be Friday morning
at 10:00 am at Bethel Mennonite Cemetery with funeral to follow at 11:00 am
at Bethel Mennonite Church.
Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at
www.MFHcares.com.
https://www.mfhcares.com/obituaries/willis-hostetler/#!/Obituary
Accessed January 10, 2026 by Phil Kniss
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