Glen William Nafziger was born August 20, 1927 on a farm located one mile south of Pettisville, Ohio to William H. Nafziger and Ruth (Frey). He died peacefully at 92 after a very brief illness, May 27, 2020, at the CHP Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio.
He married Doris Ellen Holaway June 4, 1955 and described it as his greatest accomplishment, along with having six children whom he “helped through college without going broke or losing his sanity.” He was the youngest and last living of eight children, Beulah (Ralph) Nofziger, Vesta (Paul) Miller, Ervin (Marjorie) Nafziger, Lester (Marjorie) Nafziger, Helen (John/Roy) Kaufmann/Kauffman, Ivan (Lodema) Nafziger and Lois (Kenneth) Nofziger.
Glen was a gifted story teller and enjoyed sharing detailed and vivid tales about all aspects of his life, including his boyhood working on the farm, graduating from Pettisville High School in 1945, traveling to Poland as a Seagoing Cowboy post World War II to replenish horses, and serving in India for two years with Mennonite Central Committee.
Glen did not graduate from college yet worked hard and progressed in the banking industry over the course of forty years. He retired from the Farmers & Merchants Bank as a Vice President, learning about computers and leading the effort to implement their technology systems. Outside of his occupation, he was a part-time farmer of various crops and livestock.
He also volunteered his time and contributed to many causes and organizations including Reach Up ministry at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, Sauder Village working with his son at Brush Creek Pottery, Care & Share Gift & Thrift MCC thrift shop, hosting students for the International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP), and more.
In addition to these involvements, Glen was passionate about music and theatre, singing in numerous choirs and ensembles, holding season tickets to the Toledo Symphony and performing in various Archbold Community Theatre productions. After heart bypass surgery at 54, he began a regular fitness program, jogging and completing numerous races, and in his later years, riding his bicycle around town. He had a love and appreciation for the outdoors and diversity of nature, and he took every opportunity to seek out the warmth of sunshine.
Glen’s faith and beliefs were the most important thing in his life and determined his conduct. He was a charter member of Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio, and served in a variety of ways including chorister, treasurer, SS teacher and long time choir member.
He aspired to follow biblical teaching, in particular demonstrating unconditional love for all human beings and living the fruits of the Spirit. He valued humility, sacrificial living for a good cause and truthfulness. He described his life goals as “wanting to lead a right life, loving and being loved no matter the circumstances.”
Surviving are his six children Gregory Nafziger (Michele), Mark Nafziger (Joyce), Maribeth Nyce (Philip), Sue Ellen Paden (Bradford), Laura Hoag (Jonathan) and Matthew Nafziger (Diane) and grandchildren Stewart Nafziger (Esther), Jacob Nafziger (Devin), Erin Nafziger, Jacinta Nafziger (Rich Frazin), Fern Linziger (Eric), Peter Nyce (Fallon), David Esch (Rosemary), Cara Paden, Emma Paden, Michael Paden, Lindsay Roman, Gabriella Hoag, Jason Hoag, Austin Nafziger, Evan Nafziger and Blake Nafziger, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris, in 2012, and his grandson, Joseph Roman, in 2018.
Glen chose to donate his body to UTMC so his death could benefit others. Rather than flowers, please send donations to Mennonite Central Committee, CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, Sunshine, Inc. or a charity of choice.
A family service will be held Sunday, May 31, and posted to glennafziger.wordpress.com. After this time, please visit the website to view the service and share your stories, memories and photos with the family.