J. Mark Stauffer
A professor emeritus of music at Eastern Mennonite University died Mar. 14, 2004, at Menno-Haven Retirement Community in Chambersburg, Pa.
J. Mark Stauffer, 85, taught music courses and led choirs at EMU from 1939 to 1976. He had been a chaplain at Menno-Haven and Mennonite Village in Chambersburg where he resided since 1979.
Many will remember Stauffer for his leadership in the choral music program and especially as director of the traditional alumni rendition of “The Holy City” by A. R. Gaul during annual homecoming weekend.
The Altoona, Pa., native was choral director for seven years of the former “Mennonite Hour” radio broadcasts produced by Mennonite Media. He was pastor of the Charlottesville Mennonite Church, 1961-77, and chaplain of the Cedars and the Towers nursing facilities in Charlottesville during that same time period.
He completed a two-year program at the former Eastern Mennonite College and earned a B.S. degree from Madison College (now James Madison University). He attended Julliard School of Music in New York City and received his MA degree from George Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn.
J. Mark’s grandson, EMU sophomore Michael Stauffer, is currently with the cross-cultural group in the Middle East. Grandson Hunter Hess is a student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.
His wife, Eva Hostetter Stauffer, a Denbigh, Va., native, died Feb. 25, 1997. They were married Dec. 24, 1939.
Survivors include a son, Dr. John Stauffer of New Market, Va.; two daughters, Margaret Corle of Lancaster, Pa.; and Evelyn Baer of Hagerstown, Md.; a sister Margaret Alger of Dayton, Va.; a brother, James K. Stauffer of Harrisonburg; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Mar. 27 at Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg. Interment is at Lindale Mennonite Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to EMU, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802 or Menno Haven, Inc., 1217 Arbor Ridge, Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.