Selzer, Harry Edward (1889-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Oct 17 p. 3

Birth date: 1889 Apr 18

text of obituary:

HARRY EDWARD SELZER

Harry Edward, son of Benjamin and Caroline Selzer, was born near Dundee, Ohio, April 18, 1889 and passed away at his home in Canton, Kansas, October 1, 1946, age 57 years, five months, and 12 days. At the age of four years he moved with his parents to McPherson county, Kansas. In his youth he united with the Mennonite church.

On November 27, 1913 he was united in marriage to Edna Beck of Peabody, Kansas. This union was blessed with seven daughters, Kathryn (Mrs. Ralph Shank) Hubbard, Oregon; Violet, Wichita, Kansas; Roberta (Mrs. Allen Bitikofer) Canton, Kansas; Ruby (Mrs. Earl Ressler) Embarrass, Minnesota; Arletta, Doris, and Gladys at home.

The first few years of their married life were spent near Peabody, Kansas. From there they moved near Canton. Due to poor health, the family went to Colorado where they spent five years. They again moved back to Canton where he lived the remainder of his life.

He was a faithful husband and father and always willing to do what he could for others. He was much interested in the church. During the last few months of his life, he spoke many times of the importance of being ready to meet our Savior and of his Heavenly mansion. We know he was anxious to leave the pain and suffering in this life and be at rest with Him who giveth us Eternal rest.

On Monday of last week he expressed a desire to talk things over with his wife. He said he felt that he wouldn’t be here much longer and longed to see his heavenly mansion. He mentioned his mansion several times and how anxious he was to go. He also stated that he wanted no praise for himself but only wished he had done something to win some soul for Christ. We could not understand just why he was saying these things but we understand more fully now because it was the next day, without warning, that he suffered a cerebral hemmorrhage [sic] which paralyzed his right side and speech was gone. Even though loving hands did all they could, he never regained consciousness and passed away quietly just one week later.

He will be greatly missed in the home but we know our loss is his gain.

He is survived by his widow and seven daughters; four grandchildren; one sister, Minnie (Mrs. Otto Holgerson) Canton, Kansas; two brothers, Melvin of Talmadge and Will of Canton; and other relatives and friends. His parents, two brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 4, at 1:30 at the house and 2:30 at the Spring Valley Mennonite church near Canton. Jess Kauffman and Charles Diener were in charge. Interment in adjoining cemetery.

There’s an open gate at the end of the road
Through which each must go alone;
And there in a light we cannot see
Our Father claims his own;

Beyond the gate our loved one
Finds happiness and rest,
And there is comfort in the thought
That a loving God knows best.

— The Family