Mabel Irene Harnish, age 91, went home to be with her heavenly Father on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Fairmount Home, Ephrata. She was born on Dec. 12, 1925 and grew up in Lancaster County. On March 1, 1950 she married the late Jacob H. Harnish and was married over 63 years until he passed away in 2014. They raised their 5 children in Willow Street and down-sized in 2004 by moving to Fairmount Home.

Mabel was a stay at home mother but picked-up small jobs of cleaning homes, working in a bakery, picking strawberries, etc. She loved to quilt, crochet, sew, and cook. She was known for her good potato salad. Her heart was to volunteer at various Christian organizations such as Christian Aid Ministries, the Mennonite Central Committee, Bylerland Mennonite Church, and the most recent church they attended, Rawlinsville Mennonite Church. She loved to host people from around the world, which included those that came to the area to help with Wycliffe Bible translation. Mable was a youth advisor and taught Sunday school and Bible school. Mabel and Jake also traveled to many countries around the globe. Mabel did not have an ounce of laziness in her. She served her Lord and was content to not be recognized for her service.

She is survived by 5 children: Marian married to LeRoy Sensenig, Marvin married to Marian (Landis), Doris married to Ron Lindhurst, Shirley married to Duayne Keen, and Janet married to M. David Stauffer; 3 siblings: Barbara LeFever, Ida Hess, and John Eshleman; 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Fannie (Martin) Eshleman, 3 brothers, Clayton, Chester, and Howard Eshleman, and 2 sisters, Ruth Eshleman and Cora Kilheffer.

A celebration of Mabel’s life will take place on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 10 AM at Byerland Mennonite Church, 931 Byerland Church Road, Willow Street PA 17584 with Pastors Paul Hess and John Reeser officiating. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery. Viewing will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2017 from 3-5 PM at the Wheat Ridge Chapel of Fairmount Home, 333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata PA 17522 and on Monday from 9-10 AM at Byerland Mennonite Church prior to service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Christian Aid Ministry and/or Compassionate Care Hospice. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all the visits and prayers during the last several months. Arrangements by Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mabel I. Harnish, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.