Silas P.I. Stucky was born on October 14, 1927 to Peter T. and Ida JC Gehring Stucky in McPherson county Kansas. He attended the Mound Grade School and the Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge.
Silas was baptized upon his profession of faith in Christ Jesus at the age of 16 by Rev. Walter Gehring. Faith, family, and farming were the integral parts of his life. In 1940 his family moved to a farm near Burns and he graduated from the Burns High School in 1945. He helped to build the Burns Mennonite Church and enjoyed playing basketball with his “Stucky Brothers” team. It was at a church youth party where Silas met the love of his life, Edna Guhr.
On August 26, 1948 they were married at the Emmaus Mennonite Church of Whitewater, Edna’s home church. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” I Samuel 7:12 was their wedding and life verse as they depended on Him for wisdom and grace for every day. They enjoyed farming all of their married lives, trusting God to provide. When first married they farmed near Burns and Peabody. In 1956 God provided a farm north of Elbing and this became their home for the next 53 years where they raised four daughters. Many hands made light work and working together as a family on the farm brought many blessings. Daily morning devotions found them gathered around the kitchen table with Our Daily Bread and the Bible. Kneeling for prayer sought God’s wisdom and grace. From the girls’ early years the family sang together with Edna playing the guitar and Silas sharing devotionals as they gave programs in the area, known as the “Stucky Family Singers”. In 2009 at the age of 82 they retired from farming and moved into Elbing. Their legacy continues with another generation on the farm. In 2018 they moved into an independent apartment at Presbyterian Manor in Newton. In 2020 they moved into the home made for them at daughter Diane and Mark’s home. Being back with family meant so much.
Silas passed into the presence of his Savior on August 2, 2022 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife Edna of 73 years and their daughters and husbands, Elaine (Schmidt) of Elbing, Bonnie (Stan Graber) rural Burns, Nadine (Friesen) BC Canada, and Diane (Mark Veer) rural Newton. They have 15 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He is survived by three sisters in law Ruby (John) Stucky, Faye (Joseph) Stucky, and Alice (Daniel) Stucky, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was proceeded in death by seven brothers Samuel (Florence), David (Esther), Jonas (Della), Paul (Leta), John, Joseph, and Daniel, and one sister Esther (Wayne) Ott.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday August 13 with the burial at the Burns Countryside Church at 9:30. The service will be at 11:00 at the Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing with a lunch following. Visitation will be the evening prior on Friday Aug 12 at the Lamb Mortuary in Whitewater with family greeting from 6:00-8:00.