Mary Hertzler

Mary Yoder Hertzler passed away Saturday November 18 in Harmon House Care Center, Mt. Pleasant.  Mary is survived by her husband, her sister Martha Oswald, her four sons, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was born on January 5, 1928 the daughter of Eugene and Esther Miller Yoder. She graduated in 1946 from Streetsboro High School and in 1949 from Eastern Mennonite College with a diploma in Junior College Bible.

Mary was married on July 12, 1952 to Daniel Hertzler and the couple moved to Scottdale in September, 1952. They would have four sons:  Dennis in 1953, Ronald and Gerald (twins) in 1955 on Dennis' second birthday, and Daniel Mark in 1960.

Mary taught Sunday school and craft classes throughout her active life. She studied and later taught rug braiding at the Scottdale YMCA. Two of her full size braided rugs are still in use by various family members along with recovered furniture.

She had skills in marketing and worked as a store clerk from time to time, but giving first preference to the needs of her family. She served as a clerk and later a manager of the thrift section of World's Attic in Somerset, PA, a store selling used items with the income given to Mennonite Central Committee.

She was editor of Allegheny Mennonite Conference News from 1983-1991. As editor she wrote short editorials. In 2013 a selection of these was complied into a booklet The Tall Man. This was the title of the first chapter, developed in the O'Hare and Pittsburgh airports while returning from a meeting in Oregon.

She left a number of paintings and an illumination of Isaiah 40. Late in life she once remarked, "I have no regrets."

Beginning in her 85th year she was confined to a wheel chair in Harmon House. But from 2012 to the mid year in 2017 she was able to be taken out for attending worship and also to visit the Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory.

Family and friends will be received on Friday from 6 to 8 pm in the Scottdale Mennonite Church, 801 Market St. Scottdale.  Graveside committal services will take place on Saturday at 10 am in the Alte Menist Mennonite Cemetery, Upper Tyrone Township, followed by Mary’s memorial service at 11 am in the Scottdale Mennonite Church with Pastor David E. Mishler and Pastor Conrad L. Mast, co-officiating.

Arrangements for Mary are in the care of GRAFT-JACQUILLARD FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, INC. 303 Pittsburgh St. Scottdale, Pa.

Persons wishing to make a contribution in her honor may designate it for Haverim Friends of the Bible Department at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA  22802. To offer messages of condolence, please visit www.gjfuneral.com.