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Our dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Ervy D. Wenger, was born to Frank and Anna (Dyck) Wenger on Feb. 5, 1927, in McPherson County, Kan.

With his children at his side, he peacefully departed to his reward on Jan. 15, 2021 at the age of 93 years.

Dad received his education at the French School in McPherson County. When he was 11 years of age, he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized on Feb. 22, 1938 into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Meridian congregation. He remained faithful to God and the church to the end.

In his young single years, Dad spent some time in 1-W service in California. He talked with fondness of this time. Dad moved to Walnut Hill, Fla., around 1950. Then, on Dec. 26, 1951, he was united in marriage to Velma Schneider at the Meridian congregation in rural Hesston, Kan. In the earlier years of their marriage, they spent time in service in Roseburg, Ore. The remainder of their married life was lived in Walnut Hill. Dad grew up on a farm in Kansas and farming continued to be his occupation throughout his life. Mom was a help to Dad in many ways and that included helping Dad with clearing land in the earlier years, picking up many, many sticks and, later, driving the grain truck to the grain elevator.

Dad was a conscientious person who desired to be obedient to God and His will. He, along with Mom, endeavored to teach us those values. He treasured service to God and the Church and spent many hours writing and proofreading lessons for the Sunday School quarterly. After Mom passed away in 2011, life was not the same. Dad eventually moved to Oakwood Manor in Brooksville, Miss. and then, finally, to a memory care home in Pensacola, Fla.

Those left to cherish his memory are two children, one son and one daughter, Dale and wife, Carol of Lobelville, Tenn., Rachel and husband, Kim Holdeman of Walnut Hill; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; eight sisters, Ruth Johnson of Moundridge, Kan., Edith Ensz of Montezuma, Kan., Verna Schmidt of Brooksville, Miss., Vesta Peters and husband, Verle, Davisville, Fla., MaryAnn Nickel and husband, Jay, of Tuscola, Ill., Martha Koehn and husband, Allen of Bowersville, Ga.; three brothers, Maynard Peters and wife, Vera of Stapleton, Ga., John Wenger and wife, Kathleen of Walnut Hill; and Glenn Wenger and wife, Kay of Faunsdale.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Velma; six brothers and sisters, Harry Wenger, Alice Miller, Elda Koehn, Josephine Jantz, Paul Wenger, Grace Diller and Alice Dyck.

The funeral service was held at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church, Walnut Hill, on Jan. 18, 2021, with visitation. The ministers presiding were Verle Peters, opening remarks, Brian Decker, the message and Franklin Wenger at the graveside.

Burial followed at Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.