Levi Schlabach

Schlabach, Levi
Levi (Lee) J. Schlabach passed away at Banner Boswell Memorial Hospital, Sun City, Arizona, on Sunday, July 26, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was 83. Lee was born September 1, 1931 to the late John N. and Mary Ann (Slabaugh) Schlabach at Frederickburg, Ohio. He met the love of his life, Ada, when they were 14 years old and spent the rest of their years together. Lee and Ada were married on Thanksgiving in 1954 and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where Lee was doing 1W service. It was there he met an important mentor who encouraged Lee to complete high school by attending night school and continue his education. Lee and Ada returned to Plain City, Ohio after his service and Lee helped his father with farming, while working on his education, receiving his license as a Radiology Technician and working at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. In 1963, the Mennonite Mission Board asked Lee to go to Walsenburg, Colorado to be a hospital administrator for a new, 40-bed county hospital. Lee attended Columbia University during this time to receive his degree in Hospital Administration in 1966. He also got involved in politics, serving on the City Council as Mayor of Walsenburg for 2 years. In 1970, the family moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where Lee served as the CEO/Administrator of Parkview Episcopal Hospital. While he enjoyed working in the hospital setting, Lee wanted to serve again and in 1979, the Mennonite Mission Board asked Lee to go to Phoenix, Arizona to lead the development and building of Glencroft Retirement Center. He received his license as a Nursing Care Institution Administrator and in 1983, Lee served as the President for the Division of Homes for the Aging. Lee retired from healthcare administration in 1997. Of course that did not stop his service! Lee volunteered for Habitat for Humanity 3 to 4 days a week, fitting in 18-holes of golf as often as possible as well. Lee traveled the world on seven Work & Witness trips with Orangewood Church of the Nazarene. He and Ada traveled through all 49 states in their RV, and would have gone to Hawaii if there was a road to get there! Lee is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ada; his children: Richard and Kimly (Sheets) Schlabach of Harrisonburg, VA., Ronald and Teresa (Riggins) of Alma, AR., and Robyn Schlabach of Surprise, AZ; his grandchildren: Dustin and Christine (Perri) Schlabach of Livonia, MI, Jill (Schlabach) and Jake Maier of Powhatan, VA., Lauren Schlabach of Dallas, TX., and Erin Schlabach of Columbia, MO.; his great-granddaughter Madelyn Grace Maier; his brother, Jonas (Dick) and Marjorie Schlabach of Plain City, OH; five nieces, Debra (Schlabach) Hochstetler, Marilyn Schlabach, Carolyn (Schlabach) Schleich , Joan Schlabach, Carmen (Miller) Sauders and three nephews, Dale Miller, Robert Miller, and Harlan Miller. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:00pm at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church, 9835 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85020. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Lee may be given to Habitat for Humanity.