Elsie L. Straw

Elsie Lucille Straw, 87, of Goshen, died Thursday morning, May 12, 2011, at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen. She was born February 28, 1924 in Goshen to the late Harvey and Lydia (Hochstetler) Harshberger.  On February 1, 1946 she married Harold U. D. Straw in Goshen. He died May 11, 1993. She is survived by four sons, Phillip (Ellen) Straw and Gerald (Carol) Straw, both of Goshen, Duane Straw of Indianapolis  and Lowell (Susan) Straw of Lafayette; three daughters, Marilyn (Larry) Keck of New Paris, Sharon (Robert Allard) Straw of Kissimmee, Florida, and Doris McFarren of Elkhart; 16 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Louise Yoder of Goshen. She was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald Michael and Roger Dean Straw; six brothers, Leo, Marion, Wilbur, Harvey Jr., Glenn and Edward Harshberger; two sisters, Rosemary Vorhis and Nellie Swoveland; two grandchildren; and long time companion, Bill Miller. A lifetime Goshen resident, Mrs. Straw was a self-employed housekeeper; and a member of West Goshen Church of the Brethren, Women of the Moose Lodge, #846, and War Mothers Auxiliary. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2011, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral service. A 10 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011, funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home with Pastor John Hickey of Trinity Lutheran Church, Goshen, officiating. Burial will follow in West Goshen Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to West Goshen Church of the Brethren, Greencroft Foundation or Elkhart County Council on Aging.