Herald of Truth - Volume VI, Number 1 - January 1869 - pages 14 &15

On the 5th of September, in Westmoreland Co., Anna Stofer, aged 17 years, 9 months and 2 days. She was buried on the 7th, One year ago she was in the bloom of health, when she took the whooping-cough, from which she suffered until her death. Funeral sermon by -------- Peters and J. Blauch, From Phil. 1 21. This should remind us that both young and old are subject to death, and that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Oh! Ye young, ye gay and proud,
You must die and wear the shroud;
Time will rob you of your bloom,
And death will bear you to the tomb.

The white throne will soon appear,
All the world must then draw near,
Saints will wear the starry crown,
Sinners will be driven down.

On the 13th of Sept., 1868, in Fayette county, Pa., Elizabeth, wife of Martin Stofer, aged 77 years, 2 months and 7 days. She was a member of the Mennonite church. Funeral sermons by J. Blauch and J.D. Overholt, from Nu 23:10.

On the 24th of October, in Conemaugh township, Somerset county, Pa., Maria Schoettler, aged 88 years, 9 months and 20 days. Her maiden name was Yoder and she was born in Germany. She was a widow about 17 years, and a beloved sister in the Omish* Mennonite church.

On the 4th of November, 1868, in Fairfield co., Ohio, Fanny Hertzler, widow of David Hertzler deceased, aged 77 years, 3 months and 13 days. She had been unwell for about a year. About 9 weeks before her death she fell and injured her hip. She was a sister in the Omish* Mennonite church.

On the 11th of Nov., in Conemaugh township, Somerset Co., Pa., Catharine Gindlesperger, aged 81 years 5 months and 6 days. Funeral sermon was preached by Christian Yoder, of Holmes Co., Ohio from Heb., 4; 1, 12, and by Moses L. Miller, from Jn. 6: 24-30. Her maiden name was Miller. She was a member of the Omish* Mennonite church.

On the 20th of Nov., in Lee Co., Iowa, wife of Michael Klopfenstein, aged 66 years. Funeral sermons were preached, by Peter Schantz, from 2 Tim. 4; 7-8, and by John Trebet from Job 14 and a part of the 14th verse. She had been a member of the Omish* Mennonite church for many years.

On the 20th of Nov., in Williams Co., Ohio, Solomon Lehman, aged 46 years 8 months and 7 days. He suffered great pain during his illness. He was buried on the 21st. His funeral sermon was preached by Isaac Hoffer in the German language and ----- Reiser in the English, from 2 Cor. 5:1.

On the 27th of Nov., in Delaware township, Juniata county, Pa., of consumption, Lydia Kurtz, aged 47 years and 21 days. She was baptized about four weeks previous to her death and we have great reason to hope that she has gone to the home of the blessed. Funeral sermons were preached by Samuel Winey, and Samuel Gehman, from Ps. 110: 1.

On the 4th of Dec, 1868, in Woodford Co., Ill., Peter Gerber, in the 68th year of his age. He was buried on the 5th at Farnisville burying-ground where a funeral sermon appropriate to the occasion, was delivered by Joseph Stuckey, from Job 16: 22.

On the 5th of Dec., in Brecknock township, Lancaster county Pa., Magdalena, wife of Bishop Jacob Mosemann. Her maiden name was Frey. She was born on the 28th of May 1802, in Walldorf, in the Dukedom of Meiningen, Germany. She was sick ten days. Her age was 66 years, 6 months, and 7 days. She was buried on the 8th, on which occasion, the brethren Benjamin Horning and Peter Mosser preached appropriate discourses, the latter from Jn. 16:17.

On the same day, in Conemaugh township, Somerset county, Pa., Joseph Johns, aged 76 years, 10 months and 16 days. Funeral sermons were delivered by Moses B. Miller and Jonathan Hershberger. The deceased was a member of the Omish* Mennonite church.

On the same day, in Elkhart county, Ind., of typhoid fever, Amos, youngest son of Joseph and Martha Weaver, near Wooster, Wayne county Ohio aged 24 years, 2 months and 19 days. Funeral discourses were delivered by J. M. Brenneman and Jacob Berky, from Ps. 39: 6. He was a young man of industrious habits, beloved and respected by all with whom he was acquainted. He resided with his brother Levi H. Weaver, near Goshen. His intention was to return home to his parents and spend the winter with them, but sickness overtook him and the messenger of death bore him hence. How forcibly this reminds us that we have "no abiding city here."

On the 17th of Dec., in Bowne Township, Kent Co., Mich., Lydia, daughter of Jonas and Magdalena Kauffman, aged 14 years, 1 month and 21 days. Funeral sermons were preached by the brethren Peter Keim and John P Speicher.

On the same day, in Hosensack, Lehigh Co., Pa., of palsey*, Susanna Gehman, aged 59 years, 7 months and 15 days. Her maiden name was Bechtel. She suffered from her disease about six years, though with patience and Christian fortitude. She was fully resigned to the will of God. Eleven years ago she began earnestly in her weakness to serve God and by his help to lead a pious and holy life. On the 22nd she was buried at the Upper Milford Ev. Mennonite Meeting house, where William N Shelly and Wm. Gehman preached appropriate discourses, the latter from Rev. 13:14. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

On the 20th of Dec., in Columbiana County, Ohio. Elizabeth Smith, wife of Pre. Jacob Smith, aged 65 years and 6 months. She was buried on the 22nd. Funeral discourses were delivered by Jacob Newcomer from Jn. 5:24, and Joseph Bixler, from Matt. 25:13. She was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church. Her death was caused by bleeding at the nose, which continued about six weeks. During the few last days of her life she suffered much pain, but bore her afflictions with Christian fortitude. She was born in 1803, married on the 20th of February 1821, and lived with her husband in the married state 47 years. Her husband and children mourn her departure, yet they need not mourn as those having no hope; she is only gone before. Let us so number our days that me* may apply our hearts to wisdom.

* Transcribers note: as written

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario