Ethel Mae Troyer

Ethel Mae Troyer, 94, of Eureka passed away peacefully at 12:45am Wednesday August 3, 2011 at her residence. She was born on February 16, 1917 in Eureka the daughter of Ezra B. and Carrie E. Good Yordy. She married Robert E. Troyer on December 1, 1939 in rural Eureka. He passed away on February 13, 2005 in Eureka. Her parents and one sister Florence Schrock also preceded her in death. Surviving are five daughters Mary Ann (Paul) Watkins of Bloomington, Susan Troyer of Chicago, Betty (Randy) Rocke of Columbus, OH, Sally (William) Anderson of Eureka and Alice Troyer of Palatine. She is also survived by four grandchildren Cynthia (Christopher) Nelke, of Scottsdale, AZ Jonathan (Nancy Enderby) Watkins of Silver Spring, MD; Kari Watkins of Parkston, MD; and Carrie Anderson of Bloomington; six great grandchildren Tyler, Alyssa and Isabelle Nelke; Lucy, Henry Ezra and Eleanor Watkins. Also surviving are three sisters Dorothy Yordy and Alta Graber both of Eureka and Ruth Keller of Fort Madison, IA as well as two sisters-in-laws Ruth Schapmire of Normal, IL and Fern Rice of Watseka, IL. She and her husband were actively engaged in farming south of Eureka. Having attended Goshen College for two years she then became a school teacher for many years, and later graduated from Eureka College in 1974 with a BS Degree in Education. Her love of children and education paved the way for a career in elementary education. She was a classroom teacher and continued to teach and inspire after her retirement. She was a very loving and gentle person who enjoyed music and had a song in her heart. She was a member of Roanoke Mennonite Church. While spending winters in Florida following retirement she and her husband attended Bayshore Mennonite Church in Sarasota, FL. Graveside burial rites will be conducted at 10am Saturday at Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery. Services will then follow at 11am Saturday at Roanoke Mennonite Church with the Rev?s. Maurice Yordy, Robert Harnish and Frank Kandel officiating. Visitation will be Friday August 5th from 4pm until 7pm at Roanoke Mennonite Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in her name to Roanoke Mennonite Church.