Naomi Lehman, 89, Ephrata, missionary, enjoyed singing

Naomi Krady Lehman, 89, of Ephrata, died Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Ephrata Manor Nursing Home of congestive heart failure while sleeping next to her husband of 71 years, Paul.

Naomi was born on November 14, 1922 in Harrisonburg, Va. and was the daughter of Daniel Stoner Krady and Francis Miller Krady of Lancaster.

As a child, Naomi’s life was shaped by living at the Vine Street Mennonite Mission, where her father was the superintendent and she often recalled assisting in the distribution of clothing to needy families and helping serve food to the homeless. Naomi and Paul spent many happy years creating and singing music while engaged in mission work in Italy, Germany and Switzerland. To her family and extensive friends, Naomi was known as a loving, gentle and caring person who treated others with kindness, consideration and compassion. She enjoyed reading, singing, sewing and gardening and was a member of Pilgrims Mennonite Church of Akron.

In addition to her husband Paul, Naomi is survived by her three children: Judy, wife of Joe Stoltzfus, of Loysville; Jim, husband of Cindy Speaker, of Aurora, N.Y.; Jerry, husband of Kandace Helmuth, of Akron; seven grandchildren: Jeff, husband of Jane Stoltzfus, of Alexandria, Va.; Jonathan Stoltzfus, of Middletown; Jolita, wife of Dana Peterson, of Annapolis, Md.; Theda L., wife of Ian Stone, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jamie, husband of Christiana Stoltzfus, of Bainbridge; Jebb Lehman, of Geneva, Switzerland; Bryn, husband of Angela Lehman, of Pahoa, Hawaii; 11 great- grandchildren: Rowan, Harvey and Eowyn Stoltzfus; Sofia and Nathan Peterson; Noah, William and Evan Stone; Abigail, Isabel and Olivia Stoltzfus; and four siblings: Daniel Krady, of Harleysville; James, husband of Madeline Krady, of Lancaster; Lois K., wife of Roy Hartzler, of New Paris, Ind.; and Betty K., wife of Cary Kelsey, of Elkhart, Ind.

She was preceded in death by an infant brother: Paul, three sisters: Elva Krady, of Lancaster; Rhoda, wife of Martin K. Lehman, of Goshen, Ind.; and Ruth K. Lehman, wife of Harold, Harrisonburg, VA; and by a sister- in-law, Ruth Good Krady, wife of Daniel.

A simple burial, arranged and managed by family and friends, was held at Mellinger Mennonite Church Cemetery on May 7. Pastor Barry Kreider of Pilgrims Mennonite Church held a memorial service on May 12 at 3 p.m. at the Welcoming Place of Mennonite Central Committee, 21 South 12th Street, Akron.

Memorial donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee at donate.mcc.org or by calling 859-1151.