Joy Marie Birkey

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey, Harlan D., 78, Rantoul, Ill. Born: Oct. 4, 1918, Deer Creek, Ill., to Joseph C. and Ida Zehr Birkey. Died: Oct. 18, 1996, Urbana, Ill. Survivors-wife: Ruby Oyer Birkey; son: Joe; siblings: Leslie, Lois Bachman, Eleanor. Predeceased by: Joy (daughter). Funeral and burial: Oct. 21, East Bend Mennonite Church, by Cal Kaufman and Michael Dean.

Resided Rantoul, IL

Birth:
Deer Creek?

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Harlan married Ruby Belle Oyer on 14 Feb 1946. Ruby (daughter of Joseph Oyer and Bertha Zimmerman) was born on 16 Mar 1920 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 16 Jun 2013 in Urbana, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Raised her family and worked as a residential housekeeper
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2013-06-19/ruby-birkey.html
RANTOUL – Ruby Belle Birkey, 93, of Rantoul died at 9:50 a.m. Sunday (June 16, 2013) at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Both the visitation and funeral will be held at the East Bend Mennonite Church, CR 3300 N, Fisher. Visitation will be held Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m. The funeral will then start at 4 p.m. Rev. Jeff Ressler will officiate. Burial will follow in the East Bend Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.

Ruby was born on March 16, 1920, in Foosland to Joseph and Bertha (Zimmerman) Oyer. She was preceded in death by her parents.
She married Harlan Birkey, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were a daughter, Joy Marie Birkey, four brothers and two sisters.

She is survived by her son, Joe (Celeste) Birkey of Rantoul; a brother, Merle Oyer of Champaign; a sister, Dorothy Oyer Parsons of McAllen, Texas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruby accepted Christ at an early age and attended East Bend Mennonite Church all of her life. During Ruby's working years, she raised her family and worked as a residential housekeeper. Her husband, Harlan, was a mechanic at Springer Ford in Rantoul.

She was an excellent cook and her family especially enjoyed her famous angel food cakes, butterscotch pies and homemade candies which she often brought out at family and church gatherings.
She was active in different East Bend Mennonite activities and ministries, especially the Mennonite Women's ministry and the church's annual Vacation Bible School.

Ruby helped with sewing, quilt making and cooking for the Mennonite Women and she cooked for church events. She served as a bell ringer for years in the annual church's Vacation Bible School. She brought many friends and neighbors' children to church and VBS throughout the years.

Ruby was active in TOPS of Rantoul. She knew many people in Rantoul and the surrounding areas. She knew most of her neighbors who lived on her street plus kept track of some of them through the years. She was the family historian.

Ruby's philosophy was that a stranger was a friend she had not yet met. She was sensitive to the needs of those around her even in the later years of her own poor health. She had a special friendship with her caregiver, Paula Ashby of Rantoul. For many years she provided a friendly home and environment to her niece, Sharon Birkey.
Ruby loved flowers and rides through the countryside. She loved to play Uno and other table games.
She will be missed by all.

Died:
Carle Hospital

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Old Age

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey, Joe C., son of Valentine and Phoebe (Good) Birkey, was born at Oberlin, Kans., Sept. 3, 1887; died at Gibson City Hospital, Gibson City, Ill., May 25, 1988; aged 100 y. On Dec. 21, 1910, he was married to Ida Zehr, who died on May 30, 1965. Surviving are 4 sons (Earl, Raymond, Leslie, and Harlan), 3 daughters (Dorothy M. Birkey, Eleanor Birkey, and Lois Bachman), 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one brother (Joel). He was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on May 28, in charge of Millard Osborne and Ted Wentland; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

At Joe's funeral, in 1988, Rev. Millard Osborne and Rev. Ted Wentland officiated at East Bend Mennonite Church. Pallbearers were Richard Birkey, Joe Birkey, Duane Birkey, Larry Birkey, Allan Birkey and Steve Bachman.

————————
Joe was honored for his 99th birthday on Sept. 3, with a surprise card shower in his honor at the Senior Citizen's meeting. Many of his family were present during the afternoon. (Fisher Reporter 1986)
The Pantagraph, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1987
Reports 100th birthday celebrations--joint with son Earl and Dorthy's 50th wedding anniversary.
"I used to herd cattle when I was 7 years old." Joe says. He had a pony in Kansas....He hinted at an episode in which he tied the cows' tails together when they were drinking water, but wouldn't tell the entire story. He remembers frontier Kansas as having many snakes and rabbits and "a lot of Gypsies going through." Homesteaders had to promise to live eight years on the land they bought for $4 an acre, and the longer Joe's parents stayed, the poorer they got. "We ate a lot of mulberries and rhubarb. My mother would take wheat and roast it, and we'd have coffee--colored water is about all it was." Sunday mornings, the pioneer Birkey family, in clean clothes, but barefoot, hitched a team of mules to their box wagon, threw a little hay in the back and drove to church.

Birth:
Berkey Book gives day as 1 Sep.

Died:
Memorial leaflet in preparer’s possession

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Ida Barbara Zehr on 21 Dec 1910. Ida (daughter of Daniel Zehr, Sr. and Katherine Heiser) was born on 17 Oct 1888 in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 30 May 1965 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 1 Jun 1965 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey, Ida, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Heiser) Zehr, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Oct. 17, 1888; died at Gibson City, Ill., May 30, 1965; aged 76 y. 7 m. 13 d. On Dec. 21, 1910, she was married to Joe C. Birkey, who survives. Also surviving are 7 children (Dorothy, Earl, Raymond, Harlan, Leslie, Eleanor, and Lois - Mrs. Paul Bachman), one sister (Matilda), and one brother (Dan A.). She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held June 2, in charge of J. Alton Horst.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Bertha Zimmerman on 25 Nov 1909. Bertha (daughter of John Baecher Zimmerman and Martha Fahsbender) was born on 25 Oct 1889; died on 14 Oct 1952; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

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.

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:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald
Oyer. - Christian Oyer, son of Christian and Anna (Smith) Oyer, was born in Washington, Ill., May 23, 1852; died suddenly of cancer and heart trouble at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Unzicker, Fisher, Ill., May 20, 1929; aged 76 y. 11 m. 28 d. When a young man he accepted Christ as his Savior and united with the Mennonite Church, remaining a faithful member until death. On Aug. 26, 1876, he was united in marriage to Katherine Zehr. To this union were born 6 sons and 6 daughters. His wife and two daughters preceded him in death. He is survived by the following children: Jacob, Mackinaw, Ill.; Joseph, Manuel, Samuel and John, Foosland, Ill.; Mrs. J. E. Birkey, Manson, Iowa; Mrs. Levi Birkey, Clarksville, Mich.; Mrs. William Unzicker, Elsie Oyer, Fisher, Ill. He is also survived by 53 grandchildren and 2 brothers (Peter, Eureka, Ill.; John, St. John, Mich.). One half-brother and sister preceded him in death. He with his family made his home near Roanoke, Ill., until 1902, when they moved to a farm five miles north of Fisher, Ill. Here they lived until the death of his wife eight years ago. Although in failing health for three years, his death came as a shock to his family and friends. He bore his suffering with great patience and faith in his Lord, often expressing a desire to be taken where all sufferings are ended. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite church by Bro. J. A. Heiser. Text, I Pet. 1:3, 4. Interment in East Bend cemetery.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Katherine Zehr on 27 Aug 1876 in Woodford Co., IL. Katherine (daughter of Bishop Jacob Zehr and Elizabeth Ehresman) was born on 2 Apr 1858 in Slabtown, Woodford Co., IL; died on 14 Apr 1921 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Oyer. - Kathrine (Zehr) Oyer was born in Woodford Co., Ill., Apr. 2, 1858; died at her home near Fisher, Ill., Apr. 14, 1921; aged 63 y. 12 d. Sister Oyer suffered a number of years from a complication of diseases. At the age of 16 she confessed her Christ, united with the Amish Mennonite Church, and remained a faithful member to the end. On Aug. 27, 1876, she was united in marriage to Christian Oyer. To this union 12 children were born. She leaves 43 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services conducted in [German] by Bro. Daniel Grieser (Text, II Cor. 5:1), in English by Bro. J. A. Heiser (Text, I Thes. 4:13).


“Jacob and Elizabeth had a daughter, Katherine Zehr Oyer (1858-1921) who "lived a full and active life.” She served as a practical nurse, delivering babies and caring for the sick. Often when her children would arise in the morning, mother would be gone having been called to the home of some sick neighbor. She was also the one who helped 'lay out the dead.' This was before undertakers as we know them today. She practiced in both the Mackinaw Valley and East Bend communities.

“Katherine was good at figures and helped with keeping the family records. she also did a great deal of quilting and was a good seamstress. She was a quiet and patient person and loved by all her family. Her last five years she was ill much of the time which she bore patiently.”

Died:
At her home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
John B. Zimmerman was born July 23, 1846 in Baden, Germany; died at his home near Foosland, Ill., Sept. 24, 1939; aged 93 y. 2 m. 1 d. On June 21, 1887, he was united in marriage to Martha Fahsbender, who preceded him in death several years ago. To this union 7 children were born, all of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. Mary Birkey, Mrs. Bertha Oyer, and Mrs. Elizabeth Heiser of Foosland; Mrs. Allie Gregerson of Paxton; William and Ernest of Gibson City, and Charles at home; also 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His 4 brothers preceded him in death. He united with the Defenseless Mennonite Church at Groveland, Ill., when a young man and found a great consolation reading his Bible daily. He was a devoted husband and a loving father and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Funeral services were held Sept. 26 at the home and at the East Bend Mennonite Church conducted by Bro. Roy Unzicker. Text, Heb. 9:27. Burial in East Bend Cemetery.

John and Martha lived near Pontiac, IL, and later north of Fisher, IL. John worked on the farm until age 89 years. He first became a father at age 41, and was 57 when his youngest child was born. Martha was 14 years younger than John.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Martha Fahsbender on 21 Jun 1877. Martha (daughter of Charles Fahsbender) was born on 26 Aug 1860 in GR; died on 26 May 1935 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Martha Fahsbender Zimmerman was born in Germany Aug. 26, 1860; died at her home near Foosland, Ill., May 26, 1935; aged 74 y. 9 m. She came to America when 12 years of age. She was united in marriage with John B. Zimmerman June -, 1887. To this union eight children were born. One daughter preceded her in death. She leaves the aged husband and the following children: Mrs. John Birky, Mrs. Joseph Oyer, and Mrs. Silas Heiser of Foosland, Ill.; Mrs. Louis Gregerson of Ludlow, Ill.; William and Ernest of Gibson City, Ill., and Charles at home; also 20 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Four grandchildren preceded her in death. She also leaves a brother (Ernest Fahsbender of Chicago) and a half-brother (Charles Fahsbender of Pontiac). She will be sadly missed, as she was always a loving mother and a kind neighbor, and was loved by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite Church with Bros. J. A. Heiser of Fisher, Ill., and ____ Zimmerman of Nebraska in charge. Interment in East Bend Cemetery.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Church