"Geneva, JoAnn, Twila and family; May the Lord bless you with strength and peace that passes all understanding in the days ahead as you mourn the passing of your brother, husband and father. His enjoyment for life and laughter was contagious. Now he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior praising Him with even greater vigor. Standing with you in prayer. Receive the Lord's comfort!"
In loving memory of
Don Irvin Swartzentruber
June 9, 1955 - March 30, 2015
Don Irvin Swartzentruber was born June 9, 1955 in rural Kalona, Iowa, the son of Ivan and Alma (Borntrager) Swartzentruber. He attended Fairview rural School. On March 29, 1975 Don was united in marriage to Twila Hochstedler at the Fairview Mennonite Church. Don farmed, drove truck for Kent Feeds and Country Lane Eggs, worked in maintenance at Pleasantview Home, and has worked for Critter Control for the past 18 years. Don was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church where he has been a Pastor for 13 years and has been the senior Pastor the past 6 years. He enjoyed spending time with family hunting, trapping and going to Coffee Club. Don passed away on Monday, March 30, 2015 at his home in rural Kalona at the age of 59 years.
Don is survived by his wife Twila, five children; Aaron (Jessica) Swartzentruber of Kalona, Virginia (Larry) Bontrager of Kalona, Valerie ( LeRoy) Gingerich of Kalona, Layne Swartzentruber of Wellman and Bailey Swartzentruber of Kalona, 8 grandchildren; Emily, Paytin, and Carissa Swartzentruber, Levi and Gentry Bontrager, Ava, Stephanie and Owen Gingerich, his father Ivan (Esther) Swartzentruber of Montgomery, IN; three sisters; Elva (Myron) Silvey of Pensacola, FL; JoAnn Miller of Goshen, IN; Geneva (Del) Miller of Millersburg, IN; a brother Lee (Kathy) Swartzentruber of Phoenix, AZ; and a brother-in-law Alvin (Eileen) Miller of Goshen, IN. He was preceded in death by his mother Alma, and a sister Martha Fern Miller.
Funeral Services will be held 1:30 PM on Friday, April 3, 2015 at the Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Pastor Perry Miller, Pastor John Hershberger and Pastor Leon Stutzman will officiate. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-8 pm Thursday, April 2, 2015 at the Fairview Mennonite Church, where the family will greet friends from 1-4 and 6-8. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice and the Fairview Mennonite Church. Messages maybe sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com
Tributes
"Sending our prayers for peace and strength. So sorry for your loss. "
"Twila & family, Want to let you know we are praying for you all at this time of loss. We rejoice with Don that he no longer suffers and is in the presence of his Lord. May God comfort you in the days ahead. Love & prayers, Myra (Borntrager) Kleis & family"
"Our deepest condolences to you Twila, and your family. Our prayers are with you! We have good memories catching up with Don when he came to San Antonio for a Critter Control conference. He will be greatly missed. Blessings and Peace!"
"My deepest sympathies to Twila and family. Also to Lee and family as you grieve and celebrate Don's life. I'm sure as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend he will be missed. Blessing to you abundantly. Maribeth"