Obituaries

Jul 23, 2025

Mary E. Kurtz, 97, of Elverson, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at home. Mary was one of eleven children, born to the late Milton and Irene (Hinnershitz) Fisher. Her husband, William L. Kurtz, passed away on December 9, 2003.

Mary was a beloved member of the Elverson community. She worshiped at Elverson United...

Jul 20, 2025

Charles “Chuck” Jay Groff, 71, loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away unexpectedly on July 20, 2025. Born in Lancaster, Chuck was the son of the late Benjamin and Carrie Groff.

Chuck owned and operated Groff’s Construction Company for more than 50 years in Lancaster County. He deeply loved his bird Solomon, camping...

Jul 17, 2025

Emma H. Witmer, 86, of New Holland, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025. She was born in West Earl Township, to her late parents, Jonas and Emma (Hoover) Good. Emma was married to Jacob W. Witmer for 64 years.

Emma was the former owner of Witmer Quilt Shop, and she was a member of Groffdale Mennonite...

Jul 15, 2025

Harvey Z. Hoover, 74, of 333 Reading Rd., East Earl, died unexpectedly of natural causes on July 15, 2025.

Born in East Earl, PA, he was the son of the late Paul and Emma (Zimmerman) Hoover.

He was a retired farmer and a member of Spring Grove Mennonite Church, Groffdale Conference....

Jul 13, 2025

Esther Z. Hoover, 86, of Narvon, PA, died on Sunday July 13, 2025, at her residence. Esther was born in Caernarvon Twp., to the late Joseph and Marth Shirk. She was the wife of Ivan N. Hoover for 64 years of marriage.

Esther was a homemaker and a member of the Churchtown Mennonite Church (Groffdale Conference).

Jul 12, 2025

Paul M. Snader, 92, of New Holland, passed away on July 12, 2025, at Garden Spot Village. Paul was born in Earl Twp., to his late parents, Moses and Martha (Martin) Snader. His wife, Doris J. (Hoober) Snader passed away in 2022.

Paul was a retired dairy farmer and worked for John Sauder Auto Company. A man...

Jul 12, 2025

Mildred N. Brubaker, 67, of Kinzers, passed away unexpectedly, on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

She was married 44 years to Eugene M. Brubaker. Born October 28, 1957, in Ephrata, she was the daughter of the late Elam and Frances Nolt Buckwalter.

Mildred was a homemaker and a member of the Pequea Mennonite Church, Weaverland Conference....

Jul 11, 2025

David Weaver, 64, of Gap, was a devoted husband, a loving father, and the best Pap his family could ever ask for.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and William, and his brother Glenn.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia; his children, Sherri, Deanna, and William; his grandson, Clayton; and...

Jul 10, 2025

Wilmer E. Messner, 86, of New Holland, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Wilmer was born in Narvon to his late parents, Leroy K. and Emma H. (Good) Messner. He was married to Dorothy L. (Bitler) Messner, who survives at home.

Wilmer was a diligent worker and man who loved his family. He...

Jul 9, 2025

Dennis J. Bixler, 83, of New Holland, passed away on July 9, 2025, in his residence.

Born in New Kensington, he was the son of the late Henry C. and Roberta (Berger) Bixler.

He was the husband of Karen A. Morris, with whom he shared 12 years of marriage.

He received his master’s...

Jul 8, 2025

Peggy Ann S. Friday, a devoted mother, grandmother, and steadfast woman of faith, entered into the presence of her Lord on July 8, 2025 in New Holland. Born in Philadelphia, she was the cherished daughter of Russell A. and Helen Mae Cook, whose love and guidance shaped the compassionate heart she shared so freely with others. Peg’s life was...

Jul 8, 2025

Martha W. (Nolt) Zimmerman, 92, of Ephrata, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at home.

She was born on February 11, 1933 to the late Noah Z. and Lizzie Weaver) Nolt.

She was the wife of Irvin M. Zimmerman, with whom she shared 70 years of marriage.

She was a homemaker and...

Jul 7, 2025

Ray L. Martin, 91, of New Holland, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, at Lancaster General Hospital. Ray was born in Brecknock Twp., to his late parents, William G. and Anna (Lichty) Martin. Ray was married to Kathyrn H. (Good) Martin on September 1, 1956, and together they shared 68 years of marriage.

Ray retired from...

Jul 7, 2025

John D. Stoner, 88 of Fairmount Homes, formerly of Leola, peacefully went Home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 7, 2025. He was the son of the late John and Mary (Leaman Rutt) Stoner.

John was the devoted husband of Martha (Landis) Stoner. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on December 26, 2024, and...

Jul 5, 2025

Earl W. Martin, 90, a resident of Garden Spot Village, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

He was married 70 years to A. Fay Snader Martin. Born in East Earl, he was the son of the late Lester C. and Esther H. Witmer Martin.

Earl was the retired owner of Martin’s Sewing Center. He...

Jul 4, 2025

Irene M. (Weber) Rutt, 96, a resident of Fairmount Homes, passed away on July 4, 2025.

Born in East Earl, she was the daughter of the late Sidney and Lydia (Martin) Weber.

She was the wife of the late Eugene H. Rutt, with whom she shared 46 years of marriage until the time of his...

Jul 2, 2025

B. Lois Herr, 92, of Ephrata, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Fairmount Homes. Lois was born in East Earl Twp, PA, to her late parents, David H. Herr and Alice Lichty Herr.

Lois worked as a caregiver and office assistant for Dr. Peters in New Holland. Later she began working at Yoder’s Country Market,...

Jul 1, 2025

Elizabeth (Betty) Whitmore Ludwig, 93, of New Holland, PA went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Born on October 17, 1931 in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of Raymond and Miriam Hackman Whitmore, she graduated from New Holland High in 1949. After attending Elizabethtown College for a year, she married Eugene W. Ludwig in 1950 and...

Jul 1, 2025

Kathryn H. Martin, 79, of Ephrata, passed away on July 1, 2025, at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. Kathryn was born in Vernfield, PA, to her late parents, Leroy and Esther (Hackman) Gehman. She was married to her husband, Larry S. Martin, and together they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on December 27th of this past year.

Kathryn...

Jul 1, 2025

David W. Means, 64, of Narvon, passed away on Tuesday July 1, 2025 at Lancaster General Hospital, after a brief illness.

Born in Ephrata, he was the son of the late William and Nancy Burkhart.

He was the loving husband of Margaret M. (Galloway), with whom he shared 44 years of marriage.

He...