Mennonite Weekly Review
August 5, 2002
80th Year, No. 31, p. 11

Wilbur Kenneth Roth
Wilbur Kenneth Roth, 80, died July 14, 2002. He was born in Newton, Kan., on Sept. 9, 1921, to Willie and Della Roth.
He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1939. He attended Wichita Business College for two years, studying accounting, and went to work at Cudahy Meat Packing Co. in Wichita as a bookkeeper for 10 years.
He married Dorothy Jean Buerki on May 15, 1942, at Calvary Methodist Church in Wichita. They moved to Whitewater in 1952, where he worked for his uncle, John Roth. Later, he and his father farmed together, and he continued farming until his retirement.
Upon confession of his faith and baptism, he became a member of Swiss Mennonite Church, where he loved to worship with fellow believers. He was a deacon for 25 years, was a willing volunteer during building projects and served wherever needed. Music was a joy for him. He was a choir director for many years at both Calvary Methodist and Swiss Mennonite. His tenor voice was heard often as a soloist for church services, weddings and funerals.
He enjoyed singing in the Wichita Choral Society and in the Mennonite Men's Chorus. It was a joy for him to sing with his friends in the "Grand Old Four" quartet.
He prayed daily for his children and grandchildren, and made trips to visit them, including a trip to Brazil to visit Linda and her family when they were missionaries there. He loved to play and read stories with his grandchildren.
He loved missions and entertained missionaries in their home, and prayed, supported and corresponded with them. He was an excellent listener and happy to work behind the scenes without wanting credit for his accomplishments.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jean; son Kenneth of Van Nuys, Calif.; daughters Linda Claassen and her husband, Glenford, of Waxhaw, N.C., and Susan Ritta and her husband, Bob, of Central City, Neb.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Roy M. Geigley
Roy Musselman Geigley, 84, a former resident of Pennsylvania, Arizona and Colorado, and currently of Los Lunas, N.M., died unexpectedly June 19, 2002. He was born June 24, 1917.
He was ordained as a minister in the Mummasburg Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania in 1936, being only 19 years old. He was later ordained as a bishop in 1960.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Gladys; eight children, Ray and his wife, Dorothy, of Chambersburg, Pa.; Donald and his wife, Esther Mae, of Millersburg, Pa.; Anna Lois Miller and her husband, J. Glenn, of Los Lunas, N.M.; Esther Mae Kauffman and her husband, Harley, of Cove, Ore.; Glen and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Centreville, Mich.; Arlin and his wife, Rebecca, of Montrose, Colo.; Alvin and his wife, Carolyn, of Kalona, Iowa; and Leon and his wife, Barbara, of Shipshewana, Ind.; a daughter-in-law, Arlene Geigley, of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Ruth Ogburn of New Oxford, Pa.; 38 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was a son, Melvin, in 1986; a grandson, Nelson Geigley, in 1984; a granddaughter, Jeannette Miller, in 1966; and a sister, Irene Weaver, in 1983.
A memorial service was held at Belen Mennonite Church in New Mexico. The funeral service was held at First Assembly of God Church, Delta, Colo., with burial in the new Sunnyview Mennonite Cemetery in Olathe, Colo.

Maxlyn Schmidt
Maxlyn Schmidt died July 25, 2002, in Wichita, Kan., due to complications of dermatomyositis. She was born May 26, 1922, in Great Bend to Max and Effie (Unruh) Smith.
She married Earl Alvin Schmidt on Oct. 12, 1946, at Bergthal Mennonite Church in Pawnee Rock.
She had a passion for education and a desire to teach that started in early childhood. Her schooling began in a country grade school and continued through her graduation from Bethel College in North Newton. Her teaching career spanned 25 years, during which she taught English and business classes in Pawnee Rock and Larned. In the Larned community she served on the Jordaan Scholarship Committee from its inception. She counted it a privilege to participate in the process of choosing outstanding students to receive scholarships
She had a deep faith in Jesus and a passion for the work of the church. Baptized at an early age, she was a lifelong member of Bergthal Mennonite Church. She directed the junior choir, wrote a Christmas play, taught Sunday school, was a trustee treasurer and enthusiastically committed herself to projects of the Mennonite Central Committee, including sewing and filling hundreds of health and school kits.
Despite the many obligations of farming, she found time for other interests. She researched and helped document the family history. She loved her flower garden, and her bouquets graced many church and community events. She was a dedicated social activist, serving on the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Western District Conference for many years. As a supporter of Amnesty International and other organizations, she regularly wrote letters of concern to politicians, foreign governments and prominent leaders.
Survivors include her husband, Earl, of Pawnee Rock; a daughter, Ann Pasnick and her husband, Ray, of Elmhurst, Ill.; a son, Robert and his wife, Jean, of Little Rock, Ark., a sister, Ruth Graber of Moundridge; and five grandchildren.
Services were held at Bergthal Mennonite Church. Burial was in Mennonite Memorial Cemetery.

Ina Mae Peterson
Ina Mae Peterson, 92, of Wayland, Iowa, died July 16, 2002, at Parkview Home. She was born Nov. 10, 1909, to William and Anna Eicher Boshart.
She spent her early years in the Noble-Wayland area, graduating from Wayland High School in 1928. After high school graduation, she was employed at the Wayland News and the Ervin Reschly Grocery Store.
On Feb. 10, 1935, she married Kenneth Alexander Peterson. He preceded her in death on Dec. 14, 1989.
After marriage they farmed in the Mount Union and Olds area, where they raised their family. For a number of years Ina was employed at Parkview Home in Wayland. The couple retired to Wayland in 1978, and Ina remained active in Wayland Mennonite Church. She served in various church offices and was especially interested in and supportive of Women in Mission.
Survivors include a daughter, Anna Marie Peterson of Kansas City, Mo.; a son, Carroll Peterson and his wife, Cindy, of Pella; two daughter-in-laws, Janice Peterson of St. Charles, Mo., and Janet Peterson of Wayland; a sister, Wilma Kauffman of Mt. Pleasant; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; two sons, John and Duane; a great-grandson, Andrew Peterson; two brothers, Vernon Boshart and Vere Boshart; and two half-sisters, Irene Schrock and Harriet Saltzman.

Chris Bontrager
Chris Bontrager, 96, of Sarasota, Fla., died July 11, 2002, at Sarasota Health Care Center. He was born Nov. 6, 1905, near Middlebury, Ind., to John and Fanny (Yoder) Bontrager.
At age 18 he and his family moved to western New York and became active members of the newly founded Alden Mennonite (Conservative) Church. He married Viola Albrecht on June 30, 1929.
While serving on the mission board at Alden Mennonite, Chris and his wife began having Sunday school classes for community children in their home and in neighboring homes in Williamsville, N.Y. Later these classes were held in the community fire hall. This was the beginning of Harris Hill Mennonite Church. Chris was a frequent summer Bible school superintendent and adult Sunday school teacher.
In 1979 he and Viola moved to Sarasota, where he continued his active involvement in church responsibilities at Tuttle Avenue Mennonite Church, which later became Bahia Vista Mennonite Church. He was a salesman by profession.
Survivors include three children, Jean Bender-Mast and her husband, John, of Williamsville, N.Y.; G. Edwin and his wife, Edie, of Hampton, Va.; and Dennis and his wife, Alice, of Sarasota; a brother, John Jr. of Alden; four sisters, Martha Jantzi of Goshen, Ind., Edna Schlabach of Clarence, N.Y., Frances Greaser of Goshen, and Rosa Yoder of Hartville, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola, in 1998, a son, Merlin, in 1989, and four brothers.
The funeral service was held at the Bahia Vista Mennonite Church.

Mennonite Weekly Review
August 12, 2002
80th Year, No. 32, p. 8

Fred J. Yoder
Fred J. Yoder Sr., 85, of Wooster, Ohio, died June 7, 2002, at Brenn-Field Nursing Home in Orrville after a long illness. He was born Dec. 16, 1916, to Frederick and Martha (Noble) Yordi in Lancaster, Pa., and grew up in the home of Dave and Sadie Yoder in the Bellville, Pa., area.
He moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in the 1930s and later made his home in Wooster. During World War II he served in Civilian Public Service for four years.
He married Anna M. Shirey in 1946.
After a year of school at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., and a year at Hesston (Kan.) College, he established a paint contract business, as well as some college work, including choral and quartet singing and directing.
He returned to Wooster and established Yoder Painting business and during summers hired many college students and teachers. In 1969, he became owner/operator of Fred Yoder Home Decorating.
He was an active member of Wooster Mennonite Church, helping in its formation by serving on various committees, including the building committee. He was a summer Bible school and Sunday school teacher, taught music classes and led church singing for many years. He later led singing and was a Sunday school teacher at Orrville Mennonite Church. He served on committees in Wooster and at Central Christian School in Kidron.
He sang in many church choirs and quartets, including at EMU, Hesston College, the College of Wooster, and CPS.
Survivors include his wife, Anna; two children, Frederick and his wife, June, of Goshen, Ind., and Rachel Gingerich and her husband, Melbern, of Smithville; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, two half-sisters, two half-brothers, and a grandchild.
Memorial services were held at Orrville Mennonite Church. Burial was in Oak Grove Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Robert C. Hamman
Robert C. Hamman, 78, of Harrod, Ohio, died July 26, 2002, at Winebrenner Village in Findlay. He was born June 22, 1924, to Raymond and Ruth (Ritter) Hamman at Pennsburg, Pa.
He married Doris Garmatter on April 4, 1948.
He worked as a school teacher and admissions counselor. He was a rehab counselor for the blind, a talented and gifted coordinator and director of four county HHWP community action program. He had been director of guidance at Christopher Dock High School in Lansdale, Pa. He also worked with Brethren Services Heifer Project and reconstruction and transportation in France, and with food and clothing distribution for Mennonite Central Committee in Italy.
He graduated from Bluffton College and Bowling Green State University. He also attended Wright State University, the University of Southern Illinois and Temple University.
He was a member of First Mennonite Church of Bluffton. He was a life member of the Swiss Historical Society, and a member of the Missouri Historical Society and the Schwenkfelder Historical Society. He enjoyed flea markets and auctions.
Survivors include his wife, Doris; four daughters, Emilie Ruth Hamman and Bobbie Jean Hamman, both of Lima, Doris Ann Schumacher and her husband, Tom, of Brookings, S.D., and Martha Ellen Eisele and her husband, Randy, of Silentz, Ore.; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Hamman, and a sister, Clymenia Radulovich.
Memorial services were held at First Mennonite Church of Bluffton. Burial was in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery in Bluffton.

Mennonite Weekly Review
August 19, 2002
80th Year, No. 33, p. 11

Mary Kate Yoder
Mary Kate Yoder, 88, died June 27, 2002. She was born Dec. 25, 1913, to Perry and Ada Layman Blosser in South English, Iowa.
She graduated from South English High School in 1931. She married Oren E. Yoder on Sept. 24, 1931, in South English.
They farmed and were administrators of several care facilities before retirement. They served with Mennonite Disaster Service, serving twice in Turkey.
She was a member of West Union Mennonite Church. She was also a member of WMSC, Kalona Lioness and ladies coffee club. She enjoyed family, quilting, crocheting and visiting with her friends. Her optimistic outlook drew people to her.
Survivors include three sons, Arlin and his wife, Mary Lou, and Eldon and his wife, Phyllis, both of Wellman, and Darvin and his wife, Martha, of Parnell; a daughter, Aldeen Wenger and her husband, Eugene, of Harrisonburg, Va.; a brother, Eugene Blosser of Wellman; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oren; a son, James Darvin; six brothers, Wilmer Blosser, Aquila Blosser, Dwight Blosser, Menno Blosser, Oren Blosser and Amos Blosser; and a sister, Abbie Zook.
Funeral services were held at West Union Mennonite Church of rural Parnell, Iowa. Burial was in the West Union Cemetery.

Jacob Z. Rittenhouse
Jacob Z. Rittenhouse, 94, died Aug. 9, 2002, in the skilled nursing unit at Souderton (Pa.) Mennonite Homes. He was born to Jacob C. and Alice Ziegler Rittenhouse in Towamencin.
He married Ruth Hackman in October 1930. He was a lifetime Lansdale resident until moving to Souderton Mennonite Homes in 1993.
He was employed as an accountant for Ralph's Market in Lansdale until retiring after 28 years. He served Lansdale Mennonite Church as pastor for 51 years, being ordained in 1942 and retiring in 1993. He was also involved in evangelistic outreach throughout the United States and Canada. He was a founder and radio pastor of Life With God broadcasts from 1962 to 1969, a ministry of Franconia Mennonite Conference. He was a pioneer in Christian education, being instrumental in the beginning stages of Franconia Mennonite School, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and LaHay Christian School.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Evelyn Nice of Barhamsville, Va.; a son, Jacob and his wife, Nancy, of Hesston, Kan.; a brother, J. Warren Rittenhouse of Lansdale; a sister, Mary Fluck of Souderton; six grandsons and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Irene Bishop, Elizabeth Clemmer and Ada Clemens.
Funeral services were held at Plains Mennonite Church in Hatfield. Burial was in the Plains Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Kathryn Householter
Kathryn Marie Householter, 90, of Snyder Village in Metamora, Ill., and formerly of Eureka, died July 28, 2002, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria. She was born Aug. 2, 1911, to Amos and Pearl Dunn Zehr in Deer Creek.
She married Raymond DeBolt Householter on Feb. 5, 1933, in Eureka. He died April 19, 1986, in Washington.
She owned Country Gardens Nursery. She was a member of the Illinois Antique Association and a member of New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw.
Survivors include three daughters, Ruth Ulrich and her husband, Byron, of Eureka, Pearl Bassett and her husband, Paul, of Overland Park, Kan., and Karen Tilly and her husband, Greg, of Cherry Valley; a son, David and his wife, Alice Jo, of Chiefland, Fla.; two brothers, Paul Zehr of Metamora and Eugene Zehr of Morton; two sisters, Agnes Zehr of Hopedale and Irene Adams of Goodfield; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; three sisters and a stepgrandson.
Services were held at New Castle Bible Church. Burial was in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton.

Mennonite Weekly Review
August 26, 2002
80th Year, No. 34, p. 11

Allen E. King
Allen E. King, 84, died Aug. 11, 2002, at Mennonite Manor in South Hutchinson, Kan. He was born April 14, 1918, at Hesston to Levi Oliver and Anna (Erb) King.
A lifetime resident of Reno County, he was a dairyman and a member of South Hutchinson Mennonite Church. On April 18, 1943, he married Fannie Yutzy.
Survivors include three sons, Vernon of Newton, Nicholas of Mexico City and Kenneth of Hutchinson; a brother, Clifford of Colorado Springs; a sister, Lila Mae Janzen of Harrisonburg, Va.; eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fannie; an infant son, Johnny; and a daughter, Vivian.
A memorial service was held at South Hutchinson Mennonite Church. Burial was in Yoder Cemetery.

Omar B. Stahl
Omar B. Stahl, 75, of Landis Homes, Lancaster, Pa., and formerly of Pleasure Road, died June 23, 2002, at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Cocalamus to Dewey and Mary Brubaker Stahl.
His first wife, Lois Kraybill Stahl, died in 1977. He married A. Martha Denlinger in 1979.
He served with Eastern Mennonite Missions in Luxembourg and Germany for 25 years. He was then the director at Lancaster Mennonite Information Center from 1979 to 1987. He was also pastor of Lyndon Mennonite Church for 12 years and Strickler's Mennonite Church in Middletown for three years. He served as a guide for German-speaking visitors to Lancaster for many years.
He was ordained in 1955 at Bossler's Mennonite Church in Elizabethtown. He was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.
An avid collector of objects of natural beauty, he also enjoyed flower-arranging, bird-watching, reading and creating sculptures from driftwood.
Survivors include his wife, A. Martha; a son, John Daniel and his wife, Sarah Windes, of Blacksburg, Va.; a daughter, Rachel Kraybill Stahl of Lancaster; three brothers, Milo and John, both of Harrisonburg, and Jacob of Lititz; two sisters, Anna Leakey and Sara Kreider, both of Harrisonburg; and two grandsons.

Alice Hartzler Hartman
Alice Ruth Hartzler Hartman, 96, died Aug. 2, 2002, at Tendercare, a nursing home in Traverse City, Mich. She was born Aug. 9, 1905, to Simon and Magdalene (Butler) Hartzler in Wakarusa, Ind.
On Dec. 12, 1926, she married Elmer Y. Hartman. During the first year of their life together they served on the staff at West Liberty (Ohio) Children's Home. They lived in Elkhart County, Ind., for most of their lives, where they were active members of Salem Mennonite Church. After their eight children were grown, they gave home nursing care to their aged parents and other elderly people. In June 1980 they moved to Minerva, Ohio. On Dec. 23, 1980, her husband, Elmer, died. In August 1994 she moved to Michigan, where she lived with family for more than six years. The last part of her life she received care at Tendercare.
She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She had a personal relationship with and was committed to Jesus Christ, who she affectionately referred to as Shepherd.
Survivors include two daughters, Eunice Byler and her husband, Allen, of Belleville, Pa., and Miriam Hartman of Winnipeg, Man.; five sons, John and his wife, Fern, of Stockbridge, Mich., Peter and his wife, Marilyn, of Hesston, Kan., Dennis and his wife, Lenore, of Williamsburg, Mich., Ralph and his wife, Carolyn, of Earfalls, Ont., and Leonard and his wife, Viola, of Patriot, Ohio; a son-in-law, William McGrath and his wife, Alice, of Waterford, Ireland; 33 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; a daughter, Lucinda McGrath; four brothers, Roy, Mahlon, John and Robert; a sister, Esther Good; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held in Traverse City, Mich., and at Christian Fellowship Church in East Rochester, Ohio. Burial was in the Christian Fellowship Church Cemetery.