Herald of Truth - Volume XV, Number 12 - December 1878, pages 216, 217 and 218

DEATHS. The following deaths were received too late to insert in their proper place.

SHELLY.-Oct. 25th, near Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., JACOB SHELLY, aged 7 years, 11 months and 18 days. Funeral on the 29th. Text: Rom. 6:23. Buried at Hernley's Meeting-house.

RETHERFORD.-Oct. 31st, at Lancaster Hospital, FRANKLIN RETHERFORD, of Conoy Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., aged 28 years and 10 months. Funeral on the 1st of Nov. Text: Matt. 24:44. The deceased was Flagman on the Pennsylvania R. R. In the act of flagging a train, he went on top of the train and was struck by a bridge and knocked under the cars, was much bruised, had one arm and one leg crushed. He leaves a wife and one child.

EBY.-Nov. 2nd, in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., SUSAN EBY, aged 82 years, 5 months and 24 days. Funeral on the 4th. Text: Rom. 8:12,13.

FORRY.-Nov. 3rd, near Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister FANNY FORRY, widow, aged 103 years, 11 months and 17 days. Funeral on the 6th. Text: Rev. 7:16,17; and 2 Tim. 4:7,8. Buried in the family grave-yard. A vast congregation assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased. Sister Forry was a faithful member in the Mennonite church. She united with the church when about 17 years old. She was very contented, and died strong in faith. She outlived her husband and all her children but one. Peace to her ashes.

GREYBILL.-Nov. 6th, near Shaefferstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., Sister SUSAN GREYBILL, widow, aged 87 years, 4 months and 16 days. Funeral on the 11th. Text: John 5:24. Buried in their family grave-yard. A large congregation of friends and neighbors met to show their esteem for the aged sister in the faith. Sister Greybill feared the Lord and desired to please God.

ON THE DEATH OF ANNA WITMER,

Daughter of Jacob and Catharine WITMER, who died on the 12th of Sept., 1878, in Allen Co., Ind., aged 6 years and 10 days. She died of brain fever, of which she suffered only three days. Anna was a dear little girl, and it was indeed a very severe trial for her mother to give her up. She often came to her mother with her Sunday school book and read the beautiful verses:

"Ich bin ein kleines Kindelein,
Und meine Kraft ist schwach;
Ich moechte gerne Selig sein,
Und weis nicht wie ich's mach.

"Mein Jesus, du bist mir zu gut,
Einst auch ein Kind gewest;
Und hast mich durch dein theures Blut,
Von aller Noth erloest."

She could read English and German. The day before she took sick was Sunday, when she called her elder brother to her and, asked him to sing with her a beautiful hymn. They tried with all their ability to sing the hymn, but were unable to do it. In the evening her Uncle, John Jaggy, came to see the family, when she took her little book and went to him and asked him to sing the beautiful hymn, and as he sung it with her, her little heart was full of joy. The hymn which she desired to have sung and which she spoke as "the beautiful hymn" was:

I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above;
Of Jesus and his glory,
Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know it's true;
It satisfies my longings,
As nothing else can do.

OBITUARY

METZLER.-Departed this life, Nov. 13th, 1878, in Springfield twp., Mahoning Co., Ohio, JOHN METZLER, aged 63 years, less two days. On the 15th his remains were laid in their final resting place, followed by a large concourse of friends and relatives, who deeply feel the loss of a beloved father, brother, and friend. Funeral services were delivered by Pre's Jacob Culp and Joseph Bixler, from Mark. 13:35-37.

The deceased was enjoying good health until a few minutes before his death. He ate a hearty supper and in a few hours after was overtaken by a sudden attack of pulmonary apoplexy, and in fifteen minutes his life was gone. He was the father of 13 children, eight of whom are still living to mourn his sudden and unexpected departure. For many years he has been an active and faithful brother in the Mennonite church, through which time he has been a leading spirit in building up God's church, ever striving for the maintenance of her purity, and always ready to cheer the weary and fainting on their way to the heavenly Zion. He was always liberal to the poor, and the needy found in him a friend and admirer. His eventful life was constantly indicating that he was not only living unto himself, but that he had in view a higher and nobler aim, which was to encourage and work for the welfare of his fellow-beings, and his own future life, that finally he could well say with the apostle Paul "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day."

A few months before his death he followed the remains of his son Daniel, who died in Elkhart Co., Ind., to the grave; while only a week before his death he witnessed the dying hour of the wife of his son Solomon. Alas! our days are numbered, and we "know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning," therefore it is the solemn duty of all whose lives are yet spared, to "Watch." Truly in his death the children have lost a loving and dutiful father, the church a faithful brother, and the community a beloved friend and neighbor; but happily there is a hope wherewith we can all comfort our sorrows, for we have the blessed assurance that our loss is his eternal gain.

DIED

PLANK.-CORRECTION.-In the death notice of Joseph Plank, of Mich., in the November Herald, it should have been JEPHTHA PLANK.

BERNTRAGER.-Sept. 22nd, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sister EMMA, daughter of John and Nancy BERNTRAGER, aged 21 years and 21 days. Emma was a dutiful child to her parents; she was always obedient from childhood up to her death, never desiring anything that was against the wishes or will of her parents. Unlike many others, she was content to dress plainly. She was sick but a few days. She did not wish to get well, but preferred to leave this world and be with Christ. She told her parents, brothers and sisters not to weep for her. She was baptized shortly before her death at her request. She was followed to her last resting place by a large concourse of relatives, friends and neighbors, by all of whom she was dearly beloved. Preaching on the occasion by Jonathan Zook, C. H. Yoder, and Pre. Brown. Text: Rev. 16:15.

SHERK.-Sept. 23rd, near Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., of consumption, Bro. EMMANUEL SHERK, aged 32 years, 11 months and 22 days. Funeral on the 26th. Text: Psalm 39:1-7. Many friends and neighbors gathered to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased.

SUMMY.-Sept. 26th, near Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister ANNA SUMMY, widow, aged 67 years, 10 months and 5 days. Funeral on the 29th. Text: Rev. 14:13. Buried at Kauffman's Meeting-house.

EBERSOLE.-Sept. 28th, near Middletown, Dauphin Co., Pa., of croup, DAVID EBERSOLE, aged 7 years, 10 months and 7 days. Funeral on the 30th. Text. Heb. 5:9.

SHULTZ.-Sept. 29th, near Millport, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister ELIZABETH SHULTZ, aged 72 years, 5 months and 15 days. Funeral on the 1st of October. Text: Col. 2:6,7. Buried at Mellinger's Meeting-house. Sister Shultz was a consistent member of the Mennonite church.

BENDER.-Oct. 3rd, near Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister SUSAN BENDER, aged 27 years, 11 months and 25 days. Funeral on the 6th. Text: Rev. 14:13. Buried at the Landisville Meeting-house. An unusually large number of friends and acquaintances assembled to pay their tribute of respect to the deceased. She leaves a husband and 3 children to mourn her early death. She was a consistent member of the "Old Brethren" church.

MILLER.-Oct. 5th, in Rohrerstown, Lancaster Co., Pa., of scarlet fever, SUSAN AGNES MILLER, aged 7 years, 8 months and 17 days. Funeral on the 7th. Text: Acts. 17.30,31. Buried at Silver Spring cemetery.

BLOCHER.-Oct. 5th, near Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., CATHARINE BLOCHER, aged 21 years and 20 days. Funeral on the 8th. Text: Phil. 1:21. Buried at Erb's Meeting-house.

BLECHER.-Oct. 9th, near Centreville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of Consumption, CAROLINE, wife of Samuel BLECHER, aged 44 years. Funeral on the 12th. Text: Rev. 14:13.

McCUE.-Oct. 14th, near Petersburg, Lancaster Co., Pa., JOHN McCUE, aged 26 days. Funeral on the 16th. Text: Acts 17:30,31.

SCHWARTZ.-Oct. 18th, in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., Bro. JOHN SCHWARTZ, aged 72 years, 8 months and 21 days. Funeral on the 21st. Text: Psalm 39:5,6. Buried at Hernley's Meeting-house. A large number of friends and acquaintances fathered to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased. Bro. Schwartz was a faithful member of the church.

HURST.-Oct. 20th, near Dillsburg, York Co., Pa., Bro. HENRY HURST, aged 46 years, 2 months and 17 days. Funeral on the 23rd. Text: Rom. 6:7, and Psalm 103. Buried at Slate Hill Meeting-house, Cumberland Co. Bro. Hurst was a true Christian. Peaces to his ashes!

NISSLY.-Oct. 21st, in Sporting Hill, Lancaster Co., Pa., of Diphtheria, BARBARA M. NISSLY; aged 7 years, 10 months and 4 days. Funeral on the 24th. Text: 1 Pet. 1:3,4.

FREED.-Oct. 18th, in Fayette Co., Pa., Sister ANNA FREED, aged 65 years, 4 months and 2 days. She died in hopes of meeting her Redeemer whom she tried to follow for many years. She was buried in the Mennonite grave-yard on the 20th, followed by a large funeral procession of friends and relatives.

KREHBIEL.-April 14th, in Erie Co., N. Y., suddenly, MAGDALENA KREHBIEL, widow of Frederic Krehbiel, aged 64 years, 6 months and 8 days. She was buried on the 17th. Funeral services by Peter Rhodes, H. P. Hunt, and A. K. Hunsberger.

SMITH.-Aug. 1st, in Livingston Co., Ill., ELISABETH, daughter of widow Barbara SMITH, aged 2 years, 6 months and 4 days. Buried the 3rd. The funeral services were conducted by Chr. Schloegel and John P. Schmitt.

EGLY.-Sept. 12th, in the same place, of disease of the liver, JACOBINA EGLY, aged 24 years, 11 months and 10 days. On the 14th her mortal remains were laid in their last resting place, where services were held in the presence of many relatives and friends, by Daniel Steinman, Chr. Schloegel and J. P. Schmitt. She was very much loved by her parents, brothers and sisters, on account of the love and faithfulness she manifested towards them. She endeavored to comfort her sorrowing parents, brothers and sisters with the following verses:

Jesus, geh voran,
Auf der Lebensbahn,
Und wir wollen nicht verweilen,
Dir getreulich nach zu eilen;
Fuehr uns an der Hand,
Bis ins Vaterland.

Soll's uns hart ergehn,
Lasz uns feste stehen,
Und auch in den Schwaersten
Tagen, Niemals ueber Lasten Klagen;
Den durch Truebsal hier,
Geht der Weg zu dir.

TUERCK.-Sept. 22nd, in Livingston Co., Ill., suddenly, ANNA TUERCK, wife of Peter Tuerck, aged 63 years, 2 months and 28 days. She assisted in the morning's work, ate her meal, and soon after fell dead. Buried on the 25th, in the presence of many relatives and friends who assembled to show the last tribute of respect. Funeral services by Chr. Schloegel and J. P. Schmitt.

WISMER.-Oct. 16th, in Plumstead, Bucks Co., Pa., JOHN D. WISMER, aged 72 years, 1 month and 26 days. Buried at Deep Run on the 19th. Preachers S. Gottshalk and Isaac Moyer officiated.

STROPE.-Oct. 21st, in St. Joseph Co., Ind., ANNA C., daughter of Daniel and Hannah STROPE, aged 1 month and 9 days.

KINDIG.-Sept. 23rd, in Montville, Medina Co., Ohio, at the residence of her daughter, of palsy, MARY D. KINDIG, aged 73 years, 3 months and 7 days. She was buried on the 25th. The funeral services were conducted by E. Hunsberger in German, and by Henry Beery in English.

LAPP.-Sep. 29th, in Shelby Co., Mo., Sister MARY LAPP, wife of Benj. Lapp, aged 47 years, 2 months and 20 days. She leaves a husband and 4 children to mourn their loss. A large attendance at the funeral on the 30th. Services by David Kauffman and Daniel Driver of Morgan Co., from Rev. 14:13.

"Dearest mother, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel;
But 'tis God that has bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.

Yet again we hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is fled;
Then in heaven with joy to greet thee
Where no farewell tear is shed."

METZLER.-Nov. 4th, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, of consumption, Sister ANNA METZLER, wife of Solomon Metzler, and daughter of Pre. Peter Basinger, aged 28 years, 1 month and 8 days. She leaves a deeply bereaved husband and two children to mourn their loss. She bore her afflictions with great patience. About a week previous to her death she said, "I am ready to die, if only my husband and children could go along." The day previous to her death she said, "I am soon going to another world, the end cannot be too soon for me, for I know that my Redeemer liveth." She said to those who stood around her bed, "O make yourselves also ready to die, for you must all die once. These worldly things are all perishable, and I have never had any pleasure in them, now I can die in peace, now all is well with me." To her husband she said, "Don't let the children go to gatherings, such as dances, and frolics. I did not go, and Oh, how glad I am that I did not, now I can die in peace. O, do tell the young people, for I love them all, I wish they would all come to me once. I am glad that my parents instructed me so, and that I obeyed them. I am very thankful that I have such good parents. Weep not for me when I am gone, for then I am better off than you; we need not fear death if we are ready to die." She was buried the 6th, in the presence of a large assemblage of relatives and friends. Funeral services by J. Bixler and J. Culp. Text: Isaiah 38:1.

HUNSBERGER.-Nov. 10th; in Elkhart Co., of palsy, MARY, wife of Isaac HUNSBERGER, aged 57 years and 28 days. Buried at Shaum's burying-ground on the 12th. Funeral services by Jacob Wisler and P. Lehman. She rose in the morning and went about her work as usual, when she suddenly began to feel unwell, and sat down on a chair for a few minutes, when she desired to be taken to bed, and two hours later she was a corpse. Truly in the midst of life we are in death. She leaves a deeply afflicted family to mourn their loss.

YODER.-Nov. 16th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., infant son of Jacob and Barbara YODER, aged one day. Buried at Yellow Creek. Services by J. F. Funk and Henry Shaum.

STAUFFER.-Nov. 11th, in Scottdale, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Sister ELISABETH STAUFFER, aged 95 years, 11 months and 6 days. Thus after many years of anxious waiting has the good Lord in his own time called another of his dear children to be with him where he is. Sister Stauffer united with the Mennonite church when young, with which she continued a faithful and consistent member to the close of her life. Funeral services were delivered in English at the house by J. H. Stevenson, and at the Pennside Mennonite church in German, by Henry Blough, of Myersdale, Somerset Co., Pa.

STROHM.-Nov. 11th, in Franklin Co., Ohio, of spinal disease, son of Henry STROHM, aged 5 years, 3 months and 11 days. Funeral services by J. Bowman and Noah Brenneman.

WENGER.-Nov. 15th, near Hildebrand's church, in Augusta Co., Va., Sister CATHARINE WENGER, aged 38 years and 3 months. She bore her afflictions with much patience, and Christian resignation, and she was willing to depart and be with Jesus. She leaves a husband and six children to mourn her departure. Buried the 16th at Hildebrand's grave-yard. Services by Jacob Hildebrand, from Amos 4; latter clause of verse 12.

SWARTZ.-Nov. 17th, near Bank church, Rockingham Co., Va., of croup, FANNIE R. SWARTZ, daughter of John and Annie Swartz, aged 1 year, 11 months and 8 days. Buried at Bank church. Services by Jos. N. Driver and Gabriel Heatwole.

One sweet flower has drooped and faded,
One sweet infant gone to rest;
Happily little Fannie lives,
Sheltered in the Savior's breast.

Transcribed by Nancy Regan, Washington