Alvin Rudolph Birkey

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Elementary Education at Dixon School
• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 6
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Complication From A Stabbing
• Baptism: 21 Oct 1906, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 1920, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 1930, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey, Alvin R., son of Valentine and Phoebe (Good) Birkey, was born at Abilene, Kan., Nov. 13, 1891; died at the Burnham City Hospital, Champaign, Ill., Jan. 3, 1973; aged 81 y. 1 m. 21 d. On Jan. 29, 1913, he was married to Amelia Zehr, who preceded him in death on Sept. 19, 1965. Surviving are 6 sons (Ellis, Marvin, Floyd, Carroll, Ivan, and Delmar), 2 daughters (Viola - Mrs. Harve Stacey and Margaret - Mrs. Verle Oyer), 24 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters (Katie - Mrs. Dan Zehr, Ada - Mrs. Glenn Foley, and Edna - Mrs. Harold Schertz), and 3 brothers (Joe, Joel, and Silas). He was preceded in death by one son (Roy), one grandchild, and 2 sisters. He was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held, Jan. 6, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum; interment in the East Bend Cemetery.

Birth:
In a sod house

Baptism:
East Bend Mennonite Church, by Peter Zehr

Census:
Alvin, head, age 28; Amelia, wife, age 28; Ellis L., Viola E., Marvin A., Floyd D.

Census:
Alvin, head, age 38; Amelia, wife, age 38; Ellis, Viola, Marvin, Floyd, Ivan, Margaret, Carroll; Barbara Zehr, mother-in-law, age 72.

Died:
Burnham City Hospital

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Alvin married Amelia Alberta Zehr on 29 Jan 1913 in East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL. Amelia (daughter of Bishop Peter Zehr and Barbara Heiser) was born on 6 Oct 1891 in East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL; died on 19 Sep 1965 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 22 Sep 1965 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• DESC: Turk Was An “amazing” Mechanic. He Made Radios As A Kid, Learned To Fly An Airplane, Knew About Hydrolics.
• Education: Sixth Grade, Then Self Taught. In First Grade Ellis Spoke Only German And Had To Learn English.
• HOBB: HAM radio operator for many years
• Occupation: Mechanic; Partner, Birkey’s Farm Store
• Religion: Mennonite
• Residence: Lake Of The Ozarks, MO
• USR1: Old Age/Flu Combination
• Residence: 1998, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Residence:
at retirement

Residence:
Health problems brought them back to Fisher

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Ellis married Wilma Mae Hedrick on 24 Mar 1934 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL. Wilma (daughter of John Hugh Hedrick and Nola Cummings) was born on 18 Sep 1914; died on 31 Dec 2003 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 3 Jan 2004 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite/Protestant

Notes:

Obit: http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2010-09-11/viola-stacey.html
FISHER – Viola Elizabeth Stacey, 95, of Fisher died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at the Illini Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care in Champaign.
Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at Gibson City Bible Church in Gibson City with the Rev. Paul Thomason officiating. Burial will be in East Bend Memorial Gardens in Fisher.
Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services on Monday at the church.
Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Stacey was born Dec. 28, 1914, in Foosland, a daughter of Alvin R. and Amelia (Zehr) Birkey. She married Harvey B. Stacey on June 22, 1938, in Fisher. He died Jan. 31, 1986. Surviving are two daughters, Janice (John) Key and Becky (David) Adams; a son, Jim Stacey; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and a brother, Kelly (Minerva) Birkey.
She was preceded in death by one sister and six brothers.
Viola lived in the Fisher and Foosland area all of her life. She worked 18 years at the Fisher post office. She was a member of Gibson City Bible Church and the Senior Citizens Group. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, scrapbooking and gardening. She often canned her harvest.
Memorials may be made to the Gibson City Bible Church.

Died:
Illinois Heritage Rehab and Health Care Center

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Viola married Harvey Bernard Stacey on 28 Jun 1938 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL. Harvey (son of James M. Stacey and Zadel Aldrich) was born on 11 Oct 1912 in Louisville, IL; died on 31 Jan 1986 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 2 Feb 1986 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Grade School
• MILF: Y
• Occupation: Mechanic; Partner, Birkey’s Farm Store
• Religion: Protestant
• USR1: Brain Aneurysm

Notes:

Buried:
Willowbrook Cemetery

Marvin married Dorothy Alice Whittaker on 6 Apr 1941 in IL. Dorothy (daughter of Lyman Whittaker and Nell Booth) was born on 27 Mar 1924 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; died in 1988 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Grade School At Dixon One-Room School Rural Foosland. Later Received High School GED After Retirement.
• MILF: Y
• Occupation: Farm Work, Then Springer Implement, Fisher, IL; Co-Founderand Past President Of Birkey’s Farm Stores Which Started In 1954.
• Religion: Mennonite/Methodist
• USR1: Complications of Alzheimers
• Retired: 1978, Paxton, Ford Co., IL
• Residence: 1978-2000, Horseshoe Bend, AR

Notes:

Obit: Full obituary: Commercial-News (Danville, IL) - Monday, November 2, 2009

Floyd Daniel Birkey, 90, was a son of Alvin and Amelia Zehr Birkey. He married Jean Allen on Feb. 27, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are his daughters, Shirley (Roger) Greenup and Donna Alsteen, his sons, Ron (RaNae) Birkey and Brian Birkey three granddaughters, four great-grandchildren, his brother, Carroll "Kelly" (Minerva) Birkey and two sisters, Viola Stacy and Margret Oyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II.

Residence:
For a large portion of the time in AR owned a farm that Floyd and Brian cared for.

Died:
Heartland Health Care Center

Buried:
Willow Brook Cemetery

Floyd married Emma Jean Allen on 27 Feb 1941 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. Emma (daughter of Forrest R. Allen and Hattie Davis) was born on 11 Oct 1920 in Mode, Shelby Co., IL; died on 27 May 2020 in Urbana, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Education: Grade School Education Only
• Occupation: Farmer/Minister
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Liver Cancer
• Baptism: 9 Sep 1934, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Ordained: 11 Dec 1955, Dewey, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Served the Dewey Mennonite Church as pastor for 35 years, ending on April 25, 1982.

Birth:
At home

Baptism:
East Bend by J. A. Heiser

Ordained:
Dewey Mennonite Church

Died:
Memorial leaflet in file. Preparer attended funeral

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Ivan married Verna Mae Good on 13 Jan 1945 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Verna (daughter of Leroy E. Good and Leah Eichelberger) was born on 12 Aug 1925; died on 16 Apr 2013 in Gifford, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 20 Apr 2013 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary: Oct. 18, 1923 Gospel Herald
Birky.- Roy Emery, son of Bro. Alvin and Sister Amelia Birky, was born Aug. 29, 1923; died Oct. 2, 1923; aged 1 m. 3 d. Death was caused by complication of diseases. He leaves his parents, one sister (Viola), four brothers (Ellis, Marvin, Floyd and Ivan); two grandmothers, one grandfather, and many other relatives. Funeral services were conducted by J. A. Hieser and Samuel Zehr. Little Roy Emery's stay on earth was short and his last days were full of suffering, but we have the blessed assurance that he has gone to a long eternity where there is no more suffering. Therefore, we will say with Job: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

The Great Jehovah full of love,
An angel bright did send,
And took our little, harmless dove,
To joys that never end.
By his Aunt Katie.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Homemaker, Doctor’s Receptionist
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Many Years Of Multiple Sclorosis

Notes:

Obituary:
GIBSON CITY – Margaret Vera Oyer, 85, of Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, formerly of Gibson City and Foosland, died at 5 p.m. Saturday (July 3, 2010) at the retirement community.
Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, at the East Bend Mennonite Church, rural Fisher, with Rev. Michael Dean officiating. Burial will precede the service at 9:30 a.m. in the East Bend Memorial Gardens near the church. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, at the Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Mrs. Oyer was born on Sept. 19, 1924, near Foosland, a daughter of Alvin and Amelia Zehr Birkey. She married Verle Christian Oyer on Aug. 29, 1945. He passed away on Feb. 10, 2003.
She is survived by two sons, Verle Curtis Oyer of Bloomington and Vance Gordon Oyer of Champaign; one daughter, Vera Christine Oyer of Decatur; one sister, Viola Stacey of Champaign; and one brother, Carroll "Kelly" (Minerva) Birkey of Paxton.
Her parents and six brothers also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Oyer attended rural Dixon school in East Bend Township, Champaign County, graduating from eighth grade and then remaining at home during the Depression to help her parents with the duties of a large family and farming until her marriage.
She later served as a nurse's aide at Gibson Manor Nursing Home for three years and as a receptionist in the office of Dr. George Elfers of Bellflower for 12 years.
She battled the progressively debilitating disease multiple sclerosis for 45 years, while maintaining her strong faith in God and engagement with life.

Since her baptism as a youth, she remained a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where she served in many ways, including Sunday school teacher and superintendent, Bible school chair, and church co-historian with her husband.

She was a charter member of the Illinois Mennonite Historical and Genealogical Society. She enjoyed collecting angels, bells, and butterflies, sewing and knitting, jigsaw and word puzzles, researching genealogy, and conversing with people. Mrs. Oyer was deeply loved by her family, who are grateful to all who supported her in so many ways. Special thanks to the administration and staff of Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community and Advocate BroMenn Hospice for the wonderful care provided to her.

Memorials may be made to Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, the East Bend Mennonite Church, or the Illinois Mennonite Historical and Genealogical Society.

——————



---------

Died:
Meadows Mennonite Retirement Home at 5:00 in the afternoon

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Memorial Gardens

Margaret married Verle Christian Oyer on 29 Aug 1945 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL. Verle (son of Samuel Oyer and Elmira M. Naffziger) was born on 8 Sep 1920; died on 10 Feb 2003 in Meadows, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Carroll married Minerva Jean Stalter [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Education: Southeastern Bible College, Columbia Bible College (Columbia International University),Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Bethany Theological Seminary
• Occupation: Avocation of sign painting, beginning as a teen lettering his father’s name on the farm truck, continuing off and on throughout his life. For some years expressing artistry through Bible stories illustrated by chalk drawings.
• Occupation: Pastoral/Ministerial - Served in several churches over the years.
• Reference Number: 2
• Religion: Christian
• USR1: Brain hemorrhage {probably amaloid angiopathy}
• Baptism: 30 May 1943, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Ordained: 2 Jan 1955, Gibson City, Ford Co., IL
• Graduation: Jun 1957, Columbia, Richland Co., SC
• Graduation: Jun 1969, Deerfield, Lake Co., IL
• Graduation: Jun 1985, Oak Brook, DuPage Co., IL

Notes:

The only one of his family to graduate from high school, Del went on to earn a B.A. in Biblical Education, an M.Div, and a D. Min. Ordained at the age of 19. Over the years kept up an avocation of sign painting in addition to his ministry in churches. Also used magic effectively with children. Wrote his first book in 1988, The House Church, published by Herald Press. Second book, The Fall of Patriarchy, was published by Fenestra in March 2005.

Birth:
In parent’s farm home

Baptism:
By J. A. Heiser

Ordained:
By Gibson City Bible Church

Graduation:
BA in BE, Columbia Bible College

Graduation:
M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (cum laude)

Graduation:
D. Min., Bethany Theological Seminary

Died:
Central DuPage Hospital

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Church Memorial Gardens - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187793677/delmar-gene-birkey

Delmar married Donna Nadine Schrock [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Patricia married Gerald Heiser [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Larry married Kathy Green [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Janice married Eugene Gale Heiser [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Jerry Kuykendall. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Keys. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Fisher High School, 1960, Moody Bible Institute in 1966
• Occupation: Pastor, Woodworker
• USR1: Pancreatic cancer
• Ordained: 20 Apr 1969, Gibson City, Ford Co., IL
• EMPL: 1977, Chelsea, MI

Notes:

Ordained:
Gibson City Bible Church

EMPL:
Chelsea Baptist Church

James married Joy Marie Harrington [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Becky married Joseph Holland Briggs, Sr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Becky married David Adams [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dennis married Estello Adelle Dunkin [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Family/Spouse: (Private) Ayers. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Shirley married Richard Crawford [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Shirley married Roger Greenup [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Donna married Harry Alsteen [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ronald married Ranae Lynn Jones [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Larry Richard Knox. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ralph (Dutch) Potts, Iii. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Debra married Arlo Donley Deremiah [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Paxton High School, 1973
• Occupation: Children’s day care provider
• USR1: Cancer

Notes:

OBIT: http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2018-05-08/teri-adwell.html

PAXTON — Teresa Lee “Teri” Adwell, 63, of Paxton passed away at 4:08 a.m. Monday (May 7, 2018) at the home of her parents in Paxton.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018, at Christian Life Church, 300 N. Maplewood Drive, Rantoul, with Pastor Barry Hinkle officiating. Private family burial will be in Glen Cemetery, Paxton. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells St., Paxton.

Teri was born Feb. 24, 1955, in Champaign, the daughter of Carroll “Kelly” and Minerva Stalter Birkey. She married Michal Adwell on Feb. 15, 1974, at East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher. He survives.
Along with her husband, Mike, of more than 44 years, she is survived by her parents, Kelly and Minerva Birkey of Paxton; daughter, Kimberly (Brian) Marshall of Paxton; two sons, Levi (Nikki) Adwell of Erie, Pa., and Jesse (Blair) Adwell of Loda; six grandchildren, Faith Fuoss, Kassidy, Sydney and Grant Marshall, Bella and Enrik Robert Adwell; brother, Jeff (Sherrill) Birkey of St. Joseph; and two sisters, Debra (Arlo) Deremiah and Jan Wilson, both of Paxton.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Haley Adwell Lukens, and granddaughter, Madison Fuoss.
Teri graduated from Paxton High School in 1973. She was an active member of Christian Life Church, Rantoul. Teri loved being a “mom” and “meme,” not only to her own children and grandchildren, but to the many children she provided day care for during the past 35 years.

Memorials may be made to Christian Life Church Youth Ascension Convention. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.

Died:
At the home of her parents

Buried:
Glen Cemetery

Teresa married Michael Douglas Adwell [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Champaign, Champaign Co., IL

Jan married Jeffrey Wilson [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jeffrey married Sherrill Ann Millis [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Randal married Deborah Susan Wolgemuth [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Cynthia married Gillian Joseph Hernandez [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barry married Hester (Suzi) Cowen [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barry married Jennifer Anne Dziewior [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Todd Wyse. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Afforded

David married Mary Beiler on 26 Mar 1988 in Columbia, MD. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Laura Marie Birkey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Kirk Redding. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

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

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

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

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

Michelle married Anthony Kollross [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Michelle married Greg Hansens [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Kevin married Crystal C. Farrow [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Carrie married Baron Verge on 25 Feb 2006. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Holly married Eric L. Ashford [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Kathryn married Jamin Seabert [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Family/Spouse: Bryan Lock. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Adam married Larissa Hernandez [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Brian Marshall. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Carle Foundation Hospital. Service at Living Word Fellowship Church, St. Joseph, IL

Haley married Lawrence W. Lukens in Apr 2004 in Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wife, Nikki.

Notes:

Wife, Blair.

Taylor married Laura Hurni [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Noel married Robyn Alicia Peterson [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Marshall married Anne Marie Sanchez [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Kathryn married Nate Scheibe [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ashley married Daniel Pitariu [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bethany married James Edward Eugene Morrissy [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ian married Meggie Mae Zayas [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christy married Rob Zimny [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jennifer married Charlie Reynolds [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Katie married Efrain De La Rosa [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Molly Ciszek [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Julie married Julio Cortez [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]