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- Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XXII, Number 33 - November 14, 1929, page 687
Gerber.- Bishop Samuel Gerber, son of Jacob and Catherine (Roop) Gerber was born near Carlock, Ill., Sept. 8, 1863; and passed away at his home near Groveland, Ill., Oct. 28, 1929; aged 66 y. 1 m. 20 d. On Dec. 30, 1886, he was united in marriage with Magdalena Sears of Tiskilwa, Ill. He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his lifelong companion, two sons, and three daughters (Rosa Gerber, Mrs. Martha Wubben, O. J. Gerber, M. S. Gerber, and Mrs. Ruth King); also 8 grandchildren, 4 brothers (one brother preceding him in death), and a host of relatives and friends. His father and mother preceded him in death. When he was but four months old, his father was accidentally killed. Later he and his mother moved to near Tremont, where he grew to manhood. Death came to him very suddenly- but we believe not unexpectedly, as he would often talk to those about him telling them that his time was short here in this life. And he often expressed a desire to go and meet his God. In his early life he accepted Christ as his Savior, uniting with the Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church near Tremont, where on May 2, 1897, he was ordained to the ministry. Fourteen years later, on May 21, 1911, he was ordained bishop. During his 32 years of service as minister and bishop he officiated at 38 marriages, many funeral services, baptized 362 converts, and ordained two bishops and four ministers. His greatest concern was for the welfare of the Church. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Funeral services which were largely attended, were held at the Pleasant Grove Mennonite Church near Tremont, in charge of the brethren, Sanford C. Yoder, of Goshen, Ind., and J. D. Hartzler, of Flanagan, Ill. Texts, Ezek. 24:15-19; Rev. 14:13. Interment in adjoining cemetery.
“As a boy he moved with his mother to the vicinity of Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL....Two sons and three daughters were born to them. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Amish Mennonite congregation near Tremont, was ordained to the ministry there on May 2, 1897, and ordained bishop May 21, 1911.....He was a farmer throughout his life near Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.”
Samuel Gerber married Magdalena Sears from Tiskliwa, Illinois. They had a farm a mile south of Groveland. Samuel joined the Pleasant Grove Amish Mennonite Church as a youth and soon was teaching a Sunday school class. In 1907, he was called to the ministry and in 1911 became a bishop. Friendly and sincere, he became a well-known, respected leader in their conference. Samuel and Magdalena had five children - Rosa, Martha, Otto, Menno and Ruth. Samuel died in 1929 at the age of sixty-six. Magdalena died in 1930 at the age of sixty-one.} [4, 5]
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