eternal life and home on Thursday, November 29, 2018. He was 96 years old. It had
been his desire to care for his wife, Lois Luella (Miller) Schlabach, until her death, and
he had been able to do so. He outlived her by almost two years, but had been in declining
health ever since. Most recently, it had been his fervent desire to go home to heaven.
Even though the family grieves his death, and will miss his gentle humor and kind heart,
they rejoice with him that his desires have been met.
David was born on October 9, 1922 in Thomas, Oklahoma to Elias and Minnie (Lantz)
(Schrock) Schlabach. He was the fourth of ten children, three of whom were half siblings,
and one who was adopted. On August 30, 1945, he married Lois at Sunnyside Mennonite
Church in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. Over the years, the couple lived in Conneaut
Lake, Pennsylvania; Cumberland, Maryland; Scottdale, Pennsylvania; Wauseon, Ohio;
and Sarasota, Florida. David had a series of jobs throughout his life. He first farmed his
father’s land. Later he farmed for others, drove a gas truck, installed furnaces, worked for
his brother’s fertilizer company, did plumbing and construction work, and worked as an
electrician. In his retirement, he was often called upon to do small electrical jobs.
David was a faithful member of the local Mennonite Church wherever he lived. He
served several terms as an elder, and was a sought after Sunday school teacher for much
of his life. Together with his wife, once a quarter for twenty years, he volunteered at
Maumee Youth Camp on Sunday mornings, assisting with Sunday school and worship
opportunities for the youth. After retirement, David served as the chaplain for the park
where they lived and also volunteered with Helping Hands. He and Lois became
members of First Brethren Church of Sarasota in their later years.
David is survived by his daughter-in-law Jean (Baker) Schlabach of Oregon, Ohio; son
Joseph Daniel and his wife Carol (Schurr) Schlabach of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter
Donna Louise and her husband Conrad Mast of Goshen, Indiana; and daughter Beth Ann
Schlabach of Sarasota, Florida. He has five grandchildren, five great grandsons and one
great granddaughter. He has one living sibling, sister Mildred Miller, Pierceton, Indiana,
three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Lois; a son, David Michael; three sisters, Sylvia Schrock,
Clara Yoder, and Dorothy Ellen Schlabach; five brothers; Alva Schlabach, Shem
Schlabach, Clayton Schlabach, Sanford Schlabach and James Schlabach; seven brothersin-
law and four sisters-in-law.
Arrangements are being made through Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Wiegand Chapel of Sarasota.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
at First Brethren Church, 150 N. Shade Ave., Sarasota, Florida, with Pastor David Stone
officiating. A time of visitation will follow. Flowers are appreciated; however, in lieu of
flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Brethren Church.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18