Wesley Ray Ropp, 81, a resident of Park Place at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at his home surrounded by family. He was born May 1, 1928, near Kalona, Iowa, and was a son of the late Solomon C. and Vesta Yoder Ropp.

Mr. Ropp graduated from Eastern Mennonite College with a degree in Bible and Sociology. Wes had a zeal for God and a pioneering spirit.  While at EMC, he started the Mount Jackson Mennonite Church and later was the first principal and teacher at Sarasota Christian School. He was self-employed, manufacturing mobile homes and RVs, then later in carpet cleaning and rental properties. He had a heart of evangelism and enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. He was an active member of FGBMFI for many years and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Harrisonburg.

On Sept. 22, 1956, he married Anna Yoder of Holmes County, Ohio, who survives. During their 53 years of marriage, they lived in Sarasota, Fla., Harrisonburg, Va., Colonial Heights, Va., and Plain City, Ohio.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, John Ropp and Debi of Pleasanton, Calif., and Ken Ropp of Superior, Wis.; three daughters, Faythe Silveira and Sergio of Keezletown, Joye Cavari and John of Garner, N.C., and Charity Burkholder and Phil of Indianapolis, Ind.; 14 grandchildren, Michelle, Stephanie, and John Ropp, Monica, Lauren, and Allison Silveira, Charity, Rebecca, Andrew and Timothy Cavari, and Kyle, Carly, Sydney and Grant Burkholder; five brothers, Herman of Harrisonburg, Emil and Leroy of Kalona, Iowa, Morris of Bemidji, Minn., and Paul of Sarasota, Fla.; four sisters, Cleora Yoder of Lancaster, Pa., Anna Mae Miller of Kalona, Iowa, Cora Miller of London, Ohio, and Norma Nisly of Kalona, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, Steven David Ropp, who drowned at age 2 and one brother, John.

Wes will be missed very much, but we find peace in knowing we will meet again in heaven. This gave him great comfort in his last days.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2010, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg.  Burial will follow at Weavers Church Cemetery in Harrisonburg.

A time of remembrance will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at Detwiler Auditorium at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to VMRC, 1491 Virginia Ave. Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.kygers.com. 

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To Anna and family Our deepest sympathy to you all during this time. I would have loved to come to the service as would have Mom and Dad also but not possible for them at this time. We will continue to lift you up in prayer in the days to come. May you feel God's presence and be at peace. Love and prayers, Elsie Mast, Sam and Mary Yoder To family of Wesley Ropp 2010-02-28 12:09:45

To Faythe and family Sincere sympathy to your family in the loss of your dear father. I am so thankful you were able to be close by his side (and your mother's) in the past weeks. May God comfort you in the days ahead knowing Mr. Ropp has received his heavenly reward. Sending love and prayers, Lynn Moreau (co-worker of Faythe's) Lynn Moreau 2010-02-28 17:00:55

To Anna Ropp and family Dear friends, It is with great sorrow for your loss that I grieve with you tonight. I just received word of Wes's passing or else I would have made plans to attend the service tomorrow. Wes taught me in the fifth grade in Sarasota and made me learn Romans 12. If you only knew how often I have quoted it studied it and preached from it ......I will forever treasure that year. Anna I am Landis and Marie's oldest son. I remember you all and my parents playing Scrabble what seemed half the night....I pastor a Vineyard church in Louisville,Ky. Grace and peace to you and your family. Nelson Martin Nelson Martin 2010-02-28 17:09:32

I'm sad about Wes' passing away. I was thinking of him/you recently and wondered how you are. I remember him always being so full of life and living for the Lord. I remember how he came to the hospital when Megan was hurt and prayed over her. God's best to you. Miriam Hershberger Anna and family 2010-02-28 17:21:39

Especially to Anna I want to echo my brother Nelson's words. There's a quote about teachers touching lives for eternity and never knowing where their influence stops. I too have often pondered the wisdom of asking us to learn Romans 12. How profound to lay a foundation of "present yourselves as a living sacrifice," and to model that for the years to come. God's richest mercies and grace to you. Carol Martin Yoder 2010-02-28 18:07:29

We just want to send our sympathy to you. We know that it's hard to lose a father and how important the prayers of Christians are. We trust that you will feel God's arms of love, support, and peace surrounding you. We remember Wesley from his days of teaching at Sarasota Christian. Our father, recently passed away and he was one of those who started SCS so we are grateful to your dad for his dedication to his teaching there. God's blessings to you, The Charles Shue family Charles Shue family 2010-03-01 06:43:52

Friend's We would like to send our sympathy to your Family on the passing of Wes. We Pray God's Blessings o for All the Family. We knew Wes from Church Of Hope in Fl. . He will be missed but now he can be God's helper. God Bless Kelly & Lois Parrish Kelly & Lois Parrish 2010-03-01 10:46:40

To Anna & family Our thought and prayers are with you all, Uncle Wes was such an uplifting and inspirational person. We will miss him and hope the Lord provides comfort and peace for you. Love & prayers, Ethel & Freeman Daphne & Daniel Ethel & Freeman, Daphne & Dani 2010-03-02 07:59:49

Please accept our deepest sympathy. You are in our prayers. May God cover you and bless you during this time. With Love Faunty and Betty Heflin Faunty and Betty Heflin 2010-03-09 07:40:48

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