Stauffer, Ezra (1898-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Sep 8 p. 8

Birth date: 1898 Feb 15

REV. EZRA STAUFFER

Ezra Stauffer, youngest son of Joseph R. and Mattie Bender Stauffer, was born near Milford, Neb. Feb. 15, 1898, and passed away during a heart attack near his home at Tofield, Alberta on Aug. 1, 1955, aged 57 years, five months and 17 days.

He had been afflicted with a heart condition since the spring of 1950, during which time he spent periods of from two to eight weeks in the hospital. He expressed his gratefulness to God on Thanksgiving Day of 1954, that he was privileged to be at home with his loved ones all year.

In his youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and became a member of the Salem Mennonite church near Tofield, Alberta, to which church he remained faithful.

On Aug. 20, 1920, he was united in marriage to Irene Lehman. To this union were born two sons and three daughters. His companion and two small daughters preceded him in death. On April 6, 1949, he was married to Stella good Huber. To this union was born one daughter, Ruth Ann.

He leaves to mourn his departure his loving life {sic]; two sons, Joseph Robert and James Leroy; two daughters, Beulah Mary (Mrs. John A. Hostetler) and Ruth Ann; two granddaughters and two grandsons; two sisters, Mrs. Lena Reil and Lucinda (Mrs. Dave Yoder); and a large circle of nieces nephews, relatives and friends. Four sisters and one brother preceded him in death in the past six years.

He served in the capacity of superintendent of the Sunday school for many years and was always interested in holding children's meetings. He taught in winter Bible school for many years, having a special interest in the teaching of prophecy. He also served as Conference Historian for twenty years, during which time he collected a great deal of historical data relative to the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference. It was his hope that much of this material would be published in book form, but this hope was not realized during his lifetime.

He was ordained to the ministry at Carstairs June 28, 1945. After serving the congregation there for several years he returned to the Tofield district where he resided until his death.

He was blessed with a keen mind and could readily analyze Scripture. His services as a Bible school teacher will long be remembered by the many stude4nts whom he has taught.

Funeral services were held at the Salem church near Tofield, Alberta on Aug. 5 in charge of Bishop John B. Stauffer. Bishop Stanley Shantz spoke on "Heaven." Rev. Milo Stutzman spoke briefly on II Cor. 5:1, followed by a sermon by Bishop Clarence Ramer, who also had chosen II Cor. 5:1 for his text.