Mary Rouvenacht

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1854

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth 3/27/09
Cender - Mary Cender (maiden name Rouvenac) was born in France, March 28, 1842; died of paralysis near Fisher, Ill., March 4, 1909; aged 66 y. 11 m. 6 d. She united with the A. M. Church in her younger years and remained a faithful member to the end. She was married to Joseph Cender and lived in this relation for nearly 39 years. To this union were born seven children. She leaves to mourn her departure an aged, mourning husband, three sons and two daughters. Funeral services were held at the house by Andrew Schrock of Metamora, Ill., in German and Samuel Gerber of Tremont, Ill., in English. Text Psa. 103; Gal. 2:20, and I Cor. 15:22.


Read at East Bend Mennonite Church Centennial:

“I was born in 1842 near Saarbourg, Lorraine, France. My parents were Christian and Maria Switzer Rouvenacht. They named me Maria too. My parents were Amish Mennonites and they, along with others of the same faith, experienced many hard times. Lorraine was a beautiful land, but since many families in our area, including the Oyers and the Mosimans, had already gone to America, my parents decided that it would be good for us as well. It was a long, hard trip. We were on the ocean many days. And then it was many more days until we would reach Woodford County where we made our first home. The first years in America were much different, and in some ways more difficult, than life had been in Lorraine, but we were happy with our new freedoms.

“One day when I was almost 28 years old, a visitor came to our door. Since he was also from France we made him very welcome. It was good to visit with someone from our homeland. Joseph Zentner (Cender) had been in America a few years and was now ready to find himself a wife. Even though he was 16 years older than me, I consented to marry Joseph on March 13, 1870. We began our life together on a farm just south of Roanoke, Illinois. We attended the Roanoke Amish Mennonite Church where Joe served as a trustee for a while. It was here that our seven children were born. That was Katie, Chris, Joe, Lena, John, Mary and Peter. Katie died when she was eight years old and we buried her in the Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.

“It didn’t seem long until Joe had some good help as our young sons were growing up quickly. They were full of life, as Joe and I found out when we returned home to a surprise one day during hay season. It seemed the boys had been busy pulling the hay up into the haymow with a horse-drawn hayfork. All went well until they decided to send Katie up with a load of hay and left her stranded half way up the side of the barn. That is where we found her when we arrived home sooner than the boys expected us. A switchin’ was in order on that occasion. Joe decided he’d better be looking for more land to farm to keep the boys busy. And then too, they’d need their own places when they decided to get married. Land was getting scarce and prices were high in Woodford county, so Joe began looking around. He was hearing good things about Kansas, so he decided to make a trip there.

“When he arrived in Kansas he stepped off the train and started looking the area over. He noticed piles of buffalo chips scattered about and asked someone if the land required fertilizer already. Joe was told the buffalo chips were burned for fuel, as there were no coal mines in Kansas and coal was very expensive there. Joe had already made his decision about moving to Kansas. He quickly boarded the train and sat quietly in his seat while the lady land agent walked through the train calling, “Where’s Zentner, where’s Zentner?” He didn’t answer her because he didn’t even want to discuss a Kansas land purchase! When Joe got back to Woodford County, he told the family, “Kansas is not for us.”

“Joe said he’d heard about an Amish Mennonite settlement that had just been started near Fisher in Champaign County, Illinois. So he decided to check this out next. He took our oldest son, Chris, with him since he was almost 19 years old. When they got there Peter Zehr took them to look at some farms that were for sale. Joe decided he liked the William Swayze farm, so on February 4, 1892, he signed the papers and bought our new farm. Just in case we didn’t like this new place, Joe kept the one at Roanoke for a little while longer. Well, we made arrangements to move to our new home yet that spring. Our six children were a big help; Peter, the youngest, was ten years old. When the train reached Gibson City, we found Peter Zehr, Jacob Heiser and Charles Stormer there to meet us. They loaded our things on the wagons and tied the horses behind. The boys drove the cattle along behind the horses. The weather was cold and wet, and we were glad when that eight mile trip was over.

“We really weren’t very happy when we reached our new home. That spring of 192 was cold and rainy, which didn’t help our attitude either! But things began to happen and there were a lot of changes in the East Bend area. That year eleven new families moved nearby, and among them were four Birkey families. After Joe built our new house, we were much more comfortable and we began to appreciate our surroundings. It was such a nice neighborhood where we lived! Our house was almost across the road from Peter Zehr, then west of us was Charles Stormer, north were Joe Beacher and John Zehr, and south was August Ingold. A little east of us were Jake Heisers and Barbara Heiser and her family.

“As the years went by, we felt we’d made a good choice. When our children married we were happy to have them living nearby. We all attended the East Bend Mennonite Church, and as we worshipped with our family and friends, we thanked God many times through the years for His goodness and blessings. Because He was faithful in caring for us, we wanted to be faithful and live for Him.”

Birth:
headstone date is 28 March

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Mary married Joseph Cender on 13 Mar 1870 in Tazewell Co., IL. Joseph (son of Christian Cender and Magdalena Eymann) was born on 13 Jun 1827 in Niedernai, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 17 Jan 1910 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died at age 8.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Obit:
Cender, Christian, oldest son of Joseph and Mary (Rouvenac) Cender, was born near Roanoke, Ill., Feb. 21, 1873; died at the Ford County Nursing Home, Paxton, Ill., July 23, 1960; aged 87 y. 5 m. 2 d. Surviving are 2 sisters (Mrs. Lena Birkey, Fisher, Ill.; and Mrs. Mary Hieser, Foosland, Ill.). He was a member of the East Bend Church, where services were held, with Harold Zehr and J. A. Heiser officiating.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Complications of kidney trouble.

Notes:

Obit:

Cender. - Joseph J. Cender was born near Roanoke, Ill., July 20, 1874; died at the Brokaw hospital in Bloomington, Ill., Aug. 8, 1928; aged 54 y. 19 d. On March 18, 1906, he was married to Elsie Kauffman formerly of Goshen, Ind. To this union two sons (Raymond and Homer), and one daughter (Marie) were born. A home was given to an adopted son (Elvin Cender) now in the Panama Canal Zone. Bro. Cender was confined to his bed only 10 days but had been ailing for some time from complications developing from kidney trouble. On Aug. 6 he was taken to the Brokaw hospital for further examination. All the help that human hands could give was given but to no avail. He peacefully passes away on the morning of Aug. 8, almost unnoticed. He was a kind and loving father and is sadly missed by the family. He leaves to mourn his departure a sorrowing wife, 3 children, 2 brothers (Chris and John of Foosland, Ill.), 2 sisters (Mrs. Lena Birkey and Mrs. Heiser also of Foosland), besides a host of other relatives and friends. He united with the Mennonite Church in his youth and remained faithful until death. Funeral services were conducted at the home by Bros. A. H. Leaman of Chicago, and at the East Bend Mennonite Church byBros. J. A. Heiser and A. H. Leaman. Text, John 14:6. Interment in the cemetery near by.
"Father, thou art sweetly resting,
Here thy toils and cares are o,er,
But again we hope to meet thee,
On that bright and peaceful shore."
The Family.

Died:
Obit gives day as 8

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Elsie May Kauffman on 18 Mar 1906 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Elsie (daughter of Mose Kauffman and Mary Stutzman) was born on 4 May 1875 in Goshen, IN; died on 25 Feb 1952 in Bay Port, Huron Co., MI; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Berkey book says 4 Jun 1879

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Magdalena married Christian Benjamin Birky on 24 Jan 1905 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Christian (son of Christian H. Birky and Barbara Wittrig) was born on 4 Jun 1879 in Delavan, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 3 Jun 1940 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1892, Champaign Co., IL
• Undefined: 1923

Notes:

Obit:
Cender.-John, son of Joseph and Mary Cender, was born near Roanoke, Ill., Aug. 26, 1877; died at his home near Foosland, Ill., Nov. 21, 1935; aged 58 y. 2 m. 26 d. At the age of 10 years he moved with his parents to Champaign Co., Ill., where he has lived ever since. When 14 years of age he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and united with the Mennonite Church near Fisher, Ill., of which he was a faithful member until death. He bore his suffering patiently, and expressed his desire to go home to his Lord. He was united in marriage with Katie F. Zehr Dec. 15, 1904. Four children were born to this union. One daughter (Sadie Elizabeth) passed away 22 years ago. He leaves his sorrowing companion, 3 children (Roy of near Fisher, Lelia and Alva at home), 2 little grandchildren (Kenneth and Joyce Cender), 1 brother (Chris) and 2 sisters (Mrs. Lena Birky and Mrs. Mary Heiser, all of Foosland, Ill.). Two brothers and 1 sister preceded him in death. He also leaves a large host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite Church, conducted by Bros. J. A. Heiser and Harold Zehr. Text, Isa. 38:1. Interment in East Bend Cemetery.

Undefined:
Invented a special lifting jack to be fitted on a corn sheller and registered it with the U.S. Patenet Office.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Katherine Frances Zehr on 15 Dec 1904 in Champaign Co., IL. Katherine (daughter of Bishop Peter Zehr and Barbara Heiser) was born on 5 Oct 1877 in Danvers, McLean Co., IL; died on 10 Jan 1944 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 16 Aug 1896, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume LVI, Number 11 - March 19, 1963 ­ pages 246, 247, 248.

Hieser, Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Rouvenac) Cender, was born at Roanoke, Ill., June 11, 1880; died at Gibson City, Ill., Feb. 22, 1963; aged 82 y. 8 m. 11 d. On Jan. 23, 1906, she was married to John E. Hieser, who died Feb. 6, 1919. Surviving are 6 children (Laura-Mrs. Roy Bachman, Emery, Vernon, Florence-Mrs. Alvin Knox, Frances-Mrs. Clarence L. Birkey, and Ruth-Mrs. Leslie Oyer). She was a member of the East Bend Church, where funeral services were held Feb. 24, in charge of J. Alton Horst and J. A. Heiser.

Baptism:
East Bend Church by Peter Zehr

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Mary married John Emil Hieser on 23 Jan 1906 in Champaign Co., IL. John (son of Joseph A. Heiser (Hieser) and Barbara Bachman) was born on 4 Dec 1882 in Tazewell Co., IL; died on 6 Feb 1919 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 8 Feb 1919 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 16 Aug 1896, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Baptism:
East Bend Church by Peter Zehr

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Peter married Elizabeth Barbara (Lizzie) Zehr on 1 Feb 1906 in Champaign Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Bishop Peter Zehr and Barbara Heiser) was born on 3 Jan 1886 in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 4 Apr 1928 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Cender.- Raymond J., son of Joseph and Elsie (Kauffman) Cender, was born at Foosland, Ill., Dec. 25, 1909; died of a heart attack at the Gibson City Hospital, Feb. 6, 1971; aged 61 y. 1 m. 12 d. On Dec. 21, 1930, he was married to Irene Birkey, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter (Dorothy), 2 sons (Donald and Robert), 5 grandchildren, 2 brothers (Homer Cender and Elvin Nicholson), and one sister (Mrs. Norman Roth). He was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held Feb. 9, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and J. A. Heiser; interment in the East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Died:
Hospital

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

Raymond married Irene Elizabeth Birky on 21 Dec 1930. Irene (daughter of Levi E. Birky and Dora N. Stamm) was born on 16 Oct 1913; died on 28 Aug 2014 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Cender.- Raymond J., son of Joseph and Elsie (Kauffman) Cender, was born at Foosland, Ill., Dec. 25, 1909; died of a heart attack at the Gibson City Hospital, Feb. 6, 1971; aged 61 y. 1 m. 12 d. On Dec. 21, 1930, he was married to Irene Birkey, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter (Dorothy), 2 sons (Donald and Robert), 5 grandchildren, 2 brothers (Homer Cender and Elvin Nicholson), and one sister (Mrs. Norman Roth). He was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held Feb. 9, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and J. A. Heiser; interment in the East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Family/Spouse: Pearl Birky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Norman Roth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Goshen College And Moody Bible Institute
• Occupation: Bible Memory Program

Notes:

Obit:
Birky.- Harvey Christian, 86, Hesston, Kan. Born: March 2, 1907, Fisher, Ill., to Christian and Magdalena Cender Birky. Died: March 19, 1993, Hesston, Kan. Survivors-wife: Prudence Habegger Birky; children: Grace Busenitz, Howard; brother: Lewis; 11 grandchildren. Funeral: March 22, Whitestone Mennonite Church, by Ken Livengood and Ronald Guengerich. Burial: Eastlawn Cemetery

Buried:
Whitestone Mennonite Church:Eastlawn Cemetery

Harvey married Prudence Habegger on 31 May 1936. Prudence was born on 23 Feb 1909; died on 13 Oct 1994; was buried in Zimmerdale, Harvey Co., KS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
BIRKY, LEWIS A., 88, of Gibson City, died at 6:08 p.m. Thursday, 6-24-1999 at his residence. His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Gibson City Bible Church, the Rev. Paul Thomason officiating. Burial will be in East Bend Memorial Gardens, Fisher.
Mr. Birky was born 3-13-1911 in Foosland, a son of Chris and Magdalena Cender Birky. He married Eunice Good 2-14-1942 in Rantoul. She survives.
Other survivors include on daughter, Jennie Lynn (Mac) Kornelsen, Aurora, CO.; and one son, Douglas Roy (Carolyn) Birky, Sidney. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Mark and James Kornelsen; and Joseph, Luke and Sarah Birky. A daughter, Rita Sue Birky; a sister, Martha Yoder; one brother, Harvey Birky; and an infant brother preceded him in death. [Contributed by Gail Hahn Hutchcraft].

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Lewis married Eunice Good on 14 Feb 1942 in Rantoul, Champaign Co., IL. Eunice (daughter of Leroy E. Good and Leah Eichelberger) was born on 19 Dec 1921 in Rantoul, Champaign Co., IL; died on 21 Dec 2010 in Denver, Denver Co., CO; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

Martha married David D. Yoder on 11 Aug 1946 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. David (son of Samuel D. Yoder and Anna B.) was born on 14 Jan 1912 in Brandon, Kiowa Co., CO; died on 27 Feb 1977 in Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer, Cender Gas Co.
• Religion: Amish/Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
“Roy Joseph Cender (b. Sept. 8, 1905; d. Feb. 25, 1984) was the oldest child of John and Katie Zehr Cender. He married Mamie Frances Park (b. Nov. 8, 1907, d. Jul. 28, 1980) on Sept. 8, 1927. Mamie was a twin with Forest Eli, the first born of their parents, Eli Oscar Grover Park (1884-1952) and Effie Blackwell Park, (1889-1964) in Franklin County, Missouri. Mamie came to Champaign County near Fisher, Illinois at the age of 12 with her family in 1919. When Roy and Mamie were married they first lived in the house built by Roy's father, John Cender, for the hired man, a half-mile east of the Cender homestead. This is where Kenneth was born in 1928. They soon moved to a farm just north of Fisher, Illinois (about 2 1/2 miles east of the Cender homestead) and in 1929 this is where Joyce was born. Ronald was also born there in 1938 and in 1940 the family moved back to the house where they started their married life together. Roy's family lived there then until 1949 when Kenneth was married to Betty Jean Nafziger and took over most of the farming. Roy had bought another farm just a half mile north on Route 47 and they built a new house there and moved into it. Roy became more involved in Cender Gas Co. and Cender Motors and eventually built a home in Gibson City. They lived in Gibson City until soon after he retired, when they built a small home back on the farm and also purchased a condo near Tampa, Florida. They spent their winters in Florida until Mamie died in 1980. Roy spent his time between his children and his condo in Florida for a couple of years and then lived at the Greencroft Towers Retirement Center in Elkhart, Indiana until his death in 1984.”

Died:
Funeral at Gibson City Bible Church

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Roy married Mamie Frances Park on 8 Sep 1927 in Champaign Co., IL. Mamie (daughter of Eli Oscar Grover Park and Effie Louella Blackwell) was born on 8 Nov 1907 in Gerald, Franklin Co., MO; died on 28 Jul 1980 in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN; was buried on 31 Jul 1980 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/ford/obits_C.html
CENDER, Lelia - The funeral of LELIA A. CENDER, age 85, of Gibson City will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Gibson City Bible Church with the Rev. Scot Glasco officiating. Burial will be in East Bend Mennonite Cemetery, Fisher. Pallbearers include Dave Cender, Mark Cender, John Cender, Steve Oyer, Stan Oyer and Kent Oyer.

Miss Cender died at 8:40 a.m. Saturday, 4-3-1993 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Gibson City. She was born 6-21-1907 near Fisher, a daughter of John and Katie Zehr Cender. Survivors include a brother, Alva Cender of Fisher. Two brothers and a sister preceded her in death. [Contributed by Gail Hahn Hutchcraft].

Died:
Heritage Manor

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Appendicitis

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald Nov. 13, 1913
Cender.--Katie Elizabeth, daughter of Bro. John and Sister Katie Cender, was born Nov. 24, 1909; died after a brief illness of appendicitis, Oct. 25, 1913; aged 3 y 11 m. 1 d. She leaves her sorrowing partents, 2 brothers, 1 sister, 3 grandparents, and many friends to mourn her early departure. Funeral services were held at the East Bend A. M. Church near Fisher, Ill., by Bro. Daniel Grieser in German and by Bro. Jonas Litwiller of Morton, Ill., in English. Text, Mark 10:13, 14.
"There's a pair of little hands,
Laid to rest forevermore;
There's two pearly dimpled checks,
Whose rich blooming is o'er;
Death has sealed two little eyes,
Which will no more smile nor weep."

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Alva married Edna Lorine Heiser on 5 Sep 1939 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Edna (daughter of Bishop Joseph Aaron Heiser and Fannie Ann Schrock) was born on 5 Feb 1918 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; died on 6 Aug 1996 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:

Bachman, Laura M. Heiser, 86, Metamora, Ill. Born: March 21, 1907, to John and Mary Cender Heiser. Died: Jan. 1, 1994, Metamora, Ill. Survivors-children: Wesley, Auburn, Bruce; brothers and sisters: Emery and Vernon Heiser, Florence Knox, Ruth Oyer, Frances Birkey; 2 grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Predeceased by: Roy J. Bachman (husband) and one daughter. Funeral: Jan. 5, Roanoke Mennonite Church, by Rick Troyer and Elmer Wyse. Burial: Stewart-Harmony Cemetery

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery

Laura married Roy Joseph Bachman on 12 Sep 1933 in Champaign Co., IL. Roy (son of Samuel Bachman and Barbara Good) was born on 9 Oct 1904 in Cazenovia Twp., Woodford Co., IL; died on 7 Dec 1964 in Lowpoint, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Emery married Irene E. Schertz on 22 May 1934. Irene (daughter of August William Schertz and Emma Ulrich) was born on 1 Dec 1906; died on 16 May 1963; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emery married Blanche Schertz on 10 Nov 1963 in Las Vegas, NV. Blanche (daughter of August William Schertz and Emma Ulrich) was born on 23 Nov 1915; died on 23 Jan 1990; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Pantagraph online Posted: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 12:00 am
FOOSLAND — Vernon J. Hieser, 100, of Foosland died at 8:31 p.m. Saturday (May 28, 2011) at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Gibson City.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the East Bend Mennonite Church in rural Fisher. The Rev. Michael Dean will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church and for one hour before services Thursday. Burial will be in the East Bend Cemetery in rural Fisher.

Mr. Hieser was born Sept. 9, 1910, in Foosland, a son of John E. and Mary E. (Cender) Hieser. He married Margaret Ulrich on Sept. 8, 1937, in Eureka. She died on June 28, 2004.

Surviving are one son, Kenneth (Alice) Hieser of Foosland; three daughters, Judith A. (Lotus) Hershberger of Normal, Sharon J. Hieser of Bondville and Sally S. (Marty) Gaff of Kouts, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, one brother and four sisters.

Mr. Hieser was a lifelong farmer in Foosland and a very active member of the East Bend Mennonite Church. Memorial tributes may be made to the East Bend Mennonite Church. Lamb Funeral Home, 303 N. Church St., Gibson City, is in charge of arrangements.

Died:
Heritage Manor Nursing Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Vernon married Margaret Eleanor Ulrich on 8 Sep 1937 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL. Margaret (daughter of David Elias Ulrich and Nora Wagner) was born on 13 Jun 1914; died on 28 Jun 2004; was buried on 1 Jul 2004 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Florence married Alvin J. Knox on 9 Sep 1936 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL. Alvin was born on 12 May 1912; died on 9 Dec 1997 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Homemaker
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Alzheimers

Notes:

Obit: Published in the Bloomington, Illinois Pantagraph 

Frances M. Birkey, 93, a four-year resident of Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Gibson City, died at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday (July 15, 2008) at the nursing home.

Frances was born April 22, 1915, in rural Foosland, the daughter of John and Mary Hieser. Her marriage to Clarence L. Birkey on Sept. 25, 1940, also took place in rural Foosland.

Surviving are two children, Warren (Glenda) Birkey, rural Paxton; and Susie (Jerry) Oyer, rural Gibson City; one granddaughter Sue (Kyle) Berry, rural Paxton; one great-granddaughter, Maryn Berry, joined the surviving family during the past year.

She is also survived by three step-granddaughters, Jennifer (Brennan) Radmer, St. Louis, Mo.; Bethany (Andrew) Kolhoff, Heyworth; and Melissa (Harold) Zahnd, Sadorus; and one step-great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Kolhoff. Also surviving is her 97 year-old brother, Vernon Hieser, Heritage Manor.

Her husband, parents, three sisters, one brother and a daughter-in-law preceded her in death.

Frances was a lifetime member of East Bend Mennonite Church, rural Fisher, where she enjoyed being involved with the ladies sewing circle, teaching Sunday school, Bible school and anything else she could do to serve her God.

She enjoyed being a housewife and working outside around the farm.

Her favorite thing to do was to help others - she was happier working than resting.

Died:
Heritage Manor Nursing Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Frances married Clarence Leslie Birkey on 25 Sep 1940 in Champaign Co., IL. Clarence (son of John A. Birkey and Mary Zimmerman) was born on 1 May 1910 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 20 Oct 1985 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 22 Oct 1985 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
FISHER -- Ruth V. Oyer, 90, Fisher, died at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (May 28, 2008) at the Gibson Area Hospital in Gibson City.
Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Dewey, with the Rev. Michael Dean and the Rev. Jeff Ressler officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City. Burial will be in East Bend Memorial Gardens in Fisher.
Mrs. Oyer was born Nov. 30, 1917, in Foosland, a daughter of John and Mary Cender Hieser. She married Leslie C. Oyer on Feb. 25, 1941, at her home in Foosland. He died May 8, 2007.
Surviving are four daughters, Carolyn (Jim) Miller, Wauseon, Ohio; and Nan (Bill) Cagle, Kandy (Greg) Beesley and Kathy (Mike) Dennemann, all of Fisher; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Francis Birkey, Gibson City; and a brother, Vernon Hieser, Gibson City.
She was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother.
Mrs. Oyer lived in the Fisher and Foosland areas all of her life. She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church in Fisher. She loved attending a Ladies Bible Study for 35 years. Ruth loved her family and the community she lived in. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorials may be made to the East Bend Mennonite Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Died:
GC Hospital

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Ruth married Leslie C. (Leck) Oyer on 25 Feb 1941 in Champaign Co., IL. Leslie (son of Joseph Oyer and Bertha Zimmerman) was born on 11 Sep 1917 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 10 May 2007 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 12 May 2007 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Cender, Emery P., 88, Gibson City, Ill. Born: Nov. 13, 1906, Foosland, III., to Peter and Elizabeth Zehr Cender. Died: Feb. 3, 1995, Gibson City, Ill. Survivors-children: Milton, Mahlon, Lowell, Fern Martin, Wilda Otto, Vietla Nafziger, Marlene Kaufmann, Mary Jo Oswald; 28 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by: Mattie Stalter Cender (wife) and Eldon (son). Funeral: Feb. 7, East Bend Mennonite Church, by Cal Kaufman. Burial: East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Emery married Mattie Stalter on 7 Dec 1927 in Gridley, McLean Co., IL. Mattie (daughter of John Stalter and Magdalena Teuscher) was born on 6 May 1905 in Meadows, McLean Co., IL; died on 6 Jul 1990 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Fisher High School, Goshen College, U Of I, And Iowa State U
• Occupation: Teacher
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Memorial Gardens

Dorothy married Robert W. Schroeder on 15 Jun 1974 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Robert was born on 28 Sep 1927 in Ford Co., IL; died on 29 Feb 2012 in Urbana, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 3 Mar 2012 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Cancer

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Robert married Joan Elizabeth Schaer on 8 Sep 1956. Joan (daughter of Maurice P. Schaer and Inez Josephine Heiser) was born on 14 Jun 1936 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; died on 21 Jan 2020 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Grace A. Busenitz, 77, of Potwin, was welcomed into the arms of her Savior, Friday, March 25, 2016, at her residence surrounded by the love of her family. She was born April 4, 1938, at Fisher, Illinois, the daughter of Harvey C. and Prudence (Habegger) Birky. Grace obtained her Master’s degree from Ohio State University. She taught elementary education for several years. 
All services will be held at Emmaus Mennonite Church, Whitewater. The Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday evening, March 29, and the Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2016. A Committal Service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, at the Emmaus Mennonite Cemetery, Whitewater. A Memorial Fund has been established for Torch Bearers (Scholarships for Eastern Block students) in care of Lamb Funeral Home, P.O. Box 358, Whitewater 67154.

Birth:
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=birky&GSiman=1&GScid=1964425&GRid=15908069&

Died:
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=birky&GSiman=1&GScid=1964425&GRid=15908069&

Buried:
Emma’s Mennonite Church Cemetery

Family/Spouse: William Busenitz. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Anna Beth Unruh. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mac Kornelsen. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Morris. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Presence St. Mary's Hospital

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Gibson City Bible Church
• USR1: Alzheimers Disease

Notes:

Obit: Champaign News Gazette & Pantagraph.com
FISHER – Kenneth Delton Cender, 82, died at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex at 8:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19, 2011), following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Kenn was born on July 20, 1928, to the late Roy and Mamie (Park) Cender of rural Fisher. He first attended Brown Township School and later Center School. On Oct. 15, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty Jean Nafziger in the Hopedale Mennonite Church.
Mr. Cender owned and operated a farm outside of Fisher from 1947 until he retired in 1980.
Kenn was a member of the Gibson City Bible Church where he served in various ministries and activities over the years. When his children were young, he enjoyed singing in a quartet. The church bowling team usually benefited from his presence each week. Kenn sang for many years in the church choir which his wife, Betty Jean, directed. In the summers and sometimes on Sundays he would help by driving the church bus, picking up children who wanted to attend Vacation Bible School or Sunday school. He also served as an usher, Sunday school teacher, high school youth group sponsor, and later as Sunday school superintendent and on the deacon board.
Kenn's wife, Betty Jean, died from cancer on Oct. 28, 1994. Later he married Carolyn Culbertson of Gibson City on Sept. 27, 2003, in the Fisher Community Church.
Kenn is survived by his second wife, Carolyn; six children, Barbara (Mark) Unzicker of rural Fisher, David (Christine) Cender of rural Fisher, Beth (Ron) Gaudio of Miami, Fla., Sue (Keith) Gaesser of Gibson City, Jan (Greg) Kerber of Gibson City and Jodi (Kevin) Copass of Bloomington; 33 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce (Frank) Oyer of Goshen, Ind.; a brother, Ron (Barbara) Cender of Brooksville, Fla.; two stepdaughters; and four step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jean, and both of his parents.
A private family burial is planned.
A memorial fund has been established in his name for the Worship Department of the Gibson City Bible Church.
We would like to thank the staff of the Gibson City Hospital Annex and the Knights Templar Home in Paxton for all their help and support.
Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is in charge of the arrangements.

Died:
GC Annex

Buried:
East Bend Memorial Gardens

Kenneth married Betty Jean Nafziger on 15 Oct 1949 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Betty (daughter of Arthur William Nafziger and Verna Marguerite Sutter) was born on 27 Jun 1932 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 28 Oct 1994 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Kenneth married Carolyn Culbertson [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: High School
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Joyce A. Oyer, 85, of Goshen, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Greencroft Healthcare.

She was born November 13, 1929 in Fisher, Illinois to Roy and Mamie (Park) Cender.
On November 20, 1949 she married Franklin D. Oyer. He died November 15, 2014.
She is survived by three sons, Stephen (Verna) Oyer of Goshen, Stanley (Jane) Oyer of Middlebury and Kent Oyer of Goshen; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ronald (Barbara) Cender of Brooksville, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Kenneth Cender.
Mrs. Oyer moved to Goshen in 1963 from Joliet, Illinois. She and her husband founded and owned Quality Glass, Inc from 1963 to 2007. She was a member of College Mennonite Church.

Friends may call Sunday, November 15, 2015, from 2 to 4:30 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 5 p.m. funeral service will be conducted. Pastor Phil Waite will officiate.
Family will meet Monday, November 16, 2015, at 10 a.m. to go in procession to Violett Cemetery for burial.
Memorial contributions may be given to Academia Menonita Betania or to the Jubilee Fund at College Mennonite Church.

Died:
Greencroft HealthCare Center

Buried:
Violett Cemetery

Joyce married Franklin Dale Oyer on 20 Nov 1949. Franklin (son of Elmer Jesse Oyer and Dora Alma Springer) was born on 18 Mar 1929 in Perrinton, Gratiot Co., MI; died on 15 Nov 2014 in Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN; was buried on 20 Nov 2014 in Goshen, Elkhart Co., IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ronald married Barbara Kluck [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Marvin Miller [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Annette married Willie Williams [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Kathryn married Glen Alan Martin [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Terry Laho [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married Tom Blosser [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Cary Reaves. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Auto Accident

Notes:

Obit:
Cender-. Mark, 40, Fisher, Ill., died Jan. 4 in an accident. Spouse: Candy Cender. Parents: Alva and Edna Cender. Other survivors: children Rachel, Michelle, Allyson, Clinton. Funeral: Jan. 9 at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Mark married Candace Miller [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wesley married Shirley Jean Albrecht [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: [Contributed by Gail Hahn Hutchcraft]
ROSALIE M. (Hieser) SOMMER
6-20-1935 to 5-12-1984
Services: Tuesday, May 15, 1984
Gibson City Bible Church, Gibson City, Il
Officiating: Rev. Thomas Condron, Rev. Michael Barr
Burial: Drummer Twp Cemetery, Gibson City, Il
Pallbearers:
Bryan Sommer
Brad Sommer
Mike Sommer
Craig Hieser
Steve Hieser
Roger Hieser, Sr.
(Lamb Funeral Home)

Buried:
Drummer Township Cemetery

Rosalie married Willis Sommer on 19 Oct 1954. Willis (son of Nelson C. Sommer and Ella Kauffmann) was born on 19 Jan 1931 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 16 Jun 2018 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jeanette married Roger Sphar [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Roger married Sharon Lee Rittenhouse [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jerry married Janet Alice Maxwell [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Judith married Lotus Hershberger [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Goshen College - music major, later masters degree in education.
• Occupation: Teaching

Notes:

Obit: https://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/maris-kneeland/article_fb52fe54-3dad-11ea-a316-5cb9017b9fe4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR3F--grz5nI8gihMkmdNsumLy8Xim1thlwK3skORD3CHJOboPfIkye7EaU

DEWEY — Maris Ann Knox Kneeland, 80, of Dewey passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, at her home, surrounded by family.

She was born on June 11, 1939, to Florence (Hieser) and Alvin Knox in Dewey. She started school in Fisher grade school, graduated from Fisher High School and majored in music at Goshen College. She later earned her master’s degree in education. She started teaching at Milford Grade School. While teaching music in Milford, Ind., she met and married Justin Kneeland on Dec. 22, 1963, at the East Bend Mennonite Church, Dewey.

She is survived by her husband, Justin of Dewey; two children, Monique (Derek) Anderson of Owings, Md., and Justin (Irina) Kneeland of Paddock Lake, Wis.; a brother, Larry (Priscilla) Knox of Champaign; three sisters, Janet (Joe) Landis of Harleysville, Pa., and Lillian Knox and Jane Knox, both of Wheaton; and four grandchildren, Emily, Joshua, Michael and Nicholas.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

Maris surrounded herself with music. She loved teaching music to children and used her talents in every area they lived. She was also involved in the music at her church.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday afternoon at 3 at the Dewey Community Church. The Rev. Neal Hauser will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 to 3, also on Sunday at the church.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. the following Saturday at the Stoneypoint Cemetery in Etna Green, Ind.
Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul, is handling the arrangements.

Died:
At her home

Buried:
Stoneypoint Cemetery

Maris married Justin Hamilton Kneeland [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Priscilla Lane Birkey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Warren married Mary Ellen Wyles [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Suzanne married Jerry S. Oyer [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Carolyn married James Richard Miller [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nancy married William Charles Cagle [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mahlon married Esther Lucille Burkey [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Milton married Ruth Alderfer Wismer [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:

Cender, Eldon E., 60, Gibson City, Ill. Born: July 20, 1931, Fisher, Ill., to Emery P. and Mattie Stalter Cender. Died:

GIBSON CITY — Eldon E. Cender, 60, of Gibson City, died at 7 a.m. yesterday June 28, 1992 at Gibson Manor Nursing Home, Gibson City.

A memorial service was held at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, the Rev. Millard Osborne officiating. Visitation at Lamb Funeral Home

He was born July 20, 1931, near Fisher, the son of Emery P. and Mattie Stalter Cender. He married Rosa M. Beachey July 28, 1956, in Arthur. She survives in Gibson City.

Also surviving are his father, Gibson City; one son, Norman, Gibson City; one daughter, Leanna Kaser, Schaumburg; two grandchildren; three brothers, Mahlon and Lowell, both of Goshen, Ind., and Milton, Gibson City; and five sisters, Fern Martin, Downers Grove; Wilda Otto, Brussels, Belgium; Vietta Nofziger, McPhearson, Kan.; Marlene Kaufman, Akron, Pa.; and Mary Jo Oswald, Lake Jackson, Texas.

His mother preceded him in death.

Mr. Cender retired from farming in 1964. He was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, rural Fisher.
————————
June 28, 1992, Gibson City, Ill., of multiple sclerosis. Survivors-wife: Rosa M. (Beachey) Cender; children: Norman Cender, Leanna Kaser; brothers and sisters: Mahlon, Lowell, and Milton Cender, Fern Martin, Wilda Otto, Vietta Nofziger, Marlene Kaufman, Mary Jo Oswald; 2 grandchildren. Funeral: July 1, East Bend Mennonite Church, by Millard Osborne.

Eldon married Rosa Marie Beachy [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lowell married Lydia Rodriguez [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Fern married Elton Boyer Martin [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wilda married Robert Wisseman Otto [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Vietta married Donald Dennis Nofziger [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lenora married Gerald Wayne Kaufman [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Wesley Willis Oswald [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]