10/26/2018
Paul Groff Burkholder, 89, of Lititz, PA entered into the presence of Jesus whom he loved on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 at Hospice and Community Care. He was the husband of the late Miriam (Thomas) Burkholder whom he married October 15, 1949. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. He was born April 19, 1929, in Bareville, to the late Paul Kreider and Bethel M. (Groff) Burkholder.
Paul & Miriam tilled his father’s farm 1950-54 before the Lord called them to ministry in the Bronx, N.Y. in 1954, where they served for 13 years. Paul was ordained to the Gospel ministry at the Glad Tidings Mennonite Church, Bronx, NY, January 2, 1955. For eight years Paul drove New York City Taxi.
In 1954 their lives were turned to Jesus in a refreshing way through the East African Revival movement. Paul graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA, Class of 1970, with additional post graduate studies at Princeton Seminary, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Marywood College.
He also served Mennonite pastorates in Corvallis, Oregon and eight years at the Groveland Mennonite Church, near Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He worked as Central & Western, PA Area Representative for Mennonite Mutual Aid Association (now Everence) for six years .and as a Consumer Credit Counselor for Tabor Community Services, Inc., Lancaster, PA 1987-96. Paul enjoyed his several occupations.
Following Retirement Paul and Miriam volunteered for two years with Mennonite Central Committee in Belle Glade, FL, after which they served with SOOP (Service Opportunities for Older Persons) in two locations.
He enjoyed traveling and especially via their motor home across the United States, Canada and Alaska and parking in their children and friends driveways to visit. He enjoyed embroidering quilts, did some quilting and made replicas of an antique kitchen clock for each of their 16 grandchildren.
Paul enjoyed life in all the places they lived. At Landis Homes Retirement Community since 2000, he enjoyed volunteering as shuttle and bus driver, Sunday school coordinator and teacher, preacher, and worship and song leader. Of special concern was that his listeners see Jesus beyond the sacred page, John 5:39. Paul began an in-house TV interview program at Landis Homes and served on Residents Council and other activities.
He is a member of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church where he previously served as Christian Education Director, Sunday School Teacher, Song Leader and with Miriam as pastoral visitors.
He is survived by: daughter Judy & husband Jerry Stoltzfus of Goshen, IN, son Glenn and wife Rita (Fisher) Burkholder of Bloomington, IN, Philip Swartley husband of deceased daughter Renee of Perkasie, PA, daughter Marilyn & husband Franz (Fritz) Brandenburg of Westboro, Mo, son James Burkholder of Bird-in-hand, PA, and foster son Kevin and Jackie (Sabol) Andress of Denver, PA. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Family visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 in the Landis Homes Azalea Room from 5 – 8 p.m. and 9 – 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, 100 Quarry Road, Leola, PA with Memorial Service to follow.
The Body has been given to the Humanity Gifts Registry.
Please omit flowers. Memorial Contributions can be made to Tabor Community Services, 430 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA or the Landis Home Caring Fund.