Lowell R. Bechtel

Lowell R. Bechtel, 90, of Goshen, died early Friday morning, May 15, 2009, at Greencroft Healthcare. He was born in Goshen on May 27, 1918, to Ira and Rosa (Rensberger) Bechtel.  He married Sarah “Betty” Whirledge on August 25, 1940 at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen.  She preceded him in death on May 16, 2000. A postal clerk with the Goshen Post Office, Mr. Bechtel served with the US Navy on the destroyer escort USS Hunt. He was a member of the Eighth Street Mennonite Church where he served on various boards and commissions.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Goshen Historical Society.  He was a member of the Morning Exchange Club of Elkhart County and the Elkhart County Reserve and volunteered at the Goshen Historical Society. He is survived by a daughter, Jane (David) Troup of Goshen; two sons, Thomas (Jeannette) Bechtel of Goshen and Edward (Linda) Bechtel of Elkhart; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Doris (Carl) Smoker of Monroe, Georgia, and Betty Joann (Jim) Boshart of Atoka, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his wife; a great-grandson, Nick Simms; two brothers, Russell and John Bechtel; and two sisters, Phyllis Roth and Mary Lou Longcor. Friends may call 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 17, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and 9 to 10 a.m., Monday, May 18, at the church. A 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 18, 2009, funeral service will be conducted at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen.  Pastors Brenda Sawatzky-Paetkau and Kevin Farmwald will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eighth Street Mennonite Church or Goshen Historical Society.