Josiah Okeyo Kawira

Josiah Okeyo Kawira, 69, of Shirati, Tanzania, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 in New Paris.

He was born September 21, 1947 in Shirati, Tanzania to Nashon Kawira Nyambok and Dorka Boya Oliech.

On July 19, 1980 he married Esther Lehman in Goshen.

She survives along with four children, Sara Kawira of New Paris, Timothy Kawira of Rahway, New Jersey, Jonathan Kawira of Seattle, Washington and Joel Kawira of New Paris; a grandson, Trevor Black; his mother, Dorka Boya Oliech of Shirati, Tanzania; and four siblings, Manaen Kawira of Shirati, Tanzania, Isaka Kawira of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Daniel Kawira Nyambok of Portage, and Yohana Kawira of Rahway, New Jersey.

He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Loyce Chacha.

A 1976 graduate of Bluffton College and Ball State University in 1978, Josiah served as administrator for Planning and Development for the Tanzania Mennonite Church from 1983 to 2005.  From 2006-2017 he was executive director for SHED (Shirati Health, Education and Development) Foundation.

Friends may call Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service at College Mennonite Church.  Rev. Lois Kaufmann and Rev. Manaen Kawira will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be given to SHED Foundation.