Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Berry

Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Hostetler Berry Obituary

Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Hostetler Berry, 86, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026 in Goshen, IN. She was born in Burton City, OH, on September 22, 1939, to Harry Mervin Hostetler and Esther Ellen Hostetler. Beth will be remembered for the many lives she touched over her decades-long career in education, her passion for the Mennonite church community, her generous nurturing spirit, and her peace and justice activism. She spoke often about race and culture, sharing perspectives from her experiences in an interracial marriage and multiracial family, and dedicated herself to learning about and celebrating world cultures.

She is survived by her sister, Doris (James) Miller, her husband Lee Roy Berry Jr., her children Joseph Jonathan Berry (Karin Zemski), Malinda Elizabeth Berry (John Stoltzfus), and Anne Hostetler Berry, and her grandchildren Jeremiah Lee Stolzfus and Chloe May Stoltzfus. Beth is also survived by her sisters-in-law Cora Mae Berry Roundtree, Jennie Frances Berry, Mildred Berry Robinson, Merca Berry-Covert, Margie Berry, Juanita Williams Hawthorne, and Selena Hawthorne, and several generations of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters Twila June (Myrl) Nafziger and Marian Esther Hostetler.

Beth grew up in Burton City Ohio, the youngest of Harry and Esther’s four daughters. She was actively involved in her home congregation Oak Grove Mennonite Church, and was valedictorian of her 1957 Orrville High School graduating class. She attended Goshen College (GC), where Dr. Mary Royer became a key mentor and helped to shape her career path in education. Beth graduated from GC (1961), went on to earn a master’s degree from The Ohio State University (1965), and then returned to GC as a faculty member with a specialty in early childhood education. She supervised student teachers in their field work and shared her love of children’s literature.

In 1967, Beth was asked to direct a summer day camp program in Cleveland, OH, for Mennonite Voluntary Service where she met and worked alongside Lee Roy Berry Jr. Their friendship evolved into a courtship, and they married at Oak Grove Mennonite Church on July 12, 1969. Beth continued to teach at Goshen College while Lee Roy pursued graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, and they attended Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, IN. They eventually built a house in the Orchard, a neighborhood on the southwest side of Goshen, and became parents to three children, Joe, Malinda, and Anne.

Church leadership and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion were central parts of Beth’s work and life. She was a writer for “The Foundation Series” (1979) and “Jubilee” (1996) Sunday school curricula for children. When she and Lee Roy joined Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship (1980), she taught Sunday School, served as an elder, established Peace Club for children and their parents, and served on the Christian Education Commission. She was also a member of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference’s Nurture Commission and Christian Education sub-committee, traveling throughout the region training new generations of Sunday school teachers.

Pivotal family and professional moments included leading a year-long Goshen College Study-Service term with her family in Costa Rica (1979-1980); teaching at Hoosier Courts Nursery School, part of Indiana University’s Early Childhood Education Services in Bloomington, IN while Lee Roy was in law school (1982-1984); beginning her second career as the librarian at Bethany Christian Schools (1988–2006) where she was an advisor for the academic Superbowl teams and a Study and Learning Together group leader; earning a Library Science degree from Indiana University (1996); hosting many dinners and gatherings with family and friends; traveling abroad with Lee Roy to England, Paraguay, Italy, Peru, and Cuba; and spending time with her grandchildren. She retired in 2006 but continued to work as a teacher’s aide for Goshen Community Schools, was an active member of Goshen’s American Association of University Women chapter, volunteered at the Goshen Ten Thousand Villages store, and was part of a writing group that helped her develop several manuscripts for children’s books based on Lee Roy’s experience growing up. Her numerous commitments included work with Goshen’s Community Relations Commission and the city’s annual Diversity Day event, co-chairing the planning committee with Sreekala Rajagopalan.

The relationships that Beth cultivated through church and community involvement are deeply felt and visibly present through the countless students, colleagues, friends, and family members she inspired.

Visitation will take place at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home (1911 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526) on Friday, April 10, 2026 from 5–7pm, and a memorial service will be held at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship (2509 Berkey Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526) on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10am. A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Mennonite Church (7843 Smucker Rd, Smithville, Ohio 44677) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 10:30am.