Massanari, Lizzie Sommer (1885-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Dec 6 p. 5

Birth date: 1885 Apr 4

text of obituary:

Died Suddenly of Heart Attack

Fisher, Ill. — Funeral services were conducted at the East Bend Mennonite church near here for Mrs. Lizzie Massanari, 71, who died suddenly of a heart attack Sunday morning, Nov. 18, at the home in Fisher.

The former Lizzie Sommer of Metamora, she had lived in this community since her marriage to Joseph Massanari in 1912.

Surviving in addition to her husband, a retired painter and interior decorator, are five sons, Dr. Karl of Goshen College, Robert and Joe of Champaign, Russell of Fisher, and Dr. Walter of Millersburg, Ind.; one daughter, Anna Kay, missionary in Puerto Rico; and 17 grandchildren.

A memorial fund for youth in Puerto Rico is being established in her memory.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Dec 27 p. 8

text of obituary:

LIZZIE S. MASSANARI

Lizzie Sommer Massanari was gorn [sic] April 4, 1985 [sic 1885], in Metamora, Ill., one of 12 children of John and Anna Sommer. In her early youth she accepted Christ as her Saviour and became a member of the Metamora Mennonite Church.

On Nov. 19, 1912, she married Joe Massanari. Together they set up housekeeping in the Fisher Community and became members of the East Bend Mennonite congregation. Six children were born to their family: Karl of Goshen, Ind., Robert and Joe of Champaign, Ill., Russell of Fisher, Walter of Millersburg, Ind. and Anna Kay, missionary to Puerto Rico.

She was a devoted wife and mother, radiating a strong Christian influence in her home. in the sunset of her life God called her home to be with Him and to the eternal reward promised all those who faithfully serve him. She passed away at 9 a.m. Sunday Nov. 18, 1956.

Mourning her departure in addition to the immediate family are five daughters-in-law; 17 grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Bena Darr of Fisher; two brothers, George I. Sommer and J. D. Sommer of Metamora; and many relatives and friends.

The feelings of the family on this occasion are most adequately expressed in Proverbs 31:18: "Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

Services were conducted on Nov. 21 in charge of Howard Zehr, pastor of the East Bend Church, assisted by Ivan Birkey and J. A. Heiser.