Jeannette R. Bechtel

Jeannette Rose Bechtel, 82, of Goshen,  died on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Greencroft Goshen Health Care, succumbing to the traumatic brain injury she suffered in a fall on April 25. She was born May 11, 1940 in Vanga, Belgian Congo to missionaries Vernon and Lilly (Bachman) Sprunger. After meeting the love of her life at Camp Friedenswald, she married Thomas Bechtel in Goshen on June 24, 1962.

Surviving is her husband, Tom, of 61 years, two children, Christine (Harley) Bontrager of Goshen and Scott (Kimberle) of Celebration, Florida; five grandchildren, Breanna Bechtel of Ocoee, Florida and Dalton Bechtel of Celebration, Florida, Sabrina Simms of Bloomington, Natasha (Ken) Overmyer of Nappanee, and Jarin Bontrager of Bloomington and a great-granddaughter, Ellelana Overmyer; a brother, Wilmer (Kenlyn) Sprunger of Berne, a sister, Shirley (Vernon) King of Goshen and a sister-in-law, Geraldine (Charles) Sprunger of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Charles and David Sprunger, and a grandson, Nicholas Simms.

Jeannette graduated from Central School in Lubondai, Belgian Congo in 1958 and Bluffton University (College) in 1963. After her graduation, Jeannette and Tom went to Leopoldville, Kinshasa, Zaire, as volunteers with the Mennonite Central Committee.  When they completed their two years of service, they settled in Goshen where she was employed at Eighth Street Mennonite Church as the Administrative Assistant and was actively involved in starting the Preschool at the church.

Jeannette loved music and taught piano for over 20 years. She attempted to teach piano to her children and encouraged them to learn other musical instruments, but sadly, they lacked the musical gene that is prevalent on the Sprunger side of the family. She was active at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, providing leadership for numerous women’s organizations and committees.  As a 4-H Saddle Club mom, she volunteered many hours and cheered on her children as they competed. When she became a grandmother, she loved her grandchildren unconditionally, and took them camping – making sure to take them to places they would enjoy and created special memories for all. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling and camping with many close friends and made sure to check off almost all of the items on her “Bucket List”, as she called it.

Memorial donations can be made to Camp Friedenswald, Eighth Street Preschool, or Africa Inter Mennonite Mission.

A service celebrating Jeannette’s life will be held at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, 602 S 8th Street, Goshen, where she was a member, on Monday, May 23, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a graveside service and burial in Violett Cemetery. Viewing and family visitation will be at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 22, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.