Paul H. Gehman

With tender hearts, we announce that our beloved father, Paul H. Gehman, 88, passed away peacefully after a two-year battle with cancer on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Fairmount, Ephrata, where he had lived since 2024. While we will miss him deeply, we rejoice knowing he is now in the presence of the Savior he loved and served throughout his life. Born on May 21, 1938, in Clay Township, he was the son of the late Edwin and Ada (Horst) Gehman.

Our dad was a man of steady faith, quiet strength, and gentle wisdom. He didn’t just talk about loving God—he lived it. Whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or a prayer offered in faith, he made people feel seen, heard, and cared for. He had a way of talking with anyone and everyone, often leaving them more encouraged than when they first met him. He faithfully served as a deacon at Red Run Mennonite Church for many years and was most recently a member of Groffdale Mennonite Church.

He spent his working years as a carpenter, and it fit him perfectly. He loved building things with his hands, solving problems, and doing things the right way. He lived with integrity—if he said he would do something, you could count on it. That same care showed up in the way he lived, loved, and served his family. At home, his workshop was a place of creativity and purpose. Woodworking wasn’t just a hobby; it was one of the ways he showed love. So many family projects were done side-by-side with him—fixing, building, measuring, laughing, and figuring things out together. Those moments became memories we will carry forever. After retiring from carpentry, he continued to follow God’s call by serving as a chaplain at Fairmount for 12 years. He found deep joy in listening to people’s stories, praying with them, and offering hope, comfort, and encouragement, reminding them they were not alone.

One of God’s greatest gifts to him was his beloved wife, Edith Gehman, whom he married on August 9. This year, they would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Through the joys and challenges of life, they built a home rooted in faith, hard work, and devotion to the Lord and to their family. Together, they were blessed with four children: Daryl L., husband of Carol (Raifsnyder), Kinross, IA; Dale L., husband of Brenda (Beyer), Akron; Donna L., wife of Dana Good, Strasburg; and Denise L., wife of Jeffrey Trupe, Denver; along with 24 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. His family was among the greatest joys of his life. He is also survived by his siblings, Marie Witmer, Leroy Gehman and Earl Gehman. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Glen Gehman and Kole Trupe.

We will miss his voice, his wisdom, his hands, and his gentle presence. But we are grateful beyond words for the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of faith, kindness, integrity, and service.

We find peace in knowing he is now whole, healed, and home, hearing the words he lived for: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM, at Groffdale Mennonite Church, 168 North Groffdale Road, Leola, PA, with Tom Eshelman and Carl Sensenig officiating. A viewing will be held at the church on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Tuesday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will occur immediately following the funeral service in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA, 17601, or https://www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org/in-honor-in-memory-gifts/.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.