Eby, Wilmer M. (1916-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Oct 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1916 Feb 5

text of obituary:

WILMER M. EBY

Wilmer M. Eby, 86, died Sept. 11, 2002, at Landis Homes in Lititz, Pa., after a long illness. He was born Feb. 5, 1916, to Anna and Elias Eby in Lititz.

He was ordained in 1938 by lot from the Lititz congregation to become the first pastor of a new congregation near Cocalico. He continued to serve the congregation when it moved to Blainsport and became Blainsport Mennonite Church. He served until his retirement in 1984. At his death he had been ordained longer than any other living Lancaster Conference pastor.

He served as a board member of Eastern Mennonite Missions from 1961 to 1967. He was the manager of Provident Bookstore in Ephrata and worked at the Provident Bookstore in Lancaster. Prior to that he farmed near Kleinfeltersville. He enjoyed singing and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife of 64 year, Arlene M. (Bomberger) Eby of Landis Homes; a son, John W. and his wife, Joyce, of Dillsburg; two daughters, Lois Hollinger and her husband, Edward, of Mount Wolf, and Beth Weber and her husband, Samuel, of Wayne; a sister, Esther Mae Long of Goshen; eight grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, John Henry Eby; and a sister, Janet Miller.

Funeral Services were held at Blainsport Mennonite Church.