"for the record" - Deaths:
The Mennonite, April 2017, page 35, Vol. 20, No.4.
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Byler.- Miriam Ruth Kauffman, 87, Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 12 at Harrisonburg, Va. Spouse: Lowell J. Byler. Parents: Amsa and Nona Miller Kauffman. Children: Susan Byler Weaver, Lori Byler Reethof; five grandchildren. Memorial service: Feb. 25 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church and March 22 at The Residence at Waterford Crossing.
Magal.- Leah Rachel Kennel, passed away on Feb. 6 on Peaks Island, Maine, surrounded by love and her family. One of 11 children, Leah was raised in the Mennonite tradition on a farm in Gap, Pa. As a youngster she enjoyed being part of a rambunctious and hardworking family. As a young adult she yearned for an education. So at the age of 21 she left the farm to pursue a science degree at Eastern Mennonite College in Virginia. There she met her future husband, Ivan Vasil Magal, the first foreign student at EMC. Leah and Ivan's lives revolved around their four children and Ivan's work as a physician and minister. Always passionate about the wonders and beauty of nature, Leah was a dedicated volunteer at the Smithsonian Institution's Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., for over 20 years. She loved birds and could often be found with her bird book and binoculars in hand. She combined her love for nature, hiking and travel by taking numerous trips to Western and Eastern Europe, Alaska, Africa, Central America, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Filled with creative and artistic talents, she spent many hours pursuing her love of photography, plants and gardening. Leah had a deep faith in a loving and just God. This faith was reflected in the way she approached life's challenges. This faith was also reflected in the kindness and gentleness she showed to others, especially when they were struggling or suffering. Leah was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Vasil Magal, M.D. She is survived by her son, Charles Magal, M.D., and daughter-in-law, Helen Stamatacos, daughters Phyllis Magal, Emily Magal and son-in-law Jim Greenwell and Trish Magal and son-in-law Joel Hoefle and a sister, Naomi Kennel Yoder. Leah is also survived by five delightful grandchildren: Dominika, Celestyna and Katiana Hoefle, and Angelina and Nicholas Magal. Leah was buried next to her husband, Ivan, at Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. At the Memorial Gathering at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Va., her children lit four candles in her honor. The candles represented the four characteristics her children felt best exemplified their mother: courage, faith, grace and love.
Ross.- Lula Horst, 97, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away Feb. 15 with her children by her side. Lula was born Dec. 9, 1919, in Clear Spring, Md, to Michael and Florence Horst and had eight siblings. She married Raymond Eby on Feb. 20, 1940. Lula and Raymond had four children and worked their dairy farm in Hagerstown, Md. Widowed at age 32, Lula continued to raise her children on the farm. She would host children on her farm from urban centers through the Fresh Air Fund, offering summers in the country. She married I. Mark Ross on June 6, 1959, and moved to Kidron, Ohio, where I. Mark pastored Sonnenberg Mennonite Church. Lula and I. Mark had two children and moved to Waynesboro, Va., where I. Mark pastored Springdale Mennonite Church. They relocated to Sarasota, Fla., in 1966 to pastor Newtown Gospel Chapel. Lula served in the Women's Missionary and Service Commission and taught Sunday school and Bible school throughout. She completed nursing school in Sarasota and was an LPN at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Plymouth Harbor and Merrill Gardens. She served on the board of directors at Sunnyside Village and did years of volunteer work for Mennonite Central Committee. Lula loved travel and enjoyed trips to Europe and South America, visiting children living abroad, among many others. Her delight was her seven children, 25 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Her strength and grace, courage and wit remained a joy to her family and those who knew her to the end of her days. Her faith was a constant encouragement to her family, and she was a member of Bahia Vista Mennonite Church. We will miss her dearly. Survivors include her brother Nathan Horst (Savilla); her children Lucille Schiefer (Hank), Lavonne Amstutz (Sherman), Karen Moyer (Leon), Lynn Eby (Betty), Conrad Ross (Katherine), Curtis Ross (Shannon); and all her grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, I. Mark Ross; her siblings Amanda, Florence, Reuben, Anna, Naomi, Enos and Abram; her daughter Beulah Fern Ross Clearo. A memorial service is planned for April 8 at 10 a.m. at Sunnyside Village Chapel, with visiting hours Friday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Lula's name to the Sunnyside Foundation (memo Health Center) 5201 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34232. Online condolences can be made at www.wiegandbrothers.com.
Weldy.- Norma Jean, 87, Goshen, Ind., died Jan. 10. Parents: Eldon J. and Lucille L. Martin Weldy. Funeral: Jan. 20 at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, Goshen.
Wiebe.- Mary Ann, 80, Whitewater, Kan., died Feb. 16, of lung cancer. Spouse: Willard J. Wiebe. Parents: Henry I. and Anna Schmidt Goertz. Children: Teresa Martin, Chris Wiebe; four grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 20 at Grace Hill Mennonite Church, Whitewater.
Yoder.- Katie Ann Kuhns, 90, Arthur, Ill., died Feb. 17. Spouse: Christian E. Yoder (deceased). Parents: Abraham J. and Susanna E. Beachy Kuhns. Children: Joyce Bisbee, Clifford J. Yoder, Dwight Yoder, Edward A. Yoder; three grandchildren; one step-grandchild; three great-grandchildren. Funeral: Feb. 20 at Arthur Mennonite Church.
Yoder.- Julia Rose, 73, West Liberty, Ohio, died Feb. 1, of cancer. Parents: Clarence O. and Grace Brenneman Yoder. Funeral: Feb. 6 at Bethel Mennonite Church, West Liberty.
Transcribed by: John Ingold