Souder, Paul F. (1914-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Sep 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1914

text of obituary:

PAUL F. SOUDER

Paul F. Souder, 93, a lifelong resident of Sellersville, Pa., died Sept. 12, 2007, at Rockhill Mennonite Community. He was born in Sellersville to Harvey A. and Bessie H. (Freed) Souder and attended Sell-Perk High School and Lansdale School of Business.

He was the husband of Grace B. (Detwiler) Souder for 69 years at the time of her death in February.

Upon the death of his father in 1939, he assumed responsibility for his family’s poultry business and automobile and homeowner’s insurance agency. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s he operated Highland Farms, his family homestead, selling day-old turkey poults.

Upon his father’s death he assumed his father’s seat on the board of directors at Sellersville Savings & Loan. He served the organization for decades and as their president for 25 years. He was a charter member of Penn Foundation for Mental Health in Sellersville, serving on their board for many years.

He enjoyed classic cars and was a member of the Model A Ford Club of America. He loved to travel and enjoyed boating, hunting and fishing, snow and water skiing. He raised horses and ponies. He supported charities with his time, advice and resources. He was a longtime member of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, where he served on the board of trustees, building and land development committees and stewardship and finance committees. In his young adulthood he was a member of Rockhill Mennonite Church in Telford.

Survivors include three children, P. Don Souder and his wife, Sharon, of Orrville, Ohio, Grace Marie Gerber and her husband, Steve, of Sellersville, and Feryl K. Souder and his wife, Connie, of Sellersville; three sisters, Ruth F. Souder and Eva S. Moyer, both of Souderton, and Marie Shisler of Harleysville; Earl C. Landis, who lived with the family during his teenage years, and his wife, Dottie, of Souderton; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church. Burial was in Blooming Glen Mennonite Church Cemetery.