Herald of Truth - Volume XVIII, Number 3 - March 1881, pages 51, 52, 53

In Memory of Eddy Smiley, who died in Elkhart County, Ind., Jan. 23rd, aged 16 years, 5 months, and 3 days. Eddy several times expressed a desire to die; the last night of his sickness he was heard repeating the Lord's Prayer. He also sang parts of two beautiful hymns­"I am waiting by the river" and "Open the beautiful gates."

God has but taken what he's given,
A life so full of good from birth.
The flower fully blooms in heaven,
The bud but opened here on earth.

Eddie, dearest, we are lonely,
Darker fall the shades of night,
And the days are hours only,
In whose span is no delight.
Oh! the grief and bitter sorrow
That the aching heart can bear,
When the sad unhappy morrow
Brings no answer to the prayer!

"I am dying," still we hear it,
Echoing thro' the darkened room,
Then the angel­how we fear it­
Swept down thro' the chilling gloom.
In the cold, gray morning hour,
We had prayed, "Thy will be done,"
And the death damp on the flower
Told we wept our precious son.

Happy they that "seek me early,
They shall find"­Oh heart that grieves,
For the heavenly portal's pearly
Stand ajar for such as these.
Oh! methinks the gentle Jesus
Clasped our Eddie to his breast.
"Tis his love, his love that greets us.
And welcomes us to heaven's rest.

Thy mem'rys golden chain is stronger
Than death itself, a guide 'twill be;
And when our sad hearts beat no longer,
One by one we'll come to thee.
Yes, Eddie dear, across the river
Thou wilt watch for us till then;
In the grand far-off Forever
We'll meet to never part again.

Obituary
Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Burkholder, departed this life in her home at Bridgeport, Ontario, Canada, on the 12th of Jan. 1881. Deceased was born December 31st. 1814, and lived to the ripe age of 66 years and 12 days. She was a daughter of the late Peter Erb, one of the pioneers of this province, and had her portion of the hardships, trials, and toils incumbent on those who settle in a new, and uninhabited territory. She was united in marriage to Daniel Burkholder in 1834 and lived in this sacred relation over forty-six years, during the whole time of which she was a member of the Mennonite church. She was a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, a friend to the poor, and those in distressed circumstances, and seemed a pious, devoted child of God. She suffered from infirmities of body for the last 14 years, but during the whole of this period she bore her troubles with patience and Christian fortitude, never complaining, bu always meekly resigned to the will of God, humbly leaning on the cross, waiting for the time when the Master should come to reward her with a crown of life.
Last spring, after she had partially recovered from a very severe and prostrated spell of illness, the writer had a conversation with her. She said the pain she suffered was intense, but she had a present Helper, Jesus was graciously near; although her natural eyes were dim, yet could she behold with the spirit's eye the blessed Savior, who had given his life for her; and in the greatest agony of the body she could feel the comforting influences of God's Spirit operating upon her heart. In this hope she continued unto the end.
During the last ten days of her life she had several strokes of apoplexy which rendered her altogether helpless, but she remained rational to the very last. She knew that her time was short. She spoke with calmness of the great change that should be made. She was anxious to be freed from the pains of the body and to enter the rest which our blessed Father has prepared for all his people. She spoke of meeting her dear children who had gone before, with whom she would soon be reunited. Amidst the prayers of many of her loved ones, mingled with her own, her spirit passed away, into the hands of the Father, who looks with heavenly delight upon the faith of his dying saints.
Four of her children had gone before. She leaves a husband and five children, brothers and sisters, and many relatives and friends, who deeply mourn their bereavement; but they mourn not as those who have no hope. They firmly believe that the departed one has been removed from a couch of pain and anguish to the bright abode of the blessed, and is now in the enjoyment of the glorious reward of a humble, meek, devoted and faithful life.
The funeral services were conducted by Elder John McNelly.
E. R. B.

Shertzer.­Jan 16th, near Masonville, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister Esther Shertzer, widow, aged 66 years, 4 months and 10 days. Funeral on the 19th. Text: Rom. 14: 7­9. Buried at Bachman's meeting-house. Sister Shertzer suffered for about twenty-five years. The last five weeks her sufferings were extremely severe. Peace to her ashes!

Shower,­Jan. 22nd, near Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., John Shower, aged 86 years and 7 months. Funeral on the 25th. Text: Ps. 90: 12. Buried at Hernley's meeting-house.

Hostetter,­Jan. 20th, in Lebanon Co., Pa., Bro. John Hostetter, aged 74 years, 11 months and 13 days. Funeral on the 26th. Text: 1 Thess. 4: 13­18. Buried at Gingerich's meeting-house.

Groff.­Jan. 29th, in Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of pneumonia, Sister Barbara, wife of Bro. G. W. Groff, M.D., aged 45 years, 2 months and 15 days. Funeral on Feb. 1st. Text: Phil. 1: 21. Buried at Landisville meeting-house. Sister Groff leaves a sorrowing husband and 2 children. They have the deepest sympathy of a large circle of friends. She was an ornament to the church.

Reitzel.­Feb. 1st, in Salunga, Lancaster Co., Pa., of consumption, Elizabeth Reitzel, aged 42 years, 10 months and 2 days. Funeral on the 4th. Text: Ps. 39: 5­8. Buried at Landisville meeting-house. A sorrowing husband and nine children followed her remains to the grave.

Kline.­January 11th, of lung fever, Anna B. Kline, of Arcadia, Ind., aged 48 years, 9 months and 2 days.

Rittenhouse.­Feb. 4th, in South Cayuga, Haldimand Co., Ont., of consumption, Anna, wife of Isaac Rittenhouse, aged 39 years, 6 months and 16 days. Buried the 6th in the Mennonite burying-ground, followed to her grave by a large concourse of people. Services by Leonard Hoover.

Stoner.­Feb. 5th, in Haldimand Co., Ont., of consumption,, Anna, wife of Michael Stoner, aged 35 years, 7 months and 12 days. Buried the 7th. Services by C. Geyman and Leonard Hoover.

Kulp.­Jan. 8th, in Dutch Creek, Tp., Washington Co., Iowa, of typhoid-pneumonia, Bro. George B. Kulp, aged 68 years, 7 months and 11 days. Bro. Kulp was a consistent member of the Mennonite Church for over half a century. His hope was bright and joyful. Funeral discourse by Elder Merrill from Matt. 24: 44; also some remarks by B. Eicher.

Wilfong.­Jan. 19th, in Huron Co., Mich., of dropsy, Margaret, wife of George Wilfong, who died last April of the same disease. Her age was 65 years, 9 months and 28 days. Buried the 22nd in Caseville burying-ground. She leaves two sons and one daughter to mourn their loss.

Nusbaum.­Feb. 8th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of the infirmities of age, Bro. Christian Nusbaum, aged 81 years, 6 months and 3 days. Bro Nusbaum was a native of Switzerland, Europe, where he united with the Mennonite church, and afterwards emigrated to America, where he was married to Catharine Wise, He was the father of eleven children, nine of whom are living, Of descendants there are also 80 grand children, of whom 55 are living, and 29 great-grand-children, of whom 28 are living, He was a faithful brother and remained steadfast to the end, He was buried on the 10th, Services by Jacob A. Beutler and John F. Funk, from Rev. 14: 12, 13.

Martin.­January 10th, in Michigan, Mary Ann, Wife of Isaac Martin, aged 20 years, 11 months and 20 days.

Oesch.­Jan. 18th, in Huron Co., Ont., very suddenly, Sister -----Oesch, widow, aged 77 years, 10 months and 22 days. She went to bed in the evening appearing well. In the night her daughter heard her getting out of bed in an unusual way, and going to her asked what she wanted. She said that she would go to bed; the daughter called her husband, but before he came, life had fled. She was the mother of 18 children, of whom 12 are living. John Oesch's family were the first German settlers in Hay Township, Huron Co., Ont., about the year 1848. She lived with her husband over thirty years, and as widow over thirty years. The Amish church has lost a shining light. Funeral services conducted by C. Zehr, from 1 Cor. 15, and John Gascho from Mark 13: 33­37.

Kinsinger.­Jan. 7th, near Sharon Center, Johnson Co., Iowa, of diphtheria, Fanny, daughter of Elias and Susanna Kinsinger, aged 6 years, 1 month and 29 days. Funeral discourse by Chr. Miller, from Mark 10: 13­16.

Roth.­Jan. 8th, near Sharon Center, Iowa, of sore throat (not diphtheria), Joseph, son of John Roth, aged 33 years. Funeral services were held by Abner Yoder and C. Miller.

Marner.­Jan. 10th, near Sharon Center, Iowa, of the infirmities of old age, Preacher Jacob Marner, aged 82 years, 9 months and 9 days. Bro. Marner was a faithful servant of the Amish Mennonite church. He suffered several years, and looked forward with joy for the time in which his suffering would end. His companion preceded him over a year.

Bucher.­Feb. 6th, near Pendleton, Putnam Co., Ohio, of diabetes and quick consumption, Bro. Ulrich Bucher, aged 34 years and 5 days. Buried in the Swiss Men. burying-ground in the presence of many relatives and acquaintances, when appropriate remarks were made by Chr. Zimmerly, John Moser and P. Shumaker, from 1 Pet. 1: 24, 25. He leaves a bereaved wife and two small children. He was prepared for the change.

Driver.­Feb. 8th, at Dale Enterprise, Rockingham Co., Va., of a tumor in the body together with the infirmities of age, Catharine Driver, aged 78 years, 1 month and 8 days. Buried at Weaver's on the 10th. Services by D.S. Heatwole and W.T. Price from Rev. 14: 13. The subject of this notice was from early life a consistent member of the Mennonite church, and has long been well known for her many Christian virtues. She was the mother of 12 children, seven of whom are living. Three of her sons have served in the ministry for a number of years, one of whom (Jacob Driver) preceded her to the grave three years ago. Of the other two, one is living in Augusta Co., Va., and the other in Morgan Co., Mo. On Christmas day 1863, when the scourge of war swept through the Valley of Virginia, she was deprived of her earthly stay and companion, her husband. She leaves a large family of grand-children to mourn her departure as ono* whom they sincerely loved as a grand-mother, and to whom she herself was greatly attached.

Lehman.­Jan. 11th, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, very suddenly, Abraham Lehman, aged 53 years, 9 months and 6 days. Services by Henry Beery and Isaac Good, from Rev. 16: 15.

Buckwalter.­In Lancaster Co., Pa., Bro. Abram Buckwalter, in the 57th year of his age. He leaves a wife and three daughters to mourn their loss. Funeral on Feb. 13th, where appropriate services were held by Amos Shenk and A. B. Herr. Bro. Buckwalter's death was caused by falling from a scaffold in his barn. He lived only twelve hours after the accident.

Mast­Feb. 7th, of paralysis, near Long Green, Baltimore Co., Md., Betsy Mast, aged about 82 years and 11 months. She was a consistent member of the Amish church. Funeral services by Lewis Yoder in English, and John P. Mast, in German, from 2 Cor. 5: 1.

Leaman.­In East Lampeter, Lancaster Co., Pa., Aaron, son of Bro. Samuel and Elizabeth Leaman, aged 1 year, 7 months and 17 days. Funeral services by David Buckwalter in German, and John Landis in English.

Fellenbaum.-At Intercouse, Lancaster Co., Pa., on the 9th of Oct., 1880, of drowning, Joseph W. Fellenbaum, aged 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. Services by Isaac Eby, from Lam 3: 31, 32.
"A precious one from us is gone,
A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled."

Brenner.­Dec. 31st, 1880, near Thompsontown, Juniata Co., Pa., Sister Sarah Brenner, aged 44 years, 4 months and 22 days. She was buried at Lost Creek Church, where many friends and relatives met to pay their last respects. Sister Brenner suffered much for the last two years, though she bore her sufferings with patience. Services at the church by Jacob Thomas and William Graybill. Text: Rev 7: 15, 17.

Gillman.­Dec. 28th, 1880, in Washtenaw Co., Mich., of long suffering with cancer, Catharine Gillman, daughter of Jacob and Anna Sangree, at the age of 53 years, 11 months and 14 days. She bore her sufferings with Christian patience.

Bartholomew.­January 17th, in Bedminster, Bucks Co., Pa., of dropsy of the heart, Thomas Bartholomew, agld* 74 years, 7 months and 11 days. Buried in Tohickon burying-ground.

Yoder.­January 28th, in Somerset Co., Pa., Samuel, son of Christian and Sarah Yoder, aged 80 years and 24 days.

Troyer.­January 23rd, in Barry Co., Mich., Magdalena, wife of David Troyer, aged 81 years, 11 months and 23 days. This aged mother was born in Somerset Co., Pa., her maiden name was Gindlesperger. In her youth she united with the Amish church. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn their loss.

Myers.­January 29th, in Lee Co., Ill., Irwin Myers, aged 17 years, 6 months and 9 days. Buried Feb. 1st, in the Mennonite burying-ground near Sterling, Whiteside County, in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends. Funeral services by A. Ebersole, H. Nice and J. Kornhaus.

Brenner.­Feb. 2nd, in McAllisterville, Juniata, Co., Pa., after a few days suffering of pneumonia, Charley, son of Christian and Caroline Brenner, aged 1 year and 24 days. He was buried at Lauyer's church, where appropriate remarks were made on the occasion by William Graybill, from John 14: 1­4.

Brubaker.­Feb 3rd, near Patterson, Juniata Co., Pa., at the house of her son-in-law, Tobias Page, Mary Brubaker, wife of Michael Brubaker dec'd, aged 65 years, 3 months and 22 days. Her suffering was more or less severe for several months, but she bore them with Christian resignation. Sister Brubaker was a member of the Mennonite church for many years. Her maiden name was Auker, a daughter of Pre. Henry Auker. She leaves three sons and two daughters to mourn the departure of a kind mother. She was buried at Lost Creek church. Services by Jacob, William and Thomas Graybill. Text: John 16: 33.

Nolt.­Dec. 25th, at Chestnut Hill, Lancaster Co., Pa., Paris, son of Jonas and Elizabeth Nolt, aged 10 years, 5 months and 3 days. Funeral on the 28th. Text: Job 14: 14

Burkholder.­Jan. 5th, in Spring Garden, Lancaster Co., Pa., Emmanuel, son of Bro. and Sister Saml. Burkholder, aged 11 months and 8 days. Funeral on the 8th. Text: Matt. 19 : 14.

Weber.­September 18th, 1880, in Waterloo county Ontario, of consumption, Rachael Weber, widow of Menno S. Weber, deceased, aged 38 years and 29 days. She was buried on the 20th at Cressman's burying-ground. Funeral services by Jacob Woolner and Moses Bowman.

Basinger.­December 21st, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, Sister Rebecca, daughter of Pre. Peter and Maria Basinger, aged 25 years, 11 months and 16 days. Six months previous to her death when she joined the church, she undoubtedly little thought that her time here would be so short. But life is uncertain. "Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Services by J. Burkholder and J. Bixler.

Krabill.­September 25th, near Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister Elisabeth Krabill, aged 78 years, 9 months and 7 days. Funeral on the 28th. Text, Psalm 90: 12. Buried in the old family grave-yard.

Bachman.­October 28th, in Omaha, Neb., Joseph L. Bachman, formerly of Lebanon Co., Pa., aged 21 years. His remains were sent to his sorrowing parents. Funeral on November 3rd. Text, Isaiah 40: 6­8. Buried at Gingrich's Meeting-house. A large number of relatives and friends assembled to manifest their sympathy for the bereft parents and family. A solemn call for the young.

Gerhart.­Nov. 7th, near Stevens, Lancaster Co., Pa., Samuel, son of Alexander Gerhart, aged 5 years, 4 months and 16 days. Funeral on the 9th. Text, Ps. 16: 1­6. Buried at Schoeneck Meeting-house.

Snyder.­Nov. 7th, at Junction, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister Fanny Snyder, wid. Aged 64 years, 4 months and 27 days. Funeral on the 10th. Text: 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8. Buried at Kauffman's Meeting-house. Sister Snyder was a faithful member of the Old Mennonite Church.

Hess.­Nov. 8th, near Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister Susan B. Hess, aged 25 years, 9 months and 13 days. Funeral on the 11th. Text: Luke 10: 42. Buried at Hammer Creek Meeting-house.

Brubacher.­Nov. 9th, near Sporting Hill, Lancaster Co., Pa., Jacob Brubacher, aged 88 years, 5 months and 3 days. Funeral on the 12th. Text: 2 Chron. 29: 15. Buried in Ehrhart's grave-yard.

Habecker.­Nov. 9th, near Newtown, Lancaster Co.., Pa., Elizabeth Habecker, aged 3 years. Funeral on the 22nd. Text: Acts 17: 30, 31. Buried at Silver Spring Cemetery.

Baer.­Nov. 19th, in Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., Bro. Gabriel Baer, aged 66 years, 8 months and 25 days. Funeral on the 23rd. Text: 1 Thess. 4: 13, 14. Buried at Krabill's Meeting-house. A large congregation of friends and neighbors gathered together on this occasion. Bro. Baer was a bright, shining light, a promising and zealous member of the old Mennonite Church. May his bright example cause many to be wholly devoted to the Lord.

Wissler­Nov. 22nd, near Wissler's Mill, Lancaster Co., Pa., Maria H., wife of John H. Wissler, aged 30 years, 6 months and 14 days. Funeral on the 25th. Text: Matt. 25 : 13. Buried at Hammer Creek Meeting-house.

Greider.­Nov. 23rd, near Newtown, Lancaster Co., Pa., Frances H. Greider, aged 2 years, 8 months and 16 days. Funeral on the 26th. Text: Gal. 3: 26. Buried at Silver Spring Cemetery.

Goodman.­Dec. 9th, in Rapho Tp., Lancaster Co., Pa., Benjamin N., Son of Benjamin F. and Sarah Goodman, aged 9 years, 2 months and 14 days. Funeral on the 11th. Text: Gen. 27 : 2. Buried at Springville Cemetery.

Rhodes.­Oct. 10th, 1880, in Beloit, Mitchell Co., Kansas, of typhoid Malarial fever, Mrs. ----- Rhodes, aged 24 years, 5 months and 19 days. The deceased with her husband, went from Mt. Clinton, Rockingham Co., Va., to Kansas, to make their home in that growing state. Though cut off in the prime of youth, she left a good testimony of the power of Christ to save. Among her last conscious words were, "I am going to join the blood washed, on the other side: meet me there: O praise the Lord for his goodness. All fear of death is gone." Then resting for a few moments, she would exclaim, "Bless the Lord, I am his, and he is mine." Turning to her physician, she said, "You see, doctor, Christ calls for me to go home. I have a sister over there, and a mother;" then, trying to sing a hymn of praise to her blessed Savior, she stopped from exhaustion, and casting her eyes upward, smiled, as if recognizing some heavenly visitant and passed away calmly to her reward. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
This was one of the most triumphant death-bed scenes I was ever called to witness. A good woman went home to heaven. The impression on the minds of all who witnessed this scene is indelible. She being dead, yet liveth.
Jas. M Davidson.

McCrary.­December 2d, 1880, near Bethlehem, Augusta county, Virginia, John W. McCrary, son of Andrew and Catharine McCrary, aged 14 years, 8 months and 19 days. Was buried the 3d at Bethlehem. Services by Joseph N. Driver. Text: Heb 9: 27, 28.

Segrist.­Dec. 10th, 1880, near Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, of consumption, Bro. John Segrist, aged 75 years. Services were held at Chambersburg Meeting-house, by John Hunsecker and Peter Wadle, in German and Philip Parret in English, from the words, "For me to live in Christ, and to die is gain" His death was calm and peaceful, transferring him, we trust, from the cares and trials of earth to the reward of the faithful in heaven. Let those who feel most deeply the loss they have sustained, submit to Him, whose judgements are right and who doeth all things well.
"We shall sleep, but not forever
In the lone and silent grave;
Blessed be the Lord that taketh,
Blessed be the Lord that gave.

In the bright, eternal city,
Death can never, never come;
In His own good time He'll call us
To our rest,­our home, sweet home."

Lesher.­December 22d, near Williamson, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Katie, only daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Lesher, aged 24 years, 5 months, and 19 days. Katie was much beloved by her parents; she was a kind and obedient daughter, and her early death was indeed a very severe affliction to her bereaved parents. She was a warm friend of the Herald of Truth, and carefully filed them away each month for future reference. She was buried on Christmas Day; services by P. Wedell and D. Roth from Rev. 20: first clause of 6th verse.
Dearest Katie, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel;
But 'tis God that hath bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.

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

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario