Shetler, Sanford Grant (1912-1989)

Revision as of 15:37, 5 November 2012

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1989 Apr 6 p. 5

Birth date: 1912 Jun 13

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1989 May 11 p. 11

text of obituary:

Sanford Grant Shetler, 76, of Holsopple, Pa., died March 16, 1989, at a Johnstown hospital following a heart attack. He was born June 13, 1912, in Somerset County, Pa., to Samuel Grant and Jane (Kaufman) Shetler.

He attended Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., and earned a B.A. degree from University of Pittsburgh, a M.Ed., from Cornell University and an honorary Litt.D., from Manahath School of theology.

He was ordained as a minister in the Allegheny Conference (MC) in 1932 and as bishop in 1952. He was retired from the pastorate at Stahl Mennonite Church, Johnstown. He also served as pastor or assistant pastor of several other Johnstown area Mennonite churches over a 38-year period. He held various offices in the Allegheny Conference and in the former Mennonite General Conference (now General Assembly).

He was a teacher in both public and church schools. In 1944 he founded Johnstown Mennonite School, now Johnstown Christian School, and was principal until his retirement in 1968. He was visiting instructor in psychology at Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., for four years and was director the Civilian Public Service camp at Sideling Hill, Pa., in 1942.

He was the author of numerous articles and six books, including "Two Centuries of Struggle and Growth, 1763-1963: A History of the Allegheny Mennonite Conference" and "Preacher of the People," a biography of his father. He was the founder and editor of "guidelines for Today." He was an evangelist and Bible teacher throughout the Mennonite Church for 56 years.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy M. (Yoder); five children, Stanwyn G. and wife Elaine of Sterling, Va., Leonard K. and wife Ruth of Stowe, Vt., Maretta A. Hostetler of Watebury Center, Vt., Anita H.(Mrs. Wayne A.) Schoenthal of Clay, N. Y., and Carol J. (Mrs. John) Lazer of Winchester, Va.; 12 grandchildren; three great-grand-children and a sister, Margaret Kaufman of Holsopple, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years, Florence H. (Young), infant twin brother ans sister, Ralph and Rena, and sisters Luella Miller, Rosella Bachman and Goldie Sala.

Funeral services were held March 20, 1989, at Johnstown Christian School, with Phillip A. King, pastor of First Mennonite Church, Johnstown, officiating. Interment was in the Stahl Mennonite Church cemetery.