Joseph Swartzentruber

Joe attended Parsons School through 8th grade and then Montgomery High School until age 16 when he left to help on the family farm. He was an avid baseball player with a strong arm and solid bat. Prior to his marriage, he was hired by his brother-in-law, Harry Knepp, to work in his fields and the two became extremely close friends - a bond that would last for nearly 70 years.

In 1953, Joe moved his family from Daviess County, IN to Bean Blossom, IN to help pioneer a new Mennonite church. He spent several years farming before becoming manager of Stockton Lumber Company in Morgantown IN. After leaving the company, he began his career in construction honing his craft and becoming an artisan on the lathe. His work is still displayed on a storefront in Bloomington IN as well as in the Andrew Wylie House, home of the first president of Indiana University. He was more than willing to train his sons, nephews and son-in-law in the trade where he taught that excellence was a priority. He was known to frequently say “there’s the wrong way, the right way and Joe’s way!”

In 1967, Joe began preaching frequently in various pulpits when the pastor needed a substitute as well as leading Bible studies. In 1968, he received his license to preach and his first pastorate was Crisp Assembly of God in Spencer, IN. He went on to pastor Faith Assembly of God in Bloomington, IN before moving to North Dakota to join the staff at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND.

In January 1975, he was asked to help pioneer Wahpeton Assembly of God in Wahpeton, ND . He served as pastor for 5 years during which time land was purchased and a new building erected. Although he retired from full-time pastoral ministry in 1980, his legacy continues. Joe never stopped preaching and ministering while he traveled the USA building churches, including Capitol Christian Center (A/G), Sacramento CA, Cathedral in the Pines (A/G), Beaumont TX & Rockford A/G, Rockford IL. In April, 2022, he was honored for 50 years of “noble example, unselfish ministry and exemplary faithfulness” as an ordained minister with the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

Joe was a member of the Maranatha Bible Class at Dream City Church (formerly Phoenix First Assembly of God), Phoenix for nearly 30 years.

Joe and his wife, Opal, were married 65 years before her homegoing in June 2016. He is survived by his children - Galen Swartzentruber (Phoenix AZ), Bonnie (Jeff) Rueb (Phoenix AZ), Nate (Deb) Swartzentruber, Barbara (Dan) McLennan (Phoenix AZ) and Brian (Jennifer) Swartzentruber (Venus TX); 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; his sister, Helen Swartzentruber (Montgomery IN) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301 with interment immediately following at West Resthaven Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the mortuary Friday, May 20, 2022 from 6:00-8:30 PM.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to First Mennonite Youth, 8002 E 550 N, Montgomery IN 47558 or Church on the Street, Phoenix AZ (www.cotsphoenix.org).