Hollis Edward Flora

Hollis Edward Flora was born on February 18, 1933, in Covington, Ohio to Cornelius J. and Pauline Flora, the oldest of a second set of 8 siblings with six older half-siblings. On September 25, 1959, he married Charlotte Dutter from Modesto, California, moving to Stelvideo, Ohio as a new couple. In 1972, they moved to Bartonia, Indiana, then to Horatio, Ohio in 1973, and to the “home place” on Hwy 121 near Greenville in 1977, where they remained until 2019, moving to Goshen, Indiana due to declining health. After sixty-six years of faithful marriage, in December, 2025, Mom was called home to her Lord, and on August 27, 2026, Dad was called from time to eternity, at the age of ninety-three years, six months, and nine days.

Hollis was baptized into Jesus Christ in 1953, becoming a member of the Old Order German Baptist Church. From 1953 to 1955, Hollis served at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan as a Conscientious Objector to war, making many memories with his roommates, Melvin Coning, Lemoine Miller, and Richard Skiles. In 1957, while in medical school, he was called to the ministry in the Oak Grove District where he was advanced to the second degree of the ministry in 1965, and ordained an elder in 1970. He Joined the Old Brethren Church in November of 1974, where Dad served as an elder until 1989.

Dad Hollis and Mom Charlotte spent many of their working years raising produce and operating a greenhouse business at their home in Greenville, Ohio. Dad’s later working years were spent as a handy-man for twenty years at Rest Haven Nursing Home. Dad had a keen mind, studied history, and had amazing recall of facts, figures, people, places, and events. He loved to communicate, frequently preaching overtime, and conversing with friends, family, and strangers whenever possible. Dad wrote poetry, culminating in a 150-verse poem entitled “Man’s Mighty, Tiny Titanic (God Is Wise and Almighty.)”

Dad always cherished honesty, and he became discouraged and disillusioned with those whom he felt were in error. This led to him deciding to withdraw his membership from the Old Brethren church, never rejoining a specific fellowship. Dad was supportive of Mom’s membership with the Old Order German Baptist Brethren, New Conference congregations at Bethel and Clearwater districts, faithfully attending and serving with her. Through all of these decisions, Dad remained faithful in his love for the Lord and longed for His appearing. We rest in the knowledge that the Lord is the Righteous Judge and that we serve a faithful God – One Who uses even our imperfections to work His will.

Hollis is preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte; one infant daughter, Ruth Edna; half-siblings (Helen) Woneda and Clint Sink, Ray and Grace Flora, Hubert and Glenna Flora, Paul and Norma Flora, Virginia and Kenneth Peters, Ann and Myron Bowman; brothers-in law Clarence Frantz, Howard Denlinger, and Russell Garber; siblings Wade Flora, Ruth Elda Flora, Mildred and Marion Denlinger, C. J. Flora, and Buford Flora; one granddaughter, Krislyn Wagner, one great-grandson, Callum Royer, and one great-granddaughter, Talitha Bowser.

He is survived by his children: Faythe and Ron Cable, Rose and Paul Royer, Beth and Lloyd Wagner, Jill and Chris Crawmer, Edward and Karen Flora, Timothy and Krista Flora, Aaron and Jennifer Flora, and Lois and Sam Cover; along with thirty-five grandchildren and sixty-three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three siblings: Etta Mae Garber, Thelma and Charles Garber, and Lucille and Keith Bussey; brothers and sisters-in-law, Violet Flora, Joann Flora, Bonnie Dutter, Norma Dutter, Doris and Atlee Oyler, Marshall and Rosalene Dutter, Martha and Mike Meador; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to express deep appreciation for all who helped care for Dad, and are truly thankful to be part of a community that loves, cares, and supports each other in difficult times. We long for the day when our Lord returns as King of kings and Lord of lords, and there will be no more separations… forever.

Services for Hollis will be held on Saturday September 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Shiloh Old German Baptist New Conference Meeting House, 8340 Delisle Fourman Road, Arcanum, Ohio. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Bradford, Ohio. The family will receive friends from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM on Saturday at the meeting house. Arrangements have been entrusted to Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Flora family.