Born: October 29, 1911
Death: February 21, 2010
Occupation: Farmer, Pastor, Bishop
Hobbies: Woodworking, Gardening, Bird Watching, Reading, Traveling
Esther, Spouse
Willard and Alina, Son
Hubert and Maryellen, Son
David and Norma, Son
Lois and Durwood, Daughter
Irene, Sister
11 Grandchildren
18 Great- Grandchildren
Nieces, Nephews and Cousins
Simon, Brother
Allen, Brother
Harvey, Brother
Vera Erb, Sister
Esther Schrag, Sister
Edna, Sister
October 29, 1911 - February 21, 2010
BELLEVILLE: Rev. Andrew L. Gingerich, 98, died Sunday morning at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Durwood and Lois Bast, while under the care of his family and the Hospice of Jefferson County.
Andrew was born in Baden, Ontario, Canada, October 29, 1911, to Jacob and Lydia Lehman Gingerich. The family immigrated to the U.S. in 1922 and settled on a farm on the Number Three Road in Lewis County. He married Esther Zimmerman May 21, 1944, in Lancaster Pennsylvania. He was ordained as a minister May 25, 1947, and served as founding pastor of the Woodville Mennonite congregation. In September of 1952 he was ordained as bishop of the Woodville congregation and for some twenty-plus years served as a leader in the Conservative Conference of the Mennonite Church. He served multiple terms as the Conference representative to the Executive Board of the Mennonite Central Committee, the national relief service agency of the Mennonite Church, where he was also employed before marriage.
He and Esther operated a dairy farm in Ellisburg on South Landing Road for many years.
After retirement, he and Esther were involved in church plantings in Cincinnati, Ohio, El Paso, Texas, and Northport, Florida. Always an avid reader, he enjoyed gardening, wood working, bird watching, and travelling.
Besides his wife, daughter and son in law, he is survived by three sons and their wives, Willard and Alina, Queens; Hubert and MaryEllen, Ellisburg; David and Norma, Fort Collins, Colorado. He also has a sister, Irene Moshier of Lowville, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is predeceased by three brothers, Simon, Allen and Harvey, and three sisters, Vera Erb, Esther Schrag, and Edna Gingerich.
Funeral services will be held11:00 AM, Friday, February 26th, at the Croghan Mennonite Church with the Reverends Evan Zehr, Lewis County Hospice Chaplain, and Kyle Widrick, Pastor of Grace Community Church in Adams, officiating. Calling hours will be held Thursday, February 25th from 2-4 and 7-9 at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are with the Adirondack Funeral Home, Croghan.
In lieu of flowers, Andrew and the family request memorial donations be made to Son Light Missions Lacolline Inc., PO Box 83, Castorland, NY 13620, for support of relief work in Haiti. Online condolences may be made at www.adirondackfh.com.
Friday February 26, 2010, 11:00 AM
Croghan Mennonite Church
Calling hours are Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 at the church
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