Simon Glen Gingerich worked for three decades at one of Mennonite Mission Network’s predecessor agencies, Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities (MBM) and continued sharing his gifts as an executive board member. Simon died December 8, 2024, in Elkhart, Indiana, just seven weeks shy of celebrating his 102nd birthday. He is remembered by colleagues as someone who embodied servant leadership, serving from a pastoral posture.
Simon was born February 2, 1923, in Versailles, Missouri, the ninth of 10 children born to Amos and Nannie Gingerich. He married Dorothy Horst on December 8, 1945, then began studies at Goshen College, receiving Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Bachelor of Theology degrees in 1949 and 1951 respectively.
In 1950 Simon was called to the pastoral ministry at Holdeman Mennonite Church in Wakarusa, Indiana where he was ordained and served faithfully for fourteen years. Known for his thoughtful preaching, compassionate pastoral care, and dedication to his congregation, Simon officiated numerous baptisms and marriage ceremonies. During this time, he also supported his family by working as a cabinet maker.
Beyond his pastoral duties, Simon served on the Board of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference, overseeing mission activities, and later the Executive Board of the Mennonite Board of Missions. He worked to dismantle institutional structures in the Mennonite Church that perpetuated racial, cultural, class, and economic barriers, fostering a vision of inclusivity and equality.
In 1963, he joined the Greencroft Goshen (Indiana) Board of Directors, where he represented the broader Mennonite Church for 31 years.
In 1964 Simon embraced a new calling, accepting a position as Secretary for Home Missions at MBM in Elkhart. In this role, he worked closely with Native American communities such as the Choctaw communities as they endured three bombings of the Nanih Waiya Mennonite Church in the 1960s.
After retiring from MBM in 1977, Simon became custodian of the Prairie Street Cemetery. He meticulously cared for the flowers and trees and contributed to ongoing development.
Simon was an active member of Prairie Street Mennonite Church for sixty years, assisting in its programs, pastoral care and leadership. He was instrumental in the renovation of the church building and maintained the Mennonite Voluntary Service house, offering guidance to the volunteers.
Unable to have children of their own, Simon and Dorothy embraced their 38 nieces and nephews with unconditional love.
Following Dorothy’s death in 1996, Simon married Mary Maple Berkshire in 2001, becoming stepfather to her four adult children.
Simon was preceded in death by all nine siblings: Charity (Menno) Troyer, Leroy (Mary Alice) Gingerich, Fred (Alice) Gingerich, Truman (Velma) Gingerich, Eunice (Nelson) Histand, Paul (Vesta) Gingerich, Orie (Miriam) Gingerich, Lois (Wallace) Bender, and Clayton (Eileen, Myrtle) Gingerich; his wife, Dorothy (Horst), his wife Mary Maple (Berkshire); and stepson Jeffrey Berkshire.
Simon donated his body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine research. His ashes will be buried on January 25, 2025, at Prairie Street Cemetery. Services will be held the same day at Prairie Street Mennonite Church, 1316 Prairie Street, Elkhart. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., and a light lunch at noon. The memorial service will be live streamed.
Memorial gifts may be given to Mennonite Mission Network and Prairie Street Mennonite Church.
