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.
2024 B2
Brubaker, Martin
July 4, 1928 - February 17, 2024
Martin [Brubaker] passed away on a beautiful snowy morning, February 17, 2024 under Masonic Hospice Care surrounded by his family. A lifelong resident of Lancaster County for 95 years. He was born on July 4, 1928, and achieved success with hard work, perseverance, and being adventurous.
Martin's parents were Jonas and Naomi Brubaker. He had 5 siblings, Elizabeth, Jonas Jr. Naomi (Bob) Rowe, Ruth (Bill) Yovanovich, Ben (Bertha). His sister Ruth and brother Ben are still living. He grew up and worked on the family farm. Martin attended school until the 8th grade and then stayed home to work on the farm. He kept in touch with his classmates from the class of 1947, through the class reunions. Martin was a member of Mount Joy Mennonite Church. His favorite passages are Psalm 139 and Isaiah 46:4.
In 1946, at age 18, he went on a life changing 10 week adventure as a sea going cowboy, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to Bremen, Germany. They took bred heifers to replace livestock after the destruction during WWII. It is known today as the Heifer International.
In 1952 he took a 2nd sea going cowboy trip to Israel, from there they sailed to Denmark, to get cattle and then sailed back to Israel, before returning back to the states.
In 1953 Martin married Arlene (Martin). They bought a farm in 1958 and operated with dairy, chickens and sweet corn. They had 4 children, Rachel (Brian) George, Dwight (Kim), Doug (Karen), and Reba (Rudy) Wolgemuth. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In 1972, Martin started driving for Lancaster Limousine service (Unique). He enjoyed driving, meeting and conversing with new people. He took pleasure in driving and exploring new places. Martin drove for 26 years prior to retiring in 1998. He never had an accident driving all those miles.
In 1980 he made 2 trips to Puerto Rico to take bred heifers there with ships leaving Baltimore.
Martin made a trip to Russia with the Gideon's to hand out literature.
In 2002 they moved off the farm and resided at Mount Joy Country Homes. Martin enjoyed talking to people, riding his scooter, playing shuffleboard and corn hole. He volunteered at the Mount Joy Gift and Thrift Shop and pushed wheelchairs at Mennonite Home. Martin liked to keep busy. He enjoyed driving around his farm owned by his son (Doug) and his family. Martin got around on his golf cart and on Tuesdays went to Roots Market.
In 2020 they moved to Elizabethtown to receive family care. Martin's wife, Arlene passed away on December 4th, 2022. They celebrated 69 years of marriage.
His other interests were enjoying nature and viewing wildlife. Martin was an avid hunter and liked taking trips to the cabin with his family. He liked watching Penn State Football and watched channel 49 following the daily news. Martin was a champion checker player, enjoyed carom and Chinese checkers. He also enjoyed keeping records, treasures of articles and letters from memorable memories. Martin had an amazing memory even in his late years.
A sincere thank you to Masonic Village Hospice care team as you supported our family through dad's earthly life's journey. Your care, love and support were amazing. Thanks to the family and friends for your prayers, cards and texts. Thank you for your support through the years.
A graveside service will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International (heifer.org).
Buckwalter, Lois Miriam Litwiller
October 2, 1921 - March 8, 2024
Lois Miriam Buckwalter, age 102, died on March 8, 2024 at Greencroft Healthcare. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 2, 1921, to Ada (Ramseyer) and Nelson Litwiller.
In 1925 the Mennonite Board of Missions (now Mennonite Mission Network) sent them as missionaries to Argentina. Lois grew up together with three younger sisters and one younger brother in the towns of Pehuajó, Trenque Lauquen and Bragado. Family life revolved around Nelson and Ada’s active church work in these towns.
In 1941 Lois went to Goshen College, where she majored in Spanish, English and Teacher’s Education, graduating in 1944. She met Albert Shank Buckwalter at Goshen College in 1942 and they were married August 22, 1947, in Hesston, Kansas. In 1950 they departed for the Argentine Chaco, appointed by the Mennonite Board of Missions to work among the Toba (Qom) Indians. Only a few years after beginning this work, they made a soul-searching decision to desist from attempting to plant a Mennonite church among the Tobas, but instead to encourage the emergence of an independent Toba church. They assumed an accompanying role towards this new Iglesia Evangélica Unida, making it a point every weekend to visit one of its fifty-some congregations widely scattered throughout the Chaco and Formosa provinces, receiving many Toba visitors in their Sáenz Peña home, and especially taking upon themselves the effort of learning the Toba language.
In the course of over 40 years of missionary work, they oversaw the translation by indigenous associates of the New Testament and selections of the Old Testament not only into Toba, but also into the related languages of Pilagá and Mocoví. They also compiled Toba, Mocoví, and Pilagá dictionaries, as well as a Spanish-Guaycurú quadrilingual dictionary. In addition, Lois edited a bilingual Qom-Spanish quarterly church newsletter entitled Qara’aqtaxanaxanec (“Our Messenger”). On October 7, 1989, in recognition for their life and work, the Goshen College Alumni Board presented them with the newly established Culture for Service Award. Lois and Albert retired in 1993 to Greencroft Goshen, in Goshen, Indiana, where they were members of the College Mennonite Church. Albert passed away on May 12, 2004.
Lois was a cheerful, outgoing person, a curious and sensitive observer of the world around her, always eager to meet new people and gifted at finding common points of conversation. She took on the tasks at hand with enthusiasm, impatience and determination. Besides bringing up four children in the Chaco and collaborating unstintingly with Albert in their missionary work, Lois was an avid correspondent. She devoted tireless energy to writing letters to family and friends on a regular basis, a practice she began in college days and continued throughout her life, transitioning seamlessly into emails in the last 25 years of her life. When no longer able to read comfortably or type, she carefully dictated her answers. She was very interested in, and followed up closely on the activities and projects of her grandchildren, both by email and phone. She loved going on walks and was a brisk walker. Her faith made her an avid reader of Scripture, a critical reader of ecumenical theological literature, and a concerned observer of world events. She kept track of topics she thought were relevant to her children, and often mailed them journal articles or newspaper clippings.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Esther Schertz and Eunice Miller, and her brother John T. N. Litwiller.
Survivors include a sister, Beulah González of Goshen; two daughters, Rachel Lois (John) Miller of Lawrence, Kansas, and Naomi (Mimi) Rose Buckwalter of El Cajón, California; two sons, Timothy A. (Crissie Shank) Buckwalter of Goshen, and Stephen E. (Ulrike von Fritschen) Buckwalter of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany; five grandchildren, Julia Buckwalter, Shannon Scott, Victoria (Vic) Scott, Niklas Buckwalter, and Amelie Buckwalter; and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. Ashes will be scattered at the College Mennonite Church Memorial Garden in Goshen and buried in Eastlawn Cemetery, Newton, Kansas.
Burkholder, Helen E. Hiestand
September 5, 1934 - January 6, 2024
Helen E. Burkholder of Lititz transitioned peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, January 6th.[2024] Born in Lancaster on September 5,1934, she was the daughter of the late John S. and Esther Erb Hiestand. Helen was the faithful and loving wife of Roy S. Burkholder, with whom she celebrated 68 years of marriage on April 23rd. Helen demonstrated a genuine love for the Lord, her family, and everyone she encountered.
Helen graduated from East Donegal High School in 1952 and Eastern Mennonite College in 1954. For most of her life, she shared her love of music with numerous students through teaching piano. For 40 years, she imparted her knowledge of God's Word to public school students through the Warwick Released Time. Early in their married life, she and Roy worked in the summer camp program at Tel Hai Camp in Honey Brook. Helen was an active member of Neffsville Mennonite Church, where she served as pianist, children's Bible teacher, choir member, and kitchen worker.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are 3 children: Carolyn, wife of Roger North from Lititz; Jon, husband of Karen Vaselaros from Manheim; and Kenneth, husband of Karen Frankenfield from Dublin. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Laura, Andrew, Garrison, Steven, Kirsten, Alyssa, Matthew, and Justin; and 11 great-grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by a brother, John E. Hiestand, husband of Dianne, and is survived by 3 siblings: Robert E. Hiestand, husband of Barbara; Marian Carpenter, wife of Larry; and Nadyne Batts.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 1:00 PM at Neffsville Mennonite Church, 2371 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. There will be a time to greet the family at the fellowship meal, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor to Warwick Released Time, P.O. Box 633, Lititz, PA 17543.
Burkholder, James Andrew
October 16, 1959 - March 26, 2024
James Andrew Burkholder, age 64, of Millersburg, Ohio passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Aultman Hospital, Canton, Ohio surrounded by his family, following an extended illness.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 2nd at Mennonite Christian Assembly, Fredericksburg, Ohio with Pastor John Risner officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church and also one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
James was born October 16, 1959 in Wooster, Ohio. He was adopted by Aden and Ada (Mast) Burkholder in October of 1967 at the age of seven. On June 24, 1998 he married Sue Rogers and she survives.
James attended the Holmes County Training Center from 1980 to 2020. He previously worked 3 years at Millersburg Ice, 10 years at Merrolott, and worked a number of years at Schlabach Builders. He was a member of MCA. His favorite passion was basketball. He played 15 plus years for the Holmes County Bucks, and loved to challenge his brother-in-law, Darrell to a good basketball game. James also ran track for the Special Olympics. He loved to go fishing and color pictures for his family. James made friends wherever he went. He was definitely one of a kind and was loved by many people. Willis and Mandy Byler were very special to James and also the Crist Yoder family. He was known as grandpa to Willis and Mandy's children Ina, James and Suzy.
Surviving in addition to his loving, faithful wife, Sue of 25 years are his father, Aden Burkholder of Millersburg: his siblings; Philip (Vera) Burkholder of Holmesville, Mary (Darrell) Hale of Shreve, Wanda Burkholder of Wooster, and Deb Swinehart of West Salem: brothers-in-law, Tom (Connie) Rogers of Michigan and James Rogers of Solon, Ohio: and sisters-in-law, Kathleen (Tom) Covell of Rochester, New York and Amy (Tom) Zipp of Cleveland, Ohio. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Nathan (Chelsey) Baker of Wooster, Nichole (Austin) Swinehart of West Salem, Natalie Baker of West Salem, Hunter Hale of Shreve, a very special niece Alyssa Hale, Lindsay Rogers of Denver, Colorado, Matthew and Elizabeth Nojay of Rochester, New York, Anna Zipp of Baltimore, Maryland and Lauren Zipp of Washington, DC. Washington DC: a great niece, Wrenley Violet Bakies: and great nephews, Hunter Leroy Swinehart, Warren Kia Bakies, and Lincoln Tate Swinehart.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ada Burkholder in 2016: a special aunt, Sarah Mast: his biological parents and grandparents: and in-laws, Robert and Ruth Rogers.
Burkholder, James W.
December 26, 1948 - February 22, 2024
James W. Burkholder, 75, of Valley Road Tamaqua, PA, died February 22, 2024, at home in Walker Twp. Born December 26, 1948, son of late Titus K. and Elizabeth M. (Weaver) Burkholder.
James was a bishop in the Richland District of the Eastern PA Mennonite Church and pastor of the New England Valley congregation at Tamaqua. He was by occupation a crop / poultry farmer and an electrician.
Preceded in death by his wife of forty-two years, Rachel G. (Hostetter) Burkholder whom he married March 28, 1970; two sisters, Ida Brubacker (Paul) of Carlisle, PA; Rachel Hursh (Earl Ray) of Middleburg, PA; and granddaughter Amanda Burkholder.
Survived by four daughters: Rhoda Zimmerman (Mitchell) of Pine Grove, PA; Martha Rudolph (Lee) of Mexico; Joanna Rudolph (Arlin) of Aspers, PA; Susanna Carpenter (Nathanael) of Bristol, GA; Eight sons: Nathan (Linda) of Tamaqua, PA; Samuel (Joyce) of Paraguay, South America; Mark (Lois) of Tamaqua, PA; Matthew (Keturah) of Guatemala, Central America; Andrew (Elizabeth) of Tamaqua, PA; Philip (Louise) of Tamaqua, PA; Timothy (Rebecca) of Tamaqua, PA; Daniel (Denise) of Warrensburg, MO; Seven sisters: Laverne Erb (Harry) of Scurry, TX; Vera Hege (Ira) of Hagerstown, MD; Mary Wenger (Clarence) of Manheim, PA; Sara Zimmerman (Roy) of New Holland, PA; Esther Sensenig (James) of Arcola, IL; Rhoda Martin (Dale) of Ephrata, PA; Miriam Nolt (Marlin) of Myerstown, PA; Four brothers: Eby (Ruth) of Ephrata, PA; Jesse (Mary Ellen) of Spring Mills, PA; David (Tracy) of Mifflinburg, PA; John (Anne) of Colby, WI; eighty-five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren.
Viewings will be held 2 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, New England Valley Mennonite Church, 1307 Valley Rd., Tamaqua, PA 18252, also 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3 at Fairview Reception Ctr., 141 Jackson Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042.
Funeral Service will be held at Fairview Reception Ctr., 10 o'clock a.m. Monday, March 4, 2024.
Interment, New England Valley Church cemetery, Tamaqua, PA.
Arrangements by E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Burkholder, Lavern Dean
June 21, 1940 - January 28, 2024
Lavern Dean Burkholder Sr., 83, of Nappanee, died at 2:22 pm on Sunday, January 28, [2024] at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on June 21, 1940, in Nappanee, to Walter and Edna (Schlabaugh) Burkholder. On June 26, 1969, in Nappanee, he married Verna Yoder; she died March 8, 2010. Then on June 18, 2011, in Goshen, he married Gertie (Yoder) Hawks, she survives.
Survivors in addition to his wife are three sons, Steven (Linda) Burkholder, Gary Burkholder, Lavern Burkholder, Jr.; daughter, Jolene (James) Yoder; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Glen (Freida) Burkholder, Wade (Miriam) Burkholder, Norman (Dora) Burkholder; sister, Rosa Burkholder; sister-in-law, Eva Burkholder.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; parents; brother, Walter Burkholder, Jr.
Lavern worked as a tool and machinery maintenance man in the RV industry for most of his life.
Visitation will be from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, February 2 at Griner Church, 12418 CR 20 Middlebury. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 3, also at the church. Services will be conducted by Pastors Eli Schlabach and Dan Bontrager. Burial will be in Griner Cemetery, Middlebury. Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, is handling the arrangements.
Byler, Linda J. Beachy
May 31, 1979 - March 8,2024
Linda J. Beachy Byler, age 44 years, 9 months and 8 days, of the Burke’s Garden area of Tazewell, VA passed away Friday, March 8, 2024. Born May 31, 1979, she was the daughter of John Edwin Beachy and Barbara J. Miller Beachy. Linda lived in matrimony 25 years, 5 months and 13 days. Linda was of the Christian faith and she was a member of Old Order Amish of Burke’s Garden. She loved to sing and read Bible stories to her children. She found great joy in being a mother and being there for her husband Allen and her dear children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her husband and family, but she leaves them with many precious memories. She passed away with her daughters Lydia Byler and Ellen Schrock, son-in-law, Orla Schrock and granddaughter, Judi Rose Schrock one niece and one friend. She is also preceded in death by her grandparents, infant sister, brother, Ernest and brother-in-law, Mervin.
Left to cherish her memory are her parents, John Edwin and Barbara J. Beachy and David and Lydia Byler; husband, Allen D. Byler; sons, Ernest A. Byler and wife Saloma J. Byler, Nelson A. Byler, Rudy A. Byler, John Edwin Byler and Harvey A. Byler; daughter, Judith A. Byler; grandchild, Micah Orlen Schrock; sisters, Nancy Hertzler and husband Ruben, Millie Miller and husband David, Lucy Yoder and husband Levi and Ruth Detweiler and husband Daniel; brother, Benjamen Beachy and wife Leanna Riley; four brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law, Harvey (Miriam), Arlene (Monroe Yoder) of Marion, KY, Kathryn (Ray Yoder) of Oblong, IL, Susan (Ivan Yoder) of Mohak, TN, Lizzie (Mark Schlabach) of Dawson, GA, Nevin (Sarah Ann) of Lamar, MO, David Jr. (Elsie) of Marion KY, Verba (Marion Plank) of Fredonia, PA, Rudy (Nettie) of Marion KY and Alma (Loren Yoder) of Hutchinson, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Burke’s Garden Amish Donation Fund, c/o First Sentinel Bank, PO Box 167, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, Monday, March 18, 2024. Funeral services will be held in Burke’s Garden, VA at 9:00 AM DST, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with Bishop Paul Schlabach, Jr. officiating. Toby Miller, Chester Beachy, Paul Troyer and Johnny Beachy will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow funeral services at Burke’s Garden Amish Cemetery in Burke’s Garden, VA.
Byler, Lydia A.
June 17, 1999 - March 8, 2024
Lydia A. Byler, age 24 years, 8 months and 20 days, of the Burke’s Garden area of Tazewell, VA passed away Friday, March 8, 2024 in Clark County, WI. Born June 17, 1999, she was a daughter of Allen D. Byler and the late Linda J. Beachy Byler. She was of the Christian faith and she was a member of Old Order Amish of Burke’s Garden. Lydia enjoyed helping her mother and reaching out to her younger siblings. She also loved to sing. She will be greatly missed by family and friends, but she leaves them with many precious memories. She passed away with her mother, Linda J. Byler; sister, Ellen Schrock; brother-in-law, Orla Schrock; niece, Judi Rose Schrock and two friends. She is also preceded in death by two uncles, Ernest and Mervin.
Left to cherish her memory are her father, Allen D. Byler; brothers, Ernest A. Byler and wife Saloma J. Byler of Tazewell, VA, Nelson A. Byler, Rudy A. Byler, John Edwin A. Byler, and Harvey A. Byler of the home; sister, Judith A. Byler of the home; nephew Micah Orlen Schrock of Tazewell, VA; grandparents, David and Lydia Byler of Marion, KY and John Edwin and Barbara Beachy of Tazewell, VA. Five uncles, 10 aunts and many cousins and friends also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Burke’s Garden Amish Donation Fund, c/o First Sentinel Bank, PO Box 167, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, Monday, March 18, 2024. Funeral services will be held in Burke’s Garden, VA at 9:00 AM DST, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with Bishop Paul Schlabach, Jr. officiating. Allen Yoder, Harvey Byler, Jr., Nevin Yoder and Raymond Byler will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow funeral services at Burke’s Garden Amish Cemetery in Burke’s Garden, VA.