Velma Mae Heiser

Notes:

Obit: Pantagraph.com 10 Dec 2011

Velma M. Birkey
DEWEY — Velma M. Birkey, 96, Dewey, died at 7:50 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 7, 2011) at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at the Dewey Evangelical Mennonite Church in Dewey. The Rev. Neal Hauser will officiate. Everyone is invited to her graveside service at 10:30 a.m. today at the East Bend Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Dewey Evangelical Mennonite Church Building Fund or WGNN Radio. Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Birkey was born Sept. 28, 1915, in Dewey, a daughter of Manuel E. and Barbara Good Heiser. She married Clarence R. Birkey of Manson, Iowa, on May 24, 1944, in Fisher. He died Sept. 11, 1981.
Surviving are her children, Maynard (Jennifer) Birkey, Dewey; Charlene (Russ) Taylor, Mahomet; Dennis (Debbie) Birkey, Dewey; and Mark (Brenda) Birkey, Foosland; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her sister, Verena Birkey, Foosland. She was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Heiser, and two brothers in infancy.
Mrs. Birkey was a charter member of the Dewey Evangelical Mennonite Church. The garden was her workshop and time spent with family her greatest joy.  

Died:
Gibson Area Hospital Annex

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

Velma married Clarence R. Birkey on 24 May 1944 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL. Clarence (son of John E. Birkey and Magdalena M. Oyer) was born on 1 Mar 1912; died on 11 Sep 1981; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Maynard Roy Birkey
2. Charlene Mae Birkey
3. Dennis Jan Birkey
4. Mark Lee Birkey

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 25 Oct 1903, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Heiser, Manuel E., son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bachman) Heiser, was born at Morton, Ill., Apr. 18, 1884; died at Fisher, Ill., Mar. 30, 1969; aged 84 y. 11 m. 12 d. On Jan. 25, 1912, he was married to Barbara Good, who survives. Also surviving are 3 children (Raymond, Velma - Mrs. Clarence R. Birkey, and Verena - Mrs. Leslie Birkey), 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 5 brothers, and 2 sisters. He was preceded in death by 2 sons. He was a member of the East Bend Church, where funeral services were held Apr. 1, with Irvin Nussbaum officiating, assisted by Ivan Birkey; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Baptism:
East Bend Mennonite Church by Peter Zehr

Died:
http://www.death-record.com/d/s/Illinois/Dewey

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Manuel married Barbara Good on 25 Jan 1912 in Wayland, Henry Co., IA. Barbara (daughter of Joseph B. Good and Fannie Beller) was born on 4 Nov 1889 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; died on 19 Dec 1971 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Heiser, Barbara, daughter of Joseph and Fannie Good, was born in Flanagan, Ill., Nov. 4, 1889; died at Gibson City Hospital, Dec. 19, 1971; aged 82 y. 1 m. 15 d. On Jan. 25, 1912, she was married to Manuel Heiser, who preceded her in death March 30, 1969. Surviving are one son (Raymond), 2 daughters (Velma - Mrs. Clarence R. Birkey and Verena - Mrs. Leslie Birkey), 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, one sister (Mrs. Albert Heiser and one brother (Joe Good). She was preceded in death by 2 infant sons, 3 brothers, and one sister. She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held Dec. 22, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and Glen Richards; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Church

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:

• Reference Number: 143
• Religion: Amish/Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: GOSPEL HERALD - Volume XXV, Number 45 - February 2, 1933
Good.-Joseph B., son of Joseph and Katie Good, was born near Hopedale, Ill., Aug. 24, 1858; died at his late home in Wayland, Ia., Jan. 17, li933; aged "74 y, 4 m. 23 d. He grew to manhood at Hopedale and on Oct. 18, 1881 was married to Fannie Bellar. They Iived together in wedlock over 51 years. Soon after they were married they moved to Flanagan, Ill., and later to Pocahontas Co., la. In 1903 they moved to a farm near Wayland, where they lived until several years ago, when, because of age and declining strength, they moved to the town of Wayland. Here they lived happily until death came to call him home. He was of a very robust physical makeup. Of late months he grew weaker, hut death, due to a heart attack, came instantly and very suddenly a short time after he had retired. To this union were born 4 sons and 3 daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and are living to-day. He united with the Mennonite Church near Hopedale, Ill., in his youth, and. was a faithful member of the Sugar Creek Church near Wayland, at the time of his death. He took delight in attending the services of the Church and had planned to be in the morning service last Sunday but his strength, would not permit. He leaves his deeply bereaved wife (Fannie), his 4 sons and 3 daughters (Mrs. Ed Wenger, Jacob, Joseph and Amos of Wayland, la.; Mrs. Emanuel Heiser of Fisher, Ill.; Mrs. Albert Heiser of Rantoul, Ill., and Daniel of Washington, Ia.), 17 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He also leaves 1 brother (Daniel Good of Albany, Ore.), and 5 sisters (Mrs. Sam Bachman, Roanoke, Ill.; Mrs. John Birky, Shickley, Nebr.; Mrs. Henry Horsch and Mrs. Phoebe Birky of Fisher, Ill.; and Mrs. Jobn Bellar of Pontiac, Ill.. One brother and two sisters preceded him in death. Funeral services were held from the late home in Wayland, Ia., and the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Jan. 20, in charge of Bros. Simon Gingerich and C. L. Moser. Interment in the cemetery near the church.

Buried:
Sugar Creek Mennonite Church cemetery; Bros. Simon Gingerich and C. L. Moser.

Joseph married Fannie Beller on 18 Oct 1881 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Fannie (daughter of Jacob Beller and Elizabeth Schertz (Shirch)) was born on 20 Apr 1857 in Bambois, Plaine, FR; died on 24 Jun 1944 in Wayland, Henry Co., IA; was buried in Wayland, Henry Co., IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 144
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXVII, No . 14 - July 7, 1944

Good.-Fannie (Beller) Good was born in Alsace Lorranie, April 20, 1857; passed away June 23, 1944; aged 87 y. 2 m. 3 d. At the age of sixteen she came to America, making her home near Hopedale, Ill. She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour, uniting with the Mennonite Church of which she was a faithful member at the time of her death. On Oct. 18, 1881, she was united in marriage with Joseph Good of Hopedale, Ill. For several years they farmed in this community, then moved to Flanagan, Ill., where they lived for six years. They then moved to a farm near Rolfe, Ia. Later they sold their holdings there and purchased a farm one mile east of Wayland, Ia., to which they moved in the spring of 1903. When retiring from active farm life, they moved to their property in East Wayland. After the death of her husband, she broke up housekeeping and made her home first with her daughter, Mrs. Ed Wenger, and then with her son Jacob. After the infirmities of old age became too prominent to do ordinary household duties, she again came to her daughter (Mrs. Ed Wenger) which was her late home. She was confined to her bed for about four months, but bore her affliction patiently and without murmur. Her husband and one son preceded her in death. She leaves 3 daughters (Mrs. Ed Wenger, Wayland, Ia.; Mrs. Emanuel Heiser, Dewey, Ill.; and Mrs. Albert Heiser, Rantoul, Ill.), 3 sons (Jacob and Joe, Wayland, Ia.; and Amos, Davenport, Ia.), one brother (John Beeler), Pontiac, Ill.), one sister (Mrs. Joseph Hottler, Goodland, Ind.), 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted by Bros. Simon Gingerich and Willard Leichty at the Sugar Creek Church. Text, Ps. 90. Interment was made in the Sugar Creek Cemetery.

Buried:
Sugar Creek Mennonite Church cemetery

Notes:

Married:
At Amish Church, Hopedale, by Christian Nafziger, Minister of Amish Church (Record #80)

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:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 38
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: Abt 1850
• Census: 1870, Hopedale Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - March 1909
Good - Died, Feb. 10, 1909, near Hopedale, Ill., Bro. Joseph Good, aged 78 y. He leaves to mourn his death his aged wife, who has shared the joys and sorrows for 51 years, two sons, six daughters, one brother and one sister, but they mourn not as those who have no hope. Bro. Good was an earnest and humble Christian. For him to live was Christ, and to die was gain. He suffered much pain during his sickness, but we believe that now he is being comforted. Buried Feb. 13. Services by Jos. Egli, John C. Birky and Daniel Nafizger.

Served as first janitor of Hopedale Mennonite Church for about twenty years: 1876-1896. The first six years he received $30 a year for his services.

Census:
Joseph, 37 yrs old, occupation farmer; birthplace Bavaria. Children: Joseph 11, Lizzie 8, Phoebe 6, Barbara 3, and Sarah 1. (Joseph was listed as away at school that day.

Josef married Katharina Stalter on 2 Mar 1856 in Tazewell Co., IL. Katharina (daughter of Jakob Stalter and Katharina Stalter) was born on 9 Jan 1832 in Hemerten, Bavaria, GR; died on 15 Oct 1919 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 39
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 1854, Le Havre to New York

Notes:

Obit: Nov. 6, 1919 Gospel Herald
Good. - Katharine, daughter of Jacob and Magdalena Stalter, was born in Germany Jan. 9, 1832; died at the home of her daughter in Hopedale, Ill., Oct. 15, 1919 ; aged 87 y. 9 m. 6 d. At the age of 14 she united with the A. M. Church, of which she was a faithful member until death. In the year of 1854 she sailed for America. She was united in marriage to Joseph Good in 1856. Her husband died Feb. 10, 1909. To this union were born 10 children. One son and 1 daughter died in infancy. She leaves 2 sons and 6 daughters, (Joseph, Dan, Lizzie Birkey, Phoebe Birkey, Barbara Bachman, Sarah Beller, Katie Horsch, and Mary Birkey); also 40 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren. Funeral services at the home by Bro. J. C. Birkey and the church by Jonas Litwiller and J. C. Birkey.

Grandmother's place in the home is vacant,
Her voice is heard no more,
Yet we hope again to meet her,
0n the blissful evergreen shore."

Immigration:
Arrived 5 Jun 1854 on the ship Cumberland.

Notes:

Jacob + Elizabeth Schertz (Shirch). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes: