HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume XVI, Number 7 - July 1879 - page 137, 138

SUDDEN DEATH

HENRY M. GODSHALK, son of Pre. Samuel Godshalk, of Deep Run, Bucks Co., Pa., left home towards the last of April, and went to Kansas on a visit. On the 15th of May, he left Newton, apparently in good health, to visit his friend Martin Oberholtzer. On the way (some eight miles distant from Newton), he was overtaken by an epileptic fit and falling to the ground, he died there, alone on the prairie, where he was soon afterwards found. He was buried on the 17th at the cemetery in Newton. He had been afflicted with epilepsy since he was 17 years of age, but having received medical treatment for some time past, he had so far recovered that he was able to work and attend to business. During his stay in Kansas, he had purchased a farm and intended to settle there. He had attained to the age of 27 years, 1 month and 15 days. His father writes that he went in company with "pious, god-fearing companions, and conversed with them of the uncertainties of human life and the promise of an heavenly Canaan and the New Jerusalem, and in the same, I sincerely hope and trust, he may have a home, where he will be with those who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. From his seventeenth to his twenty-seventh year, he had many severe trials to overcome on account of his disease, which often wiped away all his hopes for enjoyment in this life, and thereby he was led to set his "affections on things above.," This is indeed a sad affliction for the bereaved father and the family, but he is only gone before, and we trust in the "better land" they shall meet again. Let us ever say, "Thy will be done."

Died

March the 31st, in Snyder County, Pa., HARRIET, daughter of Jacob and Harriet WOMER, aged 4 years and 5 months. Buried at Arlogast Church. Funeral services by Thomas Graybill and John Snyder. Text: Jn. 16 : 14.

May the 18th, in Richland, Juniata Co., Pa., KATIE STITES, aged 6 years, 1 month and 1 day. Buried the 20th, at Richfield Church. Funeral services by Thomas Graybill and Henry Zimmerman. Text Amos 4 : 12.

May the 20th, in Richfield, Juniata Co., Pa., SUSANNA GINGERICH, daughter of David and Martha Gingerich, aged 19 years, 5 months and 5 days. She was buried on the 22nd, at Kauffman,s family grave-yard. She was baptized about three months before she died. Funeral services by Samuel Winey, Thomas and Solomon Graybill. Text: John 16 : 18.

April 8th, in Berlin, Waterloo Co., Ont., of the infirmities of age, Bro. DAVID SCHANTZ, at the advanced age of 92 years, 1 month and 1 day. Buried the 11th, in Eby,s buryground.

April 22nd, in Waterloo Co., Ont., Preacher JOHN STECKLE, aged 76 years and 4 months. He served as minister 38 years. Buried at Weber,s burying ground the 25th.

May the 6th, in Waterloo Co., Ont., ELISABETH BAUMAN, aged 84 years, 2 months and 24 days. Buried at Martin,s the 8th.

May the 13th, in Wellington Co., Ont. son of Jacob and Elisabeth GOOD, aged 1 year, 4 months and 2 days. Buried the 15th at Martin,s.

May the 13th, in Bridgeport, Waterloo Co., Ont., Bro. JOHN WEBER, aged 65 years, 1 month and 20 days. Buried the 16th, at Chr. Eby,s.

May the 20th, in Waterloo Co., Ont., ELIAS son of Christian and Anna FREY, aged 18 years and 8 months. He and his brother were about to wash some sheep, and before they commenced, Elias said he would cool himself off, and he went in and was drowned. Thus in the midst of life, we are in death.

May 24th, on Pretty Prairie, LaGrange Co., Ind., LIZZIE MAST, daughter of Levi and Salina Mast, aged 9 months and 10 days. Funeral services by Chr. Werrey and Peter Long, from Luke 18 : 16.

May the 28th, in Wayne Co., Ohio, ELISABETH RITTER, wife of John Ritter, aged 69 years, 6 months and 6 days. Sermon by Frank Seidner. Text : 2 Cor 5 : 1-11.

May 26th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of internal cancer, ELISABETH HOUSOUER, aged 26 years, 8 months and 26 days. Sister Housouer was concerned about her salvation and requested to be received into the church by baptism, and was baptized May 18th, by J. M. Christophel. She expressed a desire to depart this life and be with Christ. A few days before her death she bid farewell to her husband and parents, and admonished them to meet her in the better land. Funeral services by J. M. Christophel, J. Smucker and J. C. Buzzard, from Isaiah 3 : 10, 11.

May the 8th, in Allen Co., Ohio, ABRAHAM FRANKLIN, son of Abraham and Rebecca GOOD, aged 19 years, 2 months and 16 days. Funeral on the 11th. Services by C. B. Brenneman and C. Culp. About six months previous to his death he was received into the Mennonite Church by baptism. Since that his heart seemed to be firmly fixed on Jesus, in whom we believe he is now resting. Peace be to his ashes.

May 28th, in Owen Co., Ind., Bro. ABRAHAM WELTY, aged 78 years, 5 months and 18 days. His funeral was preached by Daniel Royer and Robert Goshorn in English, and by Michael Mishler in German, from 2 Cor. 5 : 2. He was a member of the Mennonite Church for many years previous to his death and much esteemed by all.

May 15th, in Gosport, Marion Co., Iowa, EDDIE, son of William and Sarah COFFMAN, aged 5 years, 11 months and 18 days. His funeral sermon was preached by A. R. Brown June 8th, from 2 King 4 : 26. "So fades the lovely, blooming flower, Frail, smiling solace of an hour; So soon our transient comforts fly, And pleasure only blooms to die."

June the 2nd, in the Masontown Congregation, Fayette Co., Pa., the aged brother, JACOB SAYLOR, 82 years, 11 months and 10 days. For the last two weeks, he had smothering spells, yet not severe. On the evening of June 1st, he prayed for all of his children, friends and neighbors. He told his two daughters to go to bed, as he felt as well as he had for a long time. In the morning he was found dead. He came from near Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pa., to Fayette county, where he united with the Mennonite Church fifty-eight years ago, and remained a faithful brother till death. For thirty years he used one cane, and for twelve years two canes to assist him in walking. Funeral sermon by John N. Durr, from 2 Tim. 4 : 6-8. Buried in the Baptist grave-yard at Smithfield the 3rd of June.

In Wayne Co., Ohio, MOSES RUTT, aged 69 years 4 months and 14 days. Buried the 26th, in Shaum,s burying-ground. Services by P. Imhoff, C. Beery, and C. Holdeman.

June 17th, in Elkhart, Ind., WALLACE REECE, aged 58 years, 1 month and 28 days. He had been in poor health for a year. In January last he was very sick, his friends having but little hope of his recovery, however he grew better and was able to be about till on the 11th of June, when he was again confined to his bed. He suffered intensely till near the last. His sickness was first dropsy, then inflammation of the bowels. On Monday night before his death, the elders of the church (Tunker brethren) were called to anoint him as he desired it, saying it was an ordinance from heaven. He was resigned and willing to go; said repeadedly (sic) to his children "follow Jesus." To his wife he said, "Mother, I,m going." Soon after he passed peacefully away. He leaves many friends who mourn, but not as those without hope.

On the 21st of June, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of a lingering illness, Sister SARAH HENNING, wife of Christian Henning, aged 57 years, 5 months and 26 days. She was in feeble health during many years, and her last affliction continued for fifteen weeks. She was fully resigned to the will of her heavenly Father and left many evidences of her trust and confidence in Christ and the hope of salvation through his merits. She bore her sufferings with great fortitude and patience and greatly feared to do anything that might be contrary to the will of God. She desired and prayed to be taken home, and said to her friends that they should rejoice when they heard that she had died. Some ten minutes before she departed, she said to her husband, "This is not my home any more; I have now another home," and soon after fell asleep peacefully as if going to rest. She was buried at Yellow Creek, on the 23rd, followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends. Services by J. M. and Chr. Christophel, Jacob Buzzard and J. F. Funk. Text : 2 Tim. 4 : 6-8, and Rev. 3 : 5, 12, 21.

Note from a family researcher: "The Sarah Henning listed in your index was the daughter of George and Sabina Loux." - Don Loux

2nd note from a researcher:  "I believe this Sarah Henning is a sister to the above George Loux and the daughter of John Rosenberger Loux and Susanna Ruth Delp.  Her age verifies this when compared to the family.  See Karen Lint's database on SAGA-OMII." - James G. Hermsen

June 4th, 1879, in Hilltown, Bucks Co., Pa., of heart disease very suddenly, Sister RACHEL LOUX, wife of Jacob F. Loux, aged 56 years, 9 months and 6 days. She went to bed about 9 o,clock, in usual health and before ten she was was dead. She was buried at Perkasie on the 7th, followed by a large concourse of people. There were nine ministers present, two of whom were from Lancaster. Services by John Hess, Isaac Oberholtzer, Christian Risser and Isaac Moyer. She leaves a deeply afflicted husband and a number of children to mourn their loss, but they need not mourn as those who have no hope, for if they are faithful, they may meet her again in the mansions above.
"Dearest mother, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel;
But 'tis God who hath bereft us, -
He can all our sorrows heal."

On the 21st of June, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Sister ---------- SMITH, wife of WILLIAM SMITH, aged 48 years, 7 months and 27 days. She was sick just three weeks, and was buried at Skippach Mennonite burying-ground on the 24th. Services by John B. Hunsberger and Jacob Mensch. She leaves a deeply afflicted husband and children to mourn their loss. But do they not mourn as those who have no hope, and if they are faithful they may meet the wife and mother again in that better land where sickness, pain and parting are never known.

June 25th, 1879, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of kidney disease, Bro. SAMUEL HOOVER, aged 59 years, 10 months and 6 days. He was buried on the 26th, at Yellow Creek Meeting-house followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends. Services by Jacob Buzzard, J. M. Christophel and John F. Funk, from Rev. 3 : 20-22 and 2 Cor. 5 : 1. Bro. HOOVER, though standing without the gate for a long time, by the goodness and mercy of God, was led, yet in the closing hours of his life, as his end was rapidly approaching, to see the necessity of following the Savior in the ordinance of baptism and uniting with the visible church, ere he should be called to the realities of the eternal world. He made a good profession and in a very short time, after being baptized, he passed away. Peace to his ashes.

Transcribed by: Donna Goble, Arizona.