Joseph Ivan Wengerd, 87, of Kouts passed away Friday, July 19, 2019. He was born September 19, 1931 in Fryburg, OH, to Martin and Sadie (Hamsher) Wengerd. Ivan was the youngest of six children, Margaret Wengerd, Roger, Jay, Harold, and Mosella Snyder. Ivan grew up in Millersburg, OH. As a youngster, Ivan helped with the limestone business owned by his father. Ivan came to know Jesus at a tent revival meeting in his late teens. He served in 1W service in Akron, PA, driving truck--hauling clothing supplies and other items between Akron, PA and Newton, KS. He became interested in training as a pastor at Goshen College, Goshen, IN. Ivan received a B.A. in Education instead as it could be a field used wherever he lived. While attending college, Ivan met his future wife, Ethel L. Birky. After graduation, he married Ethel on August 4, 1956, at Kouts, IN. Ivan began teaching at Bremen, IN. He enjoyed his role as a teacher but was interested in administration. They moved to Walton, IN, where Ivan taught while pursuing a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Ball State. After completing his Master’s Degree, he began teaching at Munster, IN, during which time an administrative position opened at South Central Elementary, Union Mills, IN. Ivan enjoyed working with children and was employed as a South Central principal for 24 years, retiring from that position in 1990. Ethel survives along with their five children Kathy (Dave) Willink, Elkhart, IN, Ann (Doug) Freyenberger, Kouts, IN, Dave (Sherry) Wengerd, Goshen, IN, Doug Wengerd, Goshen, IN, and Brenda (Brad) Miller, Columbia City, IN. Ivan made family a priority. He was blessed with grandkids (15) and great grandkids (11). Ivan was an elder for many years at Hopewell Mennonite Church, Kouts, IN. He also served as a volunteer for Gideon’s International. Ivan provided accounting and tax services for community people. Ivan enjoyed traveling extensively, visiting historical landmarks and national parks. Alaska became a favorite destination. Golfing was another chosen past time. Ivan was a sports enthusiast, attending athletic events family members were involved in. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Roger, his siblings, and daughter-in-law, Jenny (Roth) Wengerd.