Loren Zehr

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Medical doctor, pastor of visitation at South Point Church, Punta Gorda, FL

Notes:

Obit:
Dr. Loren Joseph Zehr, 83, Harrisonburg, VA formerly of Cape Coral, FL passed away March 19, 2017 at his home.
           Dr. Zehr was born on February 10, 1934 in Foosland, Illinois and was the son of the late Albert Raymond and Bertha Mae Reedy Zehr.  He was in medical practice in Youngstown, OH and Sarasota, FL. Dr. Zehr, after retirement, served as pastor of visitation at South Point Church, Punta Gorda, Florida and was currently a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church.  He enjoyed time spent with family, woodworking and traveling.
           On June 12, 1953, he married the former Ethel Bachman Zehr who survives.
           Also surviving are five children, Michael (Mary) Zehr, Lancaster, PA, Susan (Greg) Dean, Harrisonburg, VA, Mark (Julia) Zehr, Punta Gorda, FL, Donald (Heidi) Zehr, Hendersonville, NC, Kay (Jerold) Diller, Cape Coral, FL, 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, two brothers and a sister, Carl Zehr, Plattsburg, NY, Norma Schrock, Foosland, IL, David (Doris) Zehr, Kentwood, MI. He was also preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Fran Zehr and a brother-in-law, Milton Schrock.
           Following a private burial at Weavers Cemetery, a memorial service will be held Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with Tim Frost officiating.
           There will be no formal viewing and the body will be cremated.
           Memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501 or to the Moody Bible Institute 820 N LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610.

Buried:
Weavers Mennonite Church Cemetery

Loren married Ethel Bachman on 12 Jun 1953. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr, Albert R., son of Samuel and Lena (Unzicker) Zehr, was born at Foosland, Ill., Feb. 19, 1906; died of a heart attack at his home in Foosland, Ill., Aug. 25, 1980; aged 74 y. On Aug. 18, 1927, he was married to Bertha Reedy, who survives. Also surviving are 3 sons (Carl, Loren, and David), one daughter (Norma-Mrs. Milton Schrock), 18 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and one brother (Sam Zehr). He was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held Aug. 28, in charge of Wilbur Nachtigall; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Albert married Bertha Mae Reedy on 19 Aug 1927. Bertha was born in 1906; died on 25 Dec 2006 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried on 28 Dec 2006 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr.- Bertha M. Reedy, 100, Eureka, Ill., died Dec. 25, 2006. Spouse: Albert R. Zehr (deceased). Parents: Peter and Susan Christophel Reedy. Children: Norma Schrock, Carl, Loren, David; 18 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 28 at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, Ill.


At age 95 Bertha learned to use a computer (email) so she could stay in touch with her family. Lived at Maple Lawn in Eureka in her later years.

“Bertha Reedy (Mrs.Bert) Zehr (1898- ), a member of the East Bend Church in Illinois (see chapter 3), is known for the hundreds of international students entertained in their home over a period of forty years. With her husband she has been a youth-fellowship sponsor. She has been active in the regional Mennonite Historical Society and has participated in a great many activities of the church.”

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer And Deacon
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1856, Tazewell Co., IL
• Baptism: 2 Feb 1886, Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1889, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• PURC: 18 Apr 1891, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Ordained: Jun 1906, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, April 1943:
" Samuel S., son of Peter and Elizabeth (Oyer) Zehr, was born near Goodfield, Ill., Feb. 24, 1870; departed this life March 31, 1943, at the home of his son, Sam M., near Fisher; aged 73 y. 1 m. 7 d. He had been in failing health for the past 18 months and for the last 10 months has been bedfast. He lived in this vicinity for the past 53 years. In his early youth he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and united with the Mennonite church, of which he was a faithful and consistent member until the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Lena Unzicker Sept. 27, 1892, who preceded him in death March 1, 1939. He was the youngest of a family of thirteen, one sister Pheobe Zehr, Manson, Iowa, surviving him; also three sons (Aaron E., Foosland; Sam M., Fisher; and Albert R., Foosland) and six grandchildren. He was ordained to the office of deacon June 1906 at the East Bend Mennonite Church in which capacity he served in the Church, also assisting in the ministry until his health failed and he asked to be relieved from this responsibility. Funeral services were conducted at the home of his son by Bro. Harold Zehr, and at the East Bend Mennonite Church by Bro. J.A. Heiser. Text, Job 14:15. Burial in the East Bend Cemetery. The room is quiet, all is still; the place is vacant, 'tis God's will. Soon long you have waited for your rest, our blessed Lord knows what is best."

(Read at East Bend Mennonite Centennial)
“I am Deacon Samuel Zehr. I was born in Tazewell County in 1870 and am the youngest of 13 children, but mother and father had to part with six children before they were two years old. Only seven of us became adults. Father was Peter Zehr, mother was Elizabeth Oyer. Mother was born in Lorraine, France and came to America when she was two years old with her parents and eleven brothers and sisters.

“Father and Mother met near East Peoria where they were married. A little later, Father bought a farm near the Mackinaw River where I was born. We lived near the rocky ford of the river and our house stood on a high hill overlooking the valley. I loved to play along that river. I would set some fishing lines at night and the next morning I would usually find some nice catfish. I would stay close to home at night, frightened at the sound of the prairie wolves howling in the woods nearby. Our farm lay where three counties met. I lived in Tazewell County. On my way to school I would walk past Uncle Jake Zehr’s farm in Woodford County, to the schoolhouse where I got my limited education in McLean County.

“The many Amish Mennonites in the area were all part of the Mackinaw Meeting District. Later, it became three groups; the North Danvers Church, the Roanoke Church, and the Goodfield Church. We were part of the Goodfield Church and my Uncle Jacob Zehr was bishop.

“I’ll never forget the year 1886. In April my Father died and we buried him in the Slabtown Cemetery on that high hill. Also, my sisters Phoebe and Mary, and brother David were married, leaving Mother and me alone in the family home. And that year I made the most important decision of my life. I accepted Christ as my Savior and was baptized at the Goodfield church by my Uncle Jacob.

“In 1889, brother Peter who lived near us, decided to move to Champaign County to start a new church. Mother and I felt still more lonely and soon I became interested in Champaign County as well. Sister Mary, who had married Joseph Beacher, had moved to East Bend Township too, so now mother was also ready to move. In 1891 I found 80 acres of land that I could buy for $42.50 an acre. I had to borrow $1500 to purchase the land from Morris Lateer. There was no house on the land so I moved a small house from nearby and started living there.

“I was interested in a young lady I saw at church. Her parents had died so she and her brother, originally from Germany, came to America to live with their aunt, Mrs. Daniel Grieser and family. I asked Rev. Grieser to ask Lena Unzicker if she’d marry me and was joyful when she accepted. We were married in the Grieser home on September 17, 1892 by bishop Christian Nafziger of Hopedale and we started housekeeping on my farm.

“It was in 1896 that my mother died. She was the second burial in the East Bend Cemetery.

“Our Amish Mennonite settlement grew very fast. In 1892, eleven families moved into the community and in 1895 we built our first church house. Later, I served as Sunday School superintendent and also as chorister. One song I led very often was, “Jesus, Jesus”--in German of course. In 1906 the church choose me to serve as deacon and I took this new responsibility very seriously. Among my duties as deacon, I was to visit the sick, look after the welfare of the widows and needy, and talk to those who lived their Christian lives carelessly.

“I was in charge of the Alms Fund. The money for this fund was given during communion as a special offering for the poor and needy. Although I was only a deacon, I took my regular turn at preaching. One reason for this was that the English language was needed for the benefit of the young people who were learning English in school. I was able to preach in English, so this was a need I could fill. I served with seven of East Bend’s ministers and we loved each other very much.

“One event at East Bend that was an exciting time for me was when the Western District Amish Mennonite Conference was held at the church in September of 1909. About 600 people came, some from as far away as Oregon. The Illinois Central Railroad used a special car to accommodate the Amish Mennonite travelers. One hundred guests came to the depot at Foosland on the first day, and fifty to fisher. We furnished transportation, food, and lodging for all of them. We used two tents on the church grounds, one for the meetings and one for the meals. It was a very busy time, all the traveling to and from church was by horse and buggy.

“One of the last things I helped with during my preaching days was to help organize the Christian Workers Band. We were wanting to help our young people become more involved in church work, so in 1938, J.A. Heiser, Dr. Troyer, Harold Zehr, and I met in the Troyer home with a committee of young people. This was the beginning of the Extension Committee, the Industrial Committee, and so on.

“Lena and I were blessed with three sons born into our family--Aaron, Albert, and Samuel, Jr. We had many good times together with many happy memories. However, it was a sad day for US when Aaron was called to serve in the Army. He went as Conscientious Objector, the way we had been taught. On his discharge papers it says he was a Conscientious Objector who had done no military duty and who had refused to wear a uniform. He left home on Sept. 6, 1918, and served four months.

“I remember very clearly buying my first car. Of course our young sons couldn’t understand my decision to leave the car in the shed that first Sunday for fear of offending someone. In 1936, Lena and I moved to Fisher to live. After she died in 1939, I went to live with my sons. My son Bert and wife Bertha lived on the farm I bought and in the house I moved. I did not ever regret my work in the church. It gave me great satisfaction to serve in God’s Kingdom in this way. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 107:31, “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Birth:
near Goodfield. On a farm near Mackinaw.

Residence:
Home near Mackinaw River

Baptism:
by his uncle, Bishop Jacob Zehr

PURC:
Eighty acres two miles west of East Bend Mennonite Church, purchased at the cost of $1500. A small house was moved to the land for their home. The original land deed to War of 1812 veteran Sidney Quinn, was signed by President Franklin Pierce.

Ordained:
Deacon, East Bend Mennonite Church, by Peter Zehr. He was the only person to be ordained a deacon in this particular church.

Died:
at home of son Samuel

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Samuel married Magdalena A. (Lena) Unzicker on 27 Sep 1892 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Magdalena (daughter of Christian Unzicker and Maria Gungerich (Gingerich)) was born on 11 Aug 1870 in Possing, Bavaria, GR; died on 1 Mar 1939 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 1886

Notes:

Lena’s parents died in Germany and she (along with her brother and cousin) came to America at age of 16 with her uncle and aunt (the Daniel Grieser family ) in 1886. Since Lena had her schooling in German, she never really learned to read and write in English. Lena lived with the Grieser family and worked for others doing housework.

A niece of Mrs. Daniel Grieser.

Birth:
(or Wetterfeld)

Immigration:
At age 16, with brother Jacob

Died:
(May 1?)

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

Notes:

Marriage index gives date as 6 Sep 1892.

Married:
Daniel Grieser’s home, by Bishop Christian Nafziger of Hopedale. “Samuel wore a black tie for his wedding, but he never wore it again. George Grieser was 15 years old at the time and he recallls the wedding. At that time, it was customary to pass out cigars following a wedding. The cigars were given out, and he thought that he was old enough to try one. This resulted in one pretty uncomfortable boy!”

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Brewer/Farmer/Minister
• Religion: Amish
• Immigration: 17 Jun 1844, Le Havre to New York
• Census: 1850, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1856, Farmdale To Rocky Ford
• Census: 1860, Mackinaw, Tazewell Co., IL
• PURC: 30 Apr 1867, Deer Creek, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1870, Deer Creek Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Deer Creek Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Peter was born in Manried, near Munich, in the Hofmark at Hilgertshausen. He came to America and settled at Farmdale as a single man. After marrying, Peter and Elizabeth remained at Farmdale until 1856, when they moved to the Mackinaw River's Rocky Ford area near his brother Christian. Their homes stood on the high hill overlooking the Mackinaw Valley.

Peter had four sons who grew to maturity. All four--Daniel, Peter, David, Samuel--were ordained to the ministry. Of the first nine children of Peter and Elizabeth Oyer Zehr, five died before their first birthday and a sixth before his second. Of the first nine “six never lived to be over two years old. In the year 1860 two small sons died within 3 months.





It was then used for at least some of the subsequent children, but ventually ended up with Bishop Peter and his wife Barbara. Most likely, all of their children used it, then it was given to Amelia (who married Alvin Birkey). It stayed with that family for many years until thier son, Delmar Gene, was born, and was the last person to sleep in the vintage bed. In July of 2023, the bed was gifted to Del and Donna’s family to keep, protect, and hand down at the appropriate time.}

Birth:
Hilgerthausen-Tandern

Immigration:
arrival on packet ship Baltimore.

Census:
County next door to brother George Zehr as brewer Peter Seers, 32, Germany; Elizabeth, 20, France; and Daniel, 1, Illinois.

Residence:
on Mackinaw River

Census:
Township next door to brother Christian Zehr as farmer Peter Zears, 40, Germany; Elizabeth, 32, Germany; and four children born in Illinois.

PURC:
The Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database shows Peter Zehr purchasing 40 acres in Section 36 between Deer Creek and Mackinaw at $10 per acre on April 30, 1867.

Census:
Listed as farmer born in Bavaria, age 52; with wife Elizabeth age 42 born in France; children Daniel age 21, Peter age 19, Elizabeth age 15, Mary age 9, David age 8, Phoeby age 3 and Samuel age 6 months, all born in IL

Census:
Farmer Peter Zehr, 62, Bavaria; Lizzie, 53, France; with four children, all born in Illinois.

Died:
Six days after Phoebe’s wedding.

Buried:
Slabtown Cemetery

Peter married Elizabeth Oyer on 12 Aug 1845 in Farmdale, Tazewell Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph, Sr. Oyer and Magdalena Litwiller) was born on 23 Apr 1828 in Niderhoff, Moselle, FR; died on 21 Mar 1896 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish
• Immigration: 4 Dec 1830, New Orleans, LA
• Residence: 1831, Butler Co., OH

Notes:

Her’s was the second burial in the East Bend Mennonite Church cemetery--six months after Andrew Birky.

Immigration:
Ship Superior

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery (second burial in the cemetery)

Notes:

Magistrate's protocol from 29.03.1867

“The unmarried Christian Unzicker from Nehwiller, Alsace came from Prüfenning LK Regensburg presented Certificate of Nehwiller that he wants to marry the Ökonomiepächter's daughter Maria Gingerich of Pössing on 31.03.1867. The marriage is performed according to Mennonite rituals by the elder. He lives with his parents-in-law in Pössing. (It could be that the Pössinger Au had no residential house.). He himself and his descendants remain citizens of Nehwiller.”

From marriage until 1870 Christian was leaseholder of the Pössinger Au, then tenant farmer in Wetterfeld, Roding near Cham (1870 - 1878).

—————————

The father of Christian is Daniel Unzicker * 04.1808, the son of Georg * 1782
the 1st Pössinger tenant farmer.
The mother of Maria *1840, Elisabeth Unzicker *09.1809 is the sister of
Daniel and the daughter of above mentioned Georg.

Birth:
LK Schwandorf

Died:
Roding bei Cham. At 3 o’clock am.

Buried:
bie Wetterfeld

Christian married Maria Gungerich (Gingerich) on 31 Mar 1867 in Possing, Bavaria, GR. Maria (daughter of Christian Güngerich and Elisabeth Unzicker) was born in 1840 in Possing, Bavaria, GR; died on 31 Dec 1875. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Landsberg