5/11/2013
Gladys A. Sweigart of Garden Spot Village, New Holland, PA, died on May 11, 2013 in her 92nd year. Born in Leacock Twp., near Gordonville, she was the daughter of the late Jacob S. Stoltzfus and Rebecca K. Stoltzfus. She was married to Melvin G. Sweigart for 56 beautiful years. He died in June 2012. Mrs. Sweigart was a graduate of the former Paradise High School, the former Lancaster Business College, and Goshen College, Goshen, IN. She attended Temple University. She taught at the Penn Manor High School in Millersville, Goshen College, and Linville Hill Mennonite School. She also substituted one year in the Pequea Valley Intermediate School. Mrs. Sweigart was a longtime member of the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, active in the sewing group, a Sunday School teacher, and a Bible School teacher. She is survived by four children: Philip B. Sweigart, husband of Karen Landis, North Carolina, Dirk M. Sweigart, Delaware, Rebecca K. Boyer, Lancaster, and Jon M. Sweigart, husband of Lisa Britton, Philadelphia. Also five much-loved grandchildren survive her – Eric, Rachel, and Sarah Sweigart, Tristan Sweigart Boyer and Elizabeth Rae Sweigart. Surviving also is one brother, Ezra L. Stoltzfus married to Elizabeth Bell, and three sisters, Della A. Stoltzfus, Violet Sollenberger, and Anna E. Weaver. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Norman J. Stoltzfus (wife Betty, Ephrata, survives) and Roy A. Stoltzfus. After Gladys’ retirement from teaching, Melvin and Gladys provided a home for her mother and took care of her for six years. They also attended a number of elder hostels and travelled in the U.S. and abroad. Gladys was an avid reader, enjoyed writing, kept journals and delighted in family. Her church at Forest Hills was very important to her. A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 6 to 8 PM at Forest Hills Mennonite Church, 100 Quarry Rd., Leola, PA. A private burial is to take place the next morning at the Eby Cemetery, Monterey. The funeral service is to follow at Forest Hills Mennonite Church at 11:30 AM. Please omit flowers. If desired, memorials in Gladys’ memory may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S. 12th Street, Akron, PA 17501. Furman’s – Leola FurmanFuneralHome.com