Week 2: The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 33 - November 13, 1907 - page 527

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RIFE.- Near Letterkenny, Pa., Oct. 4, at her son-in-law's, Bro. Samuel Horst, occurred the death of Sister Catharine Rife, who died very suddenly of the infirmities of old age. She was 86y. 6m. 18d.
Sister Rife was the widow of the late Henry Rife, who preceded her to the spirit world nine years ago. She was the mother of one son and five daughters, one daughter having died when small.
Funeral on the 7. Services in the Salem U. B. Church by Pre. Henry Bricker and John S. Burkholder. Text, Rev. 14: 12. She was a member of the Mennonite Church for many years and was always present at service so long as she
was able. Peace to her ashes.

WHITEHEAD.- Sister Emma Swoveland, daughter of Andrew Swoveland, was born Feb. 16, 1872. Jan. 13, 1893, she was married to James Whitehead. To this union were born 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls.
She was a faithful sister in the Mennonite Church for a number of years. Shortly before she died she requested to have communion once more. She was very much concerned about her husband, that he might turn to the Lord and be saved.
She passed from this life Oct. 27, 1907; aged 35 y. 8 m. 11 d. She had a very kind and loving disposition and was loved by all who knew her, which was shown by the very large concourse of friends who followed her to her last resting place.
Funeral services were conducted by Jonas Loucks and J. W. Christopher from Matt. 24:44.

KAUFFMAN.- Sister Ellen, wife of Bro. Albert Kauffman, died at her home near Millersville, Pa., Oct. 31, 1907, aged 44 y. 1 m. 14 d.
A husband, three daughters, an aged mother, four brothers and three sisters mourn her departure. One sister preceded her to the spirit world.
She suffered almost constant pain for about eight months from a swollen, cancerous limb. On account, of not being able to straighten it, she was obliged to sit day and night. Many sympathizing friends visited her and were always met by a smile. When God said, Enough, she quietly fell asleep.
Funeral services were conducted at the Masonville Church by Bish. Abram Herr and Bro. Henry Haverstick. Texts, Rev. 14:12, 18 and II Tim. 4:6,7,8. The body was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery and we trust the soul is sweetly resting "by the bright crystal river where no shadows dim the light."

Week 3: The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 34 - November 20, 1907 - page 543, 544

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PARMER.-Bro. Samel Parmer died suddenly on Sept. 1, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hiram Shupp, near the Middleburg Pike, west of Hagerstown, Md. Aged 66y. 6m. 20d.
He was ill six weeks with typhoid fever and was convalescing. No one was at his bedside when he quietly passed away.
He was born at Lancaster and was married three times. His first wife was Miss Bally, his second wife Miss Weber, and his third wife Miss Mary Horst. He was a son of John Parmer. His wife and three children survive him. Burial at Reiffs M. H.

HOOVER-On Nov. 8, near Bareville, Lancaster Co., Pa., Henry Hoover departed this life. Aged 65y. 2d.
Bro. Hoover had been an active, sincere member of the Groffsdale Congregation of Mennonites for many years. Three years ago he was stricken with paralysis and had been partially helpless since that time, but bore his affliction patiently and with great fortitude, remaining steadfast in the faith unto to the end, which came suddenly on Friday evening, Nov. 8. He leaves a widow, three sons and one daughter to mourn his departure.
Funeral on Nov. 11, at Groffsdale M. H. by Bish. Benj. Weaver in English and Pre. John L. Landis in German. The services were largely attended.

KAUFFMAN-Fanny (Byler) Kauffman was born in Mifflin Co., Pa., Apr. 16, 1832; died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rudy Detweiler in West Liberty, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1907; aged 75y. 6m. 19d.
She was married Jan., 1852, to Levi Kauffman. To this union were born nine children, 4 sons and 5 daughters, of whom the husband, one son and one daughter preceded her to the spirit world.
She united with the A. M. Church in her youth to which she remained a faithful member until the end. Three sons, four daughters, 25 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren remain to mourn the loss of a loving mother and grandmother.
Funeral services were held at the Oak Grove Church on Wednesday by S. E. Allgyer and Jonas Yoder. Interment at the Hooley Graveyard.

KAUFFMAN.-Elisabeth (Weiney) Kauffman, widow of the late Bish. D. D. Kauffman and mother of Bro. Daniel Kauffman, died at the home of the latter near Versailles, Mo., from the effects of asthma on Nov. 3, 1907; aged 75 y. 5 m. 19 d.
Sister Kauffman was born near Richfield, Pa.,where she was married to her late husband, Nov. 24, 1849. She soon after united with the Mennonite Church and remained a faithful member to the end. Bro. and Sister Kauffman moved to Indiana in 1866 and to Missouri in 1869.
Deceased was the mother of ten children, five of whom survive her. She looked on the serious side of life and left the assurance that she has gone to reap the rewards of a glorious eternity.
Funeral on Nov. 6, at the Mt. Zion Church. Services were conducted by D. F. Driver, assisted by Henry Harder and W. W. Holsopple. Text, Rev. 14:18. Interment in the cemetery adjoining.

WEAVER.-Bro. Aaron 0. Weaver near Spring Grove, Lancaster Co., Pa., passed away after a lingering illness of about ten days of urinary troubles. He was a memberof the Mennonite Church for many years, consistent in his profession and conduct. Aged 64y. He leaves a widow, three sons and two daughters. Services were held at the Weaverland M. H. by Pre. John M. Souder in German and Pre. I. B. Good in English.
The deceased had for many years been a carpenter and builder and had many friends and seemingly gained all for friends with whom he worked or employed. A few years ago he retired from this work and engaged in carpenter work in his shop at home. The funeral was largely attended. Many of those with whom he had been connected in a business way in former years came for miles to attend the services and pay a last tribute of respect to their departed friend.

WENGER-Bro. Joseph E. Wenger was suddenly taken away in a railroad accident, aged 79y.
Bro. Wenger was for over fifty years a minister of the Gospel in tile Mennonite Church in Groffsdale and Metzlers District, Lancaster Co., Pa. He had attended the funeral service of Bro. A. 0. Weaver at Weaverland and on his way home was struck by a P. R. R. train west, near New Holland, Pa. His wagon was torn to pieces and he was picked up a corpse, so mangled that it was hard for his friends and acquaintances to identify him, which was done by his horse, blanket, purse, etc.
He leaves one daughter and eleven grandchildren. Bish. Michael Horst of Orrville, Ohio, is a brother-in-law. He also leaves two brothers and three sisters to mourn his sudden departure.
His ordination, as near as could be learned, ante-dates the ordination of any other minister in the Lancaster Co., Conference. Funeral service was held Nov. 9, at the Groffsdale M. H. Probably fifteen hundred people viewed the remains. The services were conducted by Bish. Benj. Weaver, Bish. N. Landis and Pre. John L
efevre at his former home and at the church the sermon was preached by Bish. Jacob N. Brubacher. Text, Heb. 13:7, 8, 17 in English followed by Bish. Benj. Weaver with a short address in German.
For quite a number of years he had retired from active labor on his farm, devoting his time almost entirely to the ministry, in which he was actively engaged until his sudden calling away. While not exercising himself as much in public speaking as much as formerly, leaving that for the younger ministers, but caring for the feeble and aged and the work of the church in general he was as active as in former days. Our loss we feel deeply and many of our enfeebled ones feel their loss so much the more as they miss his visits, not only the members of his flock but any in sickness or trouble, whether young or old were remembered by him. "Rest to his soul and peace to his ashes."

Week 4: The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 35 - November 27, 1907 - page 559, 560

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HESS.-Maggie, infant daughter of Bro. and Sister Charles M. Hess, of Sterling, Ill., was born Oct. 12, 1907; died Oct 14, 1907. Funeral services at the grave conducted by Abram Burkhart. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Budded on earth to bloom in heaven.

HOSTETTER.-Sister Catharine, wife of the late Pre Jacob Hostetter, died at the York (Pa.) Hospital, Nov. 4, 1907; aged 72y. 24d.
She was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church. She is survived by one daughter, Minnie Bittinger.
Funeral was held Thursday, Nov. 7, 1907. Burial was made in the Hostetter cemetery. The brethren J. C. Miller and Daniel Stump conducted the services. Text, Rev. 14:13.

BECHLER.-Violet, the one-year-old daughter of Bro. Christian and Sister Mary Bechler of near Berne, Mich., died Nov. 13, 1907, and was buried on the 16. Funeral services were held by Pre. Peter Ropp in the Berne M. H. Interment was made in Mennonite Cemetery.
Little Violet was sick only 24 hours with convulsions, when death claimed her. She leaves father, mother and five brothers to mourn their loss. May God comfort the sorrowing ones in their bereavement.
She has gone forever,
She has faded like the flowers;
But she has gone to bloom,
In a fairer world than ours.

WITMER.-Sister Lydia, wife of Bro. Daniel Witmer, died Nov. 3, 1907. She was found dead in bed.
She was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church from girlhood. She was a daughter of the late Samuel Roth of York Co. She is survived by her husband, two sons, one daughter, one brother and four sisters.
In 1864 she was married to Daniel Witmer and went to housekeeping in York Co. After living there a few years they moved to Cumberland Co. and then to Hanover, Pa. The funeral was held Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1907, at the Hanover Church, burial in the York Road Cemetery. The funeral was conducted by Bish. Jacob N. Brubacher from Luke 12:40.

SWARTZ.-The home of S.D. and Myrtle Swartz in Allen Co. Ohio, was saddened by the death of their little daughter, Martha, who passed out of this life Oct. 22, 1907;aged 11 d. The little one was a great sufferer from stomach and kidney trouble during her short stay on earth. But the Lord has called her home where she'll be free from all pain.
A short funeral service was held at the home on Oct. 23, by the brethren Moses Brenneman and Perry Brunk. Text, Job 1:21. And the little body was gently laid to rest in the Salem Cemetery near Elida. She leaves father, mother, two brothers and a sister. May the Lord comfort the bereaved family.
One sweet flower has drooped and faded,
One sweet infant's voice has fled;
One fair brow the grave has shaded,
One dear playmate now is dead..

BURKHOLDER.-Magdalena (Groff) Burkholder was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 1824: died in Sterling, Ill., Nov. 13, 1907; aged 83 y. 3 m. 5 d.
Her girlhood life was spent in the community where she was born. She was married to Seth Burkholder Nov. 24, 1846. In 1860 they moved to Canada, remaining there one year. In 1861 they came to Sterling, where they resided till 1868 when they moved to Clyde, remaining there till 1879 where she since resided.
The husband died Apr. 26, 1893. Deceased was the mother of seven children, two of whom are dead.
She was a member of the Mennonite Church, having united with the church in Pennsylvania when she was a girl. She was a true mother and a consistent Christian woman.
Dear mother, rest from all thy care,
And let the bands that knew no rest,
Lie still upon thy peaceful breast.
No more that look of trouble wear,
Sleep now, thy loving work is done,
Thy toil is o'er, thy crown is won.

Transcribed by Ron Garber, Kansas        

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