Verna Lou Kantner

Verna Lou (Ravens) Kantner, age 85, of Elkhart was received into her eternal Heavenly home on the evening of March 26, 2020.  She was born to Samuel William and Nellie Blanche (Denison) Ravens December 22, 1934, at Pretty Prairie, Kansas.

Verna was a graduate of Pretty Prairie High School and Grace Hospital and School of Nursing, Hutchinson, Kansas, where she earned her Registered Nursing degree. She married the love of her life, the late John Harley Kantner of Bristol, Indiana, on August 16, 1953, then moved to Bristol in 1955 and settled in Goshen in 1960 where they resided for 65 years.

After 40 years of service at Goshen General Hospital as a surgical registered nurse in the Emergency Department, she retired in 1993. She was a member of the Bristol and St. Mark’s United Methodist churches, respectively, serving as church pianist since 1955.  Serving and ministering in many other capacities as well, she is most known for her musical piano and organ giftedness with which she joyfully shared and ministered even up until her passing. She blessed many by accompanying musicians at vocal and instrumental competitions/recitals as well as playing for numerous weddings and funeral services. She also served in the Goshen Sunrisers Kiwanis Club.

Verna enjoyed working and serving others. She was a very creative person not only with her musical abilities but also with needle crafts and yarn work, designing and crafting many pieces throughout her lifetime which extended beyond her family whom she loved dearly. Her smile while playing for worship services and her robust laughter will be missed.

Surviving are three daughters:  Margaret “Peg” and Jack Holwerda of Rockford, Michigan; Vanja and Tim Haarer of Goshen; and Julia and Ron Sherck II of Greenville, Ohio. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews also survive.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Donald and Marvin Ravens.

On Wednesday, April 1, 2020 family will receive visitors for a drive-thru viewing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home due to COVID-19 restrictions. At 1:30 pm, there will be a public graveside service at the Oakridge Cemetery, Bristol, Indiana. Guests may remain in cars to listen if desired or practice social distancing outside of cars. Anyone interested in joining the Facebook Live Video of the graveside service, posting comments, or reminiscing through the pictures, please visit www.facebook.com/VernaKantnerMemorial.

Memorials may be given to YWCA Safe Haven Women’s Shelter, c/o Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, 1911 South Main St., Goshen, Indiana 46526. In lieu of signing a guestbook, it is important to the family that names and condolences be left for them on Verna’s Guestbook on the Yoder-Culp website at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com .