Mabel Horst Eshleman, 96, died March 13, 2026. She was born Sept. 23, 1929, in Bareville, Pa., the daughter of the late William S. and Ella Sensenig Horst. She was married to D. Rohrer Eshleman for 71 years.
Mabel graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School and Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing. She served under Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions in Ethiopia for 15 years and was the first woman to serve on the EMM board. She served on the board of Good Enterprises and volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 40-plus years.
She was a longtime member of Landisville Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania. She enjoyed traveling, reading, making quilts and growing plants and flowers. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Keith (Susan Weaver) Eshleman of Landisville, Pa., Leanne (Steve) Benner of Beaverton, Ore., Louise (Howard) Yoder of London, Ohio, and Rodney (Cindy Herr) Eshleman of Harrisonburg, Va.; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Norlene (Jake) Hess of Harrisonburg; and a foster daughter, Itaferu Tamerat (Dr. Solomon Hailemariam) of Ethiopia. She was predeceased by sisters Helen White, Mildred Horst and Elaine Horst and a brother, Linford Horst.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Meserete Kristos College and Seminary in
Ethiopia at M.K. College Link, Box 1701, Harrisonburg, Va.
