Emma E. Richards

Emma Elizabeth Sommers Richards, 87, of Goshen, passed away Saturday evening, September 6, 2014, to go home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. She was born March 17, 1927 in Plevna to Monroe and Effie (Horner) Sommers. A graduate of Goshen College and Mennonite Biblical Seminary, she married E. Joe Richards from Venedocia, Ohio on May 24, 1953. Emma and Joe served in Japan with the Mennonite Board of Missions from 1954-1966. Following their service she continued her education at St. Francis University in Ft. Wayne, graduating with a master's degree in education in 1968. She taught fifth grade in Villa Park, Ill., and was ordained to the ministry in the Mennonite Church in 1973. She served as co-pastor of Lombard Mennonite Church until 1991. She then served with Joe as conference pastor with the Illinois Mennonite Church Conference. She retired to Goshen in 1996 where she was active as a teacher and speaker at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. She is survived by her husband, along with two daughters, Kathryn (Jon) Beckwith and Lois (Jim) Woods, both of Hillsdale, Michigan; a son, Evan (Laura) Richards, of Villa Park, Illinois; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Elaine (Ron) Rich, of Bluffton, Ohio; and two brothers, Dan and Elvin (Barb) Sommers, both of Kokomo. She was preceded in death by a brother Sam Sommers. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the 11:30 a.m. Saturday memorial service at College Mennonite Church, 1900 S. Main St., Goshen. According to her wishes cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory. Burial will be at Venedocia Cemetery, Venedocia, Ohio. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be directed to Heifer International or LLI: Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart County.