Smucker, Daniel Martin (1917-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Dec 8 p. 9

Birth date: 1917 Oct 8

text of obituary:

DANIEL M. SMUCKER

Daniel Martin Smucker, 91, of Harrisonburg, Va., died Nov. 19, 2008. He was born Oct. 8, 1917, to Dan and Verna Mast Smucker in Oyster Point.

He grew up in eastern Virginia and married Frances Yoder in 1942.

They moved to Rockingham County in 1943, and in 1946 were asked to found a church, Ridgeway Mennonite, where he pastored for 40 years. He also owned and operated Dan’s Body Service. For him and Frances, pastoring duties took precedence over shop and farm. They served with Mennonite Central Committee in Botswana, 1974-76; with Virginia Mennonite Mission Board in Trinidad, 1981-82; and in interim pastorates, including Ridgeway, Lynside, Powhatan, Stephens City and Zion Hill churches.

He will be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved and listened to others and lived a life of deep integrity guided by God’s presence from the time of his conversion at age 20. He was a solid rock for his family and many others in the community. He was a hard worker and enjoyed learning. In retirement he crafted wooden items for family and to be auctioned at the Mennonite relief sale. He was a member of Lindale Mennonite Church.

Survivors include a son, Gary Smucker of Alexandria; two daughters, Jean Smucker Fisher of Harrisonburg and Karen Shelly Smucker and her husband, James C. Shelly, of Meridan, Idaho; a sister, Elizabeth Smucker of Harrisonburg; a brother, Paul Smucker of Spring Mills, Pa.; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, in December 1999; and by two children, Elwood and Helen Jo.

Memorial services were held at Lindale Mennonite Church. Graveside services were held at the church cemetery.