Harold Leon Swartzendruber

Harold L. Swartzendruber, 90, died Tuesday afternoon, February 11, 2014, at I.U. Health Goshen Hospital after suffering a stroke on Monday. He was born January 1, 1924 in Manson, Iowa to Edwin E. and Rose Ella (Driver) Swartzendruber. On May 3, 1947 he married Lucille Mae Graber at Goshen College She survives along with three children, Janet Reid of Charlottesville, Virginia, Jim (Tina) Swartzendruber of Goshen and Steve Swartzendruber of Auburn; two grandchildren, Breanne (Shawn) Buterbaugh and Michael (Nicole) Swartzendruber; four step-grandchildren, Eric (Serena), Nick (Kiesha), Ryan (Alisha) and Victoria Easley; five great-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David in 2008, a brother, Glenn and two infant brothers, Warren and Norman. Following his 1941 graduation from Manson High School, Harold worked in his father's grain elevators. In 1943 he was inducted into Civilian Public Service and worked at the State Hospital, Ypsilanti, Michigan, until he was transferred, in 1945, to Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pennsylvania, where for two and a half years he was their first shipping agent for relief supplies worldwide. During that time he also established Menno Travel Service.

He graduated from Goshen College in 1950 and began working at Mennonite Mutual Aid, Goshen, soon becoming the chief executive officer, a position he held for 27 years. During his tenure, the Mennonite Foundation, Mennonite Mutual Aid Association, Mennonite Retirement Trust and Mennonite Insurance Service were among the entities established. These laid the groundwork for the present day Mennonite Financial Services, headquartered in Goshen. An extension of Menno Travel Service was also established in Goshen.

Harold was very much involved in the property aid movement. He was a key person in bringing together directors of the 20 some Mennonite Aid Property or Aid Societies, located in the US and Canada, which formed the Association of Mennonite Aid Societies. He served as chairman of their annual conventions for several years. Out of these meetings, Mennonite Indemnity, Inc. was formed as a reinsurance company to serve the societies. He served on the Board of Directors of MII for 41 years, the last nine years as Chairman of the Board. During the last years, the process of reorganization of the Societies services began, resulting in the current MAXX services.

Harold was an active member of College Mennonite Church. He was also a member of the Goshen Rotary Club, the American Management Association, the Association of Insurance Agents and the Whitehill Association of Accountants. He was a pianist and sang in numerous groups, including, the church choir and Menno Singers. He enjoyed gardening and working with his model trains.

Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via father Edwin Swartzendruber by SmartCopy: May 19 2015, 22:23:11 UTC