Rodgers, Emerson R. (1891-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 May 25 p. 8

Birth date: 1891 Mar 17

text of obituary:

Newton and Vicinity

. . .

• Funeral services for Emerson R. Rodgers, 81, retired farmer of Wellman, Iowa, were held May 13 at the West Union Mennonite Church near Kalona with Rev. Emery Hochstetler and Rev. Ron Kennel officiating. Mr. Rodgers died May 10 at the home near Wellman. He was born near Newton in 1891 and moved to Iowa in 1912. Survivors include his widow, the former Clara A. Guengerich; a son, Carl, and daughter, Mrs. Elwood Yoder, both of Wellman; six brothers and six sisters, among them Mrs. Martin Widowsky, Mrs. Oliver Miller, Walter and Tillman Rodgers, all of Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jun 15 p. 11

text of obituary:

EMERSON R. RODGERS

Emerson R. Rodgers, son of John and Eleanor Ferguson Rodgers, was born on March 17, 1891, at Newton, Kan., the oldest of a family of 16 children. He died at his farm home near Wellman, Iowa on May 10, 1972 at the age of 81.

He grew to manhood in Kansas and came to Iowa in 1912 at the age of 21. On Sept. 12, 1921, he was married to Clara Anna Guengerich by Bishop J. K. Yoder at the West Union Church. To this union were born a son, Carl, and a daughter, Carolyn, Mrs. Elwood Yoder, both of Wellman. He had 15 grandchildren, all living.

Also surviving are six brothers and six sisters: Esther Swartzendruber, Wellman; Ralph, Milford, Neb.; Grace Zook, Bucyrus, Mo.; Sarepta Eschman, Hills; Glenn, Elkhart, Ind.; Myrtle Widowsky, Newton, Kan.; Nina Miller, Newton, Kan.; Sam, Iowa city; Walter, Newton, Kan.; Bertha Zook, Wichita, Kan.; Tilman, Newton, Kan.; and Wilson Davenport. Three brothers preceded him in death.

Emerson confessed Christ at the age of 15 and was baptized at the Pennsylvania Mennonite Church near Hesston, Kan. by Bishop T. M. Erb. He transferred his membership to the West Union congregation on Nov. 19, 1916, where he was a member for over 55 years. He served a number of years in the Sunday school as one of the superintendents or as teacher and attended regularly as long as health permitted. He read the Bible faithfully, reading it through each year the last number of years.

Emerson and Clara lived together in marriage more than 50 years, all on the same farm north of Wellman. He enjoyed good health most of his life, becoming seriously ill in March of this year.

Funeral services were conducted at the West Union Church on May 13 by Pastor Emery Hostetler. Burial was made in the church cemetery.