Gladys Louise Johns

Goshen – Gladys Louise Johns, 98, passed into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, Jan. 2 surrounded by her family at her home in Juniper Place at Greencroft.

Gladys was born June 5, 1919 in Topeka to Edwin J. and Mollie (Stoltzfus) Yoder. On June 5, 1938, her 19th birthday, she married Dewayne Johns who died in 2007. They lived most of their married life in the New Paris/Goshen area, spending six months a year in Sarasota, Florida for 32 years.

She is survived by three children: Joan (Merle) Mullet, Goshen, John (Carolyn) Johns, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Bonnie Johns, San Francisco, California; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Galen (Esther) Yoder and Olive Grace (Ed) Miller.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Genevieve Friesen; a brother, Gerald Yoder; a daughter, Janice Stanley; and a grandson, Mark Mullet.

Gladys was a devoted homemaker and mother to her four children along with assisting Dewayne as bookkeeper in their Johns Jet-Crete business. A 70-year member of College Mennonite Church, Gladys served in many capacities in the church. She was a founding member of Church Women United which has since evolved into The Window. As a 40-year member of the Greencroft Auxiliary, she found great joy into her nineties pushing people to therapy in their wheelchairs. Her long-term involvement in Bible Study Fellowship as a discussion leader and a teaching leader, both in the Goshen class and in Nappanee, marked a significant spiritual change in her life.

She and Dewayne were avid bikers, taking up the sport in their 50s and biking into their 80s, they biked many places in Europe, Ireland, New England, and Florida as well as around the Midwest.

Gladys took up golf later in life, playing with gusto and enough skill to get a hole-in-one when she was 70 years old. She continued to play golf into her 90s. At 89 she set a record as the oldest person to zip line in Granada, Nicaragua, topping that experience with a ride in a power parachute for her 93rd birthday.

A skilled needlework artist, she cross-stitched and framed every P. Buckley Moss pattern available as well as other intricate designs. Many family members have been recipients of her beautifully crocheted afghans.

She originally took up stitching so that she would have something to occupy herself while Dewayne watched ballgames. The result was that she became a great sports enthusiast herself, especially cheering for IU, Ohio State, and Notre Dame football and basketball. She checked the sports page and circled the games she didn’t want to miss.

Gladys loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved her family dearly, praying diligently for each one. Her deep personal faith in God and His Word gave Gladys a radiant joy that touched many lives. Her cheerful spirit and warm hugs were an uplift and encouragement to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to especially thank Sara Kuhns and the other caregivers form Goshen Hospice for walking with Gladys and the family through this journey with skill and compassion.

Friends may call 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8 at College Mennonite Church.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Acorn Music Project at the Goshen College Music Center or Meals on Wheels.