John Knight Brenneman

John Knight Brenneman, of Ephrata, formerly of Lancaster, redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, left this life to be with his Savior on Thursday, December 19, 2024. He was a resident of Lincoln Christian Home, Ephrata. He was born on July 29, 1925 in Pequea Township on what was part of the original area settled by pioneer Melchoir Brenneman. He was the son of the late John S. and Elizabeth Knight Brenneman.

 He graduated from what is now Penn Manor High School in 1943, from Eastern Mennonite College in 1950 with a B.A. in bible and from Temple University with a Master of Science in Education degree in 1961.

 On June 10, 1951 he married Lois Ellen Hege, daughter of Jonas E. and Elizabeth Baer Hege. For most of their 58 years of married life they lived in the New Danville area of Lancaster County. He taught school for 35 years, mostly in the Solanco School district, retiring from George A. Smith Middle School in 1987.

 For over 48 years he also worked as a tour guide for visitors to Lancaster County, serving under Mennonite Information Center. He was a published author of children’s stories. For some years he wrote Sunday School curriculum materials for Christian Light Publications, Harrisonburg, VA. From 1950 to 1975 he was deeply involved with the program of Laurel Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster where he served in many different capacities.

 In 1976 he was called to serve as minister at the East Hanover Mennonite Church north of Hershey. He retired from there in 1998. Currently he was a member of Strickler’s Mennonite Church, Middletown.

 He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Ellen Hege Brenneman who died in 2010, brothers, Melvin K, Clair K., Wilmer K., a sister, Ruth White, a granddaughter, Tamara Lennon, and a grandson, Daryl Lennon.

 Surviving are two chosen daughters, Miriam Groff of Manheim, Debra Kohl of Florida, and two brothers Paul K. of Lancaster and Elvin K. of Mount Joy. Also surviving are five grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

 In 2011, he married M. Eleonora Lehman Martin who died June 5, 2014. He is also survived by two stepsons, David L. (Patty) Martin of Rochester, WA, Allen (Pheobe) Martin of Lititz, and three step daughters, Dorcas Martin of Lititz, Miriam Martin of Dallas, TX, Evelyn Martin of Lititz, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

 The family wishes to thank the Lincoln Christian Home for all their love and care of John during his stay.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend John’s Funeral Service on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Life Mennonite Fellowship, 732 Millwood Road, Willow Street at 10:00 AM. There will be a viewing on Sunday (tomorrow), December 22, 2024 at Lincoln Christian Home, 1307 Apple Street, Ephrata from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and again at the church Monday morning from 9:00 AM until 9:50 AM. With the sermon by his stepson, David L. Martin. Burial in the New Danville Mennonite Church Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers. Anyone wishing to honor John’s memory is invited to contribute to the Bible Fund, Heralds of Hope, Inc., P.O. Box 3, Breezewood, PA 15533.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23