MYERS.-John, son of Bro. Noah and Sister Myers, was born January 28th, A. D. 1901, died near Dupont, Putman Co., Ohio, of brain trouble, September 24, 1902, aged 1 Y., 7 M., 26 D. Buried on the 26th. Funeral services by D. S. Brunk, of Elida, Allen Co., Ohio.
SHIRY.-On Oct. 8, 1902, near Berlin, Ont., sister Agnes Shiry, wife of John Shiry, deceased, of heart failure. Aged 64 years. Buried at Hagey's cemetery, Oct. 10. Funeral services by Elias E. Weber in German and J. S. Woolner in English. Text, Rev. 21:7-"He that overcometh shall inherit all things." Peace to her ashes.
MARTIN.-On the 9th of October 1902, at her home four miles north of Waterloo, Ont., of heart disease, Lizzie Bauman, wife of Bish. Paul M. Martin, aged 46 years. She was the widow of the late Peter Brubaker, and was married to her second husband July 10, 1892. She leaves her husband, one son, by her first husband, five step children, and many friends. Funeral services on the 11th at Martins M. H. Interment in the graveyard adjoining.
MARTIN.-Bro. Samuel Martin was born in East Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. Oct. 4, 1806. Died at the home of his son, Jacob Martin, near Roseland, Neb., Sept. 18, 1902, aged 95 Y., 11 M., 14 D. He was a member of the Mennonite church since 1833. His dear companion died in 1867. He leaves one brother, one sister, three sons, thirteen grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. Funeral sermon preached by Bishop A. Schiffler from James 1: 12.
CRESSMAN.-On the 6th of October, near Berlin, Ontario, of convulsions caused by teething, David Elden, infant son of Noah and Katie Cressman, aged 1 Y., 1 M., 14 D. Buried on the 8th. The sweet little voice is hushed, the bright little eyes are closed and the dear little form is still, in death, but the soul has gone unto God who gave it, there to await the coming of the dear ones that have been left to battle a while longer. May God comfort the bereaved parents.
BRENNEMAN.-Ansel Brenneman, only son of Samuel and Lizzie Brenneman, born September 4, A. D. 1902 died October 3rd, 1902, aged 30 D. While the life of this little one upon earth was brief, yet it has finished its mission and with the redeemed and glorified in heaven it awaits the coming of parents and loved ones. Funeral took place on the 5th at the Salem Mennonite M. H., where services were conducted by D. S. Brunk and J. M. Shenk. A large congregation assembled.
MOYER.-Malcolm W. Moyer, son of William and Emma Moyer, died at his parent's home in Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1902, aged 4 M., 24 D. Little Malcolm was one of the twin boys, and the sorrow of the parents is indeed great on account of this early parting with their beloved child. Another treasure precedes them to a Heavenly home, to beckon them on to the joy and peace of our Father's house. Funeral was conducted from the home of Mrs. Moyer's mother, Sister Anna Fretz, to the Mountain meeting house, where the service was held and the burial took place. Sermon by S. F. Coffman. Text, Matt. 19:14.
SUMNER.-Cyrus J. Sumner was born March 6, 1835 and died Oct. 14, 1902, aged 67 Y., 7 M., 8 D. Bro. Sumner was an earnest Christian and faithful member of the church for a number of years. Although a great sufferer for the last few years he bore his affliction with patience and calmly awaited his summons home. He leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter. May the Lord comfort the bereaved ones. Funeral services were held on the 16th by John F. Rittenhouse, Gilbert Bearss and S. F. Coffman. Text 2 Tim. 4:7,8. Interment at the Moyer graveyard.
CRESSMAN.-On October 6, 1902, near Breslau, Ont., David
Elton Cressman, only son of Noah and Catherine Cressman, aged
1 Y., 1 M., 14 D. A life of short duration. This little flower
has been plucked to bloom in heaven. Buried in the C. Eby cemetery.
Funeral services at the house by I. S. Wambold and at the meeting
house by Enoch S. Bowman in German. Text, Psa. 103; 15, 16. In
English by J. S. Woolner. Text 2 Kings 4:26-"Is it well with
thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with thy child?
And she answered, It is well." Peace to his ashes.
JACOB S. WOOLNER.
GODSHALK.-On the 5th of October, 1902, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of typhoid fever, William H. Godshalk, aged 42 Y., 2 M., 11 D. He was united in marriage to Emma Freeman, Aug. 20 1891. He leaves a sorrowing companion and three daughters to mourn his death; one child preceded him to the world beyond. He leaves also two brothers, one sister and an aged mother. He was a member of the Mennonite church for some years, and expressed himself ready to take his departure. Funeral services were conducted at the Mennonite church in Elkhart by Samuel Yoder and John F. Funk. Peace to his ashes.
STOLTZFUS.-After a severe illness of more than a week,
John S. Stoltzfus passed from this life into that
blessed eternity where he will know no more pain or sorrow. On
the morning of Sept. 18 he was released-he heard the blessed voice
of Jesus calling him home. Funeral services conducted at the Amish
Mennonite church, of which he was a consistent member. Interment
in the A. M. cemetery. The services were conducted by L. J. Heatwole,
of Virginia, and Noah Z. Yoder, of this place. Text, John 14:2.
He was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Feb. 14, 1825; died Sept. 18,
1902, at his home near Concord, Tenn., aged 77 Y., 7 M., 4 D.
He moved to this place from Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1872, where
he resided until the time of his death. He is survived by one
brother and three sisters. The brother and one sister reside in
Mahoning Co., Ohio; two sisters in Lancaster Co., Pa. In his own
family, two sons and three daughters survive, all residents of
Knox Co., Tennessee.
IDA E. HARTZLER.
WENGER.-Sister Naomi Wenger, of Weaverland, Pa.,
died Oct. 5, aged 29 Y., 2 M., 6 D. On Thursday morning, Sept.
25, while at the breakfast table she was taken with a spell of
sickness which proved to be a paralytic stroke, paralyzing her
on one side and in her throat, so that she could not speak. She
was conscious most of the time and could see her friends, but
God had stricken her so that she could not even upper a single
word. Oh, how we sympathized with her! Sometimes she greeted her
friends with a smile, while at other times she seemed to say,
"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" and the
affectionate tears were rolling down over her rosy cheeks. She
rested comfortably during her illness till the last four days,
when she became unconscious and remained in that state till God,
who doeth all things well, relieved her of her suffering. Her
manner of sickness and death was a loud call to the community
and to her many warm friends, showing how frail we are and how
important to have peace with God. We miss her in our home, in
the church and Sabbath school, where her seat was seldom vacant;
but let us be comforted with these words-what God doeth is well
done, hoping and trusting we may all benefit through this affliction.
D. S. WENGER.
Transcribed by Carolyn Hunnicutt, Indiana
FANNY AMSTUTZ
Daughter of Pre. Christian and Marie Steiner, was born
Jan. 4, 1843, and fell asleep in Jesus Nov. 3, 1902, aged 59 Y.,
9 M., 29 D. In her 18th year she confessed Christ and united with
the church of her ancestors. July 16, 1865, she entered the bonds
of matrimony with David C. Amstutz, of the same congregation,
and lived in holy matrimony 37 Y., 3 M., 17 D. During this time
she helped to care for and raise Henry Kroft, who at the age of
9 years, was taken in by Bro. Amstutz. She was also a devoted
helper and teacher in the Sunday school. After the ordination
of her husband to the ministry, Feb. 15, 1872, and to the bishopric,
April 7, 1885, she consecrated herself anew to the care of the
church and the cause of Christ, in which work she proved herself
a truly devoted companion in the ministry of the Gospel and the
preservation and prosperity of the church. That this might be
more fully accomplished she, with her husband, after much meditation
and prayer, decided to bequeathe their farm and home of 160 acres,
which the Lord had entrusted to them, to the support and maintenance
of a home for the homeless and helpless aged ones of the Mennonite
church, and of their property to the support of Christ's cause
on earth. Her last days were faithfully devoted to this work;
her constant prayer was for the peace and success of the church
and the Mennonite Old People's Home, for which they felt themselves
largely responsible. She attended public worship at the church
the last time July 14, 1901. Since that time she has, however,
enjoyed the happy privilege of worshiping at her home with ministers
and God's people from near and far, who came to sing and to pray
with her and for her. She kept her bed 59 weeks, in which time
she suffered great pain. Her last words were: "Jesus, take
me; take me." A characteristic peculiar to sister Amstutz,
and one much to be desired in all Christians, was her conscientiousness.
There are some Christians who try to get to heaven with just as
much of this world as their carnal natures crave and who take
extravagant risks, but she was not so. She always feared she did
not do enough for our Lord. In her personal appearance she was
blameless. In her desire to keep all the commandments of Christ
she was an example; in her care for those in need she was truly
devoted, and in all her actions and conduct an unselfish, consecrated,
cheerful, hopeful and happy Christian. The Lord rewarded her with
a pleasant and happy home, a devoted husband, many friends and
blessed Christian experiences. She had made arrangements for her
burial in details, which were carried out according to her instructions.
Her life may be briefly summed up in the words of her husband:
She was true to her God, true to her church, and true to her husband.
Funeral services by I. J. Buckwalter, from Luke 10:20, latter
cause, followed by J. Gerig from Prov. 10:7, first clause, and
M. S. Steiner, who conducted the services, the brethren B. Gerig,
J. Nussbaum, Cleo. Amstutz and D. Hostettler assisting. Burial
Nov. 5, 1902, in the presence of the largest congregation ever
seen at the Crown Hill Mennonite M. H.
Transcriber's note: "bequeathe" as in the original.
Yoder.-In Brown township, Mifflin Co., Pa., Oct. 19, 1902, Jonas Yoder, aged 62 years, 8 months and 14 days.
Kauffman.-Near Mattawana, Pa., Oct. 8, 1902, Amos, son of Pre. John E. and Annie M. Kauffman, aged about 15 years.
Eichelberger.-On the 3rd of July, 1902, near Flanagan, Ill., of the infirmities of old age and a complication of diseases, Bro. George Eichelberger, aged 85 Y., 1 M., 16 D. He leaves four sons and five daughters. His wife and one daughter preceded him. Funeral services at the Amish M. H. near Hopedale, Ill., by Daniel Slagel in English and by J. P. Smith in the German language.
Boyer.-On the 12th of Oct., 1902, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, Leroy, only child of William and Blanche Boyer, aged 8 M. and a few days. Funeral services on the 13th, by Paul Whitmer, at the Paradise M. H. Interment in the graveyard nearby. It seemed hard for the parents to part with their only child, but they can comfort themselves with the sweet thought of having a little lamb in heaven where Jesus Himself is the shepherd. Think of all he has escaped.
Latshaw.-Near Spring City, Chester Co., Pa., on the 28th of Oct. 1902, of Bright's disease, Sarah G., wife of Daniel B. Latshaw, aged 69 Y., 3 M., 6 D. She suffered long and severely and anxiously awaited the time when the Master would bid her come home. She entertained a bright hope of a blessed reward, and the Christian evidence she had left her friends gives them the consoling belief that she is now in calm repose in the land of rest. Deceased was a native of Butler Co., Pa., where she has many relatives and friends. She has resided for almost fifty years in Chester Co., where she had been held in high esteem and will be mourned by many friends. She is survived by her husband, one son and four daughters. Services were held, Nov. 1, at the home by Pre. Hetric and by A. D. Wenger and Pre. McKay at the Vincent Mennonite M. H., near her home. Her remains were laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Walter.-Catharine Ann Walter, nee Smith, was born in Columbiana, Co., Ohio, Sept. 11, 1818, was married to Henry Walter March 16, 1837. Her husband spent many years in the ministry and was called to his reward about twelve years ago. Of their twelve children three daughters and two sons remain to mourn the loss of their loving mother, who departed this life Oct. 17, 1902, aged 84 Y., 1 M., 6 D. She united with the Mennonite church about sixty years ago and was a faithful member until death. Since her husband's death she has been living with her daughters. Besides her children she leaves two brothers, two sisters, 48 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends to mourn the loss of one whom they loved and who will be sadly missed in the home. Funeral services on the 20th of October at the Union M. H. near her home at New Franklin, Ohio. Services by the writer, assisted by Pre. Hedges.
Smith.-Joseph P. Smith died at his home at Aden, Fauquier Co., Va., Oct. 16, 1902, aged 45 Y., 2 M., 10 D. His death was caused by heart trouble. He had been ailing for some time and complained of shortness of breath. The day before his death he felt better than usual and ate a hearty supper, but at 4 o'clock the next morning his wife heard a noise and spoke to him, but he did not answer. She shook him, but he made not response and she called the family, but he was passing away and never spoke to them. Services conducted by the writer from Matt. 24:44: "Be ye ready." Burial at the Valley German Baptist church. They had lost three children in about four weeks' time and now this sudden death of the husband, makes it a sad bereavement for the mother and four children who survive; yet they need not mourn as those having no hope. He was a faithful member of the Mennonite church and will be missed by the church, the neighborhood as well as in the home. May God bless our dear sister and her family.-E. J. Berkey.
Weaver.-David K. Weaver, formerly of Kansas, died at State Asylum at Blackfoot, Idaho. He began to fail in body and mind during the past summer. As the complications increased, and his mental powers rapidly failed, by the advice of his physicians, he was taken to his former home in Kansas, with the hope of getting relief. Getting no better he was advised by physicians to be taken back to Idaho and placed into the asylum. After an examination by the State Board of Idaho he was pronounced insane from softening of the brain, and it was advised that he be taken to the asylum. The family reluctantly consented to this and were only resigned to it when convinced that it was best. He was taken to the asylum Aug. 10, and remained about the same until a few weeks before he died, when he failed more rapidly. His wife went to see him, but when she arrived she found that he had passed away twenty minutes before. He was buried on the afternoon of Oct. 11, at the Mennonite M. H. near Nampa. He was aged 66 Y., 6 M., 28 D. He leaves a wife, four children, six having gone before. The funeral services were conducted by S. A. Kurtz. Text, 1 Peter 1:24, 25.
Ziegler.-On the 30th of October, 1902, near North Lima, Mahoning Co., Ohio, at the home of his parents, Elmer D., only son of Bro. Henry and sister Martha Zeigler, aged 19 Y., 4 M., 14 D. He went to Dayton, Va., with the intention of taking a course of music lessons, and when there five or six weeks he came home sick with typhoid fever, and with all that doctors and loving parents and friends could do for him he died in just one week from the time he came home. He confessed Christ and united with the Mennonite church when in his sixteenth year and was a faithful and consistent member until death. He was of a mild, loving and peaceful disposition and won many friends during his brief stay here in this world. He was a good singer and was also chorister in the Sunday school in the North Lima M. H. during the present year. He will be greatly missed in the Sunday school and church and also in the home and community, but we hope our loss is his eternal gain. Funeral services Nov. 1 at the North Lima Mennonite meeting house. The house was filled to overflowing with friends and neighbors, to pay the last tribute of respect to the young departed brother whom they had learned to love. Burial in the adjoining graveyard. Services were conducted by Paul Witmer, assisted by Bish. John Burholder. Text, 1 Cor. 15:44, in connection with Job 32:8. He leaves parents, three sisters and many friends to mourn his early departure, but they need not mourn as those who have no hope. The bereaved family has the sympathy of many friends and neighbors in this sad hour. May they comfort themselves with the thought that Elmer is only gone before.-P. Metzler.
Transcribed by Carolyn Hunnicutt, Indiana