Myron Dave Schrag, 88, pastor and follower of Jesus, a sojourner whose ministry carried him from India to Indiana, died Dec. 6, 2025, at his home in Goshen, Ind.
Born Jan. 10, 1937, in Norwich, Kan., he was the fifth of six children of Dave and Adina Schrag. He credited his rural upbringing for shaping his character and work ethic. His faith was nurtured at Bethany Mennonite Church, where he was baptized as a teenager. In later years, he described baptism as the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship, rooted in Jesus’ call to peacemaking, justice and the “upside-down kingdom” of the Sermon on the Mount.
At Norwich High School, Myron excelled in football, basketball and track. At Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., he initially prepared for a career in teaching and coaching but developed a deepening interest in Bible and religion courses, while also setting a school record in the 120-yard hurdles.
After graduating in 1959, Myron served through Mennonite Voluntary Service in Ontario, working with troubled youth. A summer with Mennonite Central Committee in Nashville and time at Koinonia Farm with Clarence Jordan strengthened his commitment to a gospel-rooted faith expressed through racial justice, nonviolence and shared community. These experiences led him to Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. There he met Ericka “Rickey” Koop. Married in 1965, they shared more than 60 years of partnership in life and ministry. Myron served congregations in Kansas, India and Minneapolis, where he helped found People of Faith Peacemakers, and concluded his pastoral career at Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen.
In retirement, Myron and Rickey continued to serve, including teaching in China. Following a second cancer diagnosis, Myron lived fully and faithfully until his death.
He is survived by his wife, Rickey; three sons; seven grandchildren; siblings; and extended family. Myron will be remembered for his humility, warmth, love of sports, devotion to family and enduring witness to the peaceable way of Jesus.
