Hertzler, John (1969-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Aug 1 p. 6

Birth date: 1969

text of obituary:

EMM Thailand worker dies in accident

By Jewel Showalter

EMM News Service

DET UDOM, Thailand — John Hertzler, an Eastern Mennonite Missions worker in Thailand, died July 24 in a traffic accident while traveling by motorcycle to a monthly meeting of house churches. he was 36.

A member of Hopewell Christian Fellowship of Elverson, Pa., Herzler [sic] had served 11 years with EMM in various short- and long-term assignments since 1987.

Hertzler gave "exemplary service in supporting the development of an emerging circle of house churches among the Isaan people of Thailand," said Richard Showalter, EMM president.

Glenn Kauffman, EMM representative to Asia, traveled to Thailand July 25 to join Hertzler's wife, Janelle (Shantz), and 1-year-old son, Micah, and the Thai missiin team and church for a memorial service July 28. a funeral service in the United States is planned.

"John was a passionate follower of Jesus, with a deep heart of love for God and the church," Kauffman said. "The Thai churches spoke with appreciation of the heart of humility and service with them. He was known for bringing cheer and encouragement."

Hertzler began serving with EMM in 1987 as a member of a Youth Evangelism Service team to Belize. he served again in 1990 with YES in Costa Rica. From 1993-98 he served with EMM in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, teaching at Pine Grove Academy. In 1999 he led a YES team to Thailand.

He began long-term service in Thailand in 2000. He and Janelle Shantz, who had begun service with EMM in Thailand four years earlier, met at an EMM retreat at in 2000, married in 2001 and have been serving together in Thailand since that time.

He is survived by his parents, Truman and Virginia Hertzler, five brothers, Philip and Thomas, both of Pamplin, Va., Paul, James and Joseph, all of Elverson; and a sister, Anne Hertzler of Elverson.