Faculty/Staff
Tim Arnold researches funding sources and prepares grant proposals in support of the EMU science center campaign on a part-time basis. He received an MA in English at James Madison University and a PhD in English from the University of Kentucky. Tim has extensive experience writing grant proposals for endowments, fellowships, and major gifts for the University of Virginia Office of Public Affairs and its School of Law. He also teaches English courses at Blue Ridge Community College.
Stephanie Bush began as the instructional services librarian in January 2011. Before coming to EMU, Stephanie worked as a librarian at the Massanutten Regional Library and on staff at JMU. She completed her MLIS at Florida State University and her BA in English from the University of California, Davis.
Eric Codding is associate dean of students in the student life department. He obtained an MA in theological studies from Wheaton College. He was previously employed in a dual role as vice president for students and dean of students at Tabor College.
John Filson is program manager of “Partners for Peacebuilding Policy” (3P Human Security), a program of EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. He oversees the day-to-day functions of 3P’s operations in Washington D.C., which include hosting delegations, organizing events, participating in policy forums, and coordinating with conflict prevention partners and coalitions.
Matthew Freed is recycling crew leader with recycling services. He graduated with an AAAS degree from Blue Ridge Community College. He previously worked as a recycler at the JMU recycling and integrated waste management department.
Joanne Gallardo, associate campus pastor, was licensed for special ministries by Virginia Mennonite Conference at EMU on Sept. 9, 2011.
Julie Hatfield assists the vice president for enrollment. Julie most recently worked with Harrisonburg City Schools as a substitute teacher.
Randal Keener is residence director in Hillside Suites. He earned an AA degree from Hesston College and a BA in history from Goshen College. After graduation from Goshen College Randal joined Seeds of the Kingdom, a five-month traveling peace education team in the Central Plains Mennonite Conference. In his second year at EMS, Randal is pursuing an MDiv degree. He is also a pastoral intern at Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg.
Susan Kolb is the women’s soccer coach and assistant athletics director for student athlete well-being at EMU. Susan graduated with a BA in elementary education from Davis & Elkins. She received an MA in instructional leadership from Bluffton University. She is currently enrolled in a PhD in athletic administration program at North Central University. Her most recent role was as graduate assistant with women’s soccer at Bluffton University.
Jason Lewkowicz is the EMU cross country and track and field coach. He held the same position at Hannibal-LaGrange University for the past three years. He earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Appalachian State in Boone, N.C.
David Penner is a web programmer in information systems. He earned a BA in mathematics and philosophy from Tabor College and was previously employed by The Bill Guy Technology Solutions, Inc. in Wichita, Kan.
Lauren Powell is admissions counselor for undergraduate admissions. She is a graduate of Messiah College and earned an MS degree from Drexel University. Lauren’s primary responsibilities include recruitment of international students and local Latino students, as well as managing the telecounseling program.
Lauren Reznik is the interim head coach for women’s volleyball. Lauren graduated from Turner Ashby High School where she played volleyball and softball. She attended Roanoke College, where she was a four-year volleyball player and captain of the team. She was previously the assistant women’s volleyball coach at Bridgewater College.
Ann Siciliano is campus visit coordinator and admissions office greeter. Ann graduated with a degree in marketing from James Madison University and has previous work experience in pharmaceutical sales.
Catherine Stover is the advancement and marketing associate at EMU’s Lancaster (Pa.) site.
Lance Wenger is a grounds worker in the physical plant. He graduated from Hesston College with an associate’s degree. Lance previously worked at a garden center/nursery in Wichita, Kan. and in commercial roofing.
1960-69
Barbara Breneman ’60 Hurd, Blaine, Minn., along with her husband James, compiled and edited a book of stories from members of the EMU class of 1960. Limited copies of the book Life Trails, Reflections from the Class of 1960 are available through the EMU alumni office.
Elmer Lehman ’60, MDiv ’85, Hilliard, Ohio, delivered the commencement address on May 21, 2011 entitled “Called to Speak the Truth in Love,” to the graduates of Rosedale Bible College (RBC). Elmer and his wife, Eileen Zehr ’60 Lehman, served in Costa Rica from 1961 to 1983 under Rosedale Mennonite Missions (RMM). Elmer taught at RBC from 1985 until his retirement in 2002. He also worked part-time at RMH during those years until 2006. In 1988, the Lehmans became part of a seven-member team to plant a church in Hilliard, Ohio. Elmer served as senior pastor for the first ten years and continues as overseer. In 2001, they helped to begin a Spanish-speaking congregation, also in Hilliard. Eileen taught in the Hilliard City Schools from 1985 until her retirement in 2000, when she became the volunteer manager of the local Mennonite Central Committee thrift shop, Country Closet. They are active members of Agape Community Fellowship and serve on the leadership team of Iglesia Cristiana Hispana.
Roger Richer ’61, ’67 (bachelor of divinity), Upland, Calif., has pastored for more than 45 years in five churches in California and Colorado. He enjoys crafting, directing interchurch musicals, and continues as pastor of Mountain View Church in Upland. His wife, Florence Byler ’61 Richer, enjoys prison ministry and mentoring women released in local halfway houses.
Annetta Wenger ’62 Miller, Nairobi, Kenya, who was born in Tanzania and has lived in Africa most of her life, has compiled a series of African proverbs in her book, I Am Because We Are: African Wisdom in Image and Proverb. One hundred and twenty-five photographs taken by Betty Press during her travels in Africa have been paired with these proverbs. Further information about the book is available at the following website; www.africanwisdominimageandproverb.com.
Lee M. Yoder ’63, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is filling a short-term position, scheduled to end July 31, 2012, as head of the American School of Vietnam. It is a new school in Ho Chi Minh City, in its second year with 170 students in grades K-10. Lee’s wife, LaVerne ’63, is accompanying him. Lee just completed his memoir, From Coffee Run to Cairo: Launching an American School in the Desert (Xlibris, 2012), which explores his role as the founding superintendent of Narmer American College in Egypt from 2000 to 2008.
Paul T. Yoder ’67, La Junta, Colo., graduated from George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 1971. After his internship, he practiced family medicine in Clintwood, Va. for a couple of years. He then completed a residency in family practice and returned to Clintwood for a short time before moving to La Junta, Colo., for a total of 35 years in medical practice, including his work in the emergency room of Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center (AVRMC). He retired from his work in family medicine and the emergency room in July 2011, but continues serving in the Hospice Directory of AVRMC.
Robert Nolt ’69, Lancaster, Pa., was installed on Nov. 1, 2011 as lead pastor/intentional interim pastor of East Petersburg Mennonite Church, East Petersburg, Pa.
1970-79
H. Michael Shenk II ’70, MA ’75 (religion), retired in February 2011 as pastor of Valley View Mennonite Church in Criders, Va., 32 miles north of Harrisonburg. For 36 years, Michael and his wife, Peggy Brackbill Shenk, commuted the 64-mile round trip from Harrisonburg to Bergton an average of twice a week, in addition to trips for special events, for a total of approximately 300,000 miles. Michael and Peggy’s son, H. Michael (Mike) Shenk III will continue as the church’s pastor, having served as associate pastor alongside his father for 13 years.
Paul C. Kennel ’73, Lynwood, Wash., has enjoyed a unique and impressive administrative role in various organizations since his graduation from EMU. In 1975, Paul received an MIA degree from the School of International Training, graduating in the top 3 percent of his class. He then earned an MBA from Lausanne University in Switzerland in 1980. His international involvement began in 1966 in Vietnam, where he spent seven years providing aid and training to villagers victimized by the Vietnam War. After leaving Vietnam, Paul engaged in disaster relief in Central America, India, and Bangladesh. For 25 years, he served with World Concern in Seattle, first as country manager for Malaysia, later as Asia area director in Bangkok. Paul became founding president of the Dime Foundation in 2006 when an investor asked him to design a business model targeting the root causes of extreme poverty. The Foundation provides microloans to marginalized people around the world. Since 2009, Paul has been the executive director of Viva North America. In this role, he designed and implemented Viva’s development and marketing strategy within North America, raising resources for Viva core programs and foundations through major donors and churches relations. In his first 18 months on the job, Kennel organized nine mission trips with three churches and increased the donor base for Viva in North America, raising one million dollars.
John Yoder ’73, Reedsville, Pa., operates Yoder’s Ag Services. His work includes planting corn and soybeans, round baling, bale wrapping, and combining. He is also involved in custom agricultural enterprises. His wife, Arlene Hartzler ’74 Yoder does most of the bookkeeping and otherwise assists. She also works part-time at Lewistown Hospital as a nurse. She plans to retire in the spring of 2012 after 24 years of employment there. The Yoders are active members of Locust Grove Mennonite church and advocates of Belleville Mennonite School.
Dianna Griffin ’74 Schiedel, Newport News, Va., has been the director of youth and young adult ministries at Huntington Mennonite Church since 2009.
Mindy Zook-Weaver ’74, Poland, Ohio, retired in May 2011 from Mon General Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. Mindy served as the clinical nutrition manager for 22 years and remains active in the American Dietetic Association. She and her husband, Charlie, have relocated to Poland, Ohio, to be closer to family.
Diana S. Holland ’76 Hooley, Hammett, Idaho, completed a PhD in literacy in 2011 at Boise State University and is now an assistant professor of education at Idaho State University.
Donna Siegrist ’76, Elizabethtown, Pa., was licensed as associate pastor for women’s ministry at Mount Joy Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania on Oct. 9, 2011.
Annette Guengerich ’77 Ritter, MA ’06 (education), Harrisonburg, Va., was one of five EMU alumni honored at the Rockingham County Public Schools/Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. annual awards and recognition program on May 16, 2011. She was one of 24 teachers honored as “2011 Teachers of the Year.” Annette is a reading specialist at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
Conley K. McMullen ’78, Keezletown, Va., received the James Madison University College of Science and Mathematics 2011-2012 Distinguished Service Award in April 2011. Employed at JMU since 1997, McMullen was promoted to full professor of biology in 2011.
Kathy Dwyer ’79 Yoder, Quakertown, Pa., was ordained as pastor of West Swamp Mennonite Church on Nov. 6, 2011.
Christine Holsopple ’79 Kauffman, Goshen, Ind., graduated May 21, 2011 from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary with an MA degree in Christian formation with a concentration in Christian spirituality.
1980-89
Dawn Longenecker ’80, Mount Rainier, Md., has written a chapter in Widening the Circle: Experiments in Christian Discipleship, edited by Joanna Shenk of Elkhart, Ind. The stories and reflections offered in Widening the Circle explore the creative tension of a growing number of North Americans who are intrigued with an Anabaptist-Mennonite vision of church and mission. Often coming from outside the Mennonite mainstream, they have formed communities with others of like mind and sought to live out their radical faith. In the process, they may encounter difficulty relating to the institutional church.
Elroy Wayne Kauffman II ’81, Sylvania, Ohio, is employed in information technology by the North American Science Associates (NAMSA). NAMSA is a contract research organization serving the medical device industry. He is responsible for leading the laboratory data management initiatives within NAMSA. In his spare time, Wayne is involved in a research effort, using several types of genetic tests, to investigate Anabaptist lineages and the community as a whole. He uses the tests to determine how closely two people are related to each other by identifying small sections of DNA they inherited from common ancestor(s). The project contains subgroups corresponding to individuals associated with Swiss Anabaptist and Low German Mennonite communities. Interested individuals should contact Wayne at wkauffman@yahoo.com if they would like to participate in one of several research projects to investigate their family tree or in a broader community research project of looking into the past.
Beth Peachey ’81 Miller, Wellman, Iowa, graduated from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary on May 21, 2011, with an MDiv degree with a concentration in pastoral care and counseling. In October 2011, Beth began further training in clinical pastoral care at Genesis Hospital in Davenport, Iowa.
Daniel J. King ’82, Trout Run, Pa., was licensed as congregational overseer of worship life at Mountain View Fellowship on May 22, 2011.
Marian Buckwalter ’83, Landisville, Pa., works part time for Special Care, a home care agency. She graduated from EMC in 1962 with an AA degree in business. She returned to EMC in 1981 and graduated in 1983 with a BA degree in business. Following graduation, Marian was an administrative assistant to George R. Brunk III, then dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary for two years. She served with the Brethren in Christ Church in Choma, Zambia, through Brethren in Christ World Missions from 2004 to 2010. Earlier she spent eight years in Kenya under Eastern Mennonite Mission and four years in Zambia under Mennonite Central Committee.
LaVonda R. Hoover ’83, Anaheim, Calif., was appointed early in 2011 as the clinical manager of a busy medical surgical unit at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. LaVonda has spent 14 years at Children’s Hospital, first as a staff registered nurse and then as a day shift leader.
Alice Wisler ’83, Durham, N.C., has seen her fourth novel, A Wedding Invitation, published by Bethany House. Her previous books were Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, and Hatteras Girl. As a result of losing one of her four children to cancer in 1997, Wisler offers an online writing course for people dealing with grief called “Writing the Heartache.” More information can be found at http://www.alicewisler.com.
Cheryl Sell ’84 Hollinger, Lancaster, Pa., was ordained on Oct. 30, 2011, as the Christian formation director of Forest Hills Mennonite Church.
Linford Stutzman ’84, MA ’90 (religion), associate professor of culture and mission in the EMU Bible and religion department, presented an inspiring, stimulating and challenging message during EMU’s chapel service on Sept. 28, 2011. “Don’t get into the boat with Jesus if you want to stay safe and dry,” said Linford, referencing his extensive sailing experience to reinforce this message. Linford is director of the John Coffman Center for Missional Leadership and Development at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He also directs and teaches courses in the new Biblical lands educational seminars and service (BLESS) program at EMS which brings together culture, religion and mission courses to students at EMU. Each summer since 2004, Linford and his wife, Janet Scheffel Stutzman, MA ’91 (church leadership), have explored the Roman Empire, Paul’s mission activity, and the book of Acts aboard their “research vessel” SailingActs, and leading study seminars on and around the Mediterranean Sea for seminary students and others.
Douglas Lehman ’85, Mali, Africa, has been employed by the Education Development Center in the West African country of Mali since 2004. He is currently working in Mali’s capital, Bamako. He is serving as a technical assistant to the Malian Ministry of Education to improve access to quality basic education for all children, particularly those from remote rural communities. This work is funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
Loren Hostetter ’85, Addis Abba, Ethiopia, is the country project manager for Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) in Ethiopia. Loren presented the noteworthy dynamics of MEDA’s enterprise in improving the status of rice farmers and textile workers in Ethiopia during a Nov. 11, 2011 EMU chapel service.
Linford (Fred) Longenecker, ’85-’86 in Washington study-service program, South Bend, Ind., is a senior copywriter/marketing strategist for Noel-Levitz Higher Education Consulting. In September 2011, he released an iPhone app, Ego Strokes, available on iTunes (http://itunes.com/apps/EgoStrokes). He recently started a home-based business, The Wacky Giraffe, LLC, and is working on an invention and stories for children. He is married to Jewel Gingerich ’88 Longenecker.
James (Jim) Sutton ’86 (biblical studies certificate), Painesville, Ohio, was installed as a transitional pastor at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in North Lawrence, Ohio, on Oct. 16, 2011. He is leading the congregation in an evaluation of their current ministry and the possibility of a new vision.
Lori Hostetler ’88 Leaman, Harrisonburg, Va., associate professor of special education in EMU’s education department, collaborated on the development of an article addressing co-teaching and tiered instruction. She is working on a three-year National Science Foundation grant study headed by Steve Cessna, professor of biochemistry, involving a collaborative effort between the biology, chemistry, psychology and education departments which aims to measure student learning in several science courses. Lori has an MA in education from JMU.
Kristine (Kris) Platt ’89 Griswold, Falls Church, Va., reports that she gathers with a large group of 1989 graduates a couple of times per year, including a joint vacation every summer. Twenty-five persons assembled for a get-together in Natural Bridge, Va., in 2011. Included in a photograph of that gathering were Kris’s husband, Greg Griswold, Judith (Juji) Woodring ’89 and her husband Greg Newswanger, Freeland, Md.; Michael Merle Mast ’89, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Elizabeth (Beth) Weaver-Kreider ’89, York, Pa.; Gloria Rhodes ’88, chair of EMU’s applied social sciences department, and spouse, Brad Lehman; Nancy Stoltzfus ’89 Fleming, Smithsburg, Md.; Anne Marie Stoner-Eby ’89 and husband, Scott Stoner-Eby ’89, Lancaster, Pa.
Mark A. Stevanus ’89, Elkton, Va., recently obtained certification as a project management professional. He is a project analyst at Rosetta Stone, a large language-learning software company founded in Harrisonburg, Va., by EMU alumni who sold it to others after it was successfully established.
1990-99
Mark ’92 and Donna Metzler ’91 Glunt, West Liberty, Ohio, moved to West Liberty for Mark to become the associate pastor of Oak Grove Mennonite Church. Mark’s duties include being pastor of youth and worship.
Amy Springer ’92, Harrisonburg, Va., assistant dean and coordinator of student success, was appointed to the executive board of The Virginia Network of the American Council on Education, Office of Women in Higher Education. This professional organization seeks to promote women’s leadership in higher education and throughout society. In response to Amy’s appointment, Twila K. Yoder ’96 (certificate of pastoral studies), ’98 MA (church leadership), has agreed to serve as EMU’s institutional representative. Andrea Schrock Wenger ’86, director of marketing and communications, has also been selected to participate in the Network’s 2011-2012 senior leadership seminars.
Sharon Norris ’93, Staunton, Va., is a custodian at EMU. She was previously employed with nTelos in the corporate office in Waynesboro, Va. for eight and a half years. She notes her responsibilities included dealing with unhappy customers.
Pearl (Renae) Yoder ’93, Goshen, Ind., a high school math teacher at Bethany Christian Schools in Goshen was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in September 2011. At the direction of her oncologist, she took a medical leave of absence from teaching for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. On Oct. 1, 2011, 50 students, faculty and parents surprised Renae by joining her as she participated, via her wheelchair, in a local cancer walk. The boys and girls cross country team dedicated their home meet on Oct. 3 to Renae and all those who inspire them. Prior to the start of the meet, the runners presented her with a framed cross country jersey.
Rhoda Miller Blough ’94 (certificate in pastoral ministries), Denver, Colo., is the church relations representative for Everence Financial Services. Her territory includes everything west of the Mississippi except for Iowa and a small part of Kansas. Rhoda is also the moderator for Mountain States Mennonite Conference.
Stephen Kriss III ’94, Philadelphia, Pa., is associate director of pastoral studies in the Study and Training for Effective Pastoral Ministry (STEP) program at the EMU Lancaster campus. He also serves as director of communication and leadership cultivation for Franconia Mennonite Conference. Stephen is a candidate for a PhD from Duquesne University.
Lynn Longenecker ’94, Lancaster, Pa., is the education and global family coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee of Akron, Pa. He oversees 100 projects in 40 countries.
Lance W. Miller ’94, Greensboro, N.C., is one of the six newest members inducted into the Holmes County Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony also honored the Hiland Hawks 1962 basketball team of Hiland High School that finished state runners-up. Lance was a three-sport star at Hiland, lettering four years in tennis, where he twice reached the regional finals. He also earned two letters in both soccer and basketball. Lance earned second-team All-Ohio honors and was Player of the Year in District Five. Additionally, he was Hawk of the Year as a senior. Lance and his wife, Paula, have lived in Greensboro for six years. Lance is vice president of special assets in the Bank of North Carolina.
Manuel (Manny) Nunez ’94, Alexandria, Va., began his position as director for external affairs at the Inter-American Foundation on June 13, 2011.
Lynda Brockington ’95 Lutz, Charlottesville, Va., earned an M.Ed. in reading education from the University of Virginia of Charlottesville in May 2011.
Victoria Miller ’95 Brenneman, Nappanee, Ind., is editor of Edible Michiana, a quarterly magazine published by Edible Communities. The magazine gives “focus on the farmers, growers, fishers, home cooks, chefs and others who energize our culinary community.” Edible Communities bills itself as “an indispensable guide for people who are passionate about food.” The inaugural issue appeared July 1, 2011.
James Lowell Wenger Jr.’95, and his wife, Melani Wenger ’95, Millville, N.J., have been serving in a sensitive area of Central Asia for the past five years. They are training English teachers and operating a learning center for English language and computer skills. Their village community has accepted them extremely well, and meaningful, life-changing relationships are being formed. They and their three children were in Pennsylvania and Virginia for a two-month furlough this summer. They appreciate your prayers, especially as their 14-year-old heads to Germany for high school.
Stephen J. Lowry ’96, Shawnee, Kan., began his practice as a general surgeon with General Surgery Associates of Kansas City in 2005. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, after earning his MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Stephen is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the Southwestern Surgical Congress, the Kansas City Surgical Society, and the Medical Society of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.
Amy Myers Ruebke, MA ’96 (counseling), Port Republic, Va., was one of five EMU alumni honored at the Rockingham County Public Schools/Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. annual awards and recognition program on May 16, 2011. She was one of 24 teachers honored as “2011 Teachers of the Year.” Amy is the librarian at Fulks Run Elementary School.
Michael Shank, class of ’96, MA ’05 (conflict transformation), Washington, D.C., is vice president of U.S. operations for the Institute for Economics and Peace. Shank directs its policy, communications, and administrative operations. The Institute annually produces the Global Peace Index and U.S. Peace Index. Shank has written opinion pieces published in The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Economist, The Washington Times, New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, The Nation, Roll Call, The Hill, among others. He is a frequent on-air analyst for CTV News, Al Jazeera, Russia Today, and Voice of America’s Pashto, Dari, Urdu and Somali services. Michael also serves on the board of the National Peace Academy and is a doctoral candidate at George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and an Associate at the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict. Between 2009 and 2011, Michael served as the Senior Policy Advisor and Communications Director for US Congressman Mike Honda of California.
George (Skip) Tobin III ’96 (certificate of biblical studies), Harrisonburg, Va., has been serving as Virginia Mennonite Mission USA ministries director since Jan. 1, 2011. Skip and his wife, Carol, returned to the states from their long-term mission assignment in Thailand in 2009. Skip will be engaged in encouraging and coaching a movement of church planting and new ministry development in Virginia Mennonite Conference.
Damian Rowe ’98, Newton, Kan., recently opened Prairie Path Chiropractic LLC, a whole-family healthcare center for all ages in Newton. Damian received his DC degree from Parker University’s College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Tex., on Aug. 13, 2011. He also concurrently earned two BS degrees in anatomy & health and wellness at Parker University.
2000-09
Matthew Goins ’00, Richmond, Va., is an anesthesiologist with Commonwealth Anesthesia Associates in Richmond.
Nevin L. Mast ’00, Chesapeake, Va., has been the youth pastor at Mount Pleasant Mennonite Church since 2006.
Nathan Mussleman ‘00, is the program assistant in EMU’s Summer Peacebuilding Institute. He has an MA in security policy studies from George Washington University in Washington D.C.
Laura Polk ’00, Washington, D.C., previously worked as a young adult intern at the Presbyterian Church (USA) National Office in Louisville, Ky. She is now in her second year of studying for an MA in applied anthropology at the University of Maryland.
Mark Schoenhals ’00, MDiv ’08, Det Udom, Thailand, uses the metaphor of learning to drive in Thailand to describe his first year of mission activity with his wife, Sarah Hawkins Schoenhals ’02, MDiv ’08. Mark and Sarah are in a three-year joint assignment with Virginia Mennonite Missions and Eastern Mennonite Missions. The Schoenhals Missionary Support Team arranged an event at Shady Oak, Weavers Mennonite Church on Sunday, July 17 , 2011, to celebrate the halfway point of their first term serving as missionaries in Thailand.
Brent Yoder ’00, Hesston, Kan., is the registrar at Hesston College. Previously, Brent was a chemistry professor at Illinois College. Brent is married to Rachel Hoffman ’00 Yoder. He earned a PhD in 2005 from Virginia Polytechnic and State University in Blacksburg.
Jason Gerlach ’01, MDiv ’06, Harrisonburg, Va., began serving as pastor of youth ministry at Community Mennonite Church on a part-time basis in 2004. He began his role as youth conference minister at Virginia Mennonite Conference in Harrisonburg in 2007.
Tanya Hoover ’01, Manitoba, Canada, was trained over the last couple of years by the Mary Ainsworth Parent Child Attachment Clinic located in Charlottesville, Va. The Attachment Network of Manitoba organized and brought Dr. Bob Marvin and Dr. Bill Whelan, from the clinic, to Tanya’s home base of Winnipeg for the training. In the spring of 2011, Tanya completed certification as a Circle of Security therapist.
Aaron M. Kauffman ’01, Harrisonburg, Va., began serving as global ministries director with Virginia Mennonite Missions (VMM) on a part-time basis on June 1, 2011. This new VMM position will convene and lead a team of four regional directors with responsibility for VMM’s global relationships and ministries. Aaron served in Ethiopia in 1999-2000 with Eastern Mennonite Missions. More recently, Aaron and his wife, Laura Souder ’02 Kauffman, served in Colombia in a joint appointment with VMM and Mennonite Mission Network. Aaron earned an MA in teaching English to speakers of other languages and bilingual education from Georgetown University. He is enrolled in the MDiv program at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He has been employed as an adjunct instructor at EMU, both in the MA program and the intensive English program.
Radell Schrock ’01, Harrisonburg, Va., the owner of Seasons Bounty Farm, was featured in the Oct. 7, 2011, issue of the Daily News-Record for sharing his vision and farming activities with the EMU earthkeepers club. Radell taught science at Eastern Mennonite High School before making the transition to farming in 2005. Radell operates a roadside stand, regularly appears at the weekly Harrisonburg Farmers Market, and sells food to several local eateries, including A Bowl of Good and the Little Grill.
Lora Steiner ’01, Harrisonburg, Va., is the coordinator in the admissions and marketing department of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. Lora has lived in Bolivia and Guatemala, and spent three years in Washington D.C. with Mennonite Central Committee, where she worked in public policy. She has also worked as a freelance writer and editor, and holds an MDiv from Drew University.
Philip Blount ’02, Bluffton, Ohio, is the state sales manager for Mutual Aid Exchange. See the birth announcements for the latest addition to the Blount family.
Terrie Childress ’02, Bridgewater, Va., is the author of a newly-released children’s book, A Blade of Grass, A Drop of Water, published by Minnow House Books. In 1978, at the age of 14, she received the devastating news that her 38-year-old father had been diagnosed with cancer. Thirty-three years later, Terrie titled her book in honor of her father, who succumbed to his disease. Her book is about 6-year-old Patty who imagines a cure for her father. While the book is primarily a children’s chapter book, it appeals to young and old alike, by inspiring hope in all of those who have been touched or affected by cancer in their lifetime. A portion of the proceeds from each book sold will go toward cancer research for the cure and prevention of all adult and childhood cancers. More information about the book can be found at minnowmousebooks.com.
Conrad Kanagy ’02 (Sem), Elizabethtown, Pa., was installed as pastor at Elizabethtown Mennonite Church, Oct. 1, 2011.
Renee Neufeld ’02, Hurley, S.D., will be hiking the Appalachian Trail with her sister, Alison, from April to October 2012, after nearly a decade as program director at Swan Lake Christian Camp of Viborg, S.D. To follow their venture, check their blog: atforslcc.wordpress.com.
Shawn Rice ’02, Marietta, Pa., is a research technician at Hershey Medical Center. His wife, Melanie Miller ’03 Rice, is a nurse practitioner at Lancaster Cancer Center.
Jeremy Shue ’02, Goshen, Ind., is part-time minister of outreach at Silverwood Mennonite Church. He graduated in the spring of 2011 from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary with an MDiv degree with a concentration in mission and evangelism. He hopes to eventually combine business and ministry.
Kevin Zook ’02, Harrisonburg, Va., is employed by Omnicare-Williamson Pharmacy in Harrisonburg as a long-term-care staff pharmacist. Kevin graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in May 2011 with a PharmD degree. His wife, Kara, a Goshen College graduate, works at Rosetta Stone in Harrisonburg as a senior manager of qualitative research.
Sarah Gehman ’02 Bixler, Harrisonburg, Va., is conference coordinator with Virginia Mennonite Conference (VMC). This is a half-time administrative role that includes communicating with committees and congregations, providing financial leadership, planning events and supervising staff. Sarah is married to Benjamin ’03, a first-year student in the MA in religion program. She is the current president of the EMU Alumni Association.
Jeremiah Denlinger ’03, Telford, Pa., teaches Spanish at Christopher Dock Mennonite School, Lansdale, Pa.
Laura Rosenberger ’03, Charlottesville, Va., completed medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa. and is now in a general surgery residency at the University of Virginia.
Adam ’03 and Sarah Sensamaust, Kinshasa, DRC, have been teaching at the American School of Kinshasa since August 2011.
Jill Wenger ’03, Linville, Va., was one of five EMU alumni honored at the Rockingham County Public Schools/Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. annual awards and recognition program on May 16, 2011. She was one of 24 teachers honored as “2011 Teachers of the Year.” Jill teaches physical education at John C. Myers Elementary School in Broadway.
Gievanne Gonzalez Garcia ’04, Grand Prairie, Tex., is beginning her fourth year as a bilingual teacher at Faith Family Academy Charter School in Dallas, Tex. She taught second grade for two years; this will be her second year teaching third grade. When she moved to Texas, she saw the need for bilingual teachers in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, and obtained her state teaching and bilingual certifications. She is delighted with the opportunity and challenge to work with the Latino and African American population at Faith Family Academy.
Bonnie Price Lofton MA ’04 (conflict transformation), Harrisonburg, Va., has been named editor in chief at EMU. Bonnie continues to oversee the publication of five EMU magazines per year, three of Crossroads and two of Peacebuilder. In addition, she leads the team of EMU writers and editors striving for consistent excellence in the quality of their print and online communications. She is slated to receive a D.Litt. degree from Drew University in May 2012.
Rebecca Pierce MA ’04 (education), Ruckersville, Va., was one of five EMU alumni honored at the Rockingham County Public Schools/Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. annual awards and recognition program on May 16, 2011. She was one of 24 teachers honored as “2011 Teachers of the Year.” She was one of who Rebecca teaches sixth grade at Elkton Middle School.
Austin Chiazar Onuoha, MA’04 (conflict transformation), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was one of five panelists at the 2011 Peacebuilding Fund High-level Stakeholders meeting held in the North Lawn Building of the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Nov. 22, 2011. Austin directs the Africa Centre for Corporate Responsibility.
Obiageli (Obi) Nwankwo-Otti ’04, Maplewood, N.J., is a clinical research associate, focusing on occupational field research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Denver Steiner ’04, Orrville, Ohio, is a graphic designer and web developer in his family business, Ventrac by Ventura Products, Inc. Denver credits his communication degree with a computer minor from EMU as equipping him with the skills to market Ventrac tractors and build a dealer’s website.
Benjamin Wideman ’04, Souderton, Pa., is employed as associate pastor of youth and young adult ministry at Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville, Pa. Ben and his wife, Meredith Blauch ’05 Wideman, moved from Pasadena, Ca., after Ben completed his MDiv degree at Fuller Seminary.
Denise Reed Atkins, MA ’05 (education), Shenandoah, Va., is assistant principal of Page County Middle School.
Matthew Gnagey ’05, Columbus, Ohio, won the 2011 Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) Best Doctoral Research Manuscript award at Ohio University for his second-year research manuscript titled “A Semi-Parametric Analysis of Land Developer Costs and Development Timing.” Matt also passed his Macro qualifier at the PhD level, qualifying him to receive his MA in economics. He anticipates completing his studies within the next 2-3 years. Matt majored in economics as an EMU undergraduate.
Mark Schloneger, MDiv ’05, Waynesboro, Va., pastor of Springdale Mennonite Church, wrote an opinion piece for CNN’s Belief Blog titled “Why I don’t sing the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’” The piece was sparked by the on-off decision of his undergraduate alma mater, Goshen College in Indiana, to play the national anthem at sports events for the first time in its 116-year history. The decision was rescinded less than a year later. Schloneger’s blog generated 4,360 comments between June 26, 2011, when it was posted and Dec. 26, 2011. His concluding words were: “I love my country, but I sing my loyalty and pledge my allegiance to Jesus alone.” The blog can be found at http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/26/my-faith-why-i-dont-sing-the-star-spangled-banner/
James (Austin) Baer ’06, Hummelstown, Pa., began his first year of medical studies at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the fall of 2011.
Dana Herman Breeding ’06, Staunton, Va., is a registered nurse at Augusta Health in the Community Wellness department. Before attending EMU, she received a degree in exercise science and a minor in nutrition from Virginia Tech. In 2004, when her mother had a heart attack, Dana saved her life by administering CPR. As a result of this episode, Dana enrolled in EMU to earn a nursing degree. The Community Wellness department offers health care outreach programs to the community, including screenings and preventative health care.
Ronald Copeland, MDiv ’06, Harrisonburg, Va., founding director of Our Community Place (OCP) in Harrisonburg in August 2008, announced a “refocusing” rather than a “reincarnation” of the organization’s mission. OCP’s board of directors temporarily closed the center on Sept. 1, 2011, to ponder whether it should maintain its function as a day homeless shelter. After a five-week hiatus, the board re-opened the center on Oct. 8 with a celebration that included the traditional weekly meal and dialogue on how the organization might move forward. Ron relinquished his responsibilities as OCP’s executive director. He continues as pastor of the Early Church and president of the OCP board of directors.
Josiah Garber ’06, Mountville, Pa., is employed by the online division of Medical Support Products Inc. in Lancaster, Pa. He is primarily in charge of marketing.
Erica Kraybill ’06, Johnstown, Pa., moved to Tanzania in June 2011 on a one-year assignment through WorldTeach to teach English at Mzumbe Secondary School.
Rebecca Stichter Brenneman ’07, Broadway, Va., is a project specialist in the information systems department at EMU.
Debra Boese ’07 Horst, Harrisonburg, Va., received the highest honor a dental student can receive at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Upon her graduation in May 2011, Debra was elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a society that was “established to promote and recognize character among students of dentistry.” Debra is now associated with the dental practice of Douglas Wright in Harrisonburg.
Kumar Anuraj, MA ’07 (conflict transformation), and Jill Landis ’99, MA ’10 (conflict transformation), Jha, New York, N.Y., and their daughter, Anusha, lived in Nepal from 2008-2010 while Kumar worked for the United Nations Mission to Nepal in Nepalgunj and Kathmandu. In September 2010, they moved to New York, N.Y, where Kumar was a consultant with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in the child protection section. In September 2011, Kumar began working as a program officer, providing support to child protection agencies in nations where UN peacekeeping and political missions exist. In 2010, Jill served as an intern with Chemonics International in Kathmandu.
Nate Koser ’07, MA ’09 (counseling), Harrisonburg, Va., recently joined EMU as in instructor in the counseling department. He is enrolled in a doctor of psychology program at Saybrook University in San Francisco, Calif.
Nathan Mishler ’07, Johnstown, Pa., went to Tanzania, Africa in June 2011 to work with Faraja Trust Fund, a nonprofit organization which works to alleviate the suffering of Tanzanians who are affected by HIV/AIDS and human trafficking.
Sabrina Tusing ’07, Seattle, Wash., is employed at Seattle University as an event coordinator, working in the university’s department of conference and event services.
Jean deDieu Tshileu ’07, Bakwa-Tshileu, DRC, founded a new school, from the elementary level through high school, in the village of Bakwa-Tshileu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The majority of the 120 students are girls. Jean and the school’s three full-time teachers, with community support, have planted 20 acres of manioc, corn, peanuts, beans and onions to supply food for the local population and to create a source of income for the school. More information about the Congo Village School Project is available on their Facebook page.
Thomas Mboya Olung’a ’08 (certificate of ministry studies), MA ’10 (education), Musoma, Tanzania, is teaching and serving in ministry at the Mennonite Theological College of Eastern Africa. While Thomas teaches, his spouse, Milicent Atieno Mboya will complete her master’s degree and their children, Brian, George and Edith, will continue their education in Nairobi, Kenya. Thomas requests prayers for his teaching ministry and the mission of the school as faculty train pastors to become effective in their work. He also requests prayers as he begins a writing project about the Mennonite history of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) and his pastoral ministry of serving people with disabilities, especially those who suffer from leprosy.
Travis Pettit ’08, MBA ’11, Stanley, Va., has been employed as the program representative in the adult degree completion program at EMU. In 2007, he earned an AAS degree in business management at Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, Va. He earned his BS degree in management & organizational development in EMU’s adult degree completion program and an earned his MBA in 2011. Travis was previously employed with Pioneer Bank for 10 years, where he served as a teller, underwriter, loan officer, assistant branch manager, and branch manager.
Maria Bowman ’09, Pittsburgh, Pa., began Sept. 1, 2011, as an Edible Schoolyard Garden Educator through Grow Pittsburgh, funded by AmeriCorps. Her work is centered in the second and third grade classrooms of two public elementary schools. She and the children are exploring growing and harvesting food, the nutritional benefits of eating locally, and how to cook. Now in its fifth year in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, The Edible Schoolyard is the fruit of collaboration between school personnel, teachers, parents, community members, and the nonprofit organization Grow Pittsburgh.
Marissa Benner ’09 Buck, Portland, Ore., is a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. Her husband, Samuel Buck ’09, is an accountant at AKT.
Jennie Carr, MA ’09 (education), Harrisonburg, Va., was one of five EMU alumni honored at the Rockingham County Public Schools/Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. annual awards and recognition program on May 16, 2011. She was one of 24 teachers honored as “2011 Teachers of the Year.” Jennie teaches fourth grade at Elkton Elementary School.
Julie Denlinger ’09, Lancaster, Pa., received an MA in social work from Temple University in January 2011. She is working on a play certification program also through Temple. She works at Presbyterian Ridge Adoption Agency as an adoption counselor.
Patrick Ressler ’09, Harrisonburg, Va., is an admissions counselor in the undergraduate admissions department of EMU. Previously, he was the director of the 3v3 Super Soccer Shootout in Lancaster, Pa. He was also the head coach of the junior varsity soccer team at Conestoga Valley High School. Patrick is also an assistant coach for the Royals’ men’s soccer team.
Benjamin Ruth ’09, Hershey, Pa., began his first year of medical studies at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the fall of 2011.
Regina Wenger ’09, formerly of Lancaster., Pa., began serving as youth minister at Waynesboro Mennonite Church in Waynesboro, Va. Regina is the daughter of Mark ’79 and Kathryn Weaver ’72 Wenger. Mark served as the pastor of Springdale Mennonite Church in Waynesboro for a number of years.
2010-
Jeannine Cinco, MA ’10 (conflict transformation), St. Charles. Mo., has decided to become a nun. In October 2011, she went to a discernment retreat and felt called to become affiliated with a new Catholic order, Daughters of Mary, Our Lady of Nazareth, founded by Sister Olga, a native of Iraq. Since becoming a nun is a long process, it may take Jeannine seven years to reach her goal. Since her graduation with an MA in May of 2010, Jeannine has taught theology at a Catholic high school in St. Louis and is in charge of the school’s service learning program. She volunteers as a social worker with the Center for Survivors of Torture and Trauma. Prior to studying at EMU, Jeannine spent a year as a Catholic Relief Services volunteer in Kenya, working at a vocational school for disadvantaged girls.
Kevin D. Humphries, MBA ’10, Harrisonburg, Va., has been named to the board of directors of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, in Harrisonburg. Kevin is a certified public account partner in PBGH of Harrisonburg. He has more than 30 years of accounting, audit, tax, and consulting experience focused on not-for-profit organizations. He earned a BS degree from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va.
Darrel Miller ’10, Harrisonburg, Va., is working as a procurement specialist for Shenandoah Growers in Harrisonburg.
Heidi Muller ’10, Harrisonburg, Va., is project and office coordinator in the marketing and communications department at EMU.
Muigai Ndokak, MA ’10 (conflict transformation), and his wife Valerie Rogers Muigai have been named country co-representatives for Uganda for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). They will be based in the capital city of Kampala as of July 2012. Valerie has been a residence director at EMU since 2008. Previously Muigai and Valerie worked in Tanzania at a center for rehabilitating street children. Muigai is a native of Kenya and Valerie is a native of the United States.
Duane Ringler ’10, Ephrata, Pa., was ordained as associate pastor of Bowmansville Mennonite Church on May 22, 2011.
Karissa Sauder ’10, Boston, Mass., is a first-year law student at Harvard Law School. Karissa noted, “Harvard Law School has a growing commitment to public interest work and alternative dispute resolution. I just started working as an intern for the Program on Negotiation where I’ve connected with other people who also care about peacebuilding, restorative justice, and conflict resolution.”
Jonathan Spicher ’10, Hershey, Pa., began his initial year of medical studies at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the fall of 2011.
Sondra R. Seigfried ’10, Harrisonburg, Va., is a custodian at the physical plant of EMU.
Samfee Doe ’11, formerly of Cockeysville, Md., is a first-year student at St. George’s University (SGU) school of medicine in Grenada. She is spending 2011-12 as a Keith B. Taylor Global Scholar at Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, where she is learning about the National Health Service of the United Kingdom. She writes that “EMU’s courses prepared me well for medical school” and that she wrote her EMU advisor to thank her after her first month of graduate school.
Peyton Erb ’11, Harrisonburg, Va., is under assignment in Guatemala City, Guatemala, with TranSend of Virginia Mennonite Missions, as an assistant to Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS). CASAS is a nonprofit organization that focuses on curriculum development for youth and adults. Her responsibilities will include assisting students with housing arrangements and translation work.
Yvonne Stauffer ’11 Fajardo, Harrisonburg, Va., is the human resources assistant at EMU.
Kaitlin Hershberger Heatwole ’11, Harrisonburg, Va., is the office coordinator in EMU’s department of applied social sciences.
Jessica Hedrick ’11, Telford, Pa., is spending her first year as a teacher at the Lezha Academic Center in Albania, Europealong with fellow graduates, Kaitlyn Bontrager ’11 and Kristina Reinhardt ’11.
Braydon P. Hoover ’11, Elizabethtown, Pa., is assistant and database specialist for EMU’s alumni and parent relations department. Braydon was the work-study student in the department over the course of three years. He plans on taking a few years off from immersion in academics and then entering medical school.
Kelsey Landes ’11 of Harrisonburg, Va., began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2011 in Seattle, Wash., as a middle school, college and career planning coordinator with Treehouse.
Briana Eshleman ’11 Miller, Harrisonburg, Va., is working as a registered nurse at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg.
Brianna Oelschlager ’11, Sellersville, Pa., began her first year of medical studies at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the fall of 2011.
Jared Kent Stoltzfus, MDiv ’11, began serving as the youth director at Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola Pa., in August 2011.
Philip Tieszen ’11, Harrisonburg, Va., is an admissions counselor in the undergraduate admissions department of EMU. Western Virginia and North Carolina are his primary areas of responsibility.
Michael Tranum ’11, Bridgewater, Va., has joined DuPont Community Credit Union of Waynesboro, Va., as vice president for information technology. Michael has nine years of information technology consulting experience in a wide variety of industries. He previously worked at Pentagon Federal Credit Union.
Marriages
Janet Breneman ’72 to R. Wesley Newswanger ’67, May 7, 2011.
Ardell Stauffer ’81 to Amy Nissley, Oct. 8, 2011.
Ana Arias ’99 to Phillip Nisly ’97, Aug. 25, 2011.
Christina Hartman ’99 to Max Campbell, Dec. 2, 2011.
Lisa White ’99 to Lowell Brown, May 28, 2011.
Melinda Steffy ’03 to Matthew Lavanish, Nov. 20, 2011.
Emily Sommers ’04 to Dariush Meraj, Oct. 22, 2011.
Lindsay Martin ’05 to Matt Alan Styer ’05, Sept. 24, 2011.
Rebecca Stutzman ’05 to James Patterson, Aug. 13, 2011.
Carissa Sweigart ’06 to Timothy Gredler, Oct. 15, 2011.
Jason Ritter ’07 to Samantha Schantz, Aug. 7, 2011.
Matthew Eshleman ’08 to Amanda Hill, June 11, 2011.
Lachelle Rose Horst ’08 to Brian Hackman ’08, July 25, 2011.
Julie Miller MA ’08 (education), to Stacy Shiflet, July 30, 2011.
Keri Boshart ’09 to Drew Hochstetler, July 16, 2011.
Samuel Buck ’09 to Marissa Benner ’09, Sept.17, 2011.
Amy Miller ’09 to Jonathan Hershberger, June 11, 2011.
Katrina (Katie) Lehman ’09 to Jackson Maust ’09, Sept. 3, 2011.
Melissa Miller ’09 to Jerry Mammen ’09, Aug. 20, 2011.
Anna Elizabeth Smith ’09 to Gary LeRoger Parrish II ’09, Sept. 10, 2011.
Laura Lehman ’09 to Benjamin Ruth ’09, July 16, 2011.
Jennifer Ayers ’10 to Joseph Barton, Oct. 8, 2011.
Andrea Bowman ’10 to Aaron Yutzy ’10, Sept. 24, 2011.
Heidi Hershberger ’10 to Christopher Esh ’10, May 30, 2010.
Tony Fajardo-Gomez ’10 to Yvonne Stauffer ’11, Aug. 13, 2011.
Jennifer Hochstetler ’10 to Jonathan Spicher ’10, June 25, 2011.
Isaac Wyse ’10 to Rachel Yoder ’10, Sept. 16, 2011.
Benjamin Bergey ’11 to Katherine (Kate) Nussbaum ’10, Oct. 8, 2011.
Briana Eshleman ’11 to Darrel Miller ’10, May 28, 2011.
Michael Bruner ’11 to Luciana (Bia) Stoltzfus ’11, Sept. 24, 2011.
Kaitlin Black ’11 to Eric Yoder ’11, Aug 13, 2010.
Brooke Snyder ’11 to Jason Sprunger ’11, June 25, 2011.
Births & Adoptions
Brian ’91 and Christine McGillis Stauffer, Golden, Colo., Charlotte Anne, Dec. 14, 2010.
Timothy ’92 and Kirsten Johnsen Martin, Lancaster, Pa., Maya, March 4, 2011.
Sandy Waltner ’93 and Rob Huston, Goshen, Ind., Tobin (Toby) Rasul, adopted on January 6, 2011 from Kazakhstan. His birth date is Oct. 23, 2008.
Sherri Kurtz ’93 and Gary Peters, Alexandria, Va., Luke Robert, July 7, 2011.
Timothy ’95 and Nicolle Nogueras Swartzendruber, Silver Spring, Md., Shane Nogueras, July 31, 2011.
Evan Wenger ’95 and Carleen Layman-Wenger, Waynesboro, Va., Owen Burl, Sept. 11, 2011.
Melissa (Missy) Adamire ’96 and Shawn Delancey, Mifflintown, Pa., James Donald, April 14, 2011.
Marshall ’96 and Dione Yoder ’95 McDonald, Pasadena., Calif., Marissa Kate, Dec. 16, 2011.
Peter ’97 and Maria Kalugina Kraybill, Lancaster, Pa., Claudia Jean, April 7, 2010.
Brent ’97 and Jennifer (Jen) Voth ’97 Roland, Mechanicsburg, Pa., Lydia Ann, Aug. 2, 2010.
Perry ’98 and Rebecca (Miller) ’99 Shank, Denver, Colo., twins Hazel Jane and Olive Anne, Nov. 6, 2011.
Lew ’98 and Jean Briskey ’97 Wagner, Royal City, Wash., Malachi Aaron, Jan. 14, 2011.
Kirsten Brubaker ’99 and Adam Fuhr, Hickory, N.C., Lukas Allen, Sept. 12, 2011.
Sarah Christopher ’99 and Darrin Leichty ’00, West Liberty, Ohio, Elin Joy, Oct. 9, 2011.
James (Jimmy) ’99 and Kari Suter Miller, Elkton, Va., Henry James, Aug. 19, 2011.
Trina Trotter ’99 and Brian ’99 Nussbaum, Harrisonburg, Va., Julian Harold Trotter, Aug. 4, 2011.
Grant Rosenberger ’99 and Laura Dell’Olio ’99, State College, Pa., Cedric, April 21, 2011.
David ’99 and Julette Leaman Rush, ’95, MA ’02 (education), Harrisonburg, Va., Kyle David, July 2, 2011.
David ’00 and Rebekka Stutzman, Pasadena, Calif., Immanuel Lee, Nov. 2, 2011.
Steven ’00, MDiv ’05, and Katie Grove ’03 Swartzendruber, MA ’06 (counseling), Leesburg, Va., Lane Sydney, Aug. 4, 2011.
Mindy Nolt ’01 and Jared Hankee ’02, Lancaster, Pa., Willow Frances Nolt, July 29, 2011.
Tanya Siemens ’01 and Christopher J. Hoover ’00, Manitoba, Canada, Leo James, June 8, 2011.
Michelle Zook ’01 and Mike Kline, Belleville, Pa., Beulah Isabella, Aug. 19, 2011.
Amy Sommers ’01 and Mark Shelly, Uniontown, Ohio, Caroline Sarah, March 28, 2011.
Paul ’01 and Alicia Slaubaugh ’00 Berry, Harrisonburg, Va., Ellaryn Joy, Jan. 5, 2012.
Nathan ’01 and Jana Bentch ’03 Stoltzfus, Lancaster, Pa., Nuriah Psalm, Dec. 31, 2010.
Craig ’01 and Sharisa Keim ’98 Zook, Broadway, Va., Harper June, March 11, 2011.
Angela Kratzer ’01 and Todd Zuercher, Apple Creek, Ohio, Joshua Daniel, April 19, 2011.
Philip ’02 and Amy Blount, Bluffton, Ohio, Ryan, Jan. 21, 2011.
Hans ’02 and Sarah Link ’03 Harman, Harrisonburg, Va., Pace Elizabeth, Aug. 4, 2011.
Karen Spicher ’02 and Jae Young Lee MA ’03 (conflict transformation), Seoul, Korea, Lomie Spicher, Dec. 5, 2011.
Agwu (Ag) ’02 and Jennifer Cline ’04 Ukwa, Brambleton Va., Amarachi Rose, June 21, 2011.
Melody King ’03 and Mark Gornto King, Philadelphia, Pa., Leah Alice, Nov. 4, 2011.
Sara Unruh ’03 and Bradley Hiebert, Hutchinson, Kan., Mia Marie, Oct. 27, 2011.
Jennie Varner ’03 and Lincoln Nafziger, Archbold, Ohio, Trey Timothy, May 27, 2011.
Kevin ’94, Sem ’03, and Anna Nofziger, Lancaster, Pa., Katyarina (Katya) Rose, Aug. 23, 2011.
Ryan ’03 and Melissa Cassel Ritter, Broadway, Va., Isaac Joel, Oct. 10, 2011.
Gregory ’03 and April Gonzol ’04 Sachs, Harrisonburg, Va., Sylvia June, Nov. 24, 2011.
Adam Maust ’03 and Sarah Sensamaust, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Annaïs Violette, July 11, 2011.
Timothy ’03 and Tamara (Tama) Duncan ’04 Shoemaker, Harrisonburg, Va., Elena Cate, Aug. 22, 2011.
Braden (B.J.) ’04 and Sherah-Leigh Zehr ’04, MDiv ’09, Gerber, Apple Creek, Ohio, Anna Elizabeth, June 13, 2011.
Steve ’04 and Bethany Miller Gibbs, Port Republic, Va., William Seth, Sept. 12, 2011.
Cara Wagler ’04 and Tyler Kauffman ’05, Harrisonburg, Va., Delaney Jade, June 12, 2011.
Maria Joy Martin ’04 and Lester Shisler, Goshen, Ind., Roselynn Joie, Nov. 5, 2011.
Denver ’04 and Tara Gerber Steiner, Orrville, Ohio, Alethea Grace, Sept. 14, 2011.
Kara Freed ’04 and Jeff Thoman, London, Ohio, Jackson Leo, May 16, 2011.
Hannah Kratzer ’04 and Darrell Wenger, Harrisonburg, Va., Aaron Glen, Sept. 20, 2011.
Peter ’05 and Christy Harrison Sensenig, Wynnewood, Pa., Moses Peter, Dec. 22, 2011.
Erin Hurst ’05 and Chris Wenger, Harrisonburg, Va., Alisa Hurst Wenger, Sept. 17, 2011.
Camron ’06 and Leah Ritter ’08 Conrad, Churchville, Va., Corinna Jade, July 6, 2011.
Rochelle Zook ’05 and Nathanael Grieser ’06, Sarasota, Fla., Kinsley Faith, March 7, 2011.
Aaron (Holden) ’06 and Heidi Bowman ’04 Byler, Harrisonburg, Va., Sydney Hope, Oct. 29, 2011.
Eric ’06 and Stephanie Walton ’05 Sents, Broadway, Va., Addison Ruth, Aug. 21, 2011.
Josiah ’06 and Carmen Kennel ’07 Garber, Mountville, Pa., David James, July 5, 2011.
Robert (Rob) ’07 and Lori Arner, Holland, Pa., Grace Emily, Oct. 17, 2009.
Kumar Anuraj, MA ’07 (conflict transformation), and Jill Landis ’99, MA ’10 (conflict transformation) Jha, New York, N.Y., NaviyaLandis, July 2, 2011.
Katherine (Kate) Baker ’07 and James (Austin) Baer ’06, Hummelstown, Pa., Waylon Tiger, June 26, 2011.
Anniversaries
Hubert ’38 and Mildred Kauffman ’35 Pellman, Harrisonburg, Va., 70th, married June 11, 1941.
J. Lester ’50 and Lois Byler Brubaker, Lititz, Pa., 65th, married June 30, 1946.
Paul ’52, Sem ’53 and Ann Keener ’52 Gingrich, Goshen, Ind., 60th, married Aug. 11, 1951.
Lester ’52 and Lydia Diener Weber, Lititz, Pa., 60th, married Aug. 31. 1951.
George ’55 and Leona Gerber Hostetler, Rocky Ford, Colo., 60th, married Aug. 18, 1951.
Nevin J. Sr. ’61 and Lourene Godshall ’61 Bender, Harrisonburg, Va., 50th, married June 24, 1961.
Roger ’61, ’64 (bachelor of divinity), and Florence Byler ’61 Richer, Upland, Calif., 50th, married Aug. 25, 1961.
Werner ’60 and Grace Bontrager ’65 Will, Missoula, Mont., 50th, married Dec. 28, 1961.
Deaths
Alice Ruth Kauffman ’32 Gingerich, Hesston, Kan., died on Aug. 16, 2011 in Schowalter Villa at the age of 100. She was the daughter of Daniel Kauffman, a leader in the Mennonite Church. She grew up in the tight-knit Mennonite Publishing House community in Scottdale, Pa. In 1928, she drove her parents and young sister, Fanny, from Scottdale, to Hesston, Kansas, in a Model T. Trained as a teacher, Alice was unable to find a position in the 1930s economy, so she took a job as a hired girl for a family in Reading, Pa., and later worked at the Mennonite Children’s Home in Kansas City, Kan. She married Fred Kauffman in 1934. In 1947, Alice and Fred moved their young family to Chappell, Neb., where Alice was a pastor’s wife, a role she played for the next 40 years. During their time in Nebraska, Alice began writing for publication, first in articles for Christian Living magazine, and later in The Life and Times of Daniel Kauffman (1954), a biography of her beloved “Papa.” She served as literature secretary for the Women’s Missionary and Service Commission (WMSC) of the Mennonite Church, editing the monthly WMSC Voice and traveling to New York by train each year for the American Bible Society meeting. Together, after Chappell, Neb., and Julesburg, Colo., Fred and Alice served Mennonite churches in Alpha, Minn., Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Crystal Springs, Kan., and several interim pastorates. Alice was a loyal and supportive companion in all their ministries, including a three-year teaching assignment in Hubbard, Ore.
Boyd Stauffer ’33, Tofield, Alberta, Canada, died at Tofield Long Term Care on June 4, 2011 at the age of 98. At age 15, Boyd accepted Christ as his personal Savior. This decision had a major impact on how he lived the remainder of his life. He started his schooling at Solberg, Alberta. In 1922, his parents moved to a farm east of Tofield where Boyd attended the Tofield School for the remainder of his elementary and high school education. In 1932 he boarded the train for Harrisonburg, Va., where he attended Eastern Mennonite School. After college he returned to Tofield where he worked for his father in the International Harvester Dealership. His responsibilities included selling parts and delivering gas to farmers. In 1942, he began farming and also clerked farm auctions for Don Ball Auctioneers. His church involvements included a variety of responsibilities, such as helping with the Sunday school outreach in Poe, Alberta, ministry to Laotian refugees, and serving as the treasurer for the mission board.
Kathryn (Mae) Buckwalter ’34 Hoover, formerly of Parkesburg and Shank, Pa., died at Landis Homes in Lititz, Pa., at the age of 100 on July 18, 2011. In addition to homemaking, she worked intermittently as a telephone operator in the Pennsylvania towns of Atglen, Gap, Intercourse, Parkesburg, West Chester, and at Embreeville State Hospital. After 30 years of farming near Parkesburg, she and her husband moved to Sullivan County where she managed a KOA camp. She was a member and president of the Octorara School Board, coordinator for the Fresh Air Program and chair for the Chester County Migrant Ministry. Mae participated in various expressions of congregational life, including teaching Sunday school and Bible school and was deeply committed to the broader Church and its outreach. She was a member of Wheelerville Mennonite Church, now Faith Mountain Fellowship, and after moving to Landis Homes in 2001 became a member of the Landis Homes Fellowship.
Arlene M. Eby ’35 (HS), Blainsport, Pa., died Mar. 30, 2011 at Landis Homes in Lititz, Pa. at the age of 93. Arlene served with her husband, Wilmer (deceased), in his role as pastor of Blainsport Mennonite Church, Reinholds, Pa. As a newly married couple, Arlene and Wilmer founded the congregation near Cocalico, Pa. Arlene was a volunteer at Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata, Pa. and Landis Homes for many years.
Ezra W. Shenk ’35 (HS), Wellman, Iowa, died April 23, 2011 at Parkview Manor in Wellman at the age of 95. When Ezra was nine, he became caregiver for his father who had become an invalid by that time. Despite considerable responsibility at this early age, he completed high school, often working late on the farm, rising early to be able to do so. He then attended college and graduated from Goshen College in 1938 with a double major in history and English. Later, he earned an MA in elementary education at the University of Iowa. In 1948, the Daytonville Mennonite Church in the village of Daytonville, Iowa was founded, where Ezra was ordained as minister on Ascension Day in 1951. When a number of elderly folk expressed their concern to Ezra as to where they would go when they became sick, Ezra decided to build a “house” for them. The “house” eventually grew into Shenk Nursing Home. It was later sold and is now Parkview Manor. Ezra’s second wife, Sara Kauffman Shenk ’64 survives.
Naomi Nissley ’37 Limont, Lancaster, Pa., a resident of Homestead Village, died Dec. 5, 2010 at Hospice of Lancaster County at the age of 91. Naomi was a 1950 graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, coordinated with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She received her MA in fine arts at Tyler School of Art at Temple University. Naomi spent a lifetime as an exhibiting fine artist. Her memberships included the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Alumni Association; The Philadelphia Water Color Club; The American Color Print Society, where she was president from 1983 to 1988; the Print World Directory of Contemporary Prints; and the National Guild of Book Workers. Naomi was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster and the Germantown Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
Lena Mast ’38 Umble, Lititz, Pa., died at the age of 91 at Landis Homes on Sept. 5, 2011. Lena was a member of Maple Grove Mennonite Church in Atglen, Pa. She was a faithful member of the congregation’s women’s sewing circle. She enjoyed committee work with Mennonite Women and attending conference meetings. Lena was a talented quilter, quilting many for her family, including one for each of her 18 great-grandchildren, for benefit auctions and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Lena’s hobby was keeping a diary, which she began at age 14 and in which she made her last entry in December 2006.
Jacob R. Batterman, Sr. ’39 (HS), Bridgewater, Va., died at Bridgewater Retirement Community July 24, 2011 at the age of 90. He served in Civilian Public Service (CPS) as a conscientious objector to military service from 1941-1946. Jacob was retired from Amp Corporation where he had worked as a machinist. He was a member of Weavers Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg.
Mary Hertzler ’40 (HS) Grove, Stuarts Draft, Va., died April 8, 2011 at the Stuarts Draft Christian Home at the age of 97. She was a homemaker. Mary was a member of Springdale Mennonite Church of Waynesboro, Va., where she taught Sunday school and was active in other functions in the congregation.
James R. Hess ’50, ’51 (bachelor of theology), Lancaster, Pa., died Dec. 20, 2011, at the age of 85. James and his spouse, Beatrice Hershberger Hess, went to Honduras in 1951 to serve 19 years as missionaries under Eastern Mennonite Missions. In 1970, the Hesses returned to the U.S. and James became pastor of East Chestnut Mennonite Church in Lancaster. He was later ordained bishop of the Lancaster City district of Mennonite Churches, the role from which he retired in 1994. In retirement, James was a Tabernacle lecturer and Spanish tour guide at the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster. He was a member of Mellinger Mennonite Church in Lancaster.
Sanford A. King ’50, Harrisonburg, Va., died May 20, 2011 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg at the age of 90. Sanford and his wife, Mary Martin ’45 (deceased), served in a number of Mennonite churches in Virginia, including Crossroads, Zion, Ridgeway, Harrisonburg, Greenmonte, Stuarts Draft, Mountain View, and Lyndhurst. He also served as pastor of Crest Hill Mennonite Church, Wardensville, W. Va., from 1978 to 1989. By profession he was a plumber, retiring from Blauch Brothers in 1982.
Norman D. Kauffman ’50, ’84 Sem, Kalispell, Mont., went to his eternal reward on June 5, 2011, at the age of 87. Norman began his life of service to others as a conscientious objector during WWII, serving mostly as a forest fire-fighter in the Civilian Public Service. In early 1946, he became a crew member on the U.S.S. Mount Whitney, transporting horses to post-war Poland under the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Act. Following the war, he attended Hesston College and Eastern Mennonite College. In 1950, he married Margaret Stutzman, moved to Goshen, Ind., and became the first principal of Clinton Christian Day School. Next he taught at Johnstown Mennonite School in Pennsylvania, followed by Evergreen School in Kalispell. In 1970 Norman became pastor of White Chapel Mennonite Church, remaining for 12 years. He and Margaret then moved to Harrisonburg, Va., where he was pastor of Elkton Mennonite Church while employed at EMU’s physical plant. In retirement the couple returned to the Flathead Valley of Montana. Life changed in December 2006 when Norman went to get a newspaper and failed to return home. Margaret discovered him lying on the icy sidewalk. He suffered a severe head injury and for the remaining four years of his life his home was Heritage Place in Kalispell. He is survived by his wife and their five sons and their children.
James (Jim) V. Rohrer, Sr., ’50, Harrisonburg, Va., died on Nov. 29, 2011 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg at age 83. After graduating from Eastern Mennonite School in 1946, Jim spent the summer as a “sea-going cowboy” on a ship transporting livestock to war-ravaged Europe. He received an MEd from the University of Virginia in 1956. From 1949 until his retirement in 1991, he was employed by Rockingham (Va.) County Schools. He began his career as a teacher at the Bergton School. He served as principal of Broadway Elementary School and as the first principal of John C. Myers Intermediate School. He became the supervisor of intermediate schools and then the director of instructional media for the county. In 1966, Jim was the longest running contestant and grand champion of the local (Harrisonburg) television quiz show “Pyramid Quiz,” winning a 1966 Rambler auto. James was a member of Linville Creek Church of the Brethren and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Crossroads Heritage Center.
Lorene Troyer Martin ’51, Locust Grove, Va., died June 27, 2011 at the age of 88. She attended a nursing school in Cleveland, Ohio. Lorene assisted her husband, J. Weldon Martin ’42, ThB ’51, in his role as pastor of Hispanic churches in Mathis and Corpus Christi, Tex., Chicago, Ill., Defiance, Ohio, Goshen, Ind., and Harrisonburg, Va. Lorene was not just the minister’s wife. She performed as organist, Sunday school superintendent, youth group leader, taught English as a second language and child care classes, and translated for doctors during routine visits and deliveries. After “retirement,” Weldon and Lorene planted another Hispanic church in Harrisonburg with Grace Covenant Church and spent many hours helping its members. Following Weldon’s death in 1998, she moved to Heritage Haven of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, where she continued to translate for several more years. In 2007, due to her declining health, Lorene moved to the home of her daughter, Carol, in Locust Grove.
Margaret G. Derstine ’52, Souderton, Pa., died June 12, 2011 at the Mennonite Home at the age of 83. Margaret graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School in addition to EMC and Millersville College (University). She served four years in Cuba teaching Bible Classes and 38 years in education. For 28 of those years, she worked at Locust Grove Mennonite School as a teacher and librarian. She also worked at the Mennonite Information Center for 19 years. She was a member of Forest Hills Mennonite Church where she taught an adult Sunday school class many years and served on numerous committees. She served on the Board of Directors for Menno Housing as well as the Board of Directors of Choice Books of Pennsylvania.
Edith Weaver ’52 McCroskie, Port Orchard, Wash., died of cancer at Kitsap County Hospice Center Aug. 25, 2011 at the age of 84. She was the owner of Past and Presents Gift Shop in Manchester, Wash. for many years and enjoyed gardening.
Hazel Miller ’53 Kinzer, Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 15, 2011 in Courtyard Healthcare at the age of 87. She taught elementary school for many years for Goshen Community Schools. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. In addition to EMU, Hazel was an alumna of Goshen College and Ball State University. She was a member of Goshen College Mennonite Church.
Herbert Eugene (Gene) Herr, class of ’54, Hesston, Kan., passed away at age 79 on Jan. 1, 2012, in Hesston. After studying at EMC, Gene graduated from Goshen College in Indiana with a degree in Bible. His graduate education spanned several institutions: Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.; Phillips University in Enid, Okla. (MA in religious education); Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. (MDiv); and St. Paul School of Theology in St. Paul, Minn., where he completed coursework toward a doctorate in ministry. Gene was ordained into the ministry on May 15, 1955, while serving as pastor at Kingview Mennonite Church in Scottdale, Pa. He went on to serve in leading ministerial roles in churches and church-linked institutions over the next three decades. From 1985-2001, Gene and his wife Mary were the founding directors of The Hermitage Retreat Center in Three Rivers, Mich.. After retiring in 2001, Gene spent five months in Northern Ireland, working at the Columbanus Community of Reconciliation. He also volunteered with the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica and the Harvey County Homeless Shelter in Newton, Kan. Through the years, across many roles and diverse settings, he answered the call to serve and help and was a gracious host to guests from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He is survived by his wife, Mary Herr, of Newton, Kan.
Anna C. Shertzer ’55, Lancaster, Pa., died Oct. 19, 2011 at the age of 89, at the Mennonite Home Communities in Lancaster where she was a resident for the past three years. Anna was a teacher at Conestoga Christian Day School, Morgantown, Pa., for 38 years. She was an accomplished artist in her earlier years and enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Anna was an active member of the former Columbia Mennonite Church, Columbia, Pa., where she taught Sunday School and summer Bible school.
Martha Bender ’56 Stoddard, Kalona, Iowa, died Feb. 7, 2011 at Pleasantview Home at the age of 92. She completed her education in Newport News, Va., to become a registered nurse. Martha was a missionary nurse in Nigeria for a number of years. She also served at the Pleasantview Home as a nurse for 10 years. She was a member of the Salem Mennonite Fellowship Church.
Grace Gehman ’57 Aungst, McAlisterville, Pa., died Jan 30, 2010 at her residence at the age of 83. Grace graduated from Penn State College with a degree in home economics. She served as a missionary for 11 years in East Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya affiliated with both Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and MCC. She was a homemaker and frequently volunteered in her community. Grace attended the Church of the Living Water in Mifflin, Pa.
Margaret Fries ’58, Chesapeake, Va., died at age 76 on Jan. 11, 2012. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Mennonite Church, where she was involved in various church groups. She was an X-ray technician for many years, including working for Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.
Vernon Zehr, Jr. ’58, Greenwood, Del., died October 16, 2011 at age 77. Vernon graduated from the University of Delaware in 1969 with a master’s degree in elementary and special education. He served as pastor of First Mennonite Church in Wilmington, Del., and was a teaching principal at Richardson Park Elementary School. Vernon was on the board of the Sunday Breakfast Mission for homeless men for 30 years and worked as a counselor at the mission.
Esther S. Jones ’61, Goshen, Ind., died at the age of 85 on Dec. 8, 2011, in the Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital. She made her home in the Greencroft Community for the past seven years. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She taught school in Pennsylvania and Ohio for 35½ years, as well as teaching in Colombia, South America, for a year.
James Edwin Wenger ’61, Columbia, S.C., died in his home on Aug. 11, 2011 at the age of 72. James earned an MA in theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Tex., and a master of education degree at the University of the Americas in Cholula, Mexico. He served 12 years as a missionary in Latin America with Central American Mission. From 1979 to 1996, he was a professor of distance education and cross-cultural ministries at Columbia International University (CIU), where he assisted in establishing an academic relationship between CIU and The Academy of World Missions in Korntal, Germany. A lifelong learner, James completed his formal education with a DMin from Western Seminary, Portland, Ore. He finished his career with Crusade for Christ, working with faculty at secular university campuses. James was a member of Cornerstone Church in Columbia.
Ruth Sauder ’66 Durborow, Mount Joy, Pa., died May 17, 2001 at Hospice of Lancaster County at the age of 72. Ruth received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from EMU and a master’s degree in adult education from Indiana University. Early in her career, she taught at Locust Grove Mennonite School. She served with Eastern Mennonite Missions in Honduras and Guatemala. She also was director of Millersville International House. She was a member of East Petersburg Mennonite Church where she taught Sunday school and was a part-time secretary.
Paul Godshall ’70, Norristown, Pa., died peacefully in his sleep in his home on Sept. 9, 2011, at the age of 71. As a teenager, he entered voluntary service with a church in Matthias, Tex. He met Catherine (Cathy) Yost ’60 at EMU, whom he married. They were missionaries in Mexico City for 15 years under the Franconia Mennonite Board of Mission and Charities. The family then moved to Elkhart, Ind., where Paul received an MDiv degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He then worked as a counselor. In 1991, Paul was called to be the pastor of the Durham Mennonite Church. Upon retiring in 2006, he and Cathy moved to Norristown and entered a three-year term of service with Mennonite Central Committee in West Papua, Indonesia, teaching in a theological school. Paul is survived by Cathy.
Kenneth L. Horning, Sr. ’70, MDiv ’77, Fleetwood, Pa., died July 7, 2011 in his home at the age of 76. He served as pastor at Oley Mennonite Church from 1972-1984 and Groveland Mennonite Church. In addition, he was an interim pastor in eight congregations in the Franconia, Atlantic Coast, and Lancaster Conferences of Mennonite Church USA. He was also a farmer, painter, and carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Selena Mast Horning.
Julia Ellen Mumma ’71, Parkesburg, Pa., died Dec. 12, 2011 at age 62, at the Essa Flory Hospice Center, Lancaster, Pa., after a seven-year battle with cancer. She followed her nursing degree at EMC with a master’s degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Julia continued nursing at Lancaster General Hospital long after her cancer diagnosis because she loved her work. Julia played the piano and sang in choirs in high school, college and church. She was active in her children’s school and church, and helped establish a youth program at Mount Pleasant Mennonite Church in Chesapeake, Va. She enjoyed learning and teaching about other cultures and being creative with crafts and decorating in the home. In her mid-fifties, she spent several highly enjoyable years in the Czech Republic teaching English and traveling.
Donald Wertz ’71, Goshen, Ind., died Oct. 22, 2010 at the age of 61. Don was a truck driver, working for Wertz Trucking, Inc., Viking Formed Products, and Steury Boat Company. Don loved to sing. He sang in the church choir, Evergreen Singers, and for over 40 weddings of family and friends. Don also sang in the Dutch Family Festival and in The Pirates of Penzance at the Bristol Theatre.
Irene J. Kanagy ’73, Indianapolis, Ind., died Aug. 15, 2011, at the age of 61. Irene taught English at Central Christian High School in Kidron, Ohio, from 1973-1977. She spent the next year touring the east and west coasts of the United States with a drama and musical group known as Covenant Players from California. Following this, she returned to her hometown of Belleville, Pa., where she taught English at Belleville Mennonite High School from 1978-1982. Irene moved to Elkhart, Ind., where she lived for three years, taking classes at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in addition to working. She settled in Indianapolis in 1985 and lived there until her death. She received an MDiv degree in counseling and religion in 1989 and a master’s in sacred theology in 1990 from the Christian Theological Seminary of Indianapolis. She was a licensed marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor. From 1990 until she became ill, she worked as a therapist for the Employee Assistance Program at Community Hospital in Indianapolis. She was a member of Shalom Mennonite Church where she served in many leadership roles.
Barbara Bowers Barrow, MDiv ’75, of Lynchburg, Va., died Dec. 5, 2011 at the age of 71. She received her BS degree in business administration from Davis-Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va, in 1968, and an MA in counselor education from James Madison University (JMU) in 1977. Barbara was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1978. She served as director of the Wesley Foundation at JMU; pastor of United Methodist Churches in Edinburg and Lynchburg; district superintendent of the Harrisonburg District of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Virginia Conference director of higher education and campus ministry. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Vernie Barrow.
Phyllis Jean Shenk ’77 King, Dayton, Va., died on Aug. 12, 2011 at the age of 56. She taught school for 5 years in Shenandoah County and for 16 years in Rockingham County, both in Virginia. She was a member of Christ the King Episcopal Church. Phyllis was especially interested in biking, hiking, cooking, reading, and gardening. She is survived by her husband, Sanford ’76, her brother, Keaton Shenk ’75, and her two sons and their spouses, Derek and Becca and Martin and Amber.
James (Jim) E. Millen, Jr. ’78, Akron, Pa., died at Landis Homes on July 2, 2011 at the age of 79. He was the long-time owner of Akron Insurance in addition to owning businesses in manufacturing, book distribution, and a restaurant. Jim combined his love for golf and real estate in building the Hawk Valley Golf Course. An avid sportsman, he hunted locally and in Alaska and Africa. He enjoyed being a pilot, flying for business, family and charity. Jim was a charter member of Akron Mennonite Church.
Christopher J. Yoder ’94, Harrisonburg, Va., died Aug. 31, 2011 at the age of 40. Chris was an artist, musician, and avid reader with a keen mind. He was affiliated with Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg.
Jody R. Knepp ’02 Schudel, Kalona, Iowa, died June 6, 2011 at the age of 31, following a courageous four and a half year battle with brain cancer. Jody graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1998. She was employed at Rockwell-Collins in Coralville for the past six years. She was a member of the East Union Mennonite Church.
Marilyn “Grammy” Long Davis ’03 of Keysville, Va., died Nov. 15, 2011 at the age of 49. She was the youth coordinator for the Farmville District United Methodist Church and a member of Keysville United Methodist Church. Marilyn is survived by her spouse, George L. Davis MA ’07 (counseling) and five children, one of which, Joshua ’11, is an EMU alumnus and current seminary student.
Corrections
The year of birth of Graham Elliot Strite, son of Ryan ’99 and Angela (Angie) Longenecker ’02 Strite in the summer 2011 issue of Crossroads was incorrect. The correct date is March 30, 2011.
Sandra Waltner Huston ’93 lives in Goshen, Ind. (not Berne, Ind.)
Degree Key
CLASS OF – attended as part of the class of a given graduation year, but did not complete studies here
HS – high school degree from era when high school and college were one
MA – master of arts
MDiv – master of divinity
PhD – doctoral degree
SEM – certificate or other studies at the seminary level
Mileposts is compiled by retired physician Paul T. Yoder ’50, MAL ’92, who may be reached at paul.t.yoder@emu.edu or at 540-432-4205. Feel free to send news directly to Paul or to the alumni office at alumni@emu.edu.
