Milton James Zehr, 84, died Dec. 12, 2024, in Goshen, Ind. His wife, Dorothy L. (Wissler) Zehr, predeceased him earlier in the year.
He was born in 1940 in Lowville, N.Y., the seventh of 11 children of Elias M. and Martha (Widrick) Zehr. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Lowville Academy and Central School in 1957 and then from Eastern Mennonite College in 1966 and Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 1969.
Milton and Dorothy married in 1968, and the following year they returned to Lowville to begin a life of partnering in ministry. Milton served as pastor of Lowville Mennonite Church for 22 years, followed by 15 years as conference minister for New York Mennonite Conference. Within those years, he also served as a delegate to Conservative Mennonite Conference, with the alumni association of Eastern Mennonite College and as a camp pastor at Beaver Camp.
He is remembered as a wise and caring leader who readily offered both spiritual and practical support to those around him. He and Dorothy welcomed many people into their home and lives. He served God and the church with integrity, passion and an open heart.
Milton’s happy place was the woods, where he cut wood for the furnace, made maple syrup, listened to the wind in the white pines and sang hymns loudly. He also enjoyed the farm and garden, picking raspberries and blueberries and then eating them in Dorothy’s delicious pies and bringing golden doodle puppies into the kitchen for his grandchildren to socialize. He loved being with family, whether working together, talking or playing games or snoozing in the corner chair amid the chaos. His wise and caring perspective, the twinkle in his eyes when making a joke and his beautiful prayers will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his children, Kirkwood (Kristin) Shank Zehr, Lucinda (Eric) Zehr White, Adam Zehr, Yolanda (David) Zehr Omes and Marcus (Robin) Ebright Zehr; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. May 24 at Lowville Mennonite Church. Donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
