BACHMAN. - On the 21st of May, 1900, near Morton, Tazewell Co., Ill., Elizabeth, wife of Jos. A. Bachman, aged 45 years, 29 days. She was born Apr. 22, 1855. She was married to her surviving husband Feb. 10th, 1880. She leaves besides her husband a son and a daughter, an aged mother, a brother, four sisters and many friends. She took Christ for her Savior in her youth and was always willing to follow in His footsteps. The day before her departure she called her husband to the bed and told him she was going home, where it would be better than here. To her daughter she said, she was going home to live with Jesus. These precious words are indeed a great comfort to all her friends. Services were conducted by Peter D. Schertz and John Birkey, assisted by John Smith and Daniel Orendorf. May we all so live that at the end we can say, I am going home to live with Jesus.
HEATWOLE. - On August 16th, 1900, near Pleasant Valley, Rockingham Co., Va., of dropsy, Abraham D. Heatwole aged 70 years, 9 months and 5 days. Funeral from Pike meeting house on the 17th, Bish. Abraham Shank and Pre. Jacob Martin officiating.
WENGER. - On Aug. 23d, 1900, near Dayton, Rockingham Co., Va., very suddenly, of heart disease, Sarah Hartman Wenger, widow of Pre. Abraham B. Wenger, who preceded her to the grave four years before. On the day before her death Sister Wenger was about the house attending to domestic affairs as usual and retired at about 10 o,clock at night. As she failed to join the family at the breakfast table at the usual hour the next morning upon going to her bed room she was found dead in bed and to all appearances had passed peacefully away without a struggle. She died at the age of 63 years, 7 months and 4 days. Funeral service on the 24th from Weaver,s meeting house, L. J. and Joseph F. Heatwole officiating.
BRUNK. - On Sept. 9th, 1900, near Greenmount, Rockingham Co., Va., of typhoid fever, John Brunk, fourth son of Pre. George Brunk. His departure occurred at a time when several other members of the same family lay stricken with the same disease that bore him into the eternal world. A wife and five small children survive him. Funeral on the afternoon of the 10th from Trissel,s meeting house in Lower District.
BURKHOLDER. - On the 31st of Aug., 1900, near Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Va., Sister Rebecca Burkholder, widow of Bishop Martin Burkholder, aged 79 years, 5 months and 12 days. In the spring she had a fall from which she suffered a great deal. About five months ago she was partially paralyzed. At times she was almost helpless. At other times she could walk about in her room when assisted. She was a consistent member of the Mennonite Church for a number of years, and possessed such principles that we have reasons to believe that she is now sweetly resting with her Savior and loved ones in the glorious mansions prepared for the faithful, free from all troubles and trials. She bore her sufferings patiently and seemed to be anxiously waiting for the end. Her husband preceded her to the spirit world nearly forty years ago. She was the mother of nine children. Three children and thirteen grandchildren survive her. Funeral services were conducted by Bro. Christian Good from Rev. 2:10. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Interment in the Weaver church burying-ground.
ALDERFER. - On the 7th of September 1900, in Souderton, Montgomery Co., Pa., of stomach troubles, Sister Anna Alderfer (maiden name Swartley), aged 46 years, 10 months and 23 days. She was born on the 14th of October, 1853. She was married to Milton Alderfer, with whom she lived in married life twenty-two years. She was the mother of six children, four sons and two daughters; one son preceded her to the spirit world. She died fully resigned to her dear Saviour. She suffered much during the last week of her life, but bore all with Christian patience, and had a desire to depart and be with Christ. She was a faithful and beloved sister in the church and a good mother, and gave good exhortations before her departure. She was buried at Line Lexington, Men. M. H. Services were conducted by Michael R. Moyer and Josiah Clemmer at the home and A. O. Heistand and C. Allebach at the M. H. from Phil. 1:23. She rests in peace.
WENGER. - Near New Erection, Rockingham Co., Pa., Annie Frances Wenger, wife of Daniel Wenger, and daughter of Manasses and Margaret Heatwole, died Aug. 28, 1900, aged 30 years, 1 month and 15 days. She was sick with consumption about three years, but was not confined to bed until about eighteen weeks before she died. She accepted Christ as her Savior in her young and tender years and was a true and faithful member of the Mennonite Church until she died. In all her afflictions she showed herself the very model of meekness and patience, was not heard to utter one word of complaint, and was fully resigned and longed to go home to Jesus. She at different times said she was ready to go (being conscious to the last), but did regret to leave her three little children back. She was married December 13th, 1891 and these nine years of married life were years of domestic felicity. She was as near without an enemy as it is possible for a true Christian to be. No one knew her but to love her. She leaves a sorrowing husband, three little children, a mother, brothers and sisters and many near friends to mourn her early departure. The funeral services were conducted by L. J. and J. F. Heatwole. Buried at the Weaver burying-ground.
ERNST. - August 27th, 1900, about 2.10 A. M., fell asleep in Jesus, Sister Elizabeth, wife of Bro. Samuel Ernst, of near Olathe, Johnson Co., Kansas, at the age of 79 years, 7 months and 5 days. In the evening of the 28th her remains were followed from the first M. church house in Olathe, where appropriate services were conducted by Bro. _____, J. H. Hershey and others, by a large concourse of friends and acquaintances to their family lot in the Olathe cemetery. She was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., where she united with the Weaverland Mennonite congregation in the eighteenth year of her age, and remained steadfast in the faith - with only two of her brothers, namely, Pre. Jacob and Martin Zimmerman surviving. She frequently expressed her desire to be relieved of the cares and turmoils of earthly life.
SNYDER. - On the 24th of August, 1900, at his residence near Woodbury, Bedford Co., Pa., of inflammation of the bowels, Bish. Hermon Snyder, aged 66 years, 3 months and 22 days. Funeral services were conducted by J. N. Durr and A. Metzler. Bro. Snyder was in the ministry probably about thirty-five years, and a bishop for seventeen years. In his death the church lost a strong pillar, but we hope our loss is his eternal gain. He is survived by his wife, one son and one daughter.
WENGER. - Sept. 5, 1900, In Harrison Twp., Elkhart Co., Ind., of cholera infantum, George Rhemas Wenger, infant son of Michael and Salome Wenger, aged 7 months and 17 days. Was buried the 7th at the Yellow Creek church, on which occasion funeral discourses were held by Bish. John Martin in the German and Michael Sherk in the English language.
ACKER. - On the 16th of Sept., 1900, in Foutz Valley, Perry Co., Pa., Sister Anna, wife of Bishop William Acker, aged 71 years, 4 months and 20 days. Her maiden name was Landis. She suffered from a stroke of paralysis for eight months, and bore her sufferings with Christian fortitude; she leaves a husband, two sons and six daughters to mourn her death. Funeral services were conducted by William Graybill and Samuel Lider from Ps. 132:14. Buried in the family graveyard, in Foutz Valley where many friends were assembled to pay her the last tribute of respect.
LEVENIGHT. - On the 13th of Sept., 1900, near Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa., Samuel F., son of John and Isabella Levenight, aged 11 months and 8 days. All that human hands could do, was done to save his life, but as the Lord needed another lamb for the heavenly fold, He took him home. His remains were laid to rest at Kraybill,s meeting house on the 15th. Services were conducted by Marvin Rutt and ___ Gall. Text 2 Kings 4:26, last clause.
HOSSILER. - On the 13th of Sept. 1900, near Donegal Springs, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sarah Amanda and Anna Elizabeth, daughters of Harry and Mary Hossiler, aged seven months. They both took sick at the same time and suffered only a few days, and were seven months old on the day they died. They leave parents and one little brother. Services at Kraybills Sept. 15, by Martin Rutt and Eph. Nissley from Ps. 16:6. Two buds on earth to bloom in heaven.
Transcribed by: Mary Teeter, Michigan
BUCKWALTER. - Sister Mary, wife of Pre. David Buckwalter, died on the 18th of Sept., 1900, Leacock, Lancaster Co., Pa., aged 78 years and 12 days. She was in feeble health for a year, and during her last illness was confined to her bed nine weeks, gradually growing weaker in body but at the same time we believe growing still stronger in faith, believing that her Saviour would relieve her in His own good time from all earthly ills, as her last words she spoke were, that her desire was to go home and be with Jesus. She leaves a sorrowing husband, two daughters, one daughter having preceded her to the spirit world, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, to mourn her departure. On Friday 21st a large concourse of friends and neighbors gathered to pay the last tribute of respect that they can ever show. Preaching at the house by Pre. Sanford Landis. Text by Pre. John Landis. Psa. 4:8. Interment at Mellinger,s. Preaching by Pre. John LeFever and Bishop Isaac Eby. Text, 2 Tim. 4:6, 7, 8.
HARNISH. - On the 27th of Sept., 1900, in Willow Street, Lancaster County, Pa., Barbara Harnish, aged 71 years, 7 months and 22 days. Funeral was held at the Stone meeting-house, near New Danville, where services were conducted by John B. Harnish from Rev. 14:12, 13, and Abm. B. Herr from Ps. 4:8.
CAUFFIELD. - On the 23rd of Aug., in Somerset Co., Pa., Mary, wife of Daniel Cauffield, deceased, aged 64 years, 6 months and 22 days. She was a member of the U. E. Church. The funeral services were conducted at the Jenner Bap. church by G. G. Shetler on the 26th, from Ps. 13:3.
BRACKDILL. - On the 20th of Aug., 1900, near Lancaster City, Pa., Fannie, daughter of J. Eden and Lizzie Brackdill, aged 6 months and 19 days. She was buried at the Brick meeting-house, near Willow street, where services were conducted by Benj. Hertzler from Rom. 8:17. She was buried in the adjoining burying ground. The little brother and sister felt very sad when they saw the little coffin lowered into the grave. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of many friends and relatives who were present to witness the sad services. We hope they will be able to comfort themselves with the blessed words of Jesus when He said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
FUNK. - On the 3rd of October, 1900, in Clay county, Indiana, Sarah Jane Pitman, wife of Abraham Funk, aged 74 years, 8 months and 3 days. She was born on the 1st of Jan. 1826 in the state of Virginia. She was a member of the Mennonite Church for nearly nineteen years, and never failed to attend the church services when health permitted. Services were conducted by D. E. Kinsport from Rev. 16:13. Peace to her ashes.
CASSEL. - On the 20th of Sept., 1900, at New Hamburg, Ontario, Bro. Henry R. Cassel, as we trust, fell asleep in Jesus, at the advanced age of 65 years, 4 months and 12 days. He suffered with Bright,s disease for a little over eight months, and had a desire to go home and be with Christ which is far better. He was born in Montgomery Co., Pa., and leaves a widow, two sons and one daughter to mourn his death. Funeral services were held at the Blenheim M. H. on the 23rd, were largely attended, and conducted at the house by Jos. Nargang and Isaiah Rosenberger, and at the M. H. by Noah Stauffer, from Isa. 38:1, and by Amos S. Cressman from Heb. 2:6.
STEMEN. - Jane Stemen (maiden name Sakemiller) was born May 20th, 1827; died in Allen Co., O., Sept. 10th, 1900, aged 73 years, 3 months and 20 days. She was married to Andrew Stemen, January 23rd, 1848. To this union were born twelve children. Three sons and one daughter preceded her to the spirit world. Four sons and four daughters survive her. Her grandchildren number forty-six, of whom forty-one are living. About fourteen years ago she had a stroke of paralysis and was confined to her bed for some time; but regained her health so that she was able to go abroad visiting her children and others, and also to attend church occasionally which was her greatest delight. But for a number of years her health has been gradually failing and for the last two years she has been unable to go from home and spent most of her time in her chair. A few days before she died she had another stroke of paralysis and nine hours before she passed away she became unconscious and calmly fell asleep, as we believe, in Jesus. Besides children and grandchildren, she also has left a bereaved husband, two brothers and two sisters, and many relatives and friends who sadly mourn the loss of one whom they dearly loved, but we have reason to believe that our loss is her eternal gain. Her desire was to go home and be at rest. She united with the Mennonite Church about forty years ago and remained faithful until death. In the death of Mother Stemen the church has lost a faithful member, the husband a kind companion, a dear, loving mother and grandmother. Now that she is gone and we can behold her smiling face no more, may all prepare to meet her in heaven. We feel sure that she had a strong desire that all her children might be saved and no doubt she offered many prayers in their behalf. Buried at Salem Sept. 12th. Her funeral was largely attended and many tears were shed. Funeral services by the brethren J. M. Shenk, C. B. Brenneman and George Ross, from I Cor. 15:51.
BURKHOLDER. - On Aug. 7, 1900, near Newville, Cumberland Co., Pa., Sister Hannah Burkholder, wife of Pre. Abraham Burkholder, aged 50 years, 3 months and 7 days. She was sorely afflicted for about seven years. Her sufferings were intense. She bore her afflictions patiently until she passed away unexpectedly. She leaves a husband and six children to mourn her departure. They have the sympathy of many friends in this sad bereavement. She was buried on the 19th. A large concourse of friends and neighbors assembled to pay the last tribute of respect. Buried at the Diller Mennonite burying ground. The following brethren officiated: Bish. Ben. Zimmerman, Shiremanstown; Samuel Hess, J. M. Hess, Henry Weaver, Peter Wadle, and Geo. Ernst.
Transcribed by: Mary Teeter, Michigan