Sandra Lee Birky

Sandra married Robert M. Miller [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Timothy Joe Miller

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Birky-. Wilbert, 84, Foosland, Ill., died April 29. Spouse: Viola Zehr Birky. Parents: John S. and Fannie L. Naffziger Birky. Children: Roger, Dennis. Mervin, W. Don, Sandra Miller, Lindra Ramirez, Tamra Keim; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren. Funeral: May 3 at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, Ill.
Last residence: 61845 (Foosland, Champaign, IL) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20834365/wilbert-birky

Died:
Gibson Area Hospital-Annex

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Wilbert married Viola Kathryn Zehr on 28 Feb 1941 in Ludlow, Champaign Co., IL. Viola (daughter of Daniel Alvin Zehr and Kate Elizabeth Birkey) was born on 14 Aug 1920 in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 2 Apr 2006 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Viola Kathryn Birky, 85, died April 2 at her home in rural Foosland, Ill.

Services were Wednesday, April 5, at East Bend Mennonite Church in Fisher, Ill. Burial was at the East Bend Mennonite Memorial Gardens.

She was born Aug. 14, 1920, to Dan and Katie (Birkey) Zehr in Deer Creek, Ill.

On Feb. 28, 1941, she married Wilbert Birky, who predeceased her in 2004. She farmed with her husband in rural Foosland most of their married life. She was a life-long member of the East Bend Mennonite Church.

She is survived by four sons, Roger and Rachel of Gibson City, Ill., Dennis and Joyce of Hoopeston, Ill., Mervin and Venita of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Don and Debbie of Foosland; three daughters, Sandy and Bob Miller of Mahomet, Ill., Linda and Tony Ramirez of Foosland, and Tami and Howard Keim of Hesston; two sisters, Lela Keller of Paxton, Ill., and Fern Helmuth of Arthur, Ill.; two brothers, Melvin Zehr of Fisher and Wilmer Zehr of Champaign, Ill; 23 grandchildren and 33 great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Becky; a brother, Wayne Zehr, and a great-grandson, Drew Stutzman.

Memorials have been established with the Betania Mennonite School and the church. Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is handling the arrangements.

Died:
At her home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, Feb 9, 1974
Birky, John S., son of Christian and Barbara (Wittrig) Birky, was born at Hopedale, Ill., Aug. 21, 1895; died at Foosland, Ill., Jan. 17, 1974; aged 78 y. 4 m. 27 d. On Oct. 4, 1916, he was married to Fanny Naffziger, who preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 1972. On Aug. 11, 1973, he was married to Stella Berkey, who survives. Also surviving are 2 sons (Wilbert and Wayne), 3 daughters (Arneitta-Mrs. Harold Birkey, Geneva-Mrs. Ellis Good, and Betty-Mrs. John Zehr), 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers (Bill and Alvin). He was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Jan. 20, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and James Dunn; interment in the East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

John married Fannie Louise Naffziger on 4 Oct 1916 in Champaign Co., IL. Fannie (daughter of John William Naffziger and Mary Nellie Springer) was born on 16 Dec 1893 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 28 Jan 1972 in Sarasota, FL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - February 29, 1972 - pages 207,208
Birky, Fannie L., daughter of John and Mary Naffziger, was born at Hopedale, Ill., Dec. 16, 1893; died of a stroke at Sarasota, Fla., Jan. 28, 1972; aged 78 y. 1 m. 12 d. On Oct. 4, 1916, she was married to John S. Birky, who survives. Also surviving are 2 sons (Wilbert and Wayne), 3 daughters (Arneitta - Mrs. Harold Birky, Geneva - Mrs. Ellis Good, and Betty - Mrs. John Zehr); 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one brother (Alpha Naffziger), and 2 sisters (Elmira - Mrs. Samuel Oyer and Leah- Mrs. Theodore Springer). She was preceded in death by 3 brothers, one sister, and one grandchild. She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held Jan. 31, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and Harold Zehr; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

Notes:

Married:
By Peter Zehr, at home of bride’s parents

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Pneumonia and heart ailment
• Residence: 1918, Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1923, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr, Dan A., son of Daniel and Kathryn (Heiser) Zehr, was born in Danvers, Ill., Sept 25, 1890; died of pneumonia and heart ailment at Sarasota, Fla., Jan. 16, 1973; aged 82 y., 3 m. 22 d. On Dec. 17, 1913, he was married to Katie Birkey, who survives. Also surviving are 3 daughters (Lela - Mrs. Raymond Birky, Fern - Mrs. Orva Helmuth, and Viola - Mrs. Wilbert Birky), 3 sons (Melvin, Wayne, and Wilmer), 27 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one sister (Matilda Zehr). He was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church where funeral services were held on Jan. 20 in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and Howard Zehr; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Birth:
25 Aug 1890 according to grave stone

Residence:
Across the road from the Mackinaw River

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Daniel married Kate Elizabeth Birkey on 17 Dec 1913 in East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL. Kate (daughter of Valentine Birkey and Phoebe (Bena) Good) was born on 25 Apr 1894 in Decatur Co., KS; died on 1 Nov 1987 in Meadows, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Homemaker
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr.- Katie Birkey, daughter of Valentine and Phoebe (Good) Birkey, was born in Decatur Co., Kans., Apr. 25, 1894; died at Mennonite Nursing Home, Meadows, Ill., Nov. 1, 1987; aged 93 y. On Dec. 17, 1913, she was married to Dan A. Zehr, who died in January 1973. Surviving are 3 sons (Melvin, Wayne, and Wilmer), 3 daughters (Lela Keller, Fern Helmuth, and Viola Birky), 27 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers (Joe and Joel Birkey). She was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Nov. 4, in charge of Millard Osborne and Mervin Birky; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Resided Ludlow, IL.

Died:
Mennonite Nursing Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
By Peter Zehr, at home of Valentine Birkey

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XIII, Number 31 - October 28, 1920 - page 605

Birky.--Christian H., oldest son of Christian and Katie Birky, was born near Tremont, Ill., May 13, 1847; died Sept. 25, 1920; age 73 y. 4 m. 13 d. He was married to Barbara Wittrig of Wayland, Ia., Feb. 17, 1878. To this union were born 10 children 2 of whom preceded him to the spirit world. He also is survived by 26 grandchildren, 3 brothers, and 4 sisters. Early in life he united with the Amish Mennonite Church of which he was a faithful member until the end. Funeral services were held at the Hopedale, Ill., church, Sept. 28, conducted by Samuel Gerber of Tremont, Ill.

From Elm Grove, moved to Delavan, IL. Christian was registered as a Democrat.

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Barbara Wittrig on 17 Feb 1878 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Joseph Wittrig (Vitrich) and Anna Nancy Gascho) was born on 24 Apr 1854 in Ontario, Canada; died on 4 Feb 1939 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Complications Following A Hip Fracture Sustained In A Fall In Her Home

Notes:

Obit: March 9, 1939 - Vol. XXXI, No.49 - pages 1062, 1063, 1064
Birky.-Barbara, daughter of Joseph and Anna Wittrig, was born in Ontario April 24, 1854; died at the Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington, Ill., Feb. 4, 1939; aged 84 y. 9 m. 10 d. Death was caused by complications following a hip fracture sustained in a fall in her home. When but a small child her family moved to Wayland, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. At the age of 23 she came to Hopedale, Ill., where she spent the remainder of her life with the exception of six years that she and her family lived in Kansas. On Feb. 17, 1878, she was married to Christian H. Birky. To this union were born 10 children, 4 of whom preceded her in death, namely: Joseph, Emma, Mrs. Lydia Nafziger of Nampa, Idaho, and Mrs. Anna Springer. Father also passed away in 1920. The remaining children are: Chris, John, Alvin, Mrs. Lizzie Heiser of Fisher, Ill., and Will and Lewis of Louts, Ind. On Feb. 23, 1928, she was united in marriage to Chris J. Birky who remains to mourn her departure. She also leaves 6 stepchildren, 36 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers (Pete Wittrig of Washington, Iowa, and Daniel Wittrig of Hopedale), and 1 sister (Mrs. Susan Augsburger of Tremont, Ill.). In her youth she united with the Mennonite Church and she was a faithful member throughout life. Of a quiet disposition, she lived an exemplary Christian life. She was a kind and devoted wife and mother, always exercising a spirit of trust and patience. Mother has gone but her influence lives on and some day we can all be united again. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Funeral services were held Feb. 7 at the Hopedale Mennonite Church, conducted by the brethren, Simon Litwiller and Ben Springer. Text, Rev. 14:13. Burial in the Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery.

Died:
Mennonite Hospital

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Church

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald March 30, 1939 - Vol. XXXI, No.52 - pages 1107, 1108

Naffziger.-John William, son of Peter J. and Magdalena Naffziger, was born Oct. 20, 1854, near Metamora, Ill.; died at his home in Foosland, Ill., Jan. 20, 1939, from complications of old age; aged 84 y. 3 m. In February, 1856, he moved with his parents to Panola, Ill., and in 1870 removed with his parents to Hopedale, Ill. In May, 1876, he made his vow with God and united with the Mennonite Church at Hopedale, Ill. In 1902 they moved to Fisher, where he transferred his membership to the East Bend Mennonite Church where he remained faithful to the end. On March 7, 1882, he was united it marriage to Mary Springer. To this union 9 children were born (Lena L., at home; Alphia P. of Rockwell City, Iowa; Reuben J. of Pocahontas, Iowa; Mrs. Elmira Oyer, Mrs. Fannie Birkey, Jesse D., and Mrs. Leah Springer all of Foosland, Ill.). Levi W. passed away at 6 weeks of age and 1 son died in infancy. He was also preceded in death by 3 brothers. He leaves his sorrowing wife, 3 sons, 4 daughters, 20 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren; also 2 brothers (Sam and Henry of Michigan) and 2 sisters (Mrs. Kate Kauffman and Mrs. Amos Litwiller of Hopedale), and a host of other relatives and friends. He was a kind and loving husband and father, much concerned about the welfare of the Church. Funeral services were held Jan. 23 in the home by Bro. Harold Zehr and at the East Bend Mennonite Church by Bros. Samuel Zehr and J. A. Heiser. Texts, Psa. 116:15; II Tim. 4:7. Interment in the East Bend Cemetery.

"Father, dear, your wish is granted,
Sorrow, pain and grief are o'er;
By the grace of God we'll meet you,
Over on the peaceful shore."

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Mary Nellie Springer on 7 Mar 1882 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Johann Springer and Elizabeth Nafziger) was born on 25 May 1862 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 13 Oct 1950 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Naffziger. --- Mary N., daughter of John and Elizabeth Springer, was born May 25, 1862, near Hopedale, Tazewell Co., Ill.; passed away Oct. 13, 1950, at the home of her daughter (Mrs. John S. Birky) near Foosland, Ill.; aged 88 y. 4 m. 18 d. At the age of fourteen she received Christ as her Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church at Hopedale, Ill., transferring when they moved in 1902 to a farm near Fisher. She remained a faithful member until death. On March 7, 1882, she was united in marriage to John W. Naffziger. To this union were born 9 children . Her husband, one daughter (Lena), 2 sons, 2 brothers, 5 sisters, and on granddaughter, preceded her in death. Surviving are 3 sons and 3 daughters (Alphia, Rockwell City, Iowa; Mrs. Elmira Oyer, Foosland, Ill.; Reuben, Pocahontas, Iowa; Mrs. Fannie Birky, Foosland, Ill.; Jesse, Foosland; Mrs. Leah Spring, Saybrook, Ill.), 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one brother (David V. Springer), and a large number of other relatives and friends. She was a kind and loving mother, much concerned about the spiritual welfare of her family and the church. Funeral services were conducted at the East Bend Mennonite Church Oct. 15, with Harold Zehr in charge, assisted by J. A. Heiser.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Minister And Farmer
• Religion: Amish/Mennonite
• Ordained: 1895

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald
Zehr. - Daniel, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Oyer) Zehr, was born March 9, 1849, at East Peoria, Ill.; died June 5, 1942, at the home of his son (Peter Zehr, near Morton, Ill.); aged 93 y. 2 m. 26 d. His illness was of short duration, caused by a paralytic stroke, which occurred about 12 hours before his death. His passing was just as he lived. Calmly and quietly he passed into his eternal rest. He was united in marriage to Katherine Heiser Jan. 13, 1874. She preceded him in death May 15, 1911. His oldest son (Jacob) also preceded him in death. He is survived by the following children: Mrs. Elizabeth Oyer, Peter, Amos, and Matilda, all of near Morton; Mrs. Ida Birkey and Daniel, both of Fisher. He is also survived by 43 grandchildren and 33 great-grand-children, 1 brother, Samuel of Fisher, Ill., 1 sister, Mrs. Phebe Zehr of Manson, Iowa, and a host of other relatives and friends. In his youth he confessed Christ as his Saviour, was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite Church of which he has been a faithful member until death. He was ordained to the ministry in 1895 at the Goodfield Mennonite Church, in which capacity he served until recent years when he retired from active service. Though not able to preach any longer he has always attended church up to the last Sunday he lived and taken a great interest in his Master's service. The greatest part of his time during recent years was spent in reading the Bible which seemed to be his greatest treasure. He had a meek and quiet spirit and always showed great interest and love for his family and for his fellow men, manifesting a friendly spirit to every one he met. Funeral services were held June 8 at the Morton Mennonite Church in Morton, Ill., in charge of Bros. J. D. Hartzler of Gridley, Ill., and Simon Litwiller, Minier, Ill. Interment in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Deer Creek, Ill.

"E'en for the dead I will not bind
My soul to grief;
Death cannot long divide,
For is it not as though the rose
That climbed my garden wall
Has blossomed on the other side?
Death doth hide
But not divide,
Thou art but on Christ's other side.
Thou art with Christ,
And Christ with me.
In Christ united still are we." -By the Family.

Baptism:
By Christian Ropp

Ordained:
By Bishop John Smith

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery

Daniel married Katherine Heiser on 13 Jan 1874. Katherine (daughter of Jacob Heiser and Katharina Wagler) was born on 1 May 1854 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 15 May 1911 in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Deer Creek, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald June 1, 1911,
Sister Catharine Zehr (nee Heiser) was born near Pekin, Ill., May 1, 1854; died of heart failure, near Deer Creek, Ill., May 15, 1911; aged 17 y.(sic) 14 d. she was united in marriage to David Zehr, Jan. 13, 1874. this union was blessed with 7 children. She leaves a sorrowing husband, 7 children, 22 grandchildren, 6 brothers, 2 sisters and many friends to mourn her departure. Her father, mother, 1 brother and 3 sisters preceded her to the spirit world. Sister Zehr united with the A.M. church in her youth and remained a faithful member until death. Funeral services were held by Christ king at the home in German (text, Psa. 90), and at the church by Dan Nafziger and John C. Birkey in German and A.A. Schrock in English. Texts, I Cor. 15:1-23; John 5:28,29. Buried at Mount Zion cemetery.

Buried:
Mount Zion Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
By Bishop Andrew Ropp

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Little formal education, but a degree in life’s experiences
• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 14
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Cancer (See Obit)
• Residence: 1887, Decatur Co., KS
• Residence: 1895, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• PURC: 9 Feb 1910, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• PURC: 26 Feb 1910, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• PURC: 27 Dec 1920, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Oct. 4, 1928 Gospel Herald
Birkey. - Valentine Birkey, son of Joseph and Mary Birkey, was born near Morton, Ill., Feb. 2, 1858; died Sept. 18, 1928; aged 70 y. 7 m. 16 d. He was united in marriage to Phoebe Good about 47 years ago. Surviving him are his wife, 4 sons, 5 daughters, 2 sisters, 1 brother, 31 grandchildren, and a large number of old relatives and friends. His parents, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, and 2 grandchildren preceded him to the spirit world. For several years his health seemed to be failing and later cancer developed, which caused his death. He was confined to his bed from June 15 until death. At times, his suffering and pain was very great, but he was very patient through it all. His condition did not seem to alarm him, and he was fully given up to Him who does all things well. He united with the Mennonite Church in his youth and proved faithful until the end. Funeral services were conducted at the home by Bro. S. S. Zehr and at the church by the Bros. Jake Zehr and Ezra Yordy. Text, 1 Cor. 13:12. Interment was made in the cemetery nearby.


Read at the Centennial Celebration of the East Bend Mennonite Church in 1989, in Fisher, IL
“My name is Valentine Birkey. My father was Joseph of the “Big Black” Birkeys, and my mother was Mary of the “Little Red” Birkeys. They both came from Germany to Tazewell County where they met and married. I was born in 1858 near Morton, Illinois, but my parents later moved to near Hopedale. It was at Hopedale that Phoebe Good and I were married in 1882. Here our two daughters Mollie and Bertha were born.

“About this time many families were moving west. In northwest Kansas land could still be homesteaded. We kept hearing there had been lots of rain the last few years and things were looking good. Some of my relatives were moving there, so my parents decided they would move too. It sounded like a good chance to own land, and Mother insisted that all her married children move too.

“So in April 1887, Phoebe and I packed for the long train ride. After arriving we stayed with my parents until September when Joe was born. We had taken out a timber claim which meant we had to plant 500 trees, live on the land and then the 160 acres would become ours. So that summer the men cut sod and built our sod house on the claim. the walls were two feet thick, which kept it really warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It was the roof that gave US trouble--the sod and tree branches always seemed to let the rain through. And I really didn’t like having the rattlesnakes living in the walls. My family had all taken claims very close by. The stagecoach form Oberlin to Colby, Kansas crossed over part of our farm.

“We had a large church congregation in Decatur County. Our services were held in the Swedish Covenant sod church on Sunday afternoons until we finished building our own sod church. The cemetery was 1/2 mile north of the church and that’s where we buried by brother Dan.

“After we got settled in Kansas it forgot to rain. Year after year we had crop failures. the corn would look beautiful in the spring and then the hot, dry winds came and in just a few days the field of corn would be ruined. One year the wheat headed out, but since it was only six inches tall it was too short to cut with the binder. Our only choice was to turn the pigs into the field to do the harvesting. We seemed to get poorer every year. Joe, Alvin and Kate were born in our sod house. We had to divide our potatoes and it was hard to have to feed the children “thick and thin” for supper. What was that? It was thick sour milk to which Phoebe added some fresh sweet milk. We gathered buffalo chips to burn in our stove. Those were hard years on the prairie.

“Families started moving away. Some of my cousins moved by covered wagon to Beemer, Nebraska to help start the church there. some moved back to Hopedale. Two of my sisters moved to Shickley, Nebraska, and eventually my brother Joe moved to Oregon, my brother Jake to Montana. One summer my cousin Christian J. Birkey came to visit. He was married to Phoebe’s sister, so he was my brother-in-law as well. Then he saw how bad things were, he urged US to sell out and come back to Illinois. I told him if I sold everything I owned it wouldn’t be enough to pay our way back.

“On our way to church every Sunday we would stop at the home of the Lund family to collect our mail. One Sunday morning there was a letter from Chris. Phoebe couldn’t wait till after church to read it. Chris said he had bought a farm in Champaign County were a new church had been started. He offered to send US money for the train fare. Chris was like that--he helped many people. It was very difficult for Phoebe and I to get much out of the church service that day.

“Well, we soon made plans to move to Illinois and it was a glad day when we got there. It was almost dark, and as we got near the house I said, “Oh, look at all the sheep out there in the pasture.” Well, when I looked out the next morning, I got a surprise! I saw it was tree stumps instead, and that meant I had a lot of work to do. But we had 20 good years there. East Bend church was building its first building, so I got to help with that. There was no bridge across the Sangamon River north of the church so we had to ford the river. About ten years later, John Naffziger and Chris Good put together a petition and we got a new bridge built across the river.

“After returning to Illinois, Silas, Joel, Ada and Edna joined our family. I was finally able to buy the farm 1/2 mile north of the church. I built a house and barn which are both still standing in 1989.

“I didn’t have much education, but I had a degree in life’s experiences. Looking back on the good and bad times I think we need the bitter lessons to better appreciate the good ones.”

Residence:
Went to Kansas for a homestead claim.

Residence:
After difficult years in Kansas moved back to Illinois.

PURC:
From C.C. and Lena Gut for $4,785. W1/2 of NE1/4, and East 25 acres of NW 1/4 of SW1/4, and W1/2 of W1/2 of NW1/4 of SW1/4 of Section 17 Twp 22N R8E

PURC:
From John Cender. Five acres-W 1/2 of E 1/2 of W 1/ of NW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 17, Township 22N, Range 8E of 3rdPM

PURC:
From Cora A. and H. W. Baker for $8,100. SW1/4 of SW1/4 of Section 17 Twp22 N, R8E--”except a portion leased to the Ommish Mennonite Church Society.”

Died:
At his farm home.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery. Funeral by J. A. Heiser.

Valentine married Phoebe (Bena) Good on 15 Jan 1882 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Phoebe (daughter of Josef (Joseph ) Guth (Good) and Katharina Stalter) was born on 5 Sep 1863 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 16 Dec 1962 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried on 18 Dec 1962 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer’s wife and mother of ten (nine living).
• Reference Number: 15
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Old Age
• Residence: 15 Jan 1882, Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald
Birkey, Phoebe, daughter of Joseph and Kathryn Good, was born at Hopedale, Ill., Sept. 5, 1863; died at Eureka, Ill., Dec. 16, 1962; aged 99 y. 3 m. 11 d. On Jan.15, 1882, she was married to Valentine Birkey, who died in Sept., 1928. Surviving are all their 9 children (Mrs. Mollie Zehr, Mrs. Bertha Heiser, Joe, Alvin, Mrs. Katie Zehr, Silas, Joel, Mrs. Ada Foley, and Mrs. Edna Schertz), 3 sisters (Mrs. Sara Beller, aged 93; Mrs. Kate Horsch, aged 91; and Mrs. Mary Birkey, aged 88), 40 grandchildren, 120 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were also 2 sisters, 2 brothers, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She was a member of the East Bend Church, where funeral services were held Dec. 19, in charge of Ivan Birkey and J. Alton Horst.

Obit: Fisher Reporter
Funeral services were held at East Bend Mennonite Church with Rev. Ivan Birkey and Rev. J. Alton Horst officiating. Phoebe died at Maple Lawn Home in Eureka where she had been a resident for eleven years.


Obit: Mennonite Weekly Review
10 Jan 1963 p. 8
Mrs. Phoebe Birkey

Mrs. Phoebe (Good) Birkey was born near Hopedale, Ill. on Sept. 5, 1863, the daughter of Joseph and Kathryn Good. On Jan. 15, 1882 she was married to Valentine Birkey. They lived near Hopedale for five years. In 1877 [sic; 1887?] they homesteaded on the prairie in Decatur County, Kan. There they built and lived in a sod house where three of their children were born. They lived in Kansas for eight years.

In 1895, with the help of a sister's husband, they moved to a farm near Fisher, Ill. In 1917 they built the house north of the East Bend Mennonite Church and lived there until Mr. Birkey died in September 1928. She then lived with her children until 1951 when she moved to the Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka, Ill., spending the rest of her days there. Here she made many friends. She moved on to her eternal home on Dec. 16, 1962.

Surviving are her nine children, Mrs. Mollie Zehr, Mrs. Bertha Heiser, Joe Birkey, and Alvin Birkey, all of Fisher, Mrs. Katie Zehr of Ludlow, Ill., Silas Birkey of Flanagan, Ill., Joel Birkey of Ludlow, Mrs. Ada Foley of Norwalk, Calif., and Mrs. Edna Schertz of Saybrook, Ill.; three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Beller, 93, of Maple Lawn Homes, Mrs. Kate Horsch, 91, of Washburn, Ill., and Mrs. Mary Birkey, 88, of Sunset Rest Home, Geneva, Neb.; 40 grandchildren, 120 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, two sisters, two brothers, four grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren preceded her in death.

In her youth she gave her heart to the Lord, remaining a member of the Mennonite church. She lived a long life, and her mind remained clear to the last. Her life was a quiet one marked by great concern for all members of her family. She will be missed by many.

The funeral service was held at the East Bend Mennonite Church near Fisher, Ill. on Dec. 19, 1962, with Rev. Ivan Birkey, a grandson, and Rev. J. Alton Horst officiating. Burial was made in the church cemetery. Six grandsons carried the casket.

Died:
Maple Lawn Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Valentine and Phoebe were married in the Hopedale Mennonite Church by Christian Nafziger. Joseph Good was a witness.
Valentine was 23, a farmer, and living in Hopedale, IL at the time of marriage. Phoebe was 18.