He also wrote 10 congregational and community histories, including Sonnenberg: A Haven and a Heritage. He produced the “Directory of Mennonites, Amish, and other Anabaptist Groups in Virginia,” what the Shenandoah Mennonite Historian periodical called “probably the most comprehensive available listing of Anabaptist groups in Virginia.” He co-wrote the widely praised sourcebook Mennonites, Amish, and the American Civil War with Goshen College professor Steven M. Nolt in 2007 and penned dozens of articles.

“James O. Lehman is a modest man, deliberate, reserved, unruffled,” wrote former 91����Ƶ academic dean and newly called interim president Lee Snyder in  a 1991 Mennonite Historical Bulletin article. When Lehman began discussing history, though, “his eyes light up, and he becomes animated,” Snyder noted.

Lehman confessed in a 2008 essay for the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center that studying the past was not always enthralling back in his days as a student at Eastern Mennonite College.

“History was not always high in my priorities,” Lehman wrote. “I still have a college European history textbook from the early 50s on which I have scribbled the words on the outside edge, ‘In case of flood stand on me; I’m dry!’

“But in 1957-58,” Lehman continued, “Dr. Irvin B. Horst’s marvelous course on American Mennonite history hooked me for life!”

Lehman went on to graduate from EMC with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences in 1959 and completed a Master of Library Science and post-master’s work at Kent State University while also serving as a librarian and teacher in his home area of Kidron, Ohio.

He eventually returned to Eastern Mennonite as an assistant librarian and assistant professor in 1969. He became director of libraries in 1973, serving until his retirement in 1998.

Early in his tenure, he aided the “miracle drive” that raised more than $100,000 in a single weekend in December 1969, providing the needed funds that allowed the new library building, later named the Sadie A. Hartzler Library, to be built. Lehman wrote about the event in a 1971 issue of EMC Bulletin, the precursor to Crossroads. He titled his recollections “A Modern-Day Miracle in Three Acts,” and called it “the most dramatic fund-raising event” in the school’s history.

Lehman oversaw the moving of library materials to the new building in 1971, improved a variety of library processes, started an interlibrary loan program and arranged reciprocal borrowing agreements with James Madison University.

He also served on the Mennonite Church Historical Committee for 13 years, served as archivist for the Virginia Mennonite Conference and was president of the Eastern Mennonite High School Alumni Association.

Outside of his historical work, Lehman enjoyed traveling extensively with his wife, Dorothy (Amstutz), whom he married in 1953, and volunteering with various church-related programs. He was a member of Lindale Mennonite Church.

Dorothy survives along with five children and their families, including seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

That was Lehman’s real treasure, says Lois Bowman, faculty member emerita and librarian at 91����Ƶ from 1963 to 2014 and next-door neighbor to the Lehmans for 30 years.

“He loved research and all that,” Bowman says, “but first and foremost he was a family man, especially after his grandchildren came along.”

A memorial service will take place Saturday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at Lindale Mennonite Church, conducted by pastors Duane Yoder and Dawn Monger. The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 12, from 6-8 p.m. at the church. Online condolences can be made at .

Dr. Horst taught church history and English literature courses at 91����Ƶ from 1955 to 1967. During this time, he worked to increase holdings at the Menno Simons Historical Library in 91����Ƶ’s Hartzler Library. He became the historical library’s most influential benefactor, collecting hundreds of books dealing with Anabaptist-Mennonite heritage and local Shenandoah Valley history.

Horst moved to the Netherlands in 1967 to become professor of Mennonite history at the University of Amsterdam, a position he held until his retirement in 1987. During this time, he continued his searching and collecting books for the historical library on the European market.

“Irvin’s contribution to the Historical Library lay in his knowledge of the fields of Mennonite and Reformation history and knowing what books and authors were important for us to collect,” said Lois B. Bowman,  Menno Simons Historical Library librarian.  “We are fortunate that Irvin collected so many books when it was still possible,” Bowman added, noting that the rising cost of collecting rare books has restricted the library’s ability to add to its collection as much in recent years.

Horst was president of his class when he graduated from the former Eastern Mennonite School in 1939 with a ThB degree in biblical studies and theology. He went on to earn a BA degree from Goshen College, an MA from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD from the University of Amsterdam. He was a graduate  student at the University of London, 1954-55.

In 1946, Horst went to Europe to do postwar relief work while searching far and wide for books in Dutch, German and English to give or sell to the historical library.

In April, 1987, Horst was named “scholar-in-residence” at the place near and dear to him, the Menno Simons Historical Library at 91����Ƶ.

The university released a book, “Menno Simons: A Reappraisal,” in January 1992 and dedicated to Horst as a “festschrift,” a book published in honor of a scholar. The 225-page hardback was a compilation of the addresses given at a Conference on Menno Simons held at 91����Ƶ in 1990 and edited by Gerald R. Brunk, professor emeritus of history. A plaque was unveiled in his honor naming the Special Collections Room in 91����Ƶ’s Historical Library after Horst.

Horst was born on May 31, 1915, in Lancaster, Pa. On June 17, 1944, he married Ava Mae Rohrer, who died in 1994.

Surviving are four children: Marlisle Horst, Montreal, Quebec; Rachel Horst, Lancaster, Pa.; Daniel Horst, Amsterdam; Joanna Horst, Amsterdam; four brothers, Samuel L. Horst, professor emeritus of history, 91����Ƶ; Luke Horst, Lancaster, Pa.; John Horst, Elizabethtown, Pa; Clarence Horst, Reading, Pa.; one sister, Orpah Horst Kurtz; and one grandson, David Horst, Amsterdam.

A memorial service will be held Apr. 29, 2011 at VMRC with 91����Ƶ president emeritus Myron S. Augsburger and pastor John Lehman presiding.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Simons Historical Library c/o the development office, 91����Ƶ, Harrisonburg VA 22802.