Hershberger, Mabel Alice Hartzler (1885-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 12 p. 8

Birth date: 1885 Jan 21

text of obituary:

MRS. MABEL HERSHBERGER

Mabel Alice (Hartzler) Hershberger, daughter of Amos J. and Mattie (Blough) Hartzler, was born near Goshen, Ind. on Jan. 21, 1885. she passed away Jan. 26, 1959, from a heart condition, reaching the age of 74 years and five days. When she was six weeks old her parents moved to Missouri, and the rest of her life was spent in Cass County, Mo.

On Jan. 17, 1907, she was married to S. S. Hershberger. To this union were born eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. They are Alma (Mrs. Jonathan Mast) of Hesston, Kan., Irvin of Harrisonville, Mo., Ruth of Marshall, Mo., Elba of Harrisonville, Laura of the home, who has faithfully cared for her parents, Ralph of Harrisonville, Herman of Hesston, Kan., and Lela (Mrs. Harold Stutzman) of Kinross, Iowa.

In her youth she accepted Christ as her Savior and was happy and faithful in His service. Since 1913 she had served faithfully in the capacity of a minister's wife. She was of a meek and quiet spirit, according to I Peter 3:4. In this she was a great help to her companion. We remember mother as reading her Bible often. In going about her work she would sing entire hymns from memory, although her memory was failing in the last years.

Mother, like father, was interested in the welfare of the children and also tried to work for the good of the church at all times as well as for others. Many friends have enjoyed being at her table and in the home.

Two years ago our parents observed their 50th wedding anniversary.

Mother is the first to go from us, and heaven seems closer now. She leaves a big vacancy here, but we can not wish her back for we know it is better over there.

Besides her husband and children she is survived by 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Jerry Dee Mast. She also leaves two brothers and two sisters, Earl Hartzler of Harrisonville, Jesse D. Hartzler of Wellman, Ia., Bertha E. Hartzler of East Lynne, Mo. and Mrs. Prudence Pickett of St. Joseph, Mo. Here mother passed away when she was eight years old, in 1893, and her father in 1924. Also two brothers, Vernon and Franklin, preceded her.

Funeral services were held in the home and at the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church by James D. Yoder, R. P. Herst and Harry Diener. Interment was made in Clearfork cemetery.