Hartzler, Martha Salome Heatwole (1884-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Dec 13 p.8

Birth date: 1884 Mar 24

text of obituary:

MRS. MARTHA HARTZLER

Martha Salome (Heatwole) Hartzler, daughter of the late Reuben and Margaret (Kilmer) Heatwole, was born in Harvey county, Kansas on March 24, 1884, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter Slagell, at Hydro, Oklahoma, November 25, 1951, at the age of 68 years, eight months, and one day.

In her youth she confessed Christ and united with the Mennonite Church and remained faithful to her vows both to the Lord and the Church.

On February 27, 1906, she was united in marriage to Joseph G. Hartzler of Cass county, Missouri, with whom she shared the joys and sorrows of life for forty-five years. To this union were born two sons and four daughters: Mildred (Mrs. Ralph Myers) Sweet Home, Oregon; Willard, Carstairs, Alberta, Canada; Ethel (Mrs. Norman Lind) Sweet Home, Oregon; Clifford, Carstairs, Alberta, Canada; Ida (Mrs. Walter Slagell, Hydro, Oklahoma; and Leona (Mrs. James Sayer) Carstairs, Alberta, Canada.

Surviving are her companion, six children, seventeen grandchildren, two sisters, Sarah (Mrs. Arthur Holderman) Montavallo [sic Montevallo], Missouri, and Susanna (Mrs. Charles Yoder), Windom, Kansas, and many other relatives and friends. Her parents, one brother, and three sisters preceded her in death.

She was much concerned for the spiritual well being of her family and the Church. She spent many hours on her knees in prayer for them. Her six children are all Christians and active members in the Mennonite Church. She was a faithful and devoted mother and companion, supporting her husband in his work as minister and bishop. As long as her health permitted she often accompanied him in filling his appointment at the different churches in his care.

She had been in failing health for the past five years, becoming seriously ill a year ago. Since her failing health made it impossible for her to remain in their own home, she with her husband spent the past year in the home of their daughter, Ida, where she was given loving care. The past six months she suffered much, but her Lord was very real to her and gave grace in her severe suffering. Now she has gone to her eternal reward where there is no pain nor disappointment. She was a sincere believer in simplicity and requested that there be no floral display at her funeral. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, a brief service was held in the Pleasant View church near Hydro, Oklahoma in charge of the brethren Alva Swartzendruber and John Slagell. The following day funeral service was held in her home church of West Liberty, in McPherson county, Kansas, in charge of the brethren Harry A. Diener, Alva Swartzendruber, and Menno M. Troyer. Sermon text was Rev. 14:13.

Burial was made in the West Liberty cemetery.