Published: December 21, 2007 11:17 am      

James H. Waltner

Sept. 7, 1931-Dec. 18, 2007

James H. Waltner of Goshen, a longtime Mennonite pastor, died December 18, 2007, at Goshen General Hospital. He was born in rural Marion, S. Dakota, September 7, 1931, to Henry and Ida (Kaufman) Waltner.

He attended country school and graduated from Freeman Academy and Junior College at Freeman, S. Dak. After farming with his father and brother for three years, he attended Bethel College in N. Newton, Kan., where he met Lenore Pankratz of Mountain Lake, Minn. They were married June 1, 1956.

James graduated from Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago in 1958. He was ordained into ministry at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman, S. Dak., and served Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton, Kansas. Later he served the First Mennonite Church, Upland, Calif., and completed a D. Min. degree at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, Calif. James and his family moved to Normal, Illinois, where he served First Mennonite Church, and after a congregational merger, Mennonite Church of Normal. He spent the last 10 years of his pastoral ministry at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, retiring in 1996.

James authored This We Believe, a catechism study book for young people, in 1967. Another significant experience early in his ministry was a summer doing archeological work in Israel. His deep interest in Biblical studies and the Hebrew language led to his research and writing Psalms, a volume in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series, published in 2006.

He was active in church work for more than five decades, including serving as president of the Pacific District and Central District of the General Conference Mennonite Church, the General Board of the General Conference, chair of the Mennonite Biblical Seminary Board, and moderator of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. At the time of his death, James was serving as Overseer for five congregations of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. In addition, he served 12 years on the Oaklawn Board.

James was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a dear friend and mentor to many. His wife of 51 years, Lenore, of Goshen, survives, as well as daughter Rachel and husband Duane Goossen of Topeka, Kan.; son Tim and wife Sandy Waltner of Mackinaw, Ill.; daughter JoAn and husband Rob Thieszen of Newton, Kan.; and grandchildren Ben and Elsa Goossen and Maura Thieszen. Other survivors include a brother, Harris and Christine Waltner of N. Newton, Kan., sister, Hilda and Kenneth Kaufman of Sioux Falls, S. Dak., sister-in-law Shirley Waltner of Freeman, S. Dak., and nieces and nephews. His parents and two brothers, Harold and Calvin, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Saturday, December 29 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Sunday, December 30, at 3 p.m. Reverend Klaudia Smucker will officiate. Interment will be at Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman, S. Dak., at a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts to Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 3003 Benham Ave., Elkhart Ind. 46517; College Mennonite Church 1900 S. Main St. Goshen, IN 46526, or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Condolences may be sent to www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.