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
N to Q
Nisley, Roy M.
June 15, 1963 - March 17, 2024
Roy M. Nisley, 60, of Butler, Ohio, died Sunday, March 17, 2024, at home in a farming accident.
The son of Mose A. and Ada C. (Yoder) Nisley, Roy was born June 15, 1963 in Millersburg, Ohio.
Roy is survived by his loving wife Sara Ann (Miller) Nisley of Butler; children Ada, Mary (Neal), Paul (Barbara), Monroe (Martha), Daniel (Susan), Mabel, Crist, Joseph (Katie-special friend), Martha (Eli-special friend), and Ruth; grandchildren Robert, Luann, Mary, Rachel, Duane, and Norman.
Visitation at the Nisley house, 20640 Delong Road, Butler, Ohio 44822 will be held Monday, March 18, 2024 beginning at 2 pm through the evening and will continue all day Tuesday, March 19. Funeral services will begin at 9 am, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 20370 Delong Road, Butler, Ohio 44822. Ray Hochstetler will officiate and burial will follow in Yoder Cemetery.
The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is honored to assist the Nisley family with funeral services.
Nolt, Mervin Sauder
December 7, 1958 - April 4, 2024
Mervin Sauder Nolt, 65, of Denver, passed away Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at Fairmount Homes in Ephrata. Born in New Holland, Mervin was a son of the late David and Anna (Sauder) Nolt. He was the loving husband to Carol Ann (Smith) Nolt.
Mervin spent most of his childhood growing up in Farmersville. He worked for Martin Paving for over 30 years, starting on the road crew and then moving into the sales department. Mervin later was a truck driver for Len Lyn Farms. Mervin was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Community Church, where he attended for 15 years. Being outdoors was one of Mervin's favorite places to be, especially the mountains. He enjoyed hunting at his cabin in Lewistown, fishing, and landscaping. He went on many hunting trips to Potter County with friends. Mervin was a quiet but wise man, so when he had something to say, people would listen. He had a gentle sense of humor and was the best listener. His love and kindness will be deeply missed.
Along with his wife, Mervin is survived by two children, Jeana Nolt and Michelle (Cody) Martin; three grandchildren, Raelyn, Taylor, and Bryson; seven brothers, Harold (Twila) Nolt, Glenn (Rosa) Nolt, Leonard (Karen) Nolt, Earl (Tina) Nolt, Eli (Darla) Nolt, Barry (Patty) Nolt, Steve (Julia) Nolt; and many nieces and nephews.
Mervin was predeceased by his first wife, Nadine (Ruffner) Nolt, and nephew, Jeremy Nolt.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fairmount Homes, 333 Wheat Ridge Dr., Ephrata, PA. A visitation and service time will take place Friday, April 12th at Hinkletown Mennonite Church, 2031 Division Hwy, Ephrata, PA 17522. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., when service officiated by Pastor Dwayne Musser begins.
Nussbaum, Florence Elaine Hershberger
October 7, 1935 - March 6, 2024
Florence Elaine Nussbaum, age 88, of Goshen, Indiana died March 6, [2024]after a long, full life.
She was born October 7, 1935 in Garden City, Missouri to Harold and Phebe Hershberger. After attending Hesston Academy in Hesston, Kansas, she worked at Hallmark in Kansas City, Missouri where she met her husband of 55 years, Roy Nussbaum. They were married on August 13, 1955 in Garden City before moving to Kidron, Ohio where they raised their family. They were blessed with two daughters, Kay (Terry) Shue of Kidron, Ohio and Rhonda (Roger) Yoder of Goshen, Indiana. They both survive.
While living in Kidron, Florence worked as church secretary at Kidron Mennonite Church, as a bank teller at First National Bank and finally, as a secretary at Kidron Electric. She was actively involved in the Kidron Mennonite Church, especially in the music program. She was a wonderful church organist and pianist and was active in the church choir.
In 1986, Florence and Roy became hosts at the Mennonite Guest House in Elkhart for a one-year term of service. Then they moved to Goshen Indiana where she worked as a secretary in development at Greencroft Retirement Community. She was a member of College Mennonite Church. Among other things, Florence is lovingly remembered for her strong love of family. Nothing made her quite as happy as having the family all together and she never wanted to miss out on anything! She was known for her beautiful flower gardens, her love of birds and beautiful quilts, hand-made with love for her daughters and grandchildren. She loved reading and playing games, whether with her neighborhood game groups or with family. She often shared her gift of hospitality, hosting family and friends in her home. Serving others was a part of her life. She was quick to help others in their time of need, whether it be dropping off a meal or reading weekly to a blind home-bound friend.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Roy. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her brothers, Dale (Arlene) Hershberger of Richmond, Virginia and Dwight (Edna) Hershberger of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a sister-in-law Ruth Nussbaum of Orrville, as well as 5 grandchildren: Bethany Nussbaum, Krista (Craig) Mast, Kelsey (Jeff) Hochstetler, Matt (Chelsey) Yoder and Amanda (Jake) Nolan. She was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren (including 2 sets of twins!) who lovingly called her “Grammy:” Anna and Benjamin Mast, Elli and Rylee Yoder, Mariella, Ava and Amelia Hochstetler and Lydia, Natalie and Elizabeth Nolan.
The family would like to thank the staff at Greencroft Healthcare and Goshen Home Care and Hospice for their loving care for Florence in her last years and days.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A 10 a.m. funeral service will be held Monday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at College Mennonite Church, Koinonia Room.
Burial will be at a later date in Violett Cemetery.
Memorial donations in Florence’s memory may be given to MCC.
Oberholtzer, Henry M.
August 30, 1950 - March 1, 2024
Henry M. Oberholtzer, 73, of Mifflinburg, entered into rest Friday, March 1, 2024, at his residence.
He was born Aug. 30, 1950, in West Earl Township, Lancaster County, a son of the late Clayton L. and Annie B. (Martin) Oberholtzer. On March 15, 1983, in Narvon, he married the former Martha R. Martin, who survives.
Henry was engaged in farming in Union County.
He was a member of the Vicksburg Old Order Mennonite Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Martha, are four sons and three daughters-in-law, Daniel and Gloria Oberholtzer of West Liberty, Ky., John Henry Oberholtzer, Leroy and Marietta Oberholtzer, and Earl and Brenda Oberholtzer, all of Mifflinburg; two daughters and one son-in-law, Grace and Duane Shirk of Mifflinburg, and Laura Oberholtzer of Mifflinburg; 14 grandchildren, eight siblings and spouses, Samuel and Malinda Oberholtzer of Akron, Anna Mary Nolt of New Holland, Amos and Elizabeth Oberholtzer of Mifflinburg, Benjamin and Esther Oberholtzer of Shiloh, Ohio, John M. Oberholtzer of Morgantown, Aaron and Miriam Martin of Walnut Bottom, Reuben and Mary Jane Oberholtzer of Ephrata, and Alvin and Vera Oberholtzer of Shiloh, Ohio; and brother-in-law, Esra Zimmerman of Mifflinburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Sarah Nolt and Magdalena Zimmerman.
Family and friends are invited to the viewing from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the family residence, 354 Violet Road, Mifflinburg, where the family service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 6. Further services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Vicksburg Old Order Mennonite Church, 624 Beaver Run Road, Mifflinburg, with Bishop Lloyd Zimmerman, Amos Nolt, Norman Reiff, and Ammon Burkholder officiating.
Interment will be in the Vicksburg Old Order Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Dominick T. Adamo Funerals · Cremations · Monuments, 16 Walnut St., Mifflinburg.
Oberholtzer, Leona E. Zook
July 31, 1940 - April 1, 2024
Leona E. Oberholtzer, 83, of Lititz, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her husband and children on April 1, 2024 following a long battle with cancer. Born in Honey Brook, PA, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Anna (Lapp) Zook. She was married over 63 years to her beloved husband, Leon H. Oberholtzer.
Leona was a 1958 graduate of Lancaster Mennonite School. She was a dedicated homemaker and partner in ministry with Leon for 49 years at Mellinger Mennonite Church (PA), Trinity Mennonite Church (AZ), Steelton Mennonite Church (PA), and College Hill Mennonite Church (FL). Leon and Leona also spent a term of I-W Service in Colorado Springs, CO. Wherever Leona served, she was known for her joyful spirit, genuine kindness, and gracious compassion. She was an encourager and an inspiration to many.
Leona is affectionately remembered for her creativity and artistic talents. She enjoyed music and loved flowers. Her garden was always beautiful, and she delighted in the many birds that found haven there. Her home was a place of welcome for anyone. She and Leon enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S.A. and abroad.
A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, she is survived by her husband, Leon, 4 children: Dawn Winey (Rich), Audrey Kreider (Jerry), Dean Oberholtzer (Justin Ang), and Andrea Brubaker (Bob); 10 grandchildren: Jordan, Karissa, Dane, Kirsten, Drew, April, Alana, Nick, Mackenzie, and Hunter; 17 great-grandchildren; brother Elwood Zook (Linda), sister Mary Hess (Stan), and sister-in-law Lorraine Zook. She was predeceased by her brother, Grant Zook.
Leona's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Jaqueline Evans and the medical professionals who cared for her during her journey with cancer. Your care, compassion, and dedication were truly appreciated.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 9-11 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Mellinger Mennonite Church, 1916 Lincoln Highway E, Lancaster, PA 17602. A service will begin at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Leona's name to Mellinger Mennonite Church or Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
Oyer, Mary Kathryn
April 5, 1923 - January 11, 2024
Mary Kathryn Oyer died peacefully on January 11, 2024, after a vibrant life immersed in music and dedicated to learning and teaching.
Oyer was born to Noah and Siddie King Oyer on April 5, 1923, in Hesston, Kansas. In 1924 her family moved to Goshen, Indiana, where Noah served as dean of Goshen College until his early death in 1931.
Music was a cherished part of Oyer’s life from an early age, and she began playing cello in elementary school. After graduating from Goshen College in 1945 with a major in music and a minor in art, she earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan in 1947 and 1958, respectively. For her master’s thesis, she designed an innovative Fine Arts curriculum that integrated music and the arts. Her doctoral program focused on cello performance, and she was the first string player to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts performance degree from Michigan. She studied cello with Oliver Edel at the university, and with Leonard Rose at a summer music festival. Oyer served on the Goshen College faculty from 1945-87, teaching cello and courses in music and the arts. Her signature Fine Arts course enriched the lives of more than 5,000 students. After retiring from Goshen College, she taught at Associated (now Anabaptist) Mennonite Biblical Seminary from 1989-98, and accepted shorter faculty assignments at educational institutions including Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, and Tainan Theological College and Seminary in Tainan, Taiwan.
Oyer’s love of the arts and learning led her in new directions throughout her life. In 1963-64, as part of her work as executive secretary of the 1969 Mennonite Hymnal, she spent a sabbatical year studying hymnody with Erik Routley in Edinburgh, Scotland. Following her return, she traveled widely throughout North America, introducing many congregations to the intent and content of the new hymnal. She earned broad respect for this work and continued to explore diverse types of music within the church, including African American and Native American Indian music. Oyer also became an active leader in the Hymn Society in North America, where she served as research editor, was a keynote speaker at many conferences, and was inducted as a Fellow in 1989.
In the summer of 1969, Oyer spent two months traveling and studying in several countries in east and west Africa. She returned to Goshen with lively enthusiasm for new and broader understandings of music and the arts, which she integrated into her teaching. Over the next quarter century she returned to Africa many times, visiting more than 20 countries and returning most frequently to Kenya. During the 1970s, she spent nearly every summer in Africa, and she taught at Kenyatta University for two years in the mid-1980s. Oyer studied music with African musicians and invited some of them to join her in teaching classes at Goshen College. She also visited individuals working with Mennonite Central Committee throughout Africa.
Oyer’s last five years of teaching were in Taiwan (1999-2004), an experience that further broadened her musical understanding. Sojourns in Japan, India and elsewhere, as well as involvement in several Mennonite World Conferences, further enriched her life and thinking. Throughout her life, she found exploration of the arts of other cultures to be the most meaningful pathway to understanding those cultures.
Former students have expressed appreciation for Oyer’s joy, vibrancy, and love of learning; her humor, intellect, and openness to new ideas; and her keen interest and support for them as whole persons. For Mary, faith was the foundation for many of these attributes. Her family and friends have deeply appreciated her many gifts and are grateful that she willingly and graciously shared them with so many others throughout the many decades of her life.
Oyer is survived by sister-in-law Carol S. Oyer of Goshen, IN; nieces Rebecca Oyer of Lafayette, LA, Kathryn Oyer of Goshen, and Sarah (Sally) Oyer (Michael Cerceo) of Seattle; nephew Timothy Oyer (Joanne) of Chicago; great-nieces Carrie Friesen-Meyers (Eliot) of Berkeley, CA, Rachael Gingrich (Jonathan) of Portland, OR, Anicka Meyers (Shey Dunlop) of Portland, OR, and Mia Cerceo of Chicago; great-nephews Benjamin Cerceo of Seattle, John Oyer of Chicago, and Noah Oyer of Chicago; and great-great nieces and nephews Greta, Alex, Owen and Leighton. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by siblings Verna I. Oyer and John S. Oyer.
Memorial arrangements are pending; further information is available at Yoder Culp Funeral Home (www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com). Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen College (https://www.goshen.edu/give/online/), Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (https://www.ambs.edu/give/ways-to-donate/), Mennonite Central Committee (https://mcc.org/donate), or Mennonite Mission Network (Donate (mennonitemission.net)).
Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, IN
Submitted by: Thelma Hoover Martin