Elaine (Beiler) Stoltzfus

Elaine graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School in Lancaster, PA in 1959 and married Ken Stoltzfus, of Coatesville, PA, on Jan. 2, 1960. Her godly heart was evident in her roles as a highly fulfilled wife, mother, homemaker, “Grandma,” friend, and mentor.

In her nearly 63-years of marriage she set up housekeeping 21 times in PA, TX, VT, OK, VA, OH, and Kenya, Africa, as she and Ken followed God’s call.

Elaine’s lifetime of humble and generous, behind-the-scenes service to her family and others, including 34 years as a counselor at the Pregnancy Care Center, touched many. She will be remembered for her gentle and quiet spirit, her love for Jesus, her simplicity of faith, and her partnership with Ken “through thick and thin” as they dared to follow God’s leading in aviation activities, entrepreneurship, and pastoral and missionary settings.

She prayed much for her family and friends, and for the many missionaries whose photos adorned her study.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sons Ken Jr. (1960-2011) and Brian (1963-2019), and five of her siblings.

In addition to her husband Ken, she is survived by her son Mark (Jodie), and daughters-in-law Sheila (Ken Jr, now Kline) and Sandi (Brian); nine grandchildren, Kahly (Greg) Antal (NC), Colby (Alyssa) Stoltzfus, Isaak Stoltzfus, Tanya (Chris) Minnick, Austin (Whitney) Stoltzfus, Abbie (Kelsey) Jurkovich, Chelsea (Frank) Musick, Danae (Garett) Beaudette and Garrett Stoltzfus (PA).

She delighted in her 13 great-grandsons, Tanner, Carson, Brantlee, Ryker and Killian Stoltzfus; Asher and Jude Antal; Ezra, Silas, Ezekiel and Samuel Jurkovich; and Levi and Everett Minnick. She is also survived by her stepmother Mabel Kurtz, sisters Gladys Shearer and Mary Ann (Glenn) Leaman, all of PA, and brother Paul (Leanna) Beiler of VA.

Services will be held at the Fairlawn Mennonite Church in Apple Creek, OH, with calling hours from 3-6 on Sunday Sept. 25. A memorial service themed “Christ in us the hope of glory” (Col. 1:25-27) will be held at the church at 11:00 on Monday, followed by a meal prepared by Ken and Elaine’s Amish friends. A private burial will be held at Pleasant View Mennonite Church, North Lawrence, prior to the memorial service.

Elaine could truly say: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (II Tim. 4:7-8 niv)