Mary Ann Stoner Engle

The first child and only daughter of Grace E. Kreider and Joseph A. Stoner, I arrived on October 1, 1935, born in Harrisburg Hospital since my mother was a graduate of their school of nursing. Home was a dairy farm near East Berlin, Pa. Eight brothers joined our family over the next fifteen years, but my much-desired sister never arrived.

Living on a farm meant there was always work to do. I helped with housework and with caring for my brothers. I also helped with the milking and sometimes drove tractor. Summertime always meant preparing and canning or freezing food for winter. But I also had time to play with friends, walking to their homes or they to mine. I recall lazy summer days, reading a book while lying under a tree in the yard, playing hide-and-seek, and picnicking in the back pasture. Winter found us skating on the pond or sledding.

Visits to Grandpa and Grandma Kreider's home were big events for us. Cartons of produce and canned goods for them were tied onto our '34 Chevy, and we were packed inside. We sometimes ate our picnic lunch on the way to the old Hershey Park, where I would longingly look at the rides and the train that circled near our picnic spot! Nearly every summer I spent two weeks with Grandma and Grandpa and attended Bible school at the Palmyra Church. The trolleys that ran by their house were fascinating, and sometimes I rode with a cousin or friend to the end of the line in Hershey and back to Campbelltown. Those weeks with my grandparents were special, and I did not get homesick.

Victory School, a one-room schoolhouse adjoining our farm, opened up the world of learning for me. Miss Carrie Jacobs, my first teacher, was young, energetic, and inspiring. There I learned and played with neighbor children, including my best friends Patsy Ann Lemmon and Joyce Hinkle. Our Sunday school was also in that schoolhouse, with many schoolmates. My Aunt Mary Stoner had begun Morning Hour Sunday School to serve our rural community. Five classes met in one room! Memories of Christmas there include the program with recitations by all the children and treats of boxed candies and oranges.

Our church life extended to the Brethren in Christ congregation at Grantham which met in the Messiah Bible College chapel in Old Main. Our family was there on Sunday evenings and sometimes Sunday morning after our Sunday school. There were cottage prayer meetings in homes, sometimes even in our distant home. I gave my heart to the Lord at the age of ten in a revival service at the Grantham Church and was later baptized in the Yellow Breeches Creek.

After two years of junior high school in East Berlin, I attended Messiah Academy in Grantham but spent weekends and summers at home. At school I had spiritual encouragement and Christian teachers and friends. Since I had no sisters, living on dorm meant a lot to me. Although I took an academic program, I was able to fit in typing and bookkeeping which later served me well. After graduating in 1953 I worked a year before returning to Messiah for junior college. There I again enjoyed the interaction with students and the opportunity to learn from Christian teachers. It was my privilege to sing with Choral Society and to be in Oratorio Society. I also have warm recollections of the chapels, revival services, Bible conferences, and Gospel Team ministries that helped me grow spiritually.

My year out between high school and college put me with new classmates; among them were Nevin Engle and his sister Phyllis. Nevin and I dated and we were engaged in the spring of our sophomore year. Now we laugh together that because we had no money to continue college (and he was in Ohio and I in Pa.), we decided to get married. Our wedding was on December 29, 1956, in the old Alumni Auditorium at Messiah College.

Nevin Eugene Engle was born in Owosso, Michigan, on September 9, 1936. His father, William H. Engle, was pastor of the Carland, Michigan Brethren in Christ Church, and his mother was the former Evelyn Brumbaugh. A brother and two sisters completed his family. Both of Nevin's parents were from the Dayton, Ohio, area, and in the early 1940s his family moved to Dayton where his father became pastor of the Dayton Mission. So while I was growing up in the country my future husband was in the city. And this city became our first home. In Dayton we both worked in banks to earn money for our return to college. My work was cut short when our first daughter Marian was born in 1958. Our years in Ohio helped me learn to know my new husband's family, his background, and his home area in ways not otherwise possible. I also learned to know the southern Ohio church through visits and camp meetings.

In 1959 we returned to Pa. so Nevin could complete college. He graduated in 1961 and began teaching in the Cumberland Valley School District that fall. 1961 was a big year because our second daughter Barbara was born that December. (Nevin worked as a secondary math teacher and/or supervisor in the CV District until his retirement in 1999.) Then it was my turn to complete college. I returned to Messiah and graduated with a degree in English in 1964. Some expected that my getting a college degree meant that I would be taking my place in the work world, but I chose to stay home with our daughters. I had faced the challenge and had met a personal goal. Son Philip was born in 1965, and our family was complete.

Our homes were in various places. First was an apartment in Dayton and then we lived in Grantham in a house trailer on campus, then the Ruth Hoffman yellow house near campus, the Missionary Home, one side of Bill Mann's double house, and finally our present house at 2708 Mill Road, which we purchased in 1969. This is the home our children remember the most, and to our grandchildren it's Nana and Pop's home.

Marian is married to Todd Lehman. They, daughter Whitney, and sons Justin and Devon live in Mountville, Pa., less than an hour away from us. Barbara married Randy Cassel, and they live in Grantham with daughter Shelby and sons Austin and Morgan. Philip and Ruth Anne Nigh Engle live nearby in Dillsburg with daughter Meredith.

Over the years I worked in the printing business either part-or-full-time. While Nevin finished college I worked at Center Square Press for my uncle, Jake Stoner. In addition to secretarial/bookkeeping, I proofread, helped customers, wrote up orders, and assisted with collating and bindery work. After Nevin's graduation I stayed home, but on occasion would proofread at home or help collate at the shop. Then in the mid-seventies the new owners asked me to return, so I did with the agreement I could be home in time to meet Phil when he returned from school. I continued working there (the last years half- time) until the business was sold.

The Brethren in Christ Church has always been an important part of my life. When living in Dayton we were active in a city church. Upon our return to Pennsylvania we chose to attend Morning Hour Chapel and help in that rural church. When the Dillsburg Church opened in 1970 we felt that with our growing children it was time to be part of a congregation nearer home. I have served there in many ways and we continue to worship and participate there today. We have participated in summer service projects in Quebec and in Philadelphia, both with groups from our local church.

Retirement years continue to be active. Nevin and I serve as managers/caretakers for the Brethren in Christ Missionary House in Grantham, a residence for missionaries on furlough. We also own several rental properties at which to work. I serve as secretary-treasurer of the Brethren in Christ Historical Society and on its executive committee.

Grand-parenting and family times are special. Every three years we rent a house at the shore where we spend a week with our children and grandchildren. We are always glad for opportunities to sit with grandchildren in their homes or have them stay with us. We enjoy holidays and special occasions with family and gatherings with extended family.

Our days are filled with both work and relaxation. I enjoy making our home inviting and comfortable. Reading is a favorite pastime. On vacation we often return to familiar locales to revisit and relax, anywhere from shore to mountains. Travel beckons, and we hope to explore more of the U.S. and Canada.

God has been good to me, and my life has been blessed. In the coming years I hope to continue to walk faithfully and to serve Him. (2003)

ADDENDUM by Nevin Engle:

Mary Ann lived a very active life of service and volunteered in several organizations. She served as treasurer of the Messiah College Women's Auxiliary during all its years of existence. They raised money for support of Daystar University in Africa. For thirty years she cared for the Brethren in Christ Missionary Home in Grantham. When missionaries came home on furlough she wanted the house to be furnished with all the amenities a family would need during their short stay.

She was asked to be secretary-treasurer of the Brethren in Christ Historical Society. When she accepted, her response was that she was looking for a place where she could give significant service. She remained active in these positions until suddenly she became ill toward the end of 2005.

Mary Ann spent most of the last two months of her life in the hospital. There never was a definitive diagnosis of her illness. One doctor said some people get better and they never find out what was wrong. For a period of time she did improve, but she experienced a setback she could not overcome. The last week of her life Mary Ann was being cared for at Messiah Village. January 11, 2006 was her last day here on earth.