Petersheim, Christian U. (1914-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Apr 23 p. 7

Birth date: 1914

text of obituary:

Father of Eleven Dies When Kicked by Mule

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA. FAMILY, AGES FIVE TO TWENTY-TWO, ORPHANED

Kirkwood, Pa. — This community was saddened by the sudden, accidental death of Christian U. Petersheim, 45, Amish farmer of New Holland who was instantly killed the evening of April 6 when kicked by a mule.

Mr. Petersheim was a widower, and the tragic mishap orphaned his 11 children ranging in age from five to 22. The mother, who was Emma Lapp, died in October 1956. All of the children were still living at home.

Funeral services were held at the Petersheim home on April 11, and were largely attended.

It is believed that Mr. Petersheim had just come in from the field and was unharnessing the mule when it kicked him in the chest and threw him against the barn wall. The body was found by some of the children when he failed to come into the house.

Surviving in addition to the children are a number of sisters and one brother, and his mother, Mrs. Susie Petersheim.