MONTEZUMA - Our dad and grandpa, Verle Dean Eicher, was born to Frank and Hannah (Gearig) Eicher on January 1, 1935 in Gratiot County, Michigan. He peacefully passed away at Bethel Home on November 20, 2020 at the age of 85.

Dad had two older sisters and two younger sisters. He went to the Cook Levering School through grade 8, then to the Ithaca High School until he was 16. He was baptized into the Church of God In Christ Mennonite the winter of 1950 by Min. John Ensz and was faithful to those vows 'til the end.

On June 20, 1954, he married Melva Jean Litwiller of Ithaca, Michigan. Melva's father, Min. Glenn Litwiller presided over their marriage ceremony. They shared almost 57 years of marriage until she passed away in May of 2011. They were blessed with four girls. Shortly after marriage they served 2 years in 1W service in Baltimore, Maryland. They lived in Michigan until 1970 when they moved to Pinecrest, Georgia to start a dairy farm. Seven years later they moved to Faunsdale, Alabama to help start the new congregation there.

Dad was a lover of song, being a song leader and Bible School song leader for many years. Even in recent years, when he couldn't remember words to songs he would sing the notes by memory. In January of 1985 they moved back to the farm in Georgia. To be close to their children, in September of 2011 they moved to Bradley, Arkansas to start fish farming. He was a hard working farmer all of his life, and also worked at John Deere for many years. Three years ago, dad moved to Bethel Home. We as a family are so appreciative of his care there.

Left with many memories are Marilyn and Gerald Ensz of Faunsdale, Alabama, Cheryl and John Jantzen of Bradley, Arkansas, Verla and Kenyon Koehn of Homeworth, Ohio and Janette and Allen Unruh of Grifton, North Carolina; one sister, Janice and Lee Koehn of Faunsdale, Alabama; 18 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Melva; three sisters; one infant sister; and one infant grandson.

Funeral services will be held 10:30A.M., Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in Bradley, Arkansas, with burial to follow at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, November 23, 2020 at the church 6:30P.M. – 8PM.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralchaple.com.