Milton James Zehr

Milton James Zehr died peacefully in Goshen, Indiana on December 12, 2024 at the age of 84.
His loving wife, Dorothy L. (Wissler) Zehr, predeceased him earlier this year.
Milton is remembered and celebrated by his children and their families: Kirkwood and Kristin
Shank Zehr (Adrian, Micah), Lucinda and Eric Zehr White (Lydia, Evelyn), Adam Zehr, Yolanda
and David Zehr Omes, and Marcus and Robin Ebright Zehr (Aidan, Holden, Graham). He was
well loved by his extended family: siblings Floyd (Pearl) Zehr (deceased), Walter (Pauline) Zehr
(deceased), Eileen (Elmer) Lehman (deceased), Pauline (Homer, deceased) Myers, Ralph
(Betty) Zehr, LaVerne (Lee) Yoder (deceased), Margaret (Emanuel) Gingerich, Carolyn (Milford)
Lyndaker, Joseph (Malinda) Zehr, and Donna (Gerry) Keener, as well as many, many in-laws,
nieces and nephews.
Milton was born in 1940 in Lowville, New York, the seventh of eleven children of Elias M. and
Martha (Widrick) Zehr. He was raised on the family farm on the West Road and graduated from
Lowville Academy and Central School in 1957. He continued his studies in Harrisonburg, VA,
graduating from Eastern Mennonite College in 1966, and Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 1969
with a Master of Divinity degree.
Milton and Dorothy married in 1968, and the following year they returned to Lowville to begin a
life of partnering in ministry. Milton served as pastor of Lowville Mennonite Church for 22 years,
followed by fifteen years as Conference Minister for New York Mennonite Conference (MCUSA).
Within those years, Milton also served as a delegate to Conservative Mennonite Conference
(Rosedale Network of Churches), with the alumni association of Eastern Mennonite College
(University), and as a camp pastor at Beaver Camp. Along with pastoring, Milton worked for
Lewis County Social Services for several years before he and Dorothy moved their growing
family to a small farm in Martinsburg, NY. He also carried forward the operation of his family’s
sugar bush in Belfort, NY.
Milton is remembered as a wise and caring leader who readily offered both spiritual and
practical support to those around him. He was a servant leader who would drop everything to
help when needs arose. He and Dorothy welcomed many people into their home and lives over
the years. Milton served God and the church with integrity, passion, and an open heart.
Milton’s happy place was the woods, where he cut wood for the furnace, made maple syrup,
listened to the wind in the white pines, and sang hymns loudly. Milton also enjoyed the farm and
garden, picking berries and eating them fresh or baked in Dorothy’s delicious pies, and bringing
goldendoodle puppies into the kitchen for his grandchildren to play with. He loved being with
family, whether working together, talking and playing games, or snoozing in the corner chair
amid the ruckus. His sage advice, his knowledge of family history, the twinkle in his eyes when
making a joke, and his beautiful prayers will be greatly missed.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025. Following interment at Croghan
Mennonite Cemetery, open visitation at Lowville Mennonite Church will start at 1:30 p.m.,
with a memorial service at 2:30 p.m., followed by a meal. All are welcome to attend and
celebrate Milton’s life. Donations in Milton’s honor can be made to Mennonite Central
Committee at mcc.org/donate. The family thanks the staff of Waterford Crossing in Goshen,
Indiana for their compassionate care.

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