Pastor Paul J. Hershberger

Pastor Paul J. Hershberger, 72, of Goshen, died Tuesday evening, October 9, 2007, as the result of an auto accident. He was born February 27, 1935, in Wayne County, Ohio, to John J. and Sarah (Schlabach) Hershberger.  He married Helen Luella DeLagrange on July 28, 1956 at the Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church, Goshen.  She died September 14, 2007. Mr. Hershberger was a farmer, brick mason and pastor.  He had served as lead pastor of the Mount Joy Mennonite Church for 15 years and five years at the Pine Ridge Mennonite Church, where he had also served as assistant pastor for 12 years. He was a member of the Pine Ridge Mennonite Church and served on the Rosedale Bible Institute Board of Trustees for six years during the 1980’s.  He loved farming, masonry, hunting, softball and being outdoors. He is survived by two daughters, Carol (Dan) Miller and Anita (Larry) Miller, both of Goshen; three sons, Kervin (Ruth) Hershberger, Lynn (Doreen) Hershberger and Jay (Letha) Hershberger, all of Middlebury; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  He is also survived by four sisters, Betty (Alvin) Beachy of Sarasota, Florida, Mary (John) Stutzman of Millersburg, Ohio, Ada Mae (Ben) Weaver and Erma (Amos) Geiser, both of Dalton, Ohio; and four brothers, Oran (Susan) Hershberger of Millersburg, Indiana, Lester (Elizabeth) Hershberger of Grantsville, Maryland, Melvin (Ruth) Hershberger of Mt. Eaton, Ohio, and Nevin (Edna) Hershberger of Dundee, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; infant twins, Ronnie and Connie, another infant child; two sisters, Ella Kauffman and Barbara Hostetler; and a brother, Jacob Hershberger. Friends may call 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 11 and 12 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. An 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 13, 2007, funeral service will be conducted at Living Water Mennonite Church, on CR 27 south of CR 38 in Goshen.  Ben Shirk and Dale Keffer will officiate. Burial will be in Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to Rosedale Bible College.