10/26/2013
Raymond Eby Rohrer, 83, formerly of Ronks passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at Landis Homes. Born in Smoketown he was the son of the late Israel D. and Edna Eby Rohrer and stepson of the late Lydia Weaver Rohrer. He was married for 61 years to Elizabeth King Rohrer. He graduated from Philadelphia School for the Deaf and worked at Feldser Printing as a linotype printer for 25 years. He became the pastor of First Deaf Mennonite Church in 1973 and pastored there for 22 years. He also served as interim pastor for Orville Deaf Mennonite Church in Ohio and Frederick Deaf Church of the Brethren in Maryland. Prior to becoming a pastor he taught the deaf Sunday School for many years. He started deaf Youth for Christ, deaf youth camp, Deaf Crusade for Christ and a deaf senior citizen group. He served on the boards for several agencies: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in Lancaster, Anabaptist Deaf Ministries in Elkhart, and American Deaf Missions. He was a longtime member of Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD).
He will be deeply missed by his wife and daughters, Sue, wife of Eric Martin of Salem, Oregon, Darlene wife of Marvin Rohrer-Meck of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Wanda wife of Leon Rohrer-Heyerly of Hubbard, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Lindsay Martin wife of the late Matt Styer, Jenna wife of Eric Trinka and Daniel Martin, Jesse husband of Adie Gerig-Heyerly, Jalisa Heyerly, Jared Rohrer-Meck, Karina Rohrer-Meck; one sister, Verna wife of Dwight Beachey of Mylo, North Dakota. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Warren and Harold Rohrer.
Raymond loved to go on walks, read, play games, mow the lawn, do computer games, and participate in family activities. He enjoyed travel, especially to visit family, as well as spending some winters in Florida. It was special to him that he was able to attend each grandchild's high school and college graduation. He had a fun sense of humor and was a gracious, kind and thoughtful person, always thinking of others even in his last days. His desire was to live life for the glory of God.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 1st, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Mellinger Mennonite Church, 1916 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA. A private interment will be in the adjoining cemetery. The viewing will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, 4:00-8:00 p.m. at First Deaf Mennonite Church, 2270 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602. Memorial Contributions can be made to First Deaf Mennonite Church.