Luke L. Horst

Luke L. Horst, 97, a resident of Landis Homes, transitioned to his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. He was the husband of the late Ruth King Horst who died in 2013. Born in Brecknock Twp, Berks County, PA he was the son of the late Elmer K. and Katie Buckwalter Horst.

Luke was ordained as a minister in the Mennonite Church in 1943 and served for 26 years as a pastor at Fairview Mennonite Church in Reading PA. In 1950 he attended a one-year program for ministers at Eastern Mennonite College. In 1969 he was ordained as a bishop in the Bowmansville-Reading District of the Mennonite Church. Following his retirement, he served for one year among the congregations of the Gulf States Conference and for three years as overseer for Lancaster Conference churches in the New England area. For more than 30 years Luke was a board member of The Sword and Trumpet magazine in Harrisonburg VA. His gifts and abilities were also used in service with various parachurch organizations. He was a member of Gehman Mennonite Church.

Luke loved family reunions and family hymn sings. He enjoyed table games, especially Scrabble, and was a competitive player of shuffleboard, pool, quoits and horseshoes. He was an avid reader.

Surviving are six daughters: Naomi wife of James Weaver of Lancaster, Esther wife of Lewis Martin of Reinholds, Ellen Helmuth of Bethlehem, Margaret wife of John David Frost of Stoneville NC, Nancy Perkins of Stoneville NC, and Dorcas wife of Graham Cyster of Lititz; a son Thomas husband of Thelma (Weaver) Horst of Lancaster; 18 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Samuel Horst of Harrisonburg VA and John husband of June Horst of Elizabethtown, and a sister Orpah Kurtz of West Jefferson NC, and by special friend Millie Shellenberger. He was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Ronald Helmuth and Spencer Perkins, and by six siblings.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 9, at 2:00 pm at Bowmansville Mennonite Church, 129 Pleasant Valley Road, East Earl PA. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family prior to the memorial service. A Viewing will be held on Saturday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in the West Bethany Chapel at Landis Homes, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz PA. The family will also greet friends following the service on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Luke’s memory may be made to the Caring Fund at Landis Homes, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz PA 17543.