Geraldine "Jill" E. (Bankert) Graybill

Geraldine “Jill” E.  Graybill

June 7, 1927 – January, 1, 2018

Geraldine (Jill) E. Graybill, of Elkhart, Ind., formerly of Martinsburg passed away peacefully Monday morning at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart, IN. 

She was born in Hollidaysburg daughter of the late Ross and Elizabeth (Vipond) Bankert.  On June 11, 1950 she married Glen D. Graybill in Hollidaysburg and he preceded her in death on March 1, 2016.

 Surviving are three sons:  Scott (Joyce) Graybill of Bremen, IN, Todd (Diane) Graybill of Louisville, KY, and Mark (Jill) Graybill of Elkhart, IN; five grandchildren:  Lauren (Tim) Phipps of Bremen IN, Spencer Graybill of South Bend IN, Kelly Graybill of Louisville, KY, and Travis Graybill of Elkhart, IN  and Allison Graybill of Chicago, IL;  four great-grandchildren:  Kaitlyn, Corbin and Crosby Phipps of Bremen IN, Oliver Graybill of South Bend, IN;  and a sister Elda Jean Burkett of Hollidaysburg, PA.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Gilmore; two brothers, Robert “Bill” and Gerald “Jack” Bankert; and a grandson Clayton Graybill.

Mrs. Graybill was a 1945 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School.  Following high school, Jill volunteered and worked at a Children’s Home in Atlantic City, NJ.

For over five decades, Jill was an active member of the Martinsburg Mennonite Church where she served in many capacities.  She and Glen volunteered for two years as hosts at the International Guest House in Washington, DC, a ministry of the Mennonite Church.  Since moving to Nappanee, Indiana in 2007 to be closer to her children, Jill enjoyed spending time with her family and friends at Heritage House.

Jill Graybill was a friend to all.  She truly never met a stranger, and was known for her gracious hospitality.  Throughout her struggle with dementia, she retained her sweet and gentle nature.  A framed print on Jill’s kitchen wall, said it well.  It read “Give me a house by the side of the road, and let me be a friend to man”. 

Friends will be received from 9:30 am until the 11am funeral service, Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Martinsburg Mennonite Church, Pastor Joseph H. Furry officiating. Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Martinsburg.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Martinsburg Mennonite Church, 300 East Spring Street, Martinsburg, PA, 16662.  The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation for the care given to Jill by the staff at both Heritage House in Nappanee and Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart.

Local arrangements are by John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg, PA.