J. Mark Stauffer Sr.

The Rev. J. Mark Stauffer Sr., 85, of Menno Haven Village in Chambersburg, Pa., died Sunday, March 14, 2004.

Rev. Stauffer was born Sept. 26, 1918, in Altoona, Pa., and was a son of the late Bishop John L. and Lydia Kolb Stauffer.

He graduated from Junior College at Eastern Mennonite College in 1938 and from State Normal College (now James Madison University) in 1939 with a BS degree. He was also a student at Julliard School of Music in New York City in 1944 and received his MA degree from George Peabody College in 1949 in Nashville, Tenn.

He began teaching at the age of 21 at Eastern Mennonite College, where he was head of the Music Department and resigned in 1976.

Rev. Stauffer was pastor of Charlottesville Mennonite Church from 1961 to 1977. In 1965, he was chaplain of Cedars Nursing Facility in Charlottesville until 1979. He was also chaplain of Towers at Charlottesville in 1971 and of Menno Haven in Chambersburg, Pa. from 1979 until 1987, when he retired.

His wife, Eva Hostetter Stauffer, preceded him in death Feb. 25, 1997. They were married Dec. 24, 1939.

Survivors include a son, Dr. John Stauffer of New Market; two daughters, Margaret Corle of Lancaster, Pa. and Evelyn Baer of Hagerstown, Md.; a sister, Ruth Alger of Dayton; a brother, James K. Stauffer of Harrisonburg; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Phil Kniss will conduct a memorial service 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Park View Mennonite Church, where the family will receive friends following the service. A private burial will be held earlier at Lindale Mennonite Church Cemetery with the Rev. Myron Augsburger officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to EMU, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802 or Menno Haven Inc., 1217 Arbor Ridge, Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.