Steven Ray Schertz

Steven married Robin Kirkpatrich [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Tabitha Schertz
2. Nate Schertz
3. Zachary Schertz
4. Micha Schertz

Other Events and Attributes:

• MILF: Y

Notes:

Ray served in the military US Army Medical core, Basic Camp Pickott. (5) Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Eighteen months at Landstuhl, Germany, in hospitals there. Returned home Dec 25 1954.

Cremated:
Afforded

Died:
GCHospital-Annex

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

Arthur married Shirley Jean Grieser on 24 Sep 1955 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Shirley (daughter of Simon Grieser and Lovina Eunice Egli) was born on 10 Mar 1937 in Manson, Calhoun Co., IA; died on 1 Oct 2020 in Saybrook, McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pantagraph/name/a-obituary?page=lifestory&pid=197070391#utm_source=pantagraph.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fobituaries&utm_medium=PostUp&utm_content=1c135f18d6dc37d0d7799514de524fb611d50220
May 10, 1937 - Oct. 31, 2020

SAYBROOK - Shirley Jean (Grieser) Schertz passed away at her home in Saybrook, IL on October 31, 2020. Shirley was born May 10, 1937 to Simon and Lovina (Egli) Grieser in Manson, IA. Shirley married Ray Schertz in Fisher, IL on September 24, 1955 at her sister's home. Ray passed in 2017.

She is survived by four sons: Mike (Jeanine Wick) Schertz, Verona, MO; Gene Schertz, Saybrook, IL; Steve Schertz, Morning Sun, IA; Kevin (Karen Hoytt) Schertz, Saybrook, IL; and one daughter Tara Kirkpatrick, Saybrook, IL; sisters: Fern Massanari, Gibson City, IL; Ruth Oyer, Joliet, IL. Preceded in death by her brothers: Dan Grieser, (Norma Zook), Sebring FL, Warren, Wayne and Vern; and sister: Kathryn (Bachman), Mary Ann (Miller) and June (Junker). She had nine grandchildren: Tim (Jamie Youngs) Schertz, LeRoy, IL; Amanda (Brandon Clark), Verona, MO; Jean Ellen Trammell, Colorado Springs, CO.; Jeremy (Jennifer Hair) Kirkpatrick, Ellsworth, IL; Tabitha (Matt Darnell) Darnell, Spring Valley, IL; Nate Schertz, Lincoln, IL; Zack Schertz (April Tizor), Jessup, GA; Micha (Matt Giese) Morning Sun, IA; Trisha (Darren Chapman), Dublin, IN. She was also blessed with 20 great grandchildren.

Shirley had resided in her rural Saybrook home since her marriage to Ray in 1955. In later years, they enjoyed spending their winters first in AZ, then in Sebring FL. Shirley was a long-time member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, IL. and attended Grace Church in Sebring, FL; Over the years she was involved in various groups, including the Red Hats, Pinochle, Canasta, Euchre, American Legion Auxiliary, Swinging Squaws and Homemakers club.

She enjoyed playing golf and cross word puzzles. We all enjoyed eating her homemade bread and sweet rolls when visiting too! Besides working at Schertz Service, she also worked for the IRS and State Farm Insurance at various times.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private celebration of life service will be held at the East Bend Mennonite church on Nov. 21, 2020. Her celebration will be recorded, possibly with live stream for those who wish to watch remotely. More details will be available later through family or the East Bend web site.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Trucking Livestock Grain Coal With Brother Ralph. Began Hauling Livestock To Peoria About 1927 In A Model T Ford Truck.
• Religion: Amish/Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Schertz, Harold K., son of Joseph and Rosa (King) Schertz, was born at Saybrook, Ill., Jan. 29, 1907; died of a heart problem at Bellefontaine, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1976; aged 68 y. On Dec. 19,1928, he was married to Edna Birkey, who survives. Also surviving are one son (Ray), 2 daughters (Roberta - Mrs. Harry Graber, Joyce Schertz), 9 grandchildren, one brother (Ralph), 2 sisters (Mabel - Mrs. Joel Birkey, Pearl - Mrs. Roy Heiser). He was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Jan. 10, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

—————————
Harold worked as a Trucking Livestock Grain Coal with brother Ralph. Harold and his brother Ralph started hauling livestock to Peoria about 1927 in a Model T Ford Truck.

Died:
West Liberty

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Harold married Edna Phoebe Birkey on 19 Dec 1928 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Edna (daughter of Valentine Birkey and Phoebe (Bena) Good) was born on 6 Mar 1907 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 16 Apr 1984 in West Liberty, Logan Co., OH; was buried on 18 Apr 1984 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish/Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
SCHERTZ, Edna P., daughter of Valentine and Phoebe (Good) BIRKEY, was born in Foosland, Ill., Mar. 6, 1907; died at West Liberty, Ohio Apr. 16,1984; aged 77 y. On Dec. 19, 1928, she was married to Harold Schertz, who died on Jan. 16, 1976. Surviving are one son (Ray Schertz), 2 daughters (Roberta Graber and Joyce Schertz), 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers (Joe and Joel Birky), and 2 sisters (Kate Zehr and Ada Foley). She was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Apr. 18, in charge of Paul King and Duane Beck; interment in East Bend Memorial Garden

Resided Saybrook, McLean Co., IL

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Parents were Benjamin and Anna Oswald Grieser.

Buried:
Sunnyside Mennonite Cemetery

Simon + Lovina Eunice Egli. Lovina (daughter of Joseph E. Egli and Mary Birky) was born on 5 Jan 1900; died on 6 Aug 1986; was buried in Conneaut Lake, Crawford Co., PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Sunnyside Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer In Anchor And Saybrook, IL Area
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1937, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Died:
Maple Lawn Homes

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Rosa King on 29 Jan 1896 in Carlock, McLean Co., IL. Rosa (daughter of Peter King and Barbara Hodler) was born on 27 Sep 1873 in Carlock, McLean Co., IL; died on 30 Jun 1954 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Maple Lawn Homes

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
• Religion: Mennonite
• Residence: 1909, Manson, Calhoun Co., IA

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald Vol VIII, No 32 4 November 1915
Egli. - Joseph Egli was born in Huron Co., Canada, Feb 2 1852; died Oct 10, 1915 at his home in Manson, Ia; aged 63 y. 9 m. 10 d. He united with the Mennonite Church at the age of eighteen; was ordained to the ministry in 1891, in which capacity he labored faithfully till called to higher service. He was married to Sister Barbara Sutter at Hopedale, Ill., Jan. 29. 1874. To this union were born 1 son and 4 daughters, of whom 1 daughter died in infancy. His companion died April 2, 1885. On Jan 2. 1886, he was married to Sister Mary Birkey of Hopedale, Ill. To this union were born 3 sons and 4 daughters. He leaves his companion, 11 children, 39 grandchildren, 5 brothers, 4 sisters, and a large circle of friends to mourn his departure. He moved to Manson, Iowa, from Hopedale, Ill, 5 years ago. Funeral was held Tuesday, Oct. 12, from the Mennonite Church where often his voice had been heard in earnest, loving effective service. There was an unusually large attendance, the church being filled with friends from all denominations, showing the confidence and esteem in which the brother was held in the community, and the sympathy felt for his bereaved family. Bro. E. J. Berkey of Waynesboro, Va., conducted the services, taking for his text Amos 4:12. Interment was made in Rose Hill Cemetery. Bro. Egli was a friend to all and will be greatly missed in the home, the church and the community.
————————————
Son of John Egli and Magdalena Gascho
His first wife was Barbara Sutter (1851-1885). Joseph and Barbara married in 1874 and had 5 children, Christian Benjamin 1874, Lydia 1876, Magdalena 1880, Emma 1882 and a daughter who died in infancy. 

Joseph then married Mary Birky and they had 8 children, Mollie 1886, Katherine 1889, Barbara 1890, Abner 1893, Daniel H. 1895, Joel 1897, Lavina 1900 and a son who died as an infant.

Birth:
2 Feb 1852 according to FAG

Residence:
For health reasons

Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery

Joseph married Mary Birky on 3 Jan 1886 in Tazewell Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Christian Bürcky (Birky) and Catherine Mosimann) was born on 13 Aug 1860 in Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 2 Mar 1936 in Manson, Calhoun Co., IA; was buried in Manson, Calhoun Co., IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Egli-Mary, daughter of Christian and Catherine Birky, was born Aug. 13, 1860, near Morton, Ill. She was baptized and received into the Amish Mennonite Church near Hopedale, Ill., by Bishop Christian Nafziger on April 14, 1878. In this faith she remained faithful until death. On Jan. 3, 1886, she was united in marriage to Joseph Egli who preceded her in death Oct. 10, 1915. She leaves 7 children (Mrs. N. D. Kauffman, Abner, and Joel of Manson, Ia.; Dan of Hopedale, Ill.; Mrs. Simon Grieser of Wisner, Neb.; Mollie and Barbara at home). She also leaves 4 step-children (C. B. Egli and Mrs. D. H. Miller of Manson, Ia.; Mrs. Edwin Miller of Middlebury, Ind.; Mrs. V. H. Fleener of Hebron, Ind.), 1 brother (A. D. Birky of Milford, Neb.), and 1 sister (Lizzie Birky of Manson), 4 grandchildren, and 48 step-grandchildren. She suffered a paralytic stroke on July 7, 1931, and was an invalid from that time on. She was very patient during her affliction, never a word of complaint, but she often expressed a longing to be at rest and her wish has been granted. She passed away quite suddenly at her home in Manson, on the evening of March 2, 1936; aged 75 y. 6 m. 19 d. Funeral services were held March 5, at the Manson Mennonite Church, conducted by Bro. Nick Stoltzfus. Text, Jan. 11:14.
"Passing out of the shadow into a purer light,
Stepping behind the curtain, getting a clearer sight.
Laying aside a burden, this weary mortal coil,
Done with the world's vexations, done with its tears and toil."

Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery