Obituaries
Jonas R. "J.P." Petersheim
Mar 19, 2026
Jonas R. “J.P.” Petersheim, 87, of New Holland, passed away at Farimount Homes, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, following a brief illness.
His beloved wife, Anne Zook Petersheim, whom he cherished for 53 years, died in 2019. Born in Ronks, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Rachel Riehl Petersheim.
J.P. retired from Sight and Sound Ministries, after 27 years...
Tina
Mar 19, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Tina, John’s beloved pug, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on March 19, 2026.Adopted on May 13, 2025, Tina brought joy, love and laughter into my life every single day. Whether we were cuddling, she was jumping and nipping at my pants whenever I came home or dancing together to Dominic...
Mary Elizabeth Martin Lowry
Mar 17, 2026
Mary Elizabeth Mentzer Martin Lowry, 90, of New Holland, Pennsylvania, went to be with her Lord and Savior, on March 17, 2026.
Born to Ellis Kling Mentzer and Ruth Emma Ranck on October 18,1935, Mary lived most of her life on farms south of New Holland. She graduated from Upper Leacock High School in 1953 and was an active member of...
Jacob L. Smucker
Mar 17, 2026
Jacob L. Smucker, 71, of Narvon, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Churchtown, he was the son of the late Elmer and Fannie Smucker. He was the loving husband of Barbara F. (Stoltzfus) Smucker, with whom he would have shared 47 years of marriage this month.
Jacob was a man of...
Rev. Brian E. Gring Sr.
Mar 15, 2026
Reverend Brian E. Gring, Sr., 69, of Morgantown, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Eugene M. Gring and Doris Ann (McFarland) Gring.
Brian was the loving husband of Linda J. (Dentel) Gring, with whom he shared 48 blessed years of marriage, grounded in faith,...
Marilyn Metzler Martin
Mar 15, 2026
Marilyn Bowman Martin, 68, of East Earl, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
She was the wife of Clarence H. Martin. Born in Blue Ball, she was the daughter of the late Raymond S. and Ruth Metzler Bowman.
Marilyn was a homemaker and a member of Metzler Mennonite Church. Marilyn loved to call people and recite scripture,...
Joyce W. Eby
Mar 13, 2026
Joyce W. (Sensenig) Eby, 74, of Denver, peacefully went to be with the Lord on March 13, 2026, with her four daughters by her side.
Born in Ephrata, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Miriam (Wanner) Sensenig.
She was the wife of the late Earl Z. Eby, whom she shared 48 years of marriage until his passing on...
Jeffrey R. Martin
Mar 11, 2026
Jeffrey R. Martin, 68, of New Holland, PA, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. His family is devastated by his sudden departure but takes comfort in knowing he is with his Lord.
Born in Lancaster, PA, Jeff lived his entire life on his family farm in New Holland. He was the son of Janet G. (Hershey) Martin and the...
Barry Joseph Friel, Sr.
Mar 11, 2026
Barry Joseph “Joe” Friel. Sr., 62, of Odenton, MD passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Born in Phoenixville, he was the son of the late Jack and Edith Rafine Friel.
Joe graduated from Downingtown High School and then attended the Delaware County Municipal Police Academy. Joe retired as Police Chief of the Valley Township Police Department. In 2007,...
Kaylene M. Burkholder
Mar 10, 2026
Kaylene M. Burkholder, age 2 years, 2 months and 27 days,of Ephrata, entered into rest on March 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Lester and Lois Ann Burkholder. She attended Martindale Mennonite Church-Groffdale Conference with her family.
In addition to her parents, Kaylene is survived by her siblings, Joanna and Brendan at home, her grandparents,...
Grace L. Discavage
Mar 7, 2026
Grace (Smith) Discavage, 86, went home to be with the Lord on March 7, 2026. She passed peacefully with her devoted husband of 65 years, James Discavage, by her side.
She was born in Cresson, PA and was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary (Gailey) Smith.
In addition to her husband, James, she is survived by: Her son Michael and...
Leanne Y. Sensenig
Mar 6, 2026
Leanne Y. Sensenig, 52,of Narvon, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, March 6, 2026. She was the loving wife of Troy A. Sensenig for 33 years.
Born in Ephrata, she was the daughter of Larry S. Martin, Ephrata and the late Kathryn H. (Gehman) Martin.
Leanne was a homemaker who enjoyed crafting, card games and helping with her grandchildren. She was a...
Judith Ann Fisher
Mar 5, 2026
Judith Ann Fisher, 67, of East Earl, passed away at Lancaster General Hospital on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
She was married 42 years to Alan J. Fisher. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel Miller Yelk.
Judy retired from Garden Spot Village where she had been employed in the Housekeeping Department. She enjoyed crafting with her...
Kathryn Elizabeth Kochel
Mar 4, 2026
Kathryn E. Kochel, 97, a resident of Fairmount Homes, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
She was the wife of the late John H. Kochel who died in 2011. Born in Ephrata Twp, she was the daughter of the late Horace A. and Eva Stauffer Wanner.
Kathryn was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Denver.
Surviving are...
Betty Lou Watson
Mar 3, 2026
Betty was born and raised in Philadelphia. After graduating high school, she and an adventurous friend moved to Los Angeles, California. There she met Raymond Watson, her future husband, who had made a similar journey to LA from Maine. After marriage and having her son Thomas, they moved back east to be closer to their families. Ray’s work took them...
Ruth Ann Horning
Mar 3, 2026
Ruth Ann Horning, 83, of Brecknock Township passed peacefully at her home on Tuesday March 3, 2026, with family by her side.
Ruth Ann was the daughter of the late Paul W. and Anna Mary (Groff) Wise. She was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was wife of the late Harvey W. Horning Jr. with whom she shared...
Emma May Shirk
Mar 1, 2026
Emma May Shirk, 89, a resident of Maple Farm Nursing Center, passed away on March 1, 2026.
Born in East Earl, she was the daughter of the late Theodore Kenneth and Ida May (McAfee) Bannon.
She was the wife of the late I. Eugene Shirk, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage until the time of his passing on November 8,...
Amos G. Hahn
Feb 28, 2026
Amos G Hahn, 79, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL, from an acute blood infection. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Joy Coblentz, his brother, Norman Hahn, husband of Elizabeth, and two sisters, Anna wife of the late Warren Martin and baby Esther Hahn. He was a member of Weaverland Mennonite...
William C. Gable, Jr.
Feb 28, 2026
William C. “Bill” Gable, Jr., a lifelong resident of the New Holland and Blue Ball communities, passed away on February 28, 2026. Born to the late William C. Gable, Sr. and Janet L. Gable, Bill graduated from Garden Spot High School in 1969 and attended Muhlenberg College. His career included early work in information technology, with 25 years at Blue...
Erik M. Sherman
Feb 25, 2026
Erik M. Sherman, 43, passed away on February 25, 2026.
Erik lived and died with a tremendously courageous and resilient spirit; he had a quiet yet fierce inner strength. Erik's life can be a lesson for all of us. No amount of hardship, loss or pain can make us turn bitter or dim our own inner light unless we choose to...
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