My husband, and our dad, Sherrill Esau was born to John J. and Edna Amick Esau, on October 17, 1935, at Littlefield, Texas. He peacefully passed away in the evening hours on March 30, 2026, reaching 90 years of age.

During Dad's childhood he lived in various places. It was hard to make a living during those years. He remembers picking cotton by hand with a bag slung over his shoulder in Louisiana, also living in Littlefield, Texas, and moving to Rich Hill, Mo.

At a very young age, Dad responded to God's call, and was baptized by Min. Henry Dirks into the Church of God In Christ, Mennonite. He faithfully served the Lord the rest of his life.

The years, Dad spent in IW service, in Roseburg, Oregon left a deep impression in his memory. After, returning home, he made a trip to Kansas, where he fell in love with our mother, Joyce Schmidt. They were married on November 10. 1957, in Montezuma. Kansas. Dad took his bride back to California, where they began their home in a brand new house that Dad built just for her.

Dad's heart was filled with joy when a baby girl was born to them. Following her, a son was born, who lived only few short months. With great happiness they welcomed the arrival of another daughter and son. He continued to love children throughout his life, and he had a way of drawing them close to him. Many children quickly learned that this man had a wooden elephant filled with candy!

Though, he worked as a carpenter, together with his father, he always dreamed of becoming a farmer. In 1967, that dream was fulfilled, when the opportunity came to help his father-in-law. He loved those years of working hard and making a living, farming that rich brown dirt in Gray County, Kansas. Dad liked to start the irrigation well, and then lay out the irrigation pipe, trying to keep ahead of the flowing water.

We as a family remember the time when the Lord spoke to Dad calling him to a closer walk with Him. This experience changed his life and ours. This opened the door to many places of service including church volunteer projects and mission work in the continent of Africa. Their work took them to Nigeria, Kenya, and also Ethiopia. Like with everything else Dad put his whole heart into loving these people and learning their culture. It was during these years in Africa, the Church called Dad to the service of the Ministry. He was ordained while on furlough at Homeland on Jan. 17, 1988.

After returning home, they spent a number of years living at Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. These brothers and sisters became very dear to both Dad and Mom. They speak very fondly of that time, and treasure their friendship.

When their years of traveling came to an end, they returned home to their house on Park Street in Montezuma. Their door and hearts were always open, and many girls made their home with them, while working at Bethel Home. As their health declined, they moved first into an apartment at Bethel Home, and then into full care, where giving out peach rings became his trademark.

Dad left us with a rich heritage, he has gone on before, leaving us, His loving wife, Joyce, his children, Sherlyn and husband, James Koehn (Living Hope), Deanna and husband Kelly Isaac (Plainsview), and Michael and wife Janae (Homeland); 11 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; three sisters, LaFreda Minniger, Barron Wisc., Melba Giesbrecht, Princeton, Ca. and Karen Giesbrecht, Deridder, LA.; one brother, Lyvon Esau and wife Marlys, Montezuma; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Esau, Buhl, Idaho. Preceding him in death are, his infant son, Jeffrey; one brother, Dalmont Esau; three brothers-in-law, Bill Mininger, Raymond Giesbrecht, and Ervy Giesbrecht.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Homeland Mennonite Church, Montezuma with burial following the service. Visitation will be on Friday, April 3, 2026 from noon to 3:00 PM at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma. Memorials are suggested to the General Mission fund at Homeland Mennonite Church. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.