James Everett Horsch, 84, Goshen, Ind., died Aug. 11, 2024. He was born Nov. 1,1939, Foosland, Ill., to Henry L. and Esther (Litwiller) Horsch.

He married Ruth Emerson on July 11,1958, at East Bend Mennonite Church.

A graduate of Hesston College, Goshen College, Goshen Biblical Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh, he first served as a pastoral intern in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Ordained by South Central Conference and Pacific Coast Conference of the Mennonite Church, he was an assistant pastor at Hesston Mennonite Church in Kansas for two years.

In 1968, he was invited to join the Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, Pa., where he served for 41 years editing church and Herald Press publications such as The Mennonite Yearbook and Purpose. He took a two-year hiatus as executive program director for Laurelville Mennonite Church Center. He was a member of the Committee on the Uniform Series, the Association of Statisticians of the American Religious Bodies, Associated Church Press and Evangelical Press Association.

In 2001, James and Ruth moved to Goshen, where he continued working for Mennonite Publishing House/MennoMedia until retirement. He was a member of College Mennonite Church.

A gentleman and gentle man, James is remembered for his warmth, kindness, optimism, sense of humor and easy-going demeanor. A quiet man, he radiated a steadfast aura of openness, compassion, strength and calm throughout his service to the church, the community and his family. In addition to his passion for editing, he loved nature, music, food, laughter and playing Scrabble and was always eager to spend time with others. His welcoming heart, sense of humor and cheerful disposition were some of the reasons he was a much loved, cherished resident at Greencroft Health Care.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son Anthony (Rhonda Ensz) Horsch of Newton, Kan.; daughter Janet (Janet Stout) Horsch of Pittsburgh; son Jon (Maria Rodriguez) Horsch of Goshen, Ind.; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and sister LuEttta (Weldon) Friesen of Goshen, Ind.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at College Mennonite Church in Goshen. The service will stream live at collegemennonite.org/watch.