DEBOLT--James V. Debolt, son of Pre. Alpheus Debolt, Masontown, Pa., died March, 23 of spinal meningitis. Funeral services were held at the home and continued at the Fairview church by Pre. Barnhouse, where he was buried on the 26th. Aged about 20 years. He united with the Brethren church at the age of 14, and was active in Christianwork.

HARDER - On Wednesday morning, December 7, 1904, the family of Charles Harder, living near Latham, Me., were stricken with grief, when the beloved wife and mother was called home to her reward. She had been ailing for over a year with a cancer in the breast, which finally resulted in her death. Lena Witzky was born in Poland over 48 years ago. At the age of 18 she came with her father's family to America, and about two or three years later was married to Charles Harder, who survives her. She united with the Mennonite church in early youth, and has since remained a consistent member. Of this couple it could truly be said "they twain were one flesh." They exerted a marked influence in the church and community, and three of their children are already in the fold. She leaves a father, mother, husband, three brothers, five sisters ten children and a host of sympathizing friends to mourn her departure. Funeral services were conducted at the house by Jos. C. Driver, and at the church by David Bowman, Daniel Kauffman and D. F. Driver. Text: "Not dead, but sleepeth." - Luke 8:52.

SHELLY - Deacon Henry Shelly of the Deep Run church, Bucks county, Pa., died suddenly March 17, after being confined to his room for several weeks with a complication of diseases. In the evening, when ready to retire for the night, he reached up to get his coat to get something when he suddenly fell over, and died. On the 22nd of March he was buried at the Deep Run burying grounds, at which place he united with the church in his young days, and in late years became a deacon in which he served faithfully unto death. Funeral services were conducted by A. O. Heistand and D. L. Gayman and at the church by Christian Allebach. The deceased was in his 68th year, leaving a sorrowing widow, two sons and one daughter. Peace to his ashes.

WEAVER - Sister Catharine Weaver died at her home in Spring Grove, Lancaster county, Pa., on March 10th, of heart failure, aged 71 years, 5 months and 26 days. Mother retired on the evening of March 9th, in apparent usual health, having spent the day at a neighbors. The writer spoke with her in the evening, making arrangements to go to a funeral next day. But the next morning she was found dead in bed, having passed over apparently without a struggle, that loving voice silent in death's cold embrace! She leaves 11 sons, and two daughters, all of whom are married, 59 grand children and 23 great grand children, 22 grand children having already preceded her to the Spirit world. Bishop Benj. Weaver of Weaverland is one of the sons. Deceased was a member of the Mennonite church for many years and one of those rare people whom nearly every one called "Mamma." May the mother's prayers be answered, for her family and may the Lord so help us that we may meet where partings are unknown.
ONE OF THE SONS

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario

RIPPLE - Jacob J. Ripple, near Johnstown, Pa., died April 3, 1905, aged 62 years, 11 months and 13 days. He had not been well for some time, but had about recovered. While taking a walk, a sudden illness came over him, and he called at a neighbor,s for a drink of water, but before his wish could be granted, he was dead. He was a member of the Dunkard church for many years. Buried at the Weaver Mennonite church. Services by James Ream and S. G. Shetler.

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario

The Gospel Witness - Volume 1, Number 3 - April 19, 1905 - page 20

John Nunemaker, Jr., of Roseland Nebraska, was suddenly called away on Tuesday, March 2, 1905, by an acute attack of appendicitis. Like a lightening bolt out of a clear sky came the news of his sudden illness to his parents, Bro. and Sister J. M. Nunemaker of La Junta, Colorado, who were not prepared to receive such news. All efforts to save his life were unavailing, and he closed his eyes in death on the above named date, aged 29 years, 10 months, 10 days. This is another loud call to the unconverted. John Nunemaker had all the natural promises of a long life before him. He was young, robust in constitution, and no one thought that he would be called away so soon. A few weeks previous to this he had married Miss Carrie Kendall of Roseland, Nebraska, and full of life and hope, they were making preparations for a prosperous and happy life. But in so short a time, the messenger of death entered the home, and reminded us once more that "this world is not our home." May this messenger reach the hearts of many who have not prepared to meet their God. John was known and loved by many who will be shocked to hear of his sudden death. He leaves a young widow, father, mother, seven brothers and two sisters to mourn his departure. May God comfort the bereaved family.

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario

ZIMMERMAN - Christian Zimmerman was born August 8th., 1819, near Basil, Switzerland; came to America about 1850. He lived in Cass Co., Missouri, for many years, and was a member of the Sycamore congregation of the Amish Mennonite Church of that county. In 1901 he came to the Mennonite Old Peoples, Home, Rittman, Ohio, and was under its care until his death, which took place Friday April 14th., 1905. He had been confined to his bed for nearly six months, and frequently expressed a desire to leave this world. He having no known relatives living, there were none to mourn his departure. Funeral services were conducted at the "Home" on Saturday, April 15th., at 3 P.M., by Bishop Benjamin Gerig and C. Z. Yoder of the Oak Grove congregation, near Smithville. Age 85 years, 8 months, and 6 days. Interment in Paradise cemetery, near Smithville.

DAVIS - Frances Davis, Scottdale, Pa., died April 20th., 1905, aged 47 years, 11 months, and 17 days. She suffered from a complication of diseases for some months. On Thursday, they arranged to take her to the St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburg. She passed away on the train between Wilkinsburg and East Liberty. In about four hours after she left home she came back in death, relieved from all her suffering and pain. She leaves a husband and six children to mourn the loss of wife and mother. Funeral services were held on the 23rd., at 2 p.m. Interment in the Scottdale cemetery.

SMITH - Emma Ethel, youngest child of Joseph and Anna Smith. She was born Dec. 23, 1902; died April 5th., 1905, aged 2 years, 3 months, and 13 days. She was sick only a few days, with inflammatory rheumatism. She is survived by father, mother, two sisters, three brothers and many relatives and friends, to mourn her early departure. Funeral was held at the Roanoke Church on Friday, April 7th, after which she was laid to rest in the Roanoke cemetery. Services were conducted by Peter Sommer and Andrew Schrock in German, from Matt. 18: 2-4, and "She is not dead but sleepeth," Matt. 9:24, and by Peter D. Schertz in the English language from the first part of 1 Cor., 15. She has gone to join the white robed throng, to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

DETWEILER - Jacob Detweiler died on Wednesday March 29th., 1905, at the home of his son Mahlon, near Sellersville, Bucks Co., Pa., Deceased was a member of the Rockhill congregation of the Mennonite Church for years. He was exceptionally regular in church attendance and was ill only about six days prior to his departure, and only once during the past cold winter was his seat vacant at the regular church services. He had the confidence, love and respect of many, and spent his life in the community in which he died. The last time he attended church services was when Brother M. S. Steiner preached at the Rockhill M. H. He enjoyed the consolation of seeing each of his children members of the church and a number of the grand-children. Of the former three remain and of the latter 14, to mourn the lose* of a dear father, and grandfather. Bro. Detweiler was a trustee of the congregation to which he belonged for many years, and attended to his duties as such, willingly. Funeral services were held on Tuesday April 4th. Bishop Samuel Detweiler, M. D. Souder preaching German, and H. G. Anglemoyer English. Interment in the Rockhill cemetery. Text: 2 Tim. 4:7,8. Age 74 yrs., 5 mos., 23 days.

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario