Reimer, Alvin J. (1907-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Dec 31 p. 6

Birth date: 1907 Oct 2

text of obituary:

. . .

— Alvin J. Reimer, 52, music instructor at Bethany college in Lindsborg, died unexpectedly Monday following a heart attack. A well-known high school music teacher at Stafford before joining the Bethany faculty several years ago, Mr. Reimer had suffered an initial heart attack early last summer. However, he recovered and had resumed full teaching duties. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two daughters and one son, a sister, Mrs. Harry Martens of Elkhart, Ind., one brother, John Reimer of River Edge, N. J., and a brother-in-law, J. f. Banman of North Newton. funeral services are to be conducted Friday at 10 a. m. at the Bethany Lutheran church in Lindsborg and 2 p. m. in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church near Inman.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Jan 28 p. 8

text of obituary:

ALVIN J. REIMER

Alvin J. Reimer, son of Abram B. and Katie Dyck Reimer, was born Oct. 2, 1907, at Moundridge, Kansas. He was baptized and received into the membership of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church near Inman, Kansas on May 31, 1925, by the Elder Abraham Ratzlaff. He remained a member of this church until his untimely death Dec. 28, 1959 in the Lindsborg Community hospital following an acute heart attack.

He was married to Elizabeth Banman July 21, 1936, at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church, Goessel, Kansas. To this union were born three children.

Mr. Reimer was a graduate of Buhler High school and received his B. S. degree from Bethel college, North Newton, Kansas in 1932. He completed his graduate work for an M.A. degree at the University of Kansas, and attended numerous sessions and seminars studying under such men as F. Melius Chrstiansen and Fred Waring.

He began his teaching career in the elementary school near Canton, Kansas. Following this he embarked upon a dynamic career of teaching music in public schools for a period of more than 24 years, at Durham, Inman, Stafford, and Hoisington.

Mr. Reimer joined the faculty of Bethany college, Lindsborg, Kansas, in the fall of 1958 as associate professor of Music Education and director of the Bethany College choir.

In addition to his teaching duties at the college he was also director of the Bethany Lutheran Church choir of Lindsborg. In November of this year he had been named to conduct the Messiah Chorus in their Easter week performances. This would have been his first year to conduct that great oratorio group and would have been a crowning experience of his extensive music career. His last public appearance was the annual Christmas program presented by the Bethany College choir.

He belonged to many organizations including the Music Education, National Association, Kansas Music Educator's Association, National Education Association, and Kansas Music Teacher's Association.

He also served as associate editor of the Kansas Music Review and wrote numerous articles on church music which appeared in religious publications.

Mr. Reimer is survived by his widow, Elizabeth; two daughters, Janice and Judy, both students at Bethany college, and a son Jon Marc, a Lindsborg Rural high School student; one sister, Mrs. Harry Martens of Elkhart, Ind. and one brother, John Reimer, River Edge, New Jersey.