Wayne Gerald North

Wayne Gerald North died on July 8, 2016 at the age of 86. He was the son of Homer F. and Bertha Bechtel North and was born in Nappanee, Indiana on October 29, 1929. Following his graduation from the Nappanee Schools, he graduated from Hesston Jr. College, Goshen College, and Goshen Biblical Seminary.
Wayne served as pastor to churches in Ontario Canada, Ohio, and Virginia as superintendent of Central Christian High School in Kidron, Ohio and as administrator for the Mennonite General Board in Lombard, Illinois. He was also a writer for Mennonite periodicals. Wayne was gentle and kind and often knew just the right word for a situation. He believed everyone deserved to be loved and treated with respect.
Wayne demonstrated his love for his wife and family. In 1955 he married Doris Amstutz and to them were born six children, Rod (Alice Franks) of Greensboro, NC, Brenda (Stan Martin) of Cary, NC, Emily (Ben Sandel) of Harrisonburg, VA, David of Denver, CO, Janet (Fred Schlabach) East Bernard, VT, and Jennifer (Kendal Bauman) of Harrisonburg, VA. He always enjoyed his twelve grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily, Erin and Anali, Henry, Isaac and Ruby, Coen and Lewis, Micah, Zach and Malia.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday July 12, 2016 at 11 AM at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. The family will receive friends on Monday July 11, 2016 from 6 until 8 PM at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee by visiting https://donate.mcc.org/ ; or to the Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, C/O The Building Fund, 1552 S. High St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com
Arrangements entrusted to the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, VA. 540.833.2891.