Ethel M. Witmer

Ethel M. Witmer, 90, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on August 9, 2014 at her home. She was married 69 years to J. Stanley Witmer.  Born in Manheim, PA on March 27, 1924 she was the daughter of the late Clayton S. and Mary Stauffer Wenger.

Ethel was an active member of Erisman Mennonite Church.  She taught children’s Sunday School and Bible School, Junior Girl’s Association and was a youth leader. She was involved in the sewing circle at Erisman and Laurel Street Mennonite Churches.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies were flowers, gardening, bird watching, sewing and quilting.  She gifted each of her children and grandchildren with a quilt she made as well as a quilted wall hanging for her great grandchildren.  Much of her time was spent sewing school kits and making comforters for Mennonite Central Committee.  She was a member of the Fundameno Board that raises fund for a school for Kekchi youth in Guatemala.  For many years she helped organize fundraising banquets and sent school kits for each of the Kekchi students.  Ethel enjoyed homemaking and working as a sales clerk at Witmer’s Greenhouses in Lancaster.

Surviving besides her husband are two children, Jay E. husband of Elsie Witmer of Lancaster, and Linda E. Witmer of Lancaster; a daughter in law, Jeanne Witmer of East Petersburg; seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a son Dale E. Witmer and by brothers J. Melvin and C. Elam Wenger.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of Life service at Erisman Mennonite Church, 8 South Erisman Road, Manheim, PA on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 3:00 P.M.  Friends may greet the family at the church from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service.  Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.  If desired, contributions in Ethel’s memory may be made to Fundameno, P.O. Box 638, Greencastle, PA  17225 or to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA  17604-4125.