Edith Elizabeth Birky^[1]

1930 - 2017  (87 years)

• Name	Edith Elizabeth Birky
  Birth	29 Jan 1930	Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
  Gender	Female
  Death	28 Apr 2017	Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN
  Burial	Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN
  	Violett Cemetery
  Person ID	I3409	Schrock-Birkey Connection
  Last Modified	15 Aug 2018

  
  

  Father	Alvin L. Birky,   b. 30 Oct 1897, Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL d. 28 Dec 1976, Leo, Allen Co., IN (Age 79 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth Heiser,   b. 29 May 1897, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL d. 1994, IN (Age 96 years)
  Marriage	28 Aug 1918	Fisher, Champaign Co., IL   [2]
  	By Peter Zehr, at home of bride’s parents
  Family ID	F2364	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	John King
  Children	1. Arlan Ray King   2. Julia Leann King   3. Emily Katherine King   4. Susan Elizabeth King   5. John Wesley King
  Family ID	F2380	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	30 Apr 2001

  
  

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  Birth - 29 Jan 1930 - Fisher, Champaign Co., IL Death - 28 Apr 2017 - Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN Burial - - Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  Obit: http://obituaries.goshennews.com/obituary/edith-birky-king-1930-2017-915301111/print Edith Elizabeth Birky King, 87, passed into the arms of her loving creator in the early hours of Friday, April 28.  She is survived by her husband of 64 years, John C King; five children, Arlan (Brenda) King of Phoenix, Arizona, Julie (Paul) Keim of Goshen (currently living in Germany), Emily (Adrian) Jantzi of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Susan King of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and John W. "Tony" (Marsha) King of Goshen; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Marjorie Liechty and Eldon (Jan) Birky.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Delilah Stamm.  Edith was born Jan. 29, 1930, to Alvin and Lizzie (Heiser) Birky in Fisher, Illinois. She grew up on a small farm in rural Illinois and spoke often of her younger years in the country. It was during those years that she taught herself how to play the piano and enjoyed a lifetime of playing hymns and singing around the piano.  She entertained many Greencroft residents with her music. She also learned to paint with oils and acrylics and painted many garden rocks showcasing beautiful nature and spiritual messages.  Edith graduated from high school in 1948 and attended one year at Hesston College, where she met her future husband over pingpong. (She won!)  She married John C. King Aug. 15, 1952. They served together in the ministry for 50 years in various churches in Ohio, Indiana and Nebraska.  In later years she returned to school to study early childhood development. While living in Nappanee, she started and directed the preschool at North Main Street Mennonite Church.  After retiring, they moved to Goshen and eventually to Greencroft.  Friends may call Thursday, May 4, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Waterford Mennonite Church. A memorial service will take place Friday, May 5, at 10 a.m. also at the church.  Burial will follow the service at Violett Cemetery, Goshen. A fellowship meal will be served.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the International Student Fund at Goshen College.  Arrangements are with Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. To share online condolences, visit www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.

  
  

• Sources

  [S6] Page 3, Ella Wagler Oyer, Christian and Catherine (Ulerich) Wagler, Tazewell Settlers. [S225] Peter Zehr, East Bend Mennonite Church Records.