Jean M. Kraybill

Jean M. Kraybill, aged 97, passed away peacefully at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen, Indiana, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. She was born January 8, 1929, in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, the only child of the late Aaron Bower Metz and Mamie Frederick (Kulp) Metz. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She married Paul N. Kraybill on December 22, 1951. Jean raised five children in Landisville, Pennsylvania, while her husband traveled extensively overseas, first for the Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities and then for Mennonite World Conference. When the children were older, she thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Paul on many of his overseas trips, visiting Europe, Africa, India, Asia, and Central and South America. After Paul’s death, she continued to travel with friends, both in the United States and internationally. Over the years, she worked as a secretary for various organizations and retired from Mennonite Foundation, Goshen, Indiana, in 2003. She was a member of College Mennonite Church in Goshen, where she was active as a volunteer and enjoyed singing in the choir. Jean loved traveling, music, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family. Jean is survived by four daughters: Mary Jean (Daniel Meyer) Kraybill, Chicago, Illinois; Linda (James) Histand, Goshen, Indiana; Carol Krebiehl, Amelia, Ohio; and Karen (Andrew) Linn, Topeka, Kansas; daughter-in-law Ann Kraybill, Glenfield, New York; as well as ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and her faithful cat companion Solomon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul (d. 1993), and her son, Dale Kraybill (d. 2024). The visitation will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 1:30–3:00 pm in The Meetinghouse at Greencroft Healthcare (1225 Greencroft Drive, Goshen) followed immediately by a memorial service in the same location. Interment of cremated remains at Violett Cemetery, Goshen, Indiana, will be private. Memorial gifts in Jean's name may be made to the Goshen College Music Center Annual Fund (goshen.edu/give/online).