REXVILLE - Sarah Elizabeth Beiler, 17, went to be with Jesus
on Sunday (July 8, 2018) following a horseback riding accident at her home. Sarah was born on April 28, 2001 in Lancaster, PA to Lyndon
S. and Evonne C. (Groff) Beiler. Sarah’s education was directed by her parents
as a homeschool student.Along with her parents, Sarah is survived by her sisters
and brother: Emily C. (Timothy) Gingerich of Penn Yan and Rachel L. Beiler and
Hunter M. Beiler, both of Rexville; her grandparents Elvin and Ruth Beiler of
Paradise, PA, and Elias Groff of Lititz, PA, as well as many uncles, aunts, and
cousins. Sarah is preceded in death by her grandmother, Marian Groff.
Sarah was known by many through 4-H, where she was a member
for nine years. She had goats, pigs, and steers which were shown at the county
fair each year. She also spent much of her time teaching her dog, Piper, new
tricks.
A large portion of her life was centered around events at
Family Life Ministries in Bath. For six years she participated on the Bible
quizzing team, even participating in the national event. This brought together
the best of two worlds for Sarah, the Bible and competition. In last season
alone, she memorized more than 400 verses.
Also through Family Life, Sarah developed and nurtured a
love for performing arts. She appeared in numerous youth theatre workshop shows
and adult productions, performing in productions such as Lion King, Jr. and
It’s a Wonderful Life, as well as others. Her love of theater prompted her to
assist the props crew with costumes for their production of Annie.
One of Sarah’s great talents was her ability to write. She
has completed four medieval fantasy novels and was pursuing publication of
them. Sarah loved to sing and was an avid reader. She could be seen tending to
animals with a book in her hand or mowing the yard with a Bible quiz study
guide by her side. She loved to mow the yard and her motto was “It’s not how
well you mow; but how well you mow FAST!”
Sarah was an outdoors person, normally going about the farm
barefoot, whether summer or winter, just loving the fresh air. She was also an
accomplished hunter. Hunting is a family event in the Beiler household but
often she would be found in the tree stand with just her bow—and a book.
Sarah’s parents speak lovingly about a delightful young
woman who was blossoming into a godly person showing a maturity of which they
are extremely proud. Sarah loved her Savior and loved the Word of God. Her life
was lived with intensity and quality. Sarah was a strong and faithful follower
of the Lord and has “done well.”
Visitation will be held on Friday from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. and
Saturday at 10 a.m. at West Union Mennonite Church, 1347 Co. Road 84, Rexville.
The funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Doug Jones of
the New Hope Wesleyan Church of Hornell officiating, assisted by Rev. Dan
Kenyon of Wellsville Bible Church. Pastor Jones was Sarah’s Bible quizzing
coach and made a significant impact upon Sarah’s life. Services will conclude
with burial in the West Union Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Sarah’s name may be made to Family
Life Ministries, Bible Quizzing/Performing Arts, PO Box 506, Bath, NY 14810 or
to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County 4-H, 5435A Co Road 48,
Belmont, NY 14813.
