Joseph E. Hershberger

KALONA - Joseph E. Hershberger was born to Edwin and Esther (Miller) Hershberger on May 16, 1922 near Kalona, Iowa. He died at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the age of 95 years.
In his youth Joseph attended Evergreen one-room school. On August 28, 1941, he was married to Suvilla Bontrager. The couple celebrated 69 years of marriage before Suvilla's death in 2011. They had lived on various farms in the area and later moved to Iowa City. Joe farmed, worked for Dane's Coal Company and in construction for Paris Miller and for Earl Yoder Construction. His final job was at the University of Iowa as a locksmith. Joe enjoyed memberships in several bowling leagues and joined several golf teams. He also enjoyed traveling and putting together jigsaw puzzles.
In 1987 Joe and Suvilla moved to the warmth of Sun City, Arizona, to enjoy their retirement. There, Joe golfed nearly every day and enjoyed their many new friendships. In 2003 the couple moved back to Kalona to the Pleasantview Home. Joe was a member of the Kalona Mennonite Church.
Joe is survived by a daughter Esther (Warren) Gingerich of Kalona; a son Jeremiah (Dawn) Hershberger of Council Groves, Kansas; three grandchildren: Lisa (Tim) Harms, Jeff (Betsy) Gingerich, Dan Gingerich; five great grandchildren: Phil and Steve Harms, Katie, Sam, and Calvin Gingerich; three step grandchildren: Sam, Joe and Pete Stiles. He is also survived by two brothers: John (Esther) Hershberger, Mark Hershberger; a sister Rhoda Hershberger: a brother-in-law Joe (Betty) Bontrager, and a sister-in-law Esther Tate. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Suvilla, a son Philip, a brother Paul, and a sister Magdalena Beachy.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at the Kalona Mennonite Church in Kalona. Rev. Scott Swartzendruber and Rev. Josh Lundberg will officiate. Burial will be in the East Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-7 PM on Monday at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Kalona Mennonite Church and Pleasantview Home. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Joe and his family.