John L. Ropp

John L. Ropp, was born September 29, 1921, near Kalona, the son of Sol C. and Vesta (Yoder) Ropp. He was a graduate of the Eastern Mennonite College. He was married on December 21, 1949, to Violet Martin in Kitchener Ontario. They lived in Nashwauk, MN and worked as church planters over 13 years. In 1963 they moved to Kalona, Iowa where he was a pastor at the Fairview Conservative Mennonite Church as well as a rural mail carrier and carpenter, he and Violet moved to Carlsbad, NM in 1989 where they enjoyed exploring New Mexico. In 2008 John returned to Kalona. He was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church in Kalona, Iowa and the Carlsbad Mennonite Church in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He enjoyed golfing and fishing. John died on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona, at the age of 87 years. He is survived by his children: Leland Ropp of Brighton, Michigan; Lowell Ropp and wife, Evelyn and granddaugher, Angela of Woodstock, Georgia and Ruth Ann Ropp of Carlsbad, NM; six brothers: Leroy and Emil of Kalona, Wesley of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Morris of Bemidji, Minnesota; Paul of Sarasota, Florida and Herman of Harrisonburg, Virginia; four sisters: Cleora Yoder of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Anna Mae Miller of Kalona, Iowa, Cora Miller of London, Ohio and Norma Nisly of Kalona, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Violet. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com or www.dentonwood.com.