Retha R. Alger, 92


Retha Romaine Mishler Alger, 92, of Broadway, Va., passed away Dec. 21, 2009, at Loyalton of Harrisonburg.

She was born at Shipshewana, Ind., on April 17, 1917. She was the daughter of Oscar and Emma (Miller) Mishler. Later as a young girl, she grew up in the Johnstown, Pa., area.

She was a lifelong member of the Mennonite Church, having become a member at a young age. She was a Sunday school and Bible school teacher. In her younger years, she was active in the Virginia Mennonite Home Auxiliary organization. She was also very active in the Women\'s Ministry of the church, as well as helping in her husband\'s deacon work. After school days, she did domestic work, worked in a sewing factory, and worked for a number of years at the Mennonite Publishing House in Scottsdale, Pa. As a homemaker, she loved to entertain her family and friends, spent much time in reading and letter writing. She also enjoyed her hobby of knitting, making many gifts for her family and others. She loved her God, her church, and family.

She married John P. Alger on Feb. 19, 1949, and they spent 60 years of happy married life together. Her husband, John P., survives as well as a son, Victor E. Alger (wife, Judith Yoder Alger) of Broadway, Va.; daughter, Wanda L. Alger (husband, Scott Waples) of Spokane, Wash.; a grandson, Nicholas E. Alger (wife, Aaron Shafer Alger) of New Cumberland, Pa.; a granddaughter, Katrina E. Alger of Broadway, Va.; a brother, Harold Mishler (wife, Mary Pronkowitz Mishler) of Quakertown, Pa.; and a sister-in-law, Rosalie Nelson, of Davidsville, Pa.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis Faye Alger, her mother, father, stepmother, sister, and stepbrother.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Zion Mennonite Church in Broadway. Burial will be private.

Online condolences may be left at www.grandlefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway.

Retha R. Alger


A memorial service for Retha Romaine Mishler Alger will be held Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the Zion Mennonite Church near Broadway. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Zion Mennonite Church, 3260 Zion Church Road, Broadway, VA 22815, or to the Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions, 901 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.