John P. Eicher

John Phillip Eicher, 93, lifelong resident of Berne, passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Swiss Village with family present. He was born on March 9, 1925 to Menno and Leota (Sprunger) Eicher on the family farm. He graduated from Berne High School in 1943 and married Mary Moser (Palmer and Edna) on November 1, 1947. They shared a strong marriage of 71 years.

He was an active member of First Mennonite Church all his life, where he was a Sunday school teacher, deacon, youth leader, and supporter of the Mennonite Central Committee Meat Canner. He also volunteered at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Michigan in many capacities, including counselor, nature guide, board member, and grounds maintenance worker. Locally, he was a member of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Swiss Village board, Swiss Heritage Society, and Swiss Days committee.

He had many interests, including photography. As a contributing photographer for the State of Indiana, he traveled many miles. Often times, he traveled in his Model A Ford, which also found its way into his photographs. Other hobbies included leather work, metal fabrication, the out-of-doors, Mennonite history, and family history. He enjoyed designing model cars and trucks and brass lamps, creating and giving many away as gifts even into his 90’s.

His professional life centered around Moser Motor Sales, where he and his brother-in-law and lifelong friend Millard Moser were business partners in the Ford Dealership. He most of all truly loved his family and family time. As a father, he always encouraged, listened to, and was a big part of his children’s lives – teaching lessons that prepared them for life.

He is survived by his wife of Berne; two sons, Phil (Cindy) Eicher; and Jim (Linda) Eicher, both of Berne; daughter, Greta (Scott) Lehman of Berne; four sisters, Rachel (the late Oliver) Sheets of Pandora, Ohio; Lena (Conrad) Nagel; and Nancy (Donald) Graber, both of Berne; and Amy (Robert) Wechter of Ligonier; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren with four more on the way.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4  at the Swiss Village Chapel and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, December 5 at First Mennonite Church in Berne. Officiating will be Rev. Jim Schwartz, Rev. David Moser, and Rev. Kenzie Inteman. Private burial will follow at MRE Cemetery in Berne at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Mennonite Central Committee Meat Canner or Mennonite Disaster Service.

Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.