William Loren Swartzendruber

Kalona- William Loren Swartzendruber, the son of Samuel and Lucy (Miller) Swartzendruber, was born October 11, 1927, in Wellman, Iowa. He married Verda Ropp on August 18, 1959, at Sunnyside Mennonite Church. Bill worked for Graber Heating & Air Conditioning, owned and operated Bill's Butchering Plant for twelve years, laid brick for four years, and was custodian at Iowa Mennonite School for twenty years. He spent two years in PAX, following WWII, rebuilding parts of Espelkamp, Germany. He was active at Upper Deer Creek Church as superintendent, Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, elder, and youth sponsor. He was involved in MDS, served on the Pleasantview Board of Directors, and served as president of the Mennonite Historical Society. Bill and Verda spent one year as volunteers with MCC in Akron, PA. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, puzzles, table games and being with his family. William passed away Friday, April 21, 2017, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona at the age of 89 years.

William is survived by his wife, Verda; their four children: Susan (Grant) Stoltzfus of Harrisonburg, VA; Anthony (Debra) Swartzendruber of Atmore, AL; Mary Jo (Phil Easley) Swartzendruber of Harrisonburg, VA; Michael Swartzendruber of Harrisonburg, VA; seven grandchildren: Zachary, Hannah, and Matthew Stoltzfus, and Christian, William, Austin, and Kaylynn Swartzendruber; a brother, Joe Swartzendruber of Arizona; twin sister Wilma (Dean) Thayer of Minnesota; a sister-in-law, Lois Gugel of Kalona; and two brothers-in-law: Ira Miller of West Virginia and Daniel Yoder of Delaware. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Anna Swartzendruber, Ellen Miller, and Mary Lois Yoder; a brother, Owen; two sisters-in-law: Luetta Swartzendruber and Mary Olive Miller; and one brother-in-law, Louis Gugel.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church in rural Wellman. Pastor Elmer Miller will officiate. A family burial will be at 9:30 a.m. at Upper Deer Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, April 24, 2017, where the family will greet friends from 3:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Memorial contributions may be made to Iowa Mennonite School or Upper Deer Creek Church. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for William and his family. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.