John C. Shertzer

John Shertzer, 93, of Raleigh, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Monday evening, October 12, 2026. He was born on September 26, 1933, at his family home on Donerville Road in Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Aaron Nissley Shertzer and Mabel Charles Shertzer.

John met the love of his life, Alma Longenecker, at a Spanish club meeting while attending Eastern Mennonite University. Their courtship reflected his patience and devotion as Alma served for seven years as a missionary nurse in Honduras with the Mennonite Board of Missions. While participating in a choir tour of Central America, John found an opportunity to visit her,a treasured part of their love story. They shared 59 years of marriage.

During college, John excelled in cross-country running and pursued his interests in geology, astronomy, bookkeeping and music. He also taught for one year in a one-room schoolhouse in Matthias, West Virginia, an experience that helped shape his leadership and heart for missions and evangelism.

Following their wedding, John worked as a carpenter for J. C. Mellinger and farmed his brother’s farm. In 1969, he and Alma moved to Durham, North Carolina, to help plant a church. Leaving relatives in Pennsylvania, they began a new chapter rooted in faith and service. John worked as a mail carrier at Duke University and later as an equipment technician in the Central Teaching Laboratory at Duke University Medical Center.

John loved playing the guitar, singing and hiking the Profile Trail at Grandfather Mountain and all of these experiences were shared with his son every time he could. The Annual Harmonia Sacra reunion in VA held a special place in his heart, and he looked forward to gathering with others in song every year. Above all, he loved Jesus and welcomed every opportunity to share his faith.

He also gave generously of his time, volunteering at many camps for young people with special needs, including those his daughter attended. He served with Meals on Wheels and supported numerous organizations, including Boy’s Ranch. His life reflected a lasting commitment to his family, his community and the Lord.

John was one of five children and shared close family ties with his siblings, Elizabeth, Norman, Anna, and Christian (Charles).

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Elisabeth, in June 2016, and by all four of his siblings. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alma L. Shertzer; his son, Elmer Shertzer; his daughter-in-law, Sol Shertzer; and his cherished granddaughter, Camila Grace and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

John will be lovingly remembered for his steadfast faith, his love of music and God’s creation, and his devotion to those he loved.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, October 19, 2026 at Hudson Funeral Home Chapel, 211 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703. Rev. Jim Folk of Trinity Community Church in Cary, NC will officiate.

The family will receive friends prior to the service starting at 1:00 P.M.

Funeral Services are currently pending in Pennsylvania, and burial will be at Bossler Mennonite Church Cemetery in Elizabethtown, PA.