Mervin Joseph Swartzentruber, 94, of Goshen, Ind., died Dec. 7, 2022, at Greencroft Healthcare. He was born March 29, 1928, to John and Ruth (Esch) Swartzentruber in Middlebury. On Dec. 31, 1954, he married Marilyn Stutzman of Goshen.

He graduated from Goshen College in 1950 and from Goshen Biblical Seminary in 1951 with a bachelor of theology degree. During and after college, he worked as an electrician, then developed his renowned cooking skills while leading a 1-W service unit in Plymouth, Mich. He met the love of his life, Marilyn, when they volunteered together on the executive committee of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Youth Fellowship in their 20s.

He worked for 38 years at Mennonite Publishing House in Scottdale, Pa., first in the editorial department, then as maintenance manager. He and Marilyn raised their children in a country house they built themselves. They were active members of Kingview Mennonite Church until 1995, when they retired to Greencroft and joined Benton Mennonite Church.

He was a Renaissance man, seemingly able to fix and do anything. His mind was constantly working to solve some mechanical, technical or design challenge. Whether he was building a dining room hutch as a wedding present, an elaborate marble roller for Greencroft residents, parquetry tables for the Mennonite Central Committee relief sale or a butternut squash casserole for a church potluck, his skill, patience, brilliant mind, creativity and generosity were evident to all.

Survivors include his children, Julia Swartzentruber, Jo Rogers, Jean (Rick) Murray and John (Lauren McKinney) Swartzentruber; a brother, Paul (Jan); five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; and two siblings, Harold and Edna (Dean Hochstetler).

A memorial celebration was held at Evergreen Place, Greencroft, Goshen. He was buried at Gracelawn Cemetery in Middlebury.