Driver, Cornelius Branner (1879-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jan 5 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 Jun 1

text of obituary:

MINISTER OF MISSOURI CONGREGATION CALLED AWAY IN DEATH

Versailles, Mo. — Funeral services for C. B. Driver, a minister of the Mt. Zion Mennonite congregation here since 1920, were held at the Mt. Zion church Sunday, Dec. 18. He died of a heart attack at his home Dec. 15.

A native of the Versailles community, he was ordained to the ministry in 1916 and served the Berea Mennonite congregation in Shannon County for four years before returning here to serve the home congregation. For many years he also held bi-monthly services in the Gravois Mills community south of here.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jan 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS B. DRIVER

Cornelius Branner Driver, familiarly known as Neal, was born June 1, 1879, in the farming community northeast of Versailles, Mo., and died of a heart attack at his home Thursday, Dec. 15, at the age of 76 years, five months and 15 days.

He was the son of Minister Daniel F. and Sarah Branner Driver. As a youth he gave his heart to Christ and united with the Mt. Zion Mennonite church in his home community.

On Sept. 17, 1911, he was united in marriage with Lydia Harder who shared with him the remainder of life's experiences. No children were born to them.

On Jan.1, 1916, Bro. Driver accepted the call to serve in the ministry and was ordained. He was called to serve the Berea Mennonite church near Birch Tree in Shannon County, Mo. After laboring faithfully there for four years, in the spring of 1920 he and his companion moved back to the Mt. Zion community near Versailles where he farmed for a living and continued to serve in the ministry. He served the Mt. Zion congregation and for many years held services bi-monthly in the Gravois Mills community south of Versailles.

He willingly made his chief interest the cause of Christ and the church, unselfishly serving whenever he was asked to serve. he was deeply interested in the people of his home community and often gave assistance in times of need. His presence will be sadly missed in the home, the community and the Mt. Zion congregation.

Bro. Driver was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Frank, Lewis, John and Jake; two sisters, Emma, Mrs. Dave Shank, and Ida, Mrs. Wm. Lengle. He is survived by his wife; two brothers, Joe D. Driver of La Junta, Colo. and Arthur Driver of Howe, Ind.; and two sisters, Maggie Driver and Mrs. Fanny Dettwiler of the home.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Mt. Zion church with Bro. Harry A. Diener of Hutchinson, Kan. officiating, assisted by brethren Dan Kauffman of Leonard, Mo. and Amos Gingerich of Parnell, Iowa. Interment was in Mt. Zion cemetery.

Among those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Brunk of Colorado Springs, Colo., Joe C. Driver of LaJunta, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Harder, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Harder, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Detweiler, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kauffman and children, all of Leonard, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Orley Kenagy, Irwin Kenagy, Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Hershberger, of Harrisonville, Mo., Amos Gingerich and son Truman of Parnell, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Protus Brubaker of Edwards, Mo., Jake Driver of Blue Springs, Mo. and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Driver of Quen