J Stuart Lehman

J Stuart Lehman , 90, of Berne passed away peacefully in his chair while reading the newspaper in his home on Tuesday morning, September 25, 2018.  He was born at Adams County Hospital on November 29, 1927, the only son of Waldo and Erna Lorena “Glory” (Sprunger) Lehman of Berne.

Stuart lived almost his entire life on Lehman Street in Berne, progressing southward from one house to another.  He married Rosemary Arnold of Lima, Ohio, on November 1, 1969.  She preceded him in death in December of 2008.  They had one daughter, Heidi Jo, who survives.

Stuart’s career was teaching high school.  He taught at Elmhurst High School before beginning his long tenure at Berne French and South Adams, where he taught English, Speech, Social Studies, and even Math (briefly).  He also spent several years partnering with his father in running the Maytag Shop in Berne.  He sold life and health insurance for many years as “Stuart Lehman Insurance.”

He loved public speaking and was often called upon to MC events, speak at reunions, and organize programs.  His hobbies included reading and touring Berne in his car, especially his “Dunder Fegu” (“Thunderbird” in Swiss).  He was a faithful family man, taking care of his parents, his older relatives, then later his wife and daughter.

Stuart’s greatest desire was to serve the Lord.  He was a life-long member of the First Mennonite Church in Berne, where he applied his seminary training to teaching Sunday School and working in various other ministries in the church, including serving as deacon, speaking on the weekly Sunshine Hour broadcast, and teaching for evening church services.  He taught his last Sunday School lesson to the Loyal Workers Class on September 9, and did his last Sunshine Hour broadcast September 18, just one week before he died.  He was grateful he could continue to be of use to the Lord, even at the age of 90.  He wanted everyone to know that Jesus loves them.

“Take thou my hand, O Father, and lead thou me, until my journey endeth, eternally.”

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2018 at First Mennonite Church in Berne .  Burial will follow at MRE Cemetery in Berne.

Family & friends will be received from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Memorials are to the First Mennonite Church in Berne and the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.