Urbane Peachey

Urbane Peachey, 91, of Lititz, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at his residence.

Urbane was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and was the fourth son, ninth child of the late Shem and Salome (Bender) Peachey. Urbane was married to the late Gwendolyn (Wenger) Peachey on July 4, 1958, in Mirror, Alberta, Canada.

Urbane's professional life incorporated a wide range of leadership positions in human resources, international development, and pastoral care. Throughout his life, he brought people together to build peace, create stronger and more stable communities, pursue justice, and experience healing and transformation.

He graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in 1958 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. A life-long learner, he went on to complete a Master in Administration and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, and Master of Theology in pastoral care and counseling from Princeton Theological Seminary. He self-published a memoir More than One Thing is True, in 2016 and Making Wars Cease: A Survey of the MCC Peace Section, 1940 - 1990 in 2022.

Urbane worked with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) for 26 years, first as Personnel Director in Akron, then as an administrator in Middle East Programs, including a residence in Jordan with Gwen and their children from 1970 to 1975. This was followed by 11 years as Executive Secretary of the MCC Peace Section in the U.S. and Canada. In that capacity, he was also convener for the Mennonite World Conference Peace Committee from 1976-1987. He served on the Church World Service Middle East Committee in New York from 1976 - 1981.

In 1986, Urbane changed careers to become lead pastor at Akron Mennonite Church, where he served until 2000 where he was known for pastoral care and counseling. He was also a member of the Akron Pastoral Team from 1981 - 1985. From 2000 to 2005, he was a consulting pastor for several Atlantic Coast Mennonite Conference congregations and a part-time counselor with Bethany Counseling Ministry.

Urbane embraced ecumenical connections and led purposeful work across denominations. He was one of the founders of Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness in 2003 and served as a board member until his full retirement in 2015. He was on the Lancaster County Council of Churches for four years. In retirement, he was also a wedding officiant with Journeys of the Heart.

Urbane enjoyed hiking and gardening and was a voracious reader. In retirement he focused on the First Century Jesus Movement and followed international affairs. Urbane took great joy in classical music and frequently attended Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra concerts. He and Gwen sang in various choirs for many years, including the annual Berkshire Choral Festival for 16 years. Together, they traveled extensively, including language study in Russia and Mexico, and visited many countries across Europe and the Middle East, and historical sites in the U.S. and Canada. Urbane also traveled to Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East in his MCC and Peace Section assignments.

Urbane is survived by two children, Kirsten Peachey (Alicia Gingrich) of Oak Park, IL; Michael Peachey (Jana King Peachey) of Lititz; and daughter-in-law Marcella Hostetler (Lamonte Garber) of Lancaster; seven grandchildren, Nova, Lydia (Mitch Rohrer), Erik (Madeline Mast), Adam, Paul, Madeline, Maia; two great-grandchildren, Adaline and Gideon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles E. Peachey; and nine siblings, Mark, Paul, Lois, Rhoda, Ruth, Laban, Anna, Esther and Mary Jane.

Services will be held on Sunday, April 12 at 2:30pm at Akron Mennonite Church, 1311 Diamond St, Akron, PA. Visitation with the family begins at 1pm. A reception and additional family visitation will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to Mennonite Central Committee, https://mcc.org/ or 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500 or American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.org or 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.