Henry J. Toews, 98, formerly of East Petersburg, passed away peacefully into God’s hands on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Landis Homes. Born in Gnadenfeld, Ukraine, he was the son of the late Jacob and Susanna Rempel Toews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Elizabeth Rogalsky Toews who died in 2006.
Henry was a graduate of the Indiana Institute of Technology, Fort Wayne, IN, and received his BS in Civil Engineering. A registered professional engineer, he was a founder of Toews, Ayres, and Huber, Inc., what is now TAH Construction, Inc. He also served as the chairman of the East Petersburg Water Authority, and served on the Board of Directors for Frederick Mennonite Home and the Advisory Board for the East Petersburg Branch of the Fulton Bank. He was an active member of the East Petersburg Rotary Club for over 50 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
In 1923, his Russian Mennonite family and he, arrived in the United States through the support and sponsorship of the Mennonite Central Committee in Akron, PA. Henry and his children visited his hometown in the Ukraine in 1996. He was a member of the former Bethel Mennonite Church. He enjoyed his profession, its challenges and the people with whom he worked; he loved his family and took interest and pride in all they chose to do; and he enjoyed listening to music, singing and played the harmonica.
Surviving are: a son, Jacob H. husband of Mary Louise Toews of Lancaster; 4 daughters, Marie T. wife of Stephen Cross of Perrysburg, OH, Judy A. Toews, wife of Ken Foster of Rothsville, Frieda T. wife of Peter Allen of Southport, NC, Bette J. Toews, wife of Lorrie Dellinger of Lebanon; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Jacob J. Toews, Jr., and Erich husband of Grace Toews, both of Lititz; a sister, Ann wife of Alan McIntyre of Beaver Falls. He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Kenn, and a brother, Cornelius Toews.
Funeral services will be held from the East Petersburg Mennonite Church, 6279 Main St., East Petersburg, PA on Monday, Mar. 8, 2010 at 10:30 AM with interment following in adjoining cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Mennonite Central Committee 21 S. 12th Street Akron, PA 17501.