OBITUARIES

Gladys C. Alderfer of Harleysville; Leonard ‘Leonid’ Kolomyec of North Wales.

Gladys C. Alderfer, age 92, a lifelong Harleysville resident, passed away August 1, at Souderton Mennonite Homes, where she resided since 2008. She was the wife of the late Russell L. Alderfer, who died January 20, 2017.

Born in Harleysville, she was oldest of four children born to the late Warren R. and Ella Mae (Clemens) Henning.

In her early years, she attended Salford Mennonite Church with her grandmother.

Gladys graduated from Souderton High School, Class of 1944 and completed one year at Lansdale School of Business.

She worked in the family’s general store, at Main and Broad Streets for a number of years. That general store evolved into the current Henning’s Market in Harleysville.

Gladys and Russell were married on March 28, 1948. In June of 1949, they welcomed the first of seven children. A homemaker, she dedicated her life to her family. Some of her loves were gardening (particularly flowers), playing piano, music (especially marches) and volunteering at SMH. In later years, reading, word puzzles and following the Phillies filled her days.

Playing games with her grandchildren was a great joy. A crack Skip-Bo player, she was always up for a late night round or two. Her grandchildren always wanted to be her partner as it assured a win! She documented the daily comings and goings of her family, in her diary, since the early 1950s until a few days before her death. She was refreshed by annual trips to the family cabin in Tioga County, PA, for more than 35 years.

She and Russell raised their family at Plains Mennonite Church, Hatfield Twp., where she participated in the Women’s Missionary Service Auxiliary.

After she was no longer able to attend, she faithfully watched the services, from several area Mennonite churches, that are broadcast every week at SMH. She is survived by six children: Audrey J. Alderfer (Phyllis Miller), R. Brent Alderfer (Deirdre), Christine Carpenter (Steve), Douglas K. Alderfer (James Taylor), Russell Eric “Rick” Alderfer, Gayle Alderfer Fisher (Larry), 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, son-in-law Neil Benner (Barb), brother Robert C. Henning (Bea), two sisters Eleanor “Toot” Moyer and Carol HenningFranczyk.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, G. Faye Benner and two granddaughters, Cherylyn Alderfer and Michelle Carpenter.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 5, from 1 to 2:00 PM at Souderton Mennonite Homes, Summit View Auditorium, 207 W. Summit St., Souderton. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Plains Mennonite Church, 50 W. Orvilla Road, Hatfield, PA 19440.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Gladys’ name to the church at the above address or to Living Branches Foundation, c/o Souderton Mennonite Homes Agape Fund, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.williamsbergeykoffel.com.