Walter S. Massanari

Goshen – Walter “Walt” Massanari, 94, died early Tuesday morning, August 16, at IU Health Goshen Hospital.

Walt was born June 6, 1922, in Fisher, Illinois to Joseph and Elizabeth (Sommer) Massanari.  On January 24, 1946 he married Orva F. Gerber in Harper, Kansas.

Walt’s family attended East Bend Mennonite Church in Fisher where he was baptized at the age of 12.  After graduation from Fisher High School he entered the University of Illinois with the intention of studying business but, through his experiences during World War II, he came to realize his aptitude for medicine. In 1945 he began medical school at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Upon graduation he and Orva served with the Mennonite Board of Missions Medical program in Puerto Rico from 1950-1952.  In 1953 they settled in Indiana where he practiced medicine in Millersburg until 1968 when ill health necessitated a change.  In 1969 he began practicing anesthesiology at Goshen General Hospital where he worked until retirement in 1988.

An active member of College Mennonite Church for most of his life, he served on the Board of Elders for eight years as well as several terms on the Pastoral Care Commission.  For the first  25 years following his retirement he served as a pastoral care visitor.

Other memberships included the Christian Medical Society, Mennonite Medical Association, Indiana Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.  He also served two terms on the Board of Directors for Greencroft Retirement Community.

Like his immigrant father before him, Walt found joy in music wherever he went. He lent his beautiful bass voice to the University of Illinois Men’s Chorus, the Menno Singers of Goshen, and to a lifetime of hymns.  Reading, travelling, and watching sports (a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan) were among his most constant interests. Quick to tell a joke or story, at which he would laugh as heartily as his listeners, Walt knew how and chose to enjoy life. He greatly appreciated the company of his fellow widowed ROMEO’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

Walt was preceded in death by his wife Orva in 1996; two sons, Thomas in 1955 and Steven in 1981; a sister Anna K. Massanari; and four older brothers, Karl, Robert, Joseph, and Russell.

He is survived by his two daughters; Patricia (Don Beyler) Massanari and Kathleen Massanari, both of Goshen.

Family and friends may call Sunday, Aug. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. in the College Mennonite Church sanctuary.  Pastor Cindy Breeze of Champaign, Illinois will officiate.

Burial will precede the service in Clinton Brick Cemetery, Goshen.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Mennonite Central Committee or College Mennonite Church Jubilee Fund.