Gerald Heiser

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Fisher High School 1946, Purdue University 1965
• Occupation: Technical Engineer
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Kidney failure

Notes:

OBIT:
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/obituaries/gerald-heiser/article_e278da8a-5289-5c4f-92ae-5fb9af7812c1.html#utm_source=pantagraph.com&utm_campaign=%2Femail-updates%2Fobits%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=385486B42D72EEF2826446F84E93901604130E97

FISHER — Gerald “Jerry” Heiser, 87, of Fisher, went to be with the Lord on Monday morning (June 27, 2016) at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.
He was born Sept. 16, 1928, in Fisher, a son of Jesse and Laura Good Heiser. He married Patricia Birkey on Sept. 8, 1959, in Gary, Ind. She survives.
Also surviving are three children, Lucinda (Todd) Wyse, Elkhart, Ind.; David (Mary) Heiser, Fisher; and Roger (Laura) Heiser, Fisher; a sister, Mary Ann Jost, North Newton, Kan.; six grandchildren, Allison (Chris) Snyder, Kyle Wyse, Eric (Rachel) Heiser, Holden (Ginny) Heiser, Cameron (Madison) Heiser and Nikolas Heiser; and two great-grandsons, Maverick and Henry.
He was preceded in death in death by his parents and a brother.
Jerry attended the University of Illinois and later Purdue University, graduating with an engineering degree. He was employed at Methodist Hospital in the engineering department for 33 years. He was the head of plant operations and oversaw the construction of the new hospital in Merrillville, Ind. Jerry later worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart, Ind., for eight years. Jerry’s hobbies were farming and restoring antiques. He loved gospel music, but most of all Jerry loved his family.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at East Bend Mennonite Church, rural Fisher. The Rev. Michael Dean will officiate. Burial will follow at the East Bend Memorial Gardens. There will be a one-hour visitation prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to the East Bend Mennonite Church. Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.

Gerald married Patricia Ann Birkey [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Lucinda Renee Heiser
2. David Dean Heiser was born on 1 Mar 1963 in Gary, IN; died on 28 Feb 2023 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL.
3. Roger Leon Heiser

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Grocer, Heiser & Ingold store in Fisher, IL

Notes:

Obit:
Heiser.- Jesse J., son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bachman) Heiser, was born at Fisher, Ill., Jan. 10, 1901; died at St. Anthony's Hospital, Crown Point, Ind., June 19, 1989; aged 88. On May 20, 1925, he was married to Laura Good, who died in April 1963. Surviving are one son (Gerald Heiser), one daughter (Mary Ann Jost), 5 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and one sister (Lizzie Birky). He was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on June 22, in charge of Millard Osborne; interment in East Bend Cemetery.

Jesse married Laura Good on 20 May 1925. Laura (daughter of Peter Good and Mary A. Naffziger (Nofzinger)) was born on 29 Oct 1902; died on 10 Apr 1963. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald
Heiser, Laura, daughter of Peter and Mary Good, was born Oct. 29, 1902; died at Champaign, Ill., April 10, 1963; aged 60 y. 5 m. 12 d. On May 20, 1925, she was married to Jesse Heiser, who survives. Also surviving are 2 children (Mary Ann-Mrs. Walter Jost and Gerald), 3 grandchildren, 4 sisters (Carrie-Mrs. Ezra Yordy, Elise-Mrs. Alvin Birkey (sic) [Elsie-Mrs. Emanuel Birky], Alta-Mrs. Lester Hershey, and Bessie-Mrs. Melvin Grieser), and 4 brothers (Leroy, Ivan, Joseph, and Arthur). She was a member of the East Bend Church, where funeral services were held April 16, in charge of J. Alton Horst and J. A. Heiser.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish, Mennonite
• Residence: 1888, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

OBIT:

Heiser. -- Jacob Heiser, son of Jacob and Kathrine Heiser, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., on April 22, 1856; died at his home in Fisher, Ill., on Feb. 19, 1923; aged 66 y. 10 m. 28 d. He was married to Elizabeth Bachman on Feb. 20, 1883. To this union were born 12 children, of whom the following survive: Manuel, Alvin, Samuel, Katie, Jake, Mrs. Alvin L. Burkey, Roy, Jesse, and Esther. Barbara preceded him in death about 6 years ago, and two died in infancy. He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife, 9 children, 12 grandchildren, 5 brothers, and 2 sisters. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite Church since his youth, and was one of the first Mennonite settlers in the East Bend congregation and worked faithfully unto the end. He expressed his readiness to go home and called the family to his bedside. He bade farewell leaving words of warning and comfort which will long be remembered. It was indeed hard to say goodby to one we all loved so well, one who meant all a father could mean to us. But we feel assured that our loss is his eternal gain. Therefore we humbly say, "Lord, thy will be done." Funeral services were conducted on Feb. 21 by Samuel Zehr from Psalm 39 and Samuel Gerber of Pekin, Ill., from Col. 2:8-10.

"Father, thou art sweetly resting
Cold may be this earthly tomb,
But the angels sweetly whispered,
'Come and live with us at home.' " The Children

Residence:
from Morton, Tazewell Co., IL

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Jacob married Elizabeth Bachman on 20 Feb 1883. Elizabeth (daughter of John Bachman and Barbara Sutter) was born on 15 Jun 1862 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 26 Dec 1923 in Jacksonville, IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

OBIT:

Bachman. - Elizabeth (Bachman) Heiser died at Norbury Sanitarium, Jacksonville, Ill., Dec. 26, 1923; aged 62 y. 6 m. 4 d. She was the daughter of John and Barbara Bachman and was born near Groveland, Ill., June 15, 1861. On February 20, 1883, she was united in marriage to Jacob Heiser, who preceded her to the spirit world Feb. 19, 1923. To this union were born 12 children, namely: Manuel, Alvin, Samuel, Katie, Jake, Lizzie, Roy, Jesse, and Esther. One daughter, Barbara, and two infants preceded her in death. She united with the Mennonite Church in her youth and remained a faithful member until her death. She leaves to mourn her departure 6 sons, 3 daughters, 13 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 1 sister, 1 aunt, and a host of relatives and friends. She was a faithful and devout mother who was especially concerned about the spiritual welfare of her family and will long be remembered by her gentle disposition and kindness shown to all with whom she came in contact. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Church near Fisher, Ill., conducted by Samuel Gerber of Tremont. Text, II Cor. 5:1-10. Burial in the East Bend cemetery.

————————
Read at East Bend Mennonite Centennial Celebration, 1989

“My name is Elizabeth, I was born in 1862 in Tazewell County, and I married Jacob Heiser. We lived in Tazewell County and everything was going fine until after little Samuel was born. Now, there was Manuel, Alvin, and Samuel, three sons! My, what help Jake would have with the work before long! I think that’s why Jake started thinking about finding a place where there would be enough work for the boys. Then one day in January 1888, Jake came home and told me brother-in-law Peter Zehr had bought a farm in Champaign County and would we want to move there? What a shock! I sure hated the thought of moving so far away from Mama, Papa, and my brothers and sisters. When would I ever see them again? But then, it wouldn’t be quite so bad because my Aunt Lena, my cousin Mary, who was married to Charles Stormer, and cousin August Ingold already lived in Champaign County. So, when the spring weather came, the men helped Jake load all our things on the train. Jake’s sister Fannie went along to help US. So we all got on the train that was going to Gibson City. That train whistle sounded so sad, I felt lonesome already. When we got off the train at Gibson City, there was not a familiar face around at all!

It was a chilly day, so we bundled up the boys. I handed six month old Samuel to Fannie for her to carry. I took four year old Manuel and two year old Alvin by the hand, and off we started walking to find our new home. It was time for me to carry Samuel for a while. I thought he must be sleeping soundly, but when I peeked under the blankets his little face was blue. I was frightened! When the fresh March air reached him, he gasped and started crying, and his little face turned bright pink again. I shall never forget that walk. I thought it would never end, but Jake said it was only eight miles!.

That was a long and lonely year. But that day in July, when Mama’s letter came, saying that Papa had bought land about one mile from US and that they would be moving here next spring, my heart jumped for joy. But, in October, when I got word that Papa had died, I felt more lonely than ever. Jake said that if no one else was going to move up here, we would move back to Tazewell County.

So, when spring finally came again, Jake took his wagon to Gibson City to meet the train. I could hardly wait for him to come back home, because he brought with him Mama, my twin sister Barbara and her husband Joseph Heiser, and their boys John, Amos, and Joseph. He also brought brother-in-law Peter Zehr, his wife Barbara, and their children Katie, Dan, Lizzie, and Joseph. What a reunion! They were all moving here to live. What a happy ending to that first lonely year in Champaign County.

Since Peter Zehr was a minister, he soon found a place where we could have church services. I shall never forget that spring day in 1889 when all our buggies headed for the Dixon school house. We sang and prayed together, and it was so good to hear a sermon again. We thanked God for a new beginning and for his faithfulness to US. I cannot imagine what this area will be like in 100 years, but our hopes for our children are that they will find this a good place to live and grow up to be Christians and be faithful to God.”

Birth:
Gravestone date. Obit says 1861.

Died:
Norbury Sanitarium

Buried:
East Bend Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1831, NYC
• Residence: Apr 1831, Butler Co., OH

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald Good.--
Peter, son of the late Chris and Pheobe Good, was born at Hopedale, Ill., Oct. 22, 1863; died very suddenly at his home in Fisher, Ill., Sept. 19, 1946; aged 82 y. 10 m. 27 d. As a young man he gave his life to Christ and united with the Hopedale Mennonite Church. On Feb. 4, 1892, he was united in marriage to Mary Naffziger. They first lived at Flanagan, and then moved to a farm near Rantoul. There they lived until five years ago, when they retired and moved to Fisher. Surviving are his widow, 4 sons (LeRoy, Ivan, and Joseph, all of Rantoul; and Arthur, Paxton, Ill., 5 daughters (Carrie--Mrs. Ezra Yordy, Eureka, Ill.; ElsieMrs. Emanuel Birkey, Kouts, Ind.; Laura--Mrs. Jesse Heiser, of Fisher; Alta--Mrs. Lester Hershey, Chicago, Ill.; and Bessie--Mrs. Melvin Greiser, Dewey, Ill.), 32 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one sister (Mrs. John Reeser, Metamora, Ill.), and a large number of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Sept. 22 at the home, in charge of Harold Zehr, and at the East Bend Church, Fisher, in charge of J. A. Heiser, C. L. Graber, and C. F. Derstine. Burial was made in the East Bend Mennonite Cemetery.


Four of Peter’s sons sang together for years at East Bend Mennonite Church--many times for funerals. Peter drove the team of horses which pulled the hearse to the cemetery, according to an interview in “By the Bend of the River” video.

Peter purchased 309 acres of land in Section 13 of East Bend Township from John Wingle on March 7, 1900. August Unzicker had formerly lived on this farm. The Good family came to the area from Livingston County.

Died:
At his home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Peter married Mary A. Naffziger (Nofzinger) on 4 Feb 1892. Mary (daughter of Joseph Naffziger and Barbara Martin) was born on 31 Mar 1871 in Delavan, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 12 Jan 1957 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume L, Number 6 - February 5, 1957 - page 142, 143
Good, Mary, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Naffziger, was born March 31, 1871, near Delavan, Ill.; on Jan. 12, after an illness of 3 weeks, she departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Melvin Grieser, Dewey, Ill.; aged 85 y. 10m. 12 d. In her youth she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour and became a member of the Mennonite Church at Hopedale, Ill. At the time of her death she was a member of the East Bend congregation near Fisher, Ill. On Feb. 4, 1892, she was married to Peter Good, who preceded her in death in 1946. They made their home in Livingston County until 1900 when they moved to Champaign County, where they resided the remainder of their lives. Surviving are 5 daughters (Mrs. Ezra Yordy, Eureka, Ill.; Mrs. Emanuel Birky, Kouts, Ind.; Mrs. Jesse Heiser, Fisher, Ill.; Mrs. Lester T. Hershey, Aibonito, Puerto Rico; Mrs. Melvin Grieser, Dewey, Ill.), 4 sons (Leroy, Ivan and Joseph, Rantoul, Ill.; Arthur, Paxton, Ill.), one brother (Benjamin, San Diego, Calif.), 33 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren. Four sisters and 3 brothers preceded her in death. She constantly sought the will of the Lord for her life and constantly yielded herself to it. She found great delight in entertaining guests, and speaking with her was always an inspiration. Her witness and testimony will continue to live on in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her happiness was complete as one by one they made their decision to follow her Lord. Funeral services were held on Jan. 15 in East Bend Church in charge of Howard J. Zehr

Died:
at home of her daughter

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mennonite
• Immigration: 2 Jul 1842, NY
• Census: 1850, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1855, IL
• Census: 1860, Dillon Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1870, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• PURC: 1876, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Naturalization: 6 Nov 1876, Pekin, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Birth:
Streicherhof, 30 miles south of Hanfeld. Arzbach bei Dachau

Immigration:
On the Rhone, under the name Jacob Heisser, a 27-year-old from Bavaria, accompanied by 26-year-old Margaretha, as yet unidentified.

Census:
Jacob, 34-year-old farmer, living with his stepmother “Madaline” [Eyer], 62, in the home of his younger stepbrother “Joseph Hiser,” 30.

Census:
Illinois State Census. . The family of Jacob 'Heisor' can be found on the 1855 Illinois State Census. It described them as one male, 40-50 years old; one male, 20-30 years old; one male, under 10; one female, 20-30 years old; and one female, under 10 years of age.

Census:
Their family can be found on the 1860 census of Dillon as Jacob 'Hiser', 40; Catherine, 26; Christian, 7; Catherine, 6; Jacob, 4; Barbara, 3; and Joseph, eight months.

PURC:
Bought land from Charles Graves in Section 36.

Buried:
Landes Mennonite Cemetery (Headstone says Hieser) Grave #14 on printed plot map dated 8/12/2013

Jacob married Katharina Wagler on 8 Oct 1850 in Tazewell Co., IL. Katharina (daughter of Christian H. (Jacob) Wagler and Katharina Ulrich) was born on 8 Jun 1834 in Butler Co., OH; died on 2 Sep 1910 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: infirmities of old age
• Residence: 1860, Dillon Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: Aft 1860, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obituary: Oct. 20, 1910 Gospel Herald
Heiser.--Mother Catherine Heiser, nee Wagler, was born in Butler Co., O., June 8, 1834; passed to her reward near Morton, Ill., Sept. 2, 1910; aged 76 y. 2 m. 24 d. Her death was caused by the infirmities of old age. Mother Heiser united with the A. M. Church in her younger years and remained a faithful member to her blessed end. She was united in matrimony with Jacob Heiser in 1850. This union was blessed with 13 children. Father Jacob Heiser, her husband, 4 children, 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, preceded her to the spirit world. She leaves 9 children, 48 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers and many friends to mourn her departure. Funeral services were conducted by Christ King at the house in German, text 90th Psalm; and at the church near Morton, Ill., by Andrew Schrock in German and Val. Strubar in English; text, Heb. 9:27, 28. Burial in cemetery nearby.

https://www.tcghs.org/cem/buckeye.htm

Residence:
Where they developed a farm in Section 36.

Buried:
Buckeye Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
Their names were transcribed into the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index as Jacob Hiser and Catharine Wauble.

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Religion: Mennonite
• Census: 1870, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

John Bachman was born in France and spoke French more fluently than English and German. Although he was an ordained minister, he seldom preached at their Amish Mennonite house meetings, in which the German language was used exclusively.

“..He was apparently the ‘deacon Bachman’ in the Pleasant Grove Amish Mennonite Church referred to in Harry F. Weber, The Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois. “Johannes Bachman” attended the Diener-Versammlungen in 1871, 1875, and 1878.”

Census:
Farmer John Bachman, 52, France; Barbara, 43, Bern; and four children born in Illinois.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Barbara Sutter on 4 Nov 1855 in Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Johannes Sutter (Suttor) and Barbara Oesch) was born on 1 Feb 1827 in Probfeld, Bavaria, GR; died on 10 Jan 1903 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1850

Notes:

“John and Barbara Sutter Bachman family also lived near Morton in Tazewell County. They had the misfortune of losing their first child. Thus, they gladly welcomed the opportunity to open their home to a homeless young lad by the name of John Grund. His name soon became John Bachman. The Bachmans also had twin daughters, Barbara and Lizzie, born June 15, 1861. Two more children, Lena and Joseph, were born but both died while young. Their youngest son was Andrew, who grew up in that area.”

Birth:
Detenfield Village

Died:
75 yrs. 11 mo. 8 days

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 139
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 1854, Burgwalden, Bavaria, GR
• Census: 20 Jul 1860, Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Birth:
FAG gives date 24 Feb 1833

Census:
M653, Roll 232, p.166. Listed with wife Phoebe; child Christian age 1, born in IL. Listed with the family was John Good, age 30, laborer, born in Germany.

Died:
FAG gives date 26 Sep 1889

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Christian + Jacobina Ehresman. Jacobina (daughter of Christian Ehresman (Eyresmann) and Magdalena Barnhardt) was born on 11 Mar 1834 in Wurttemberg, GR; died on 4 May 1903 in Minier, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 140
• USR1: Diabetes

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, May 1903:
"On May 4, 1903, at her home near Milner, Ill., of diabetes, Jacobina Good, nee Erisman, aged 69 Y., 1M., 15D. The last few weeks of her life she suffered greatly. She leaves seven children and 38 grandchildren to mourn her loss, but not as those who have no hope. She was loved by all who knew her and was a true pattern of Christianity. Her life companion preceded her to the spirit world fourteen years ago. Funeral services on the 6th at the A.M. meeting house, where a large concourse of friends assembled to pay a last tribute of respect. Services by Bish J.C.Berky, Pre. Dan Zehr in German and Pre. Samuel Gerber in English."

Birth:
Or born 9 Mar 1835

Died:
FAG gives date 1 May 1902

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Barbara Martin on 6 Apr 1869 in Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Christian Martin and Marie Zehr) was born on 2 Nov 1846 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; died on 22 Dec 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]