J Marvin Nafziger

J. Marvin Nafziger, 84, of Goshen, died Tuesday morning, April 29, 2008, at his home. He was born in Chenoa, Illinois, on March 3, 1924, to John M. and Anna E. (Litwiller) Nafziger.  He married Edith E. Swartzendruber on August 31, 1946 in Hopedale, Illinois.  She survives. A resident of the area since 1948, Mr. Nafziger was a Social Studies teacher and a guidance counselor for 21 years.  He worked for Mennonite Mutual Aid for 17 years and H&R Block for eight years.  Mr. Nafziger graduated from Goshen College, earned his masters degree from Indiana University; a PhD from New York University; and a B.D. and M.R.E. from Goshen Biblical Seminary. He was a member of the College Mennonite Church, Goshen, and the Retired Teachers’ Association. He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Myra J. Oswald and Diana K. (John) Hershberger, both of Goshen, and Susan E. (Steve) Bartel of Visalia, California; a son, John M. (Margo) Nafziger of Goshen; ten grandchildren; two sisters, Mary K. Nafziger and Ruth (Maynard) Good, both of Goshen; and a brother, Myrl A. (Twila) Nafziger of Wadsworth, Ohio. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 1, in the Koinonia Room at the College Mennonite Church, Goshen. An 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 2, 2008, funeral service will be conducted at College Mennonite Church.  Pastors Klaudia Smucker and Betty Hochstetler will officiate. Burial will be in Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Mission Network or Bethany Christian Schools.