Person Page 2,268

Obituary (findagrave.com):

Ruth.-Bishop Joseph G. Ruth was born near Line Lexington, Pa., Dec. 23, 1857; died at his late home near Colmar, Pa., Dec. 27, 1928; aged 71 y. 3 m. 4 d. On Jan. 1, 1884, he was married to Mary Kratz of Hatfield, Pa. To this union were born five children (Maggie, wife of Henry Delp; Emma, wife of Preston Souder; Ella, wife of Wallace Souder; and Horace and Alma at home). These children are all identified with the Mennonite Church. Twelve grandchildren also survive. The mother was taken away during the influenza period of 1919 and the father after preaching a stirring sermon on Sunday evening, Dec. 23, was overtaken the following week with a slight attack of influenza, and passed away unexpectedly to his heavenly home. The body was laid to rest on Jan. 1, 1929. Bro. Ruth is greatly missed in the home, community, and church. He was an active Sunday school worker long before his ordination to the office of minister on Oct. 24, 1905. On Feb. 25, 1926 he was ordained to the office of bishop. His executive ability was felt throughout his bishop district and he could speak authoritatively on any subject assigned to him. He was a deep thinker, a staunch defender of the faith, and zealous in safeguarding the principles of his beloved church. We think of the statement in II Sam. 1: 25, "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle." During the World War Bro. Ruth served on a committee visiting the boys in the camps. He was much concerned about their welfare. He paid many visits to Camp Meade and also visited Camp Dix. Services were conducted at the home by Bro. Jonas Mininger and at the Line Lexington church by the brethren Aaron Freed and Abram Clemmer.

Obituary (findagrave.com):

Earl R. Delp, 93, a resident of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center (VMRC), Harrisonburg, died Dec. 19, 2009, at 4:30 a.m.

He was born March 14, 1916, in Line Lexington, Pa., and was the son of Henry and Margaret (Ruth) Delp.

Earl was preceded in death in 2006 by his wife of 67 years, Emma (Shank) Delp, and in 1921 by a brother, Wilmer. Surviving him are a brother, Herbert R. Delp of Souderton, Pa.; and six children; 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. His children are Earl R. Delp Jr. and wife, Ruth, of Indiana; Earlene Wallick and husband, Don, of Ohio; Harriet Miller of Indiana, Charles Delp and wife, Shirley, of Connecticut; Evangeline Yoder of Ohio; and Ronald Delp and wife, Sabrina, of Alabama.

Earl was an active member of the Mennonite Church, serving the church in Pennsylvania and Virginia as a pastor and teacher. He served as Bishop of the northern district of the Virginia Mennonite Conference from 1975 to 1986.

By trade, Earl built cabinets and worked for Miller's Cabinets of Harrisonburg for many years.

His fondest pastime was reviewing books (thousands of them), which he did most of his life, first for the Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, Pa., and then for Choice Books Ministries, Harrisonburg, Va.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Strite Auditorium at VMRC with the Rev. Duane Yoder and Peg Engle officiating.

The family will receive friends Monday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Lindale Mennonite Church , Linville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Choice Books Ministries, 2387 Grace Chapel Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary (findagrave.com):

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXVIII, No . 37 - December 14, 1945, page 718, 719

SOUDER, HEDRICK, RUSH. - On Friday evening, Aug. 3, in a tragic accident, five out of six occupants in an automobile met almost instant death when a trolley struck the car in which they were riding.

Ella K., widow of the late Wallace A. Souder and twin daughter of the late Bishop Joseph and Mary Ruth, was born Oct. 27, 1887; died Aug. 3, 1945; aged 57 y. 9 m. 6 d. Early in life she united with the Mennonite Church and was always a consistent, faithful member and an active Christian worker. In the Sunday school, sewing circle, and all church activities, she was present and contributed to her utmost for the success of every cause. Wherever there was a need in the community she was present to assist. Just two days before meeting death she visited her twin sister, who was ill, and assisted her with her household duties. From there she went to call upon her sister-in-law. As she drove out the lane, she cheerfully called out: "It doesn't matter when we leave, just so we're ready." We believe Sister Souder was ready. She is survived by one daughter (Margaret Rush), 4 grandchildren, one brother and 2 sisters.

This tragic accident took place at 8:30 p. m. Mrs. Souder, together with her daughter (Mrs. Hedrick) and the three Hedrick children and another grandson (Dale Rush), had spent some time in the recently enlarged Self-Service Market operated by Mrs. Hedrick's husband, Ralph B. Hedrick, in Lansdale, Pa. After leaving the store in the care operated by Mrs. Souder, they drove to the Hedrick home, north of Lansdale. Upon crossing the trolley tracks, on the private driveway leading into the Hedrick home, a northbound trolley hit the car with a terrible impact, throwing the car more than fifty feet. The car was terribly crushed and it is believed that both Mrs. Souder and Mrs. Hedrick died of broken necks resulting from the impact. The ambulance and Mr. Hedrick were called to the scene of the accident. The victims were at once removed to Elm Terrace Hospital, Lansdale and Mrs. Souder and Mrs. Hedrick were pronounced dead without being removed from the ambulance. Harold, Ella Mae, and Donald Hedrick and Dale Rush were taken into the hospital. Harold was immediately pronounced dead and Ella Mae twenty minutes later. Dale lived until Saturday afternoon, in spite of his serious injuries. Before his death he spoke some precious words to his father. Donald Hedrick, with a serious skull fracture, concussion, and a neck injury, survived the accident and is seemingly fully recovered. He alone is left to comfort his sorely bereaved father. Two funeral directors took charge of the bodies from the hospital. The Hedrick family was taken to the George R. Huff Funeral Homes in Lansdale and the bodies of Mrs. Souder and Dale Rush were taken to the Hunsicker Funeral Parlor in Souderton. On Monday evening approximately twenty-five hundred people viewed the bodies, clothed in simple white, without any flowers displayed, in these two funeral homes, giving a strong testimony for simplicity in death. The funeral was held in the Rockhill Mennonite Church Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 7. John E. Lapp conducted the devotional period, reading selections from I Cor. 15 and I Thess. 4. Jacob Z. Rittenhouse spoke from the text, Eccl. 9:5, and Clinton D. Landis from Amos 4:12. Wilson Overholt led in the closing prayer. There was a vast multitude of people present for the funeral services. An unusual part of the burial, in the adjoining cemetery, was that three separate committals were made - for the Hedrick family, Mrs. Souder, and Dale Rush. The Lord allowed the survivors of this family to be tried as Job of old, but demonstrated that His grace is sufficient for every time of need. Possibly few other individuals could demonstrate Christian fortitude under trial as these survivors. They thereby have given a powerful testimony to the sufficiency of the grace of God, to all in the communityGospel Herald - Vol. XXXVIII, No . 37 - December 14, 1945, page 718, 719.

Obituary (findagrave.com):

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXX, No. 44 - 27 January 1938 pages 942-944

Souder. ­Wallace A., son of the late Mahlon and Lizzie (Allebach) Souder, was born Feb. 14, 1886, near Sellersville, Pa.; died at his late home near Souderton, Pa., Dec. 4, 1937; aged 51 y. 9 m. 20 d. Death was caused by carcinoma of the lungs from which he suffered for four months. April 6, 1911, he was married to Ella Ruth. This union being blessed with 7 children. He is survived by his companion and 2 daughters (Margaret, wife of Lester Rush; Esther, wife of Ralph Hedrick, both living at home) also 1 sister (Hannah, wife of A. Linc Gehman of Sellersville), and 3 brothers (Edwin Souder of Telford, Harvey of Sellersville, and Ervin of Philadelphia). Five infant sons preceded him in death, also 3 sisters and 1 brother. Funeral services were held Dec. 8 at the home and at the Rockhill Mennonite Church where he was a member from his youth) conducted by the following ministers: Isaac Detweiler, Alfred Detweiler, John Lapp, and Wilson Moyer. Text, Rev. 14:13, interment in the adjoining cemetery.