Bishop Eli A. Hershberger

MILLERSBURG -- Bishop Eli A. Hershberger, 87, of 6005 Township Road 419, Millersburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at his home.

He was born July 19, 1927, in Holmes County to the late Andy J. and Susie (Mast) Hershberger, and married Edna B. Yoder on Oct. 21, 1948. She died Feb. 16, 1994. On Jan. 29, 1995, he married Amanda B. (Yoder) Hochstetler. She died Oct. 18, 2014.

He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church and was ordained as minister in 1971 and Bishop in 1984. He was a retired farmer.

Surviving are children, Henry (Beulah) Hershberger of Sugarcreek, Ervin (Verna) Hershberger of Beach City, Ada (Noah) Miller of the home and Aden (Lizzie Ann) Hershberger of Dundee; stepchildren John, deceased (Ella) Hochstetler of Apple Creek, Lester (Elva) Hochstetler of Millersburg, Irene, deceased (Joe) Schlabach of Apple Creek, Sara (Roy) Miller of Dundee and Alta (Dave) Schlabach of Baltic; 30 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren, 29 step-grandchildren, 126 step-great-grandchildren, and 51 step-great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Andy (Fannie) Hershberger and Ervin (Katie, deceased) Hershberger, both of Big Prairie, Raymond Hershberger of Fredericksburg, Amanda (Mose) Yoder and Lizzie (Sam) Erb, both of Millersburg

In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; three sisters; an infant stepson; two stepchildren; two step-grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and 1 step-great-great-grandchild.

Services will be Saturday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Hershberger residence, with minister Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery, Walnut Creek Township, Holmes County.

Friends may call anytime at the Hershberger residence. Arrangements are being handled by Smith-Varns Funeral Home, Sugarcreek.