Mark Lynford Hershey, or “Lyn” as most knew him, passed away on April 24, 2026, surrounded by his family, at home in Filer, Idaho. He was 93 years old.

Born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1933, Lyn was a lifelong devoted Christian and lived a life of ministry. He was a pastor, a mentor, a youth camp director, a faithful church member, and a ‘spiritual entrepreneur’. He was also a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Over the course of his life he was passionately dedicated to the cause of human rights and service to others. Not a flashy speaker or dynamic leader, Lyn instead impacted people with his ability to be present. Because of that presence, he went on to leave an indelible mark on the lives of others in so many ways, establishing multiple ministries that still continue today.

Lyn was born at home in Paradise, PA, to Mark E. and Anna (Hershey) Hershey, the 4th of eight children, and raised on the family dairy farm. He always liked to say he was “born in Paradise”. As a child, Lyn and his family attended Kinzer Mennonite Church in Lancaster County, PA. He was nicknamed ‘Snowball’ for his white-blonde hair, “and “Enie”, after his grandfather Enos. In his youth, he was known for his athleticism, artistic ability, sense of humor, and bright, blue eyes. As a young teen, he began to paint and create his own artwork – a hobby that would continue throughout his lifetime. He was still painting landscapes, gifting artwork to friends and family, and donating his paintings to charitable causes in his 90’s.

Because he was needed to help on the farm, Lynford stopped attending school after 9th grade. In response to the military draft, Lyn volunteered to be the son that would go to serve, so that his other brothers could stay home to run the farm. True to his Anabaptist pacifist heritage, he registered as a conscientious objector and participated in alternative service in various Mennonite voluntary scenarios, including working in a psychiatric hospital in Reedley, CA, and as an orderly at Denver General Hospital. It was at the latter that he met the pretty nursing student who would become his wife and lifelong partner. Lyn Hershey and Norma Jean “Jeanie” Kauffman were married on April Fool’s Day, 1958, just one day after her graduation from nursing school. Lyn and Jeanie had just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on April 1, 2026.

Shortly after they married, Lyn served as the assistant director of Rocky Mountain Mennonite Youth Camp, and Jeanie served as Camp Nurse. They then accepted the role as co-directors of a Mennonite Voluntary Service unit in Portland, Oregon. During their three years there, they lived with groups of young adults in a large house, coordinating community outreach in interracial neighborhoods, teaching life skills, and building community goodwill. Their first three sons, Mark, Daniel, and Terry, were born during their years heading up the Portland VS unit.

Because of their experience working in interracial communities, Lyn was asked to pastor a church in a predominantly African American community in Wichita, Kansas. They spent the next three years pastoring at 10th Street Mennonite Church, and their fourth son, Ron, was born while ministering there. It was during this time that Lyn joined other Mennonite pastors in participating in a civil rights march in Mississippi. As their Wichita assignment was coming to a close, they were invited to become co-directors of a newly established Mennonite youth camp on the Oregon coast. In 1966, they accepted the position, moving their family of six back to Oregon, and becoming the directors of Drift Creek Camp, nestled in the Coast Range mountains near Lincoln City. Their fifth child, daughter Lynette, was born soon after.

Through their three years as camp directors, Lyn and Jeanie were an integral part of setting camp policy, coordinating the building of facilities, promoting the value of camping in church communities, and directing staff for many youth and family camps. Today, Drift Creek Mennonite Camp continues to minister to youth and adults, marking almost 60 years of service.

In 1969, Lyn was offered a position by the Mennonite Board of Missions in Elkhart, IN, as director of Minority Ministries. The Hershey family spent the next several years in Elkhart, while Lyn developed the national minority ministries program. When funding for the program ended, Lyn and Jeanie once again moved their family west, purchasing the lease to a campground in Central Oregon. The entire family took part in running Haystack Reservoir campground, managing the boat house rentals, cooking in the small cafe, caring for horses, etc. On Sundays, the cafe was closed and they began holding informal church services. With the sponsorship of the Pacific Coast Mennonite Conference mission board, these gatherings came to be known as the Central Oregon Mennonite Fellowship. The fellowship began meeting in the clubhouse at Crooked River Ranch, OR, and eventually land was donated for a new church building. In 1975, the interdenominational church, Crooked River Ranch Chapel, was built, with Lyn Hershey as pastor. In their last year at Ranch Chapel, Lyn and Jeanie co-pastored the church. Ranch Chapel is still an active community church, and just celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding last year.

After retiring from pastoring, Lyn and Jeanie migrated to western Idaho. Always willing to serve again, they would serve as interim pastors three more times in the years to follow - spending several years at Aberdeen Mennonite Church (ID), and over two years at Menno Mennonite Church in Ritzville, WA. After moving to Filer, Idaho in 2021, they were active in the Filer Mennonite church where their son, Ron, is pastor.

Lyn is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jeanie (Kauffman) Hershey, his four sons; Mark (Jean) Hershey of Filer, ID, Daniel Hershey, Terry (Lauren) Hershey of Meridian, ID, and Ron (Pascal) Hershey of Filer, his one daughter, Lynette (Philip) Hershey Groh of Filer, ID, his eleven grandchildren; Drew (Jennifer) Hershey, Jessica (Paul Barnes) Hershey, Collin Hershey, Mary (Brian Lanning) Hershey, Evan (Madelyn) Hershey, Annaleis Groh, Ian (Emily Robinson) Groh, Adriane (David Azrael) Hershey, Lucas Groh, Dexter (Bre Dunbrasky) Hershey, and Hailey Hershey, his three great-grandchildren (and one on the way); Arthur Hershey, Henry Hershey, and Eleanor Hershey, his three sisters; Janet Martin and Doris Lichty, both of New Holland, PA, and Velda (Warren) Peachey of Florida, his one brother; Robert (Margy) Hershey of Paradise, PA, and his sister-in-law; Betty Jane Hershey, of New Holland. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins living all around the country.

Lyn was preceded in death by his parents; Anna and Mark Hershey, his brother; Kenneth Hershey, his sisters; Jean Hershey and Ethel Bender, as well as several brothers-in-law and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Drift Creek Camp in Lynford’s memory. Donations can be sent to: Drift Creek Camp, P. O. Box 1110, Lincoln City, OR, 97367.

Lyn’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 am (MST) at In His Name Christian Fellowship, 405 US-30, Filer, Idaho. The Memorial Service will be livestreamed. Click Here to View Memorial Service.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.magicvalleryfuneralhome.com.

The obituary for Lyn was lovingly prepared by his family. A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held in August.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”. – Romans 8:28