Debra Zehr

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Grain and livestock farmer
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Published in Peoria Journal Star on Nov. 6, 2014

WASHINGTON - Dean Richard Zehr, 82, of Washington, Ill., passed away and went home to the Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.
He was born Feb. 24, 1932, in Foosland, Ill., to the Rev. Harold and Alma (Unzicker) Zehr. He married Kathleen Imhoff in 1958, who preceded him in death in 2008.

He is survived by his children, Debra (Dave) Frohberg of West Lafayette, Ind., Rita (Dave) Kirkwood of Bloomington, Ill., Stan (Julie) Zehr of Eureka, Ill., and Curt (Sue) Zehr of Washington, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Lila (Ron) King, Rachel Zehr, Alan (Carol) Zehr, Hazel Yoder, John Zehr and W. Jay Zehr.
One sister, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law preceded him in death.

Faith, family and farming were the cornerstones of Dean's life. As a young adult, he served with Mennonite Central Committee in Europe, helping World War II refugees rebuild their lives. His "PAX buddies" became lifelong friends who he and Kathy cherished. He was an active member of Metamora Mennonite Church, where he served in a variety of ways, including as elder and Sunday school teacher.

Dean's family was also a very important aspect in his life. He supported and encouraged his children in their many different activities and enjoyed going to various grandchildren's activities. Whether it was giving his grandchildren rides on his combine, having cousins come spend a week on the farm, going on vacations with siblings, or going to the "Zehr Family Reunion," Dean loved being with his family.

Dean grew up on a grain and livestock farm and raised Duroc hogs as a boy. After returning from Europe and marrying Kathy, he started grain farming with Kathy's father, Glenwood Imhoff, and raising Duroc swine again. This developed into selling swine across the U.S. and to foreign countries and making many lifelong friends in the pork industry. He was given the Illinois Master Swine Seedstock Producer Award and the Land of Lincoln Breeders Award for exhibiting swine at the Illinois State Fair for more than 50 years.

Dean was a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Pork Producers Association and the National Duroc Swine Registry. He served as president of the Woodford County Pork Producers and Illinois Duroc Breeders Association and secretary of the Illinois Purebred Swine Council. He also served on the Pleasant View Grade School Board and the Pleasant View Fire and Park District boards.

Funeral services for Dean will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Metamora Mennonite Church, with burial following in Hickory Point Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church and from noon Saturday until time of service.
Memorials for Dean may be directed to either the church or Mennonite Central Committee.

Buried:
Hickory Point Cemetery

Dean married Kathleen Carol Imhoff on 9 Aug 1958 in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL. Kathleen was born on 19 Oct 1938 in Peoria, Peoria Co., IL; died on 14 Jun 2008 in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Published in the Bloomington, Illinois Pantagraph
Kathleen Carol Zehr, 69, of Washington passed away early Saturday morning (June 14, 2008) at her home.

She was born Oct. 19, 1938, in Peoria, to Glenwood and Laura Gingerich Imhoff. She married Dean R. Zehr on Aug. 9, 1958. She was preceded in death by her parents and three infant sisters.

Kathy is survived by her husband; two daughters, Rita (David) Kirkwood of Bloomington, and Debra (David) Frohberg of West Lafayette, Ind.; two sons, Curt (Sue) Zehr of Washington, and Stan (Julie) Zehr of Eureka; and 12 grandchildren.

Kathy graduated from Washington Community High School and attended Goshen College, Goshen, Ind. She and her husband farmed in the Washington and Eureka area all of her adult life and in later years she enjoyed working for Valley Forge Family Physicians. She was active in various community organizations, including her children's schools and Woodford County Home Extension. She was a lifelong member of Metamora Mennonite Church, where she faithfully served in many capacities.

Kathy's life revolved around her family and her church. She especially enjoyed music and books, along with the opportunities to share these same joys with her grandchildren. Whether it was helping on the farm by driving a tractor or delivering lunches, tending to her flower garden, going to her children's or grandchild's activity, or helping at church functions, she was a caring and giving person.

Died:
at her home

Buried:
Hickory Point Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer, School Teacher, Minister
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Heart Attack
• Ordained: 1931, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: Dec 1952, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr, Harold, son of Jacob E. and Emma (Miller) Zehr, was born at Goodfield, Ill., Oct. 15, 1903; died of a heart attack on Dec. 15, 1975; aged 72 y. In 1926, he was married to Alma Unzicker, who preceded him in death in 1966. In 1967, he was married to Ruth Schertz, who survives. Also surviving are 4 sons (Jay, John, Dean, and Allen Zehr), 4 daughters (Edith, Rachel, Mrs. Hazel Yoder, and Mrs. Lila King), one sister (Mrs. Mildred Good), and 3 brothers (Walter, Ellis, and Chester). He was preceded in death by one sister (Mrs. Mabel Schrock). He was ordained to the ministry in 1931 and served as a pastor in Illinois and Ohio. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, Ill., Dec. 17, in charge of Carl Newswanger and Edwin Stalter.

Ordained:
East Bend Mennonite Church

Residence:
Became Executive Secretary of the Ulrich Foundation and Director of PR for Ulrich Manufacturing Co.

Died:
from March 1978 Mennonite Heritage

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Harold married Alma P. Unzicker on 30 Jun 1926 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. Alma (daughter of Samuel Ernest Unzicker and Sarah L. Steider) was born on 5 Nov 1903 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL; died on 18 Apr 1966 in Normal, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Cancer

Notes:

Obit:
ZEHR, Alma P., daughter of Samuel E. and Sarah (Steider) Unzicker, was born at Roanoke, Ill., Nov. 5, 1903; died of cancer at Normal, Ill., April 18, 1966; aged 62 y. 5 m. 13 d. On June 30, 1926, she was married to Harold Zehr, who survives. Also surviving are 8 children (W. Jay, John, Dean, Allen, Edith, Mrs. Hazel Yoder, Rachel, and Mrs. Lila King), 15 grandchildren, 2 brothers (Roy and Archie), and 2 sisters (Mrs. Katherine Hostetler and Mrs. Edna Teuscher). She was a member of the Bloomington Church, where her husband is pastor. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Church, April 20, with Alton Horst, Roy Bucher, and Richard Yordy officiating.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mennonite
• Naturalization: 5 Oct 1858, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: until 1904, Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1904, Near Bloomington, IL
• Residence: 1911, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr. --- Jacob E., son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ehrisman) Zehr, was born near Goodfield in Woodford Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1872; died at his home in Fisher, Ill., Aug. 11, 1950; aged 78 y. 2 d. On Feb. 13, 1902, he was married to Emma Miller, of Carlock, Ill. To this union were born 4 sons (Harold, Rantoul, Ill.; Walter, Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Ellis, Rockville, Ind.; and Chester, Fisher, Ill.), and 2 daughters (Mabel Schrock, Fisher, Ill.; and Mildred Good, Rantoul, Ill.). Early in life he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church. He maintained a keen interest in spiritual things and was a dovoted Bible student throughout life. He lived at the place of his birth until 1904, when he moved to a farm near Bloomington in McLean Co., Ill., and from there in 1911 to a farm west of Fisher. In 1941 he retired and moved into Fisher. He was a loving husband, an understanding father, and a Christian citizen. Surviving are his wife, 6 children, 22 grandchildren, and a large number of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the East Ben Mennonite Church, in charge of A. J. Metzler and J. A. Heiser.

Transcriber's note: The author of the obituary misspelled "devoted."

Residence:
in the home of his parents

Residence:
Attended East White Oak Mennonite Church

Residence:
Purchased the Joseph Yordy farm near Fisher

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Jacob married Emma A. Miller on 13 Feb 1902. Emma (daughter of Christian Miller and Rachel Sharp) was born on 20 Mar 1876 in Carlock, McLean Co., IL; died on 23 Oct 1955 in Rantoul, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XLVIII , Number 46 - November 15, 1955 -- page 1101, 1102.

Zehr, -- Emma, daughter of Christian and Rachel (Sharp) Miller, was born on March 20, 1876 near Carlock, Ill.; passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joe Good, near Rantoul, Ill., on Oct. 23, 1955, as she was listening to the strains of the hymn, "Lord, I Am Coming Home." She was married to Jacob E. Zehr on Feb. 13, 1902, and they made their home near Goodfield, Ill. Later they moved Yukon, Ill., and in Feb., 1911, they moved to a farm near Fisher, Ill., where they lived until retirement in 1941, when they moved to Fisher. She had been in failing health for the past several months. She is survived by one daughter (Mildred Good), 4 sons (Harold, Roanoke, Ill.; Walter, Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Ellis, Rockville, Ind., and Chester, Fisher, Ill), 28 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters and two brothers (Elizabeth-Mrs. Frank Irons, Congerville, Ill., Mrs. Mary Basting, Bertha and Rufus of Bloomington-Normal area, and Clarence, Stanford, Ill.). She was preceded in death by her husband in 1950; one daughter Mabel Schrock, and one sister who died in her youth. Early in life she accepted Christ as Saviour and had an active interest in the work of her church until her death. Funeral services were held at the Eat Bend Mennonite Church, of which she was a member, by Howard J. Zehr and Ivan Birkey, on Oct. 26. Interment was made in the East Bend Mennonite Church.

Birth:
(8 Aug? FAG)

Died:
at home of her daughter Mrs. Joe Good

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite (Lynn Township Congregation) Served As Deason For Over Thirty Years.

Notes:

Obit:
Unzicker, Samuel Ernest., son of August and Elizabeth (Birkey) Unzicker, was born near Morton, Ill., March 17, 1876; died at the Eureka (Ill.) Hospital, Nov. 21, 1963; aged 87 y. 8 m. 4 d. On Dec. 23, 1902, he was married to Sarah Streider, who died April 28, 1959. Also preceding him in death were one daughter, one grandson, 4 brothers, and 3 sisters. Surviving are 2 sons (Roy and Archie), 3 daughters (Alma - Mrs. Harold Zehr, Katherine - Mrs. Amos Hostetler, and Edna - Mrs. Daniel Teuscher), 30 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, one brother (Julius), and 3 sisters (Mrs. V.W. Springer, Mrs. Andrew Ulrich, and Mrs. Prosper Heppard). He was one of the first members of the Linn Township Amish Mennonite congregation, and served there as a deacon for over 30 years. Funeral services were held at the Linn Township Amish Mennonite Church, Nov. 23, in charge of John Hostetler, assisted by Dan Hostetler and Harold Hostetler; burial in Harmony Cemetery, Metamora, Ill.

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery

Samuel married Sarah L. Steider on 23 Dec 1902. Sarah (daughter of Peter Steider and Katherine Garber) was born on 19 Feb 1878 in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL; died on 28 Apr 1959 in Tampico, IL; was buried in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume LII, Number 23 - June 9, 1959
Unzicker, Sarah L., daughter of Peter and Catherine (Garber) Steider; born Feb. 19, 1878, near Metamora., Ill:; died suddenly at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Amos Hostetler, near Tampico, Ill., April 28, 1959; aged 81 y. 2 m. 9 d. On Dec. 23, 1902, she married Samuel E. Unzicker, who survives. To this union were born 2 sons and 4 daughters. One daughter preceded her in death two years ago. Surviving are 3 daughters and 2 sons (Alma- Mrs. Harold Zehr, Roanoke, Ill.; Catherine- Mrs. Amos Hostetler, Tampico, Ill.; Edna- Mrs. Dan Teuscher, Fisher. Ill.; Roy, Roanoke; and Archie, Eureka), 30 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers (Sam, Washington, Ill.; and Henry, Metamora), and a sister (Mrs. Barbara Springer, Longmont, Colo.). Three sisters and 4 brothers also preceded her in death. She was a member of the Linn Township Amish Mennonite congregation since its organization. She was especially known for her service to others, opening her home to several other relatives in time of special need. Services were held at the Linn A.M. Church, in charge of John E. Hostetler and Harold Hostetler; interment in Harmony Cemetery.

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery