Jesse Kreider Stoner

Jesse Kreider Stoner was born on July 27, 1945, in Gettysburg, Pa., to Joseph A. and Grace E. Kreider Stoner of East Berlin, Pa.

His family at that time included the following brothers and sisters: Mary Ann, Ronald, Sam, John, Marlin, Ben and Jerry. He was 6th of nine children. He grew up on the family farm in Adams County, East Berlin, Pa. His brothers nicknamed him "Tank" because of his solid, husky build. He seemed to accept that without becoming upset about it, as others might have been.

Jesse attended grades 1 and 2 at Hampton School, 3 and 4 at Round Hill and 5 and 6 at Victory Schoolhouse. Bob remembers spending these grade school years together with him. Jesse's junior and senior high years were at Bermudian Springs School District, York Springs. Jesse graduated from Bermudian Springs High School in l963. He was class vice-president in 9th grade, a student council member in 10th grade, and in the senior class play in l2th grade. His ambition was to be a secondary teacher, and he was known as a quiet and witty bookworm.

The farm was a big part of his growing-up years. Ronnie remembers some mishaps he had with tractors: one time he was apparently looking back and ran the Ferguson up on a rock, where it hung on its belly! Another time he was sliding a tractor on the ice and the back axle broke! Jesse would get up early to milk cows, during several of his high school years, and milked cows for Ashcombe Dairy during some of his college years also.

Ronnie will always remember Jesse's infectious grin and good humor. He felt that Jesse was physically stronger than his brothers and had a great capacity for work from the time he was young.

Ben remembers that when Jesse read to his younger brothers before they could read, he substituted the word "wheelbarrow" for any word he did not know. When asked a question that he didn't know how to answer, he would say, "What do you think I am, a walking encyclopedia?"

Ben also remembers one of Jesse's amusing quotes: "He came to me once, saying 'Want to see a sight for sore eyes?' It was a balloon filled with water on the watering trough faucet - the first water balloon I ever saw!"

Bob was closer in age to Jesse than any of the brothers, a proud distinction that he claims. He and Jesse had typical sibling rivalries, yet they roomed together in college. He remembers Jesse as being committed to serving others, having a gentle and caring spirit.

Mary Ann's husband, Nevin, remembers the occasion of plastering the farmhouse living room. He was working on the job of tearing out the old plaster and lath, and was it ever dusty! Jesse came in from the barn and started carrying out the lath and plaster in a tub. He used a 2"x4" as a pry bar to tear the lath loose from the ceiling. Jesse liked challenges that involved displaying his strength. His nickname, "Tank" may convey some of that.

In the fall of 1963 he entered Messiah College, Grantham, Pa., and was elected vice-president of his class. He became a member of the drama club.

From 1965-1967 he served as a volunteer construction worker with Brethren in Christ Missions in Zambia, Africa. It was another clear example of his commitment to serving others. When Jesse left for his two years in Africa, Ben remembers it as the first time that the brothers hugged each other. Mother told them, "He's leaving for two years. Hug him." So they did, at Mother's command.

He met Joanne Marie Knepper while at Messiah, and they were married on August 31, 1968. He graduated from Messiah College in 1970 with an A.B. degree in Biology. He was the first Messiah College graduate to go on to veterinary school. Jesse entered the University of Pa. School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, in the fall of 1970. Jesse and Joanne's beautiful daughter, Jodi Lynn, was born on February 13, 1972, while Jesse was still in school. Living on Baltimore Street on the 3rd floor, with a trolley rolling past at 5:00 a.m. was quite a challenge!

During veterinary school days, much time was spent at New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, where large animals were cared for. Jesse graduated in the spring of l974 with a VMD degree. He practiced veterinary medicine l0 years in New Oxford and l0 years in the Chambersburg area.

Ronnie remembers Jesse hooking an IV to his vet car and adding water to the gas to improve mileage. Ronnie says that Jesse's knowledge really impressed him. Years before Jesse died, Jesse was very aware that bacteria were adapting to antibiotics and some were getting harder and harder to kill. Ronnie used to ask a lot of "educated" people if they could name the 5 most populous countries of the world, in order. No one could, until he came to Jesse. When Ronnie expressed surprise, Jesse responded that he thought that was common geographical knowledge.

Jerry heard Jesse say at various times, "Can't is not in my vocabulary," ---and he didn't like to hear anyone else to say it. He believed that anything was possible if one put his mind to it.

In 1974, Jesse moved with his family to New Oxford, buying a 10-acre farm to set up his veterinary practice. His practice grew so well that he hired an associate, Dr. Donald Yorlets, to help him. While living in New Oxford, another beautiful daughter, Joy Elaine, joined their family on January 17, 1979. She was a special joy as they had waited seven years for her.

After practicing 10 years in New Oxford, Jesse and his family bought the 80-acre Knepper farm in Chambersburg, Pa. The next year, 1985, Jesse became ill, losing the use of his right arm. Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he lost 3 months of work. When he went back to work, he had a weakness in his right leg. The doctors told him his multiple sclerosis was in remission.

In 1986, his daughter Joy, became ill with a brain tumor and died in November, 1988. This was very difficult for everyone.

By now, Jesse was becoming quite an entrepreneur, owning and milking cows in addition to being a veterinarian. He was known to feed Hershey's chocolates to his cows to produce more milk fat---it worked! Jesse was also very generous, thinking nothing of selling a cow and giving the money to his church.

Jesse was a member of the New Guilford Brethren in Christ Church, where he served on the church board, was a Sunday school teacher, and served as deacon for 10 years. Among his other memberships were the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Bovine Practitioners, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and Pa. Farmers' Association.

In the fall of 1993, Jesse began having strange symptoms. He noticed some eye problems while reading. He also found that figuring drug percentages for drug injections was becoming difficult. Thinking these were symptoms of recurring multiple sclerosis, he made an appointment with the eye doctor. While getting ready for the appointment, he had a seizure. Realizing that Jesse was not responding to her, Joanne called 911. After brain-tissue biopsy, CAT scans, etc., it was determined that he had a brain tumor.

This knowledge was very hard for Joanne, as their daughter, Joy, had died from the very same illness 6 years earlier. Jesse began radiation treatments in February l994. Chemotherapy was not advised, as the doctor said this particular kind of tumor would not be helped by it. Looking at the x-rays, the doctor determined that this tumor was a "hot" one.

There was not much time left. Daughter Jodi was to be married on May 28 of that year. People advised moving up the wedding date, as we didn't know if Jesse would be around to give his daughter in marriage. Trusting God to heal Jesse enough to be at the wedding, we decided to keep the wedding date. Jesse was a proud father as he walked his daughter down the aisle!

Taking care of Jesse at home became increasingly difficult, as he continued to have seizures. The decision was made to admit him to Menno Haven Nursing Home on August 30, 1994. This was a hard decision, but with the support of her family, Joanne moved him there. The following day, August 31, was Jesse and Joanne?s 26th wedding anniversary. The nursing staff celebrated with them, but Joanne's heart was breaking, knowing that this was the last anniversary they would celebrate together.

Jesse passed away November 28, 1994.