Lewis Metzler Naylor passed away on June 12, 2025, in Goshen, IN, from a heart attack. He was born in the old Goshen Hospital in Goshen, IN, on July 14,1942, to Deltha (Metzler) Naylor and Wilbur Jerald Naylor. He lived in Nappanee, IN, until finishing high school in 1960. He volunteered in 1964 for 1-W Service with the Mennonite Central Committee with his late wife, Ann Musselman, where they were teachers for three years in Musoma, Tanzania. Ann died on October 27, 2010. He married Belle (Detwiler) Duerksen on June 22, 2013.

He was a graduate of Bluffton University, where he and Ann met, and later received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University. His lifelong passion was chemistry and environmental engineering. Lew had great concern about environmental protection and thrived on developing useful materials from so-called waste products. Prior to his retirement in 2005 and in reverse chronological order, he was an Environmental Scientist with Black & Veatch; Director of Science & Technology for International Process Systems; a Senior Research Associate with Cornell University; Director of Environmental Affairs with Knouse Foods Cooperative; and a science teacher at Shawnee Middle School in Lima, OH. During the summer in his college years, he literally worked as a by-hand ditch digger for NIPSCO. He said the pay was great and he always returned to college with a full bank account and a buff physique. Following retirement, he was an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Goshen College. While on the faculty at Goshen he worked with students and staff to develop a college-wide food waste composting strategy using simple equipment. As a scientist he was persuaded by numbers and seldom found credence in casual observations.

Lew was a member of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, IN. As a Christian he felt deeply about human misery and his legacy of generosity is testament to his desire to help those in need. Lew was often blessed in this life and sometimes said “from those to whom much has been given, much is expected.” In that spirit, he was a generous donor to Goshen College, Bluffton University, Mennonite Central Committee, and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, as well as many individuals. He established a scholarship at Goshen College for French horn players in recognition of his Nappanee High School band instructor, Fred Webb. With his wife Ann they established a scholarship at AMBS designated to enhance diversity within the student body. He contributed enthusiastically to Bluffton University for the recently-completed Knowlton Science Center.

Lew was an avid international traveler and while traveling with Ann, and later with Belle, he visited many countries. On a trip to New Zealand, Lew & Ann coincidentally met up with Belle, who was traveling with Sara Von Gunten, a very dear friend of Lew, Ann and Belle. Lew and son Dan also traveled together a number of times including a trip to England in 2024. Lew also traveled to most of Dan’s junior high and high school track meets, memories for which Dan is incredibly thankful.

Lew’s love for his family was unending. He was a wonderful husband and devoted father, and relished his time with both his step-family through Belle and his family by blood. In his last fourteen years, many joyous hours were spent visiting with and playing with his step children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. When entertaining guests at their home, Lew usually did some sort of reading, often a poem, and the family looked forward to his latest offering. Lew frequently grilled something delicious in the warmer months for guests. He was also known for his strong coffee – and he always had some mighty fine wine.

Lew was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Deltha Naylor, stepmother Zola (Yoder) Naylor, first wife Ann (1942-2010), son Matthew (1970-2002), brother Stanley Naylor (1932-2015), sister-in-law Janet (Musselman) Snyder (1934-2009), brother-in-law Paul Snyder (1936-2001), and brother-in-law Earl Shutt (1936-2022). Lew is survived by his wife, Belle Duerksen; his son Dan Naylor of Mishawaka, IN; daughter-in-law Susanna Nalliah (Muncie, IN); sisters-in-law Ruth (Bundy) Naylor (Bluffton, OH) and Joyce (Musselman) Shutt (Fairfield, PA); ten nieces and nephews; his stepchildren John (Sheila) Duerksen (Souderton, PA) and Jodi (Ron) Kilmer (Goshen); step grandchildren Erin (Nick) Schwartz (Goshen), Michael (Natalie) Kilmer (Columbus, OH), Xander Duerksen (Harrisburg, PA), and Savahn Duerksen (Souderton, PA); and step great grandchildren Liam & Ava Schwartz and Teddy Kilmer.

A wine and cheese visitation time (in the tradition of his men’s group) will be held Saturday, June 28, from 4-6 at the Keystone clubhouse (1903 Keystone Drive) in Goshen near Lew and Belle’s home. For those unable to attend the Saturday visitation, there will also be visitation time at 2:00 Sunday, June 29, at Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, followed by the service at 3:00. A meal and fellowship time will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MCC at https://mcc.org/donate/ or Camp Friedenswald, at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZAD3/home