Lebanon County PA Archives Obituaries.....Witmer, Paul M. October 1, 2009
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  Sharon S. M. shabodeho@aol.com October 16, 2009, 9:09 pm
  
  Published in the Lebanon Daily News  on 10/3/2009  
  Witmer, Paul M.  
   
   
  Rev. Paul M. Witmer MANHEIM Reverend Paul M. Witmer, 86, went home to meet his 
  precious Lord and Savior face to face on Thursday evening, October 1, 2009. He 
  passed away at home, 1062 Hemlock Circle, Manheim, where he lived with his 
  beloved wife, Mary K. (Martin) Zimmerman Witmer. They were blessed with almost 
  26 beautiful years together. Paul's first wife, Mabel K. (Myers) Witmer, the 
  mother of his children, passed away November 7, 1982. Paul was born on February 
  9, 1923, in West Earl Township to the late Elam W. and Katie (Wenger) Witmer. 
  He was a farmer in Rapho Township for 20 years. He then worked as an auto 
  mechanic, first of all at the former Kreider Motors, Manheim, and then for his 
  son at Witmer Automotive Service, East Hempfield Township, for over 30 years. 
  He was fondly known as "Pappy" by his coworkers. Paul had a passionate longing 
  for the Lord and for studying the Bible. As a young farmer this longing led him 
  to rise in the very early hours of the morning to have a time of prayer and 
  Bible study before milking the cows. In 1957 he was ordained as a deacon at 
  Hernley Mennonite Church, Manheim, followed by an ordination to the ministry in 
  1960. He served as pastor at the Hernley congregation until 1979, when he was 
  called to the Manheim Mennonite Church. He served there as pastor until his 
  retirement and he remained actively involved as a Sunday School teacher until 
  his illness. In addition to pastoring, Paul's ministry included many 
  opportunities to preach and teach at other churches for revival meetings and 
  Bible schools. Music was also an important part of his ministry. He loved to 
  sing and enjoyed being part of various male quartets over the years. The 
  highlight of his ministry was singing with his family and traveling to many 
  churches to give family programs. The family continued to sing together every 
  time they were together, even to the end of his life. He remarked recently on 
  one such occasion that he would remember this day in eternity. In addition to 
  his wife, Paul is survived by his son, J. Richard, husband of Nancy (Myer) 
  Witmer; and six daughters, Mary Ellen Witmer of Mount Joy, Jean, wife of J. 
  Richard Stauffer of State College, Doris, wife of Dale Fahnestock of Manheim, 
  Barb, wife of John Brubaker of Buhl, Idaho, Betty, wife of Scott Kepnes of 
  Merrimack, N.H., and Rose, wife of Bob Wichterman of Powder Springs, Ga. He is 
  also survived by six stepsons, Carl, husband of Mae (Gerhart) Zimmerman of 
  Richland; Marvin, husband of Bev (Ramer) Zimmerman of Reading, Lester, husband 
  of Erma (Ressler) Zimmerman of New Holland, Roy, husband of Carolyn (Bauman) 
  Zimmerman of Lebanon, Jay, husband of Crystal (Stauffer) Zimmerman of 
  Schaefferstown, and Gary, husband of Julie (Shenk) Zimmerman of Lititz; 30 
  grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; 23 stepgrandchildren; and 12 step great-
  grandchildren. Paul is also survived by two brothers, Luke, husband of Dorothy 
  (Boll) Witmer of Mount Joy, and John, husband of Evelyn (Weaver) Witmer of 
  Millersville; and three sisters, Arlene, wife of Lester Hertzler of Sligo, 
  Lois, wife of Clarence Good of Croghan, N.Y., and Grace, wife of David Shenk of 
  Mountville. In addition to his first wife, Paul was preceded in death by his 
  firstborn daughter, Janet, wife of Elvin Peifer of Grantham; a brother, Roy 
  Witmer; and three sisters, Anna Eshbach, Dorothy Miller, and Jean Bender. 
  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service at 
  Erb Mennonite Church, 567 W. Lexington Road, Lititz, on Tuesday, October 6, 
  2009, at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Hernley Mennonite Cemetery Rapho Township. 
  There will be a public viewing at the Erb Mennonite Church on Monday from 2 to 
  4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the 
  time of service. Those desiring may send contributions in Paul's memory to the 
  Manheim Mennonite Church, Building Fund, 201 W. High St., Manheim, PA 17545; or 
  Global Disciples, 315 W. James St., Suite 202, Lancaster, PA 17603. The Buch 
  Funeral Home, Manheim, in charge of the arrangements.  
  Published in the Lebanon Daily News on 10/3/2009  
  
  
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