Vern E. Hershberger, 78, Nappanee, passed away peacefully at his home at 9:45 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 after a long illness.
He was born June 19, 1938 in Goshen to Ezra and Katie (Yoder) Hershberger. Vern lived his lifetime in Elkhart County. On Sept. 3, 1959, he married Rachel Miller. Mr. Hershberger had worked at Fairmont Homes for 37 years. He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Mr. Hershberger is survived by his wife, Rachel Hershberger; children, Omar Hershberger, Goshen; Richard Hershberger, Alice Hershberger, Harvey Lee (Laura) Hershberger, all of Syracuse; Merle (Barbara) Hershberger, Nancy Hershberger, Rosa Hershberger, Rhoda Hershberger, Bertha Hershberger, Jessica (Kenneth) Borkholder, all of Nappanee; Norman (Jean) Hershberger, New Paris; Mark Hershberger, Milford; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and brothers, Melvin Hershberger, Gambier, Ohio; Alvin (Mary) Hershberger, Roman (Katie) Hershberger, both of Nappanee; and Leroy (Wilma) Hershberger, Shipshewana.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Hershberger in 1997; grandson, Kory Hershberger; parents; sisters, Fannie Mae Schrock, Pauline Hershberger; and sister-in-laws, Orpha Hershberger and Esther Hershberger.
Family and friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 Friday, Jan. 20, and all day Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Carlyle Hersberger residence (25559 CR 50). Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Hershberger residence. The Home Ministry of the Old Order Amish Church will officiate and burial will be in West Union Center Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.