Gospel Herald Obituaries - June, 1888

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Herald of Truth, Vol. XXV, Number 11, June 1, 1888, Page 173

SPEICHER - On the 27th of April, near Davidsville, Somerset county, Pa., of the infirmities of old age and dropsy, Barbara, widow of Peter Speicher who died five years ago, and daughter of Pre. Jacob Blough, the first Mennonite minister who settled in Somerset county, Pa., Her age was 76 years, 6 months and 6 days. She was buried on the 29th at Fry's graveyard in Conemaugh. She was the mother of five children, two of whom preceded her, and 29 grand-children of whom 26 survive her. She was a faithful member of the Mennonite church for 40 years and when death came she felt ready to depart and be with Christ. The funeral was largely attended. Services by C. Hershberger, S. Gindelsperger and S. Zimmerman, from Rev. 14:13 and Phil. 1:21.

KURTZ - On the 29th of March, in Menno Twp., Mifflin county, Pa., Malinda Phebe, daughter of Jonathan Y., and Mary Kurtz, aged 2 years, 4 months and 24 days. Buried on the 31st. Services by John and Christian Peachy. "A bud the gardener gave; But yet in early day, Down came the heavenly gardener, And took the bud away."

BYLER - On the 3d of May, near Belleville, Mifflin county, Pa., Pre. Solomon Byler, aged 89 years, 9 months and 15 days. Buried on the 5th. Services by Samuel Peachey, Abraham Zook and Michael Yoder.

PENDER - On the 16th of March, in Winterbourne, Waterloo county, Ont., Robert Elmore, son of David and Fannie Pender, aged 6 years, 7 months and 21 days. Buried on the 17th. Funeral services by Pre. _____ Snowden. An empty chair, an aching void- Our darling Elmore's gone, We weep 'tis true, yet will we say; "Thy will, O Lord, be done."

HARTMAN - On the 14th of March, near New Carlisle, Holmes county, Ohio, of cancer, Veronica, wife of Charles Hartman, aged 61 years, 8 months and 24 days. She was buried in the Walnut Creek Mennonite graveyard, followed by a large concourse of friends and relatives. Services by A. Mast, David Peachy and I.A. Miller

STEFFAN - On the 19th of April, in Green county, Ohio, Emma Steffan, aged 28 years, 6 months and 26 days. During her illness she became convinced of her sinful condition and like those on the day of Pentecost, at Jerusalem, she exclaimed: "What shall I do?" She was baptized two weeks before her death. Services by J.M. Greider. Text, Rev. 22:14.

EASH - On the 10th of May, in LaGrange county, Ind., Sister Henrietta Eash, aged 44 years, 8 months and 25 days. Services by J.J. Weaver.

PEACHY - On the 9th of May, in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin county, Pa., Barbara, wife of Enos H. Peachy, aged 23 years, 1 month and 11 days. As this highly esteemed young sister was engaged in her daily duties the messenger of death came suddenly, and in a very short time she was gone from her husband and two children, but she seemed to be so earnest and faithful in her religious life that we sorrow not as those who have no hope. The funeral was one of the largest that has ever been held in the valley.

MISHLER - On the 3d of May, Elkhart Co., Ind., Daniel Mishler, aged 18 years, 2 months and 16 days. During his sickness he was brought to a sense of his lost condition and desired to be baptized and received into the church. He was beloved and respected by his acquaintances, and we trust has gone to receive the reward of the children of God.

NUNEMAKER - On the 8th of May, in Elkhart county, Ind., of typhoid pneumonia, Mary Catharine, daughter of Levi and Barbara Nunemaker, aged 1 month and 24 days. Buried at Shaum's meeting-house on the 10th. Services by Henry Shaum from Matt. 19:14. May these dear parents be drawn nearer to God by this affliction, and seek also those heavenly treasures which will endure when all the things of this world have passed away.

WENGER - On the 10th of May in Elkhart county, Ind., of typhoid fever, Vernon son of Henry and Susanna Wenger, aged 8 months and 25 days. Buried on the 12th at Shaum's burying-ground. Services by Henry Shaum and Martin Hoover from 1 Pet. 24:25. May God comfort the hearts of the dear parents, and give them grace that they may be able to meet their dear ones in the bright home above.

CHRISTOPHEL - On the 11th of May, in Elkhart county, Ind., of apoplexy, Anna, Widow of the late Pre. Christian Christophel, of the yellow Creek church, aged 64 years, 10 months 27 days. She was a daughter of David and Esther Huber, and was born in Franklin Co., Pa., on the 14th of June 1823. She was baptized in the Mennonite church, by Abraham Rohrer, in Columbiana Co., Ohio, on the 14th of October 1843. She was married to her late husband, in April 1845, with whom she removed to Elkhart Co., Ind., in 1847. She was the mother of seven children, six of whom survive her. She was taken with apoplexy on the morning of the 10th and died the following day. She was buried on the 15th. Services by Henry Shaum from Phil. 1:21-23 and John F. Funk from 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Sister Christophel was a longing to depart and be with Christ which is far better. When her sister said to her, "Do you not think you are near your dying hour? She replied: It would be well if I were." Peace to her ashes.

YODER - On the 10th of May, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of consumption, Barbara Ellen, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Yoder, aged 14 years, 1 month and 26 days. She had been in feeble health from a child. Her mother died several years ago. For some time past she felt rather an aversion to the subject of religion, but sometime, before she died. she requested that all except her step-mother (who had sometimes talked to her about her religious duties) should do out of the room, as she desired to converse with her alone. She then asked her step-mother what she must do to repent. She explained to her that it was necessary to pray and give one's self to God and not sin any more. When her sisters lamented and wept, as she was about to die, she opened her eyes and said, "Do not weep for me; I have PRAYED and I will soon be better off than any of you!" She was buried on Sunday, at Yellow Creek, where a very large number of people were assembled. Services by John F. Funk, and Noah Metzler, from Eccl. 12:1 and Job. ___. "These through fiery trials trod; These from great affliction come; Now before the throne of God, Sealed with his almighty name. Glad in raiment pure and white, Victor palms in every hand, Through their dead Redeemer's might, More than conquerors they stand. Hunger thirst disease unknown, On immortal fruits they feed; Them the Lamb amidst the throne, Shall to living fountains lead; Joy and gladness banish sighs; Perfect love dispel all fear, And forever from their eyes, God shall wipe away the tears."

Transcribed by C. Wheeler - British Columbia

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Herald of Truth , Vol. XXV, Number 12, June 15, 1888 - Page 190, 191

EBY - May 8th, near Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa., Sister Esther Eby, widow, aged 64 years, 6 months and 14 days. Buried on the 11th, at Erb's meeting-house. A large congregation assembled on the solemn occasion. Sister Eby was a faithful member of the old Mennonite church.
DAVELER - April 22d, near Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., of typhoid fever, Emanuel Daveler, aged 30 years and 18 days. Buried on the 26th at Bassler's meeting-house. Text, Heb. 9:27, 28. A sorrowing widow and a large circle of friends mourn his early death. A solemn call.
DILLINGER - April 28th, near Sporting Hill, Lancaster county, Pa., Henry Dillinger, aged 63 years, 7 months and 22 days. Buried on May 1st at Sporting Hill graveyard, Text, Rom. 14:7, 8. Many friends assembled to show respect for the beloved brother in the faith. Bro. Dillinger was a bright shining light, and was very earnest and devoted to the Lord.
SHENK - April 28th, in Newville, Lancaster Co., Pa., Mary Ann, wife of Andrew Shenk, aged 33 years, 9 months and 5 days. Buried on the 3d in the family grave yard. Text, Isaiah 38:1. A husband and 5 children and many friends mourn their loss.
TROYER - On the 29th of April, in Clackamas county, Oregon, of paralysis, Magdalena, wife of James Troyer, aged 42 years, 8 months and 15 days. Buried on the 1st of May at the Rock Creek church, followed by a large number of friends and neighbors. Services by Michael Bashor from Rev. 14:13. The deceased was a member of the Amish Mennonite church for 24 years, and leaves a deeply bereaved husband and three children, father and mother and 7 sisters and 4 brothers, and many friends to mourn her departure, yet we mourn not as though we had no hope. Sister Troyer was sick only about 5 weeks and in her sickness she desired the anointing in the name of the Lord which was administered to her.
STUTZMAN - On the 16th of April, in Livingston, Whiteside Co., Ill., of scarlet fever, Sister Mary E. Stutzman, aged 21 years and 8 months . She was sick but three days and leaves here husband and a little child to mourn her early death. She said she was going home. Funeral services by John P. Schmitt and Joseph Stuckey, from Gen. 50:24.
BAUMGARTNER - On the 8th of May, near New Stark, Hancock county, Ohio, of spasms, infant daughter of Joel and Christina Baumgartner, aged 23 days. Services were held by Andy Baughman, from Isa. 40:1. "Baby left her cradle for the golden shore, O'er the silvery water she has flown; Gone to join the angels, peaceful evermore, Empty is the cradle, baby's gone."
METZLER - May 20th, in North Lina, Mahoning county, O., Elizabeth, wife of Christian Metzler, aged 49 years, 9 months and 16 days. Services in the Evangelical church by H.B. Summers.
FUNK - On the 3d of May, in Marion county, Kansas, Sister Maria, wife of Jacob Funk, formerly of Asia, aged 23 years. She was buried on the 5th. Services by C.P. Wedel. She leaves her husband and an infant son. The child was born but four hours before the departure of the mother. She was resigned to the will of God and was ready to depart this life.
ALBERT - On the 27th of May, in Elkhart county, Ind., of diphtheria, Laura, daughter of Jonas R. and Barbara Albert, aged 10 yrs., 11 months and 14 days. Buried at Forest Grove, Middlebury Twp. No funeral service was held on account of more sickness in the family.
BLOSSER - On the 28th of May, near Shambaugh, Page county, Iowa, after seven weeks illness, Bro. John Blosser, aged 64 years, 2 months and 23 days. He calmly fell asleep, as we believe, in Jesus.
HENSLER - On the 23d of May, at Waupecong, Miami county, Ind., of lung fever, Ora Wilson, son of Eli and Julia Ann Hensler, aged 9 months and 25 days. May God bless the bereaved young parents and draw them very near unto Him, that they may find consolation in knowing that by His grace they may meet their dear little child above.
RUPP - On the 31st of May, near Danvers, McLean county, Ill., of consumption, Michael Rupp, aged 43 years, 10 months and 28 days. He suffered 14 months, but never had great pain. He leaves a widow, 4 children and his mother to mourn their loss. He was buried on the 2d of June in Imhoff's graveyard. Services in the North Danvers Mennonite meeting-house by Jospeh Stuckey, from Rom. 14:7.
SHOUP - On the 4th of May, near Mt. Eaton, Wayne Co., Ohio, of typhoid fever, Daniel Shoup, aged 19 years, 2 months and 15 days. Buried on the 6th in the Mennonite burying-ground in Holmes Co., Ohio. Services by Henry Kilmer and Adam Kornhaus, from Luke 12:40.
HOOVER - On the 24th of November, 1887, in Washington Co., Maryland, Sister Elizabeth, widow of David Hoover, aged 84 years, 3 months and some days. Buried at Miller's Meeting-house. Services by Adam Baer and Josiah Brewer, from 2 Tim. 7.
GRABER - On the 26th of April, in Lockridge, Jefferson Co., Iowa, Bro. Christian Graber, aged 76 years, 10 months and 15 days. He emigrated to America from France in 1836, and moved from Wayne Co., Ohio to Jefferson Co., Ohio in 1847, where he lived for 41 years. He was a good-hearted brother in the Amish Mennonite Church for 60 years. He was buried in the Lockridge graveyard. Services by S.T. Miller in German and J. Samson in English.
SHANK - On the 10th of January, near Leitersburg, Washington Co., Md., of pneumonia, Bro. Tobias Shank, aged 60 years, 6 months and 6 days. Buried at Miller's Meeting-house. Services by Josiah Brewer, Philip H. Parret and G. Heatwole, from 1 Thess. 4:13, 14 and Philippians 1:21. "O, dear father, how we miss thee, Since thy voice we hear no more; Yet we hope we soon shall meet thee, Over on the other shore. Thou wert all resigned and patient, Willing all thy pain to bear; For thy trust was placed in Jesus, Who will all thy sorrows share."
SOMMER - On the 1st of May, near Noble, Washington Co., Iowa, Bro. Joseph Sommer, aged 81 years, 8 months and 27 days. He was born in Somerset Co., Pa., and was married on the 9th of November 1830 to Elizabeth Miller of Holmes Co., Ohio. In 1853 they moved to Washington Co., Iowa, and remained till death called them home, Sister Sommer having died on the 20th of September, 1874. They had 11 children, of whom seven survive their parents. Bro. S. was a beloved member of the Amish Mennonite Church. Funeral services by S. Gerig and S.t. Miller in German and Peter Stuckey of Illinois in English.
STUTZMAN - On the 6th of February, near Hartford, Lyon Co., Kansas, Sarah Anne, daughter of Joseph and Gertie Stutzman, aged 3 years, 11 months and 6 days. Funeral services by David Stoltzfus and A. Miller.
REIMER - On the 10th of May, in Woodson Co., Kansas, Shoenhoff, wife of Cornelius Reimer. She died peacefully and had an abiding hope of eternal life.
GEISER - On the 22d of May, near Orrville, Wayne Co., Ohio, after suffering five days of lung fever, David Geiser, aged 43 years, 4 months and 27 days. He was buried on the 24th at Chippeway Mennonite Meeting-house. Services by D.L. Amstutz from Luke 14:16-23 and C.D. Steiner from Rev. 14:13. He suffered greatly and was at times entirely speechless, yet he could say that he felt the Lord drawing nigh unto him. This is a loud call to the unconverted sinners not to delay the most important work in life unto the eleventh hour or unto the death-bed. He leaves a widow and nine children.
HAMILTON - On the 22d of May, in Lebanon, Lebanon Co., Pa., of croup, Sarah G., daughter of James and _____ Hamilton, aged 5 years, 4 months and 2 days. Buried on the 24th at Mt. Joy Cemetery, Lancaster Co. Text, Rev. 3:19. A solemn call for the parents and friends.
ESHLEMAN - On the 22d of May, near Maytown, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister Susan Eshleman, widow, aged 78 years, 1 month and 12 days. Buried on the 25th at Kreybill's Meeting-house. Text, Psalm 90:12. Sister Eshleman was a consistent member of the Old Mennonite Church.
SMITH - On the 23d of May, in Bamfordville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of consumption, Sister Mary Smith, aged 50 years, 3 months and 9 days. Buried on the 27th at Landisville Meeting-house. Text, Rev. 22:14. A large congregation assembled to pay the last tribute of respect for their beloved sister.
ZOOK - On the 23d of May, in Armagh Twp., Mifflin Co., Pa., Lydia, wife of Christian Zook, aged 76 years.
HEDDINGS - On the 29th of May, in Mifflin Co., Pa., daughter of Samuel Heddings, aged about four years. As this little girl stood on the banks of the Kishacoquilas Creek throwing pebbles into the water, she lost her balance, fell in and was drowned.
BRUBAKER - On the 25th of May at Rockton, Clearfield Co., Pa., Bish. John Brubaker, aged 78 years, 3 months and 7 days. Funeral services were held by Bro. Herman Synder from Ps. 34:6. The remains of the dear departed brother were followed to their earthly resting-place by a large concourse of relatives and friends. "We loved him, yes, no tongue can tell, How much we loved him, or how well. God loved him too, and though it best, To take him home with Him to rest. Now rest thy weary head, From care and labors free; Thou dost but sleep, thou art not dead, Thy face again we'll see." D.E.B.
MAST - On the 23d of March, on Pretty Prairie, LaGrange Co., Ind., of diphtheria, Amos Mast, aged 27 years, 9 months and 18 days. His sufferings though of short duration, were very severe, but he had given his heart to Jesus in his young years and lived a bright and shining light, in the Amish Mennonite Church. In his severest trials when asked how it was with him, he could say, "All is well," and when asked whether he was aware that he had to die soon, he replied, "Yes, and I am ready to go." At his death the family was so stricken with this disease that none of the near relatives could go to the burying place and consequently the funeral services were deferred until the twentieth of May when a large number of friends and neighbors gathered at the Union Chapel in memory of the dear young brother, and services were held by C. Naffzinger, Noah Schutt and D.P. Johns.
Hershberger - On the 10th of May, near Middlebury, Elkhart Co., Ind., of diphtheria, Caroline, wife of Samuel Hershberger, aged 29 years, 9 months and 4 days. During her eight weeks of suffering she was very patient and fully resigned to the will of God. She suffered very much, but was conscious to the last. A short time before she died she called the family to her bed, told her husband to care well for her parents and her children, then bade them all farewell, which caused much weeping, but she looked at them with a smile and said, "Oh, why do you weep? I am going home." Then she said her mother should hold her, that she wanted to go from her mother's arms to the arms of Jesus, and soon after passed quietly away. She leaves a deeply bereaved husband, two children, and father and mother to mourn her early departure, but they can feel confident that their loss is her eternal gain. Buried on the eleventh at Forest Grove where a very large number of friends and relatives gathered to pay their last tribute of respect. Services by E.S. Miller and D.J. Johns from John 5:24.
UMMEL - On the 23d of May, in McLean county, Ill., Anna, wife of David Ummel, aged 44 years, 2 months and 21 days. Buried on the 24th. Services by Joseph Stuckey from Ezek. 24:15-19. Her husband and 5 children survive her. She was a beloved sister in the Church and died with the blessed hope of a glorious immortality.
UMMEL - On the 25th of May, in McLean county, Ill., quite suddenly, of scarlet fever, Eliza, daughter of David and Anna Ummel, aged 20 years. On the 24th she attended her mother's funeral, but was greatly stricken with grief at the loss of one so near and dear. The same afternoon she became very sick, and the following evening she died. She was buried on the 27th. Services at the North Danvers Mennonite meeting-house by Joseph Stuckey from Ps. 103. The loss of his companion and his oldest daughter within one week falls very heavily on Bro. Ummel. May the Lord comfort him and his family in this affliction.
Bender - On the 24th of May, in Lyon Co., Kansas, of consumption, Bro. Christian D. Bender, aged nearly 68 years. He was confined to his bed for nearly eight months. Buried on the 26th in Borntreger's graveyard. Bro. Bender was almost universally loved and was a consistent member of the Church and died with a living hope. He bore his sickness patiently. Services were held by J.J. Borntreger from Ps. 90 and Rev. 21:1-5. He leaves his companion and eleven children, of whom five were present at his funeral. Bro. Bender emigrated from Germany to Somerset county, Pa., in 1842. From thence he moved to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1868 and from thence in 1875 to Lyon county, Kansas, having lived in America 46 years.
Augspurger - On the 21st of May, in Kankakee, Ill, of pulmonary fever, Bro. Christian Augspurger, aged 57 years, 3 months and 21 days. He was buried on the 24th. He leaves his wife and five children. The deceased suffered since 1861 at which time he fell into despondency, but was able most of the time to support his family until the year 1877, when he became worse and had to be removed to the asylum, where he remained until his death. He united with the Church in his youth and lived happily with his companion up to the time that his mind was affected. Services were held in the North Danvers Mennonite meeting-house on the 27th by Joseph Stuckey from Ps. 103.

Transcribed by C. Wheeler - British Columbia


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