Russell E. Eisenbise

Russell Emerson Eisenbise, 93, of Elizabethtown, died at home on September 29 ^th , preparing for his daily pleasure of going to breakfast with his dear friend, Bruce Lehr.

Russell was born on a wheat farm in Quinter, KS, which was later lost to the Dust Bowl , changing the course of his life. He was a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren and a pacifist. When he was drafted while attending college, he married his college sweetheart, Bernetta, and served as a Conscientious Objector developing seed crops in MN. His next assignment was spent with the US Forest Service on the Oregon coast – several years of culling “widow-makers.” After the war, Russell & Bernetta moved to Poland with their daughter Cindy, where they served 2 years distributing relief for Brethren Relief & Church World Service. When they returned they bought & operated a custom cannery in Wenatchee, WA, and Russell became a Journeyman Carpenter, building homes and churches in the “off” season. Desiring to further his education, he returned to KS (now with 4 daughters) to build homes with his father, earning money to return to college. After earning his degree from McPherson College, McPherson, KS, he moved to Elizabethtown to become Registrar and Professor at Elizabethtown College. His interest in social justice led to a degree in Sociology from Temple University; he taught sociology until his retirement in 1986. He also earned advanced degrees in Geology and Urban Planning. An accomplished wood-worker/artist, Russell enjoyed “seeing what the wood wanted to become.” In his retirement, he designed and made chests, tables, & chairs, and turned hundreds of bowls. He was an avid gardener and loved a cross-country road trip.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Bernetta Denny Eisenbise, who died in 1999. He is survived by 4 daughters, Cindy Sweigart (husband James) SC; Becky Hostetler (husband Charles) Elizabethtown; Bonny Eisenbise (husband Peter Hinderberger) MD; and Claire Eisenbise, NC. He also leaves 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Susannah Burgess (husband Michael) NY, their children Ada and Emerson; Sophie Hinderberger, MD; Lindsey Swann (husband Justin) SC, their son Carter; Shawn Sweigart (wife Kayla) SC; Sarah Hinderberger (husband Marco Ceccarello) Italy, their son Luca; and Elias Hinderberger, NC.

Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Service, to be held at the Chiques Church of the Brethren on October 25 ^th at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private.

Arrangements are in care of the Miller-Sekely Funeral Home & Crematory of Elizabethtown. To share condolences please go to www.millerfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heifer Project International, the McPherson College “Bernetta Denny Eisenbise Scholarship Fund” (McPherson, KS) or Habitat for Humanity.