Steiner, E. R. (1867-1929)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1929 Apr 25 p. 7

Birth date: 1867

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1929 Apr 3 p. 1

text of obituary:

UPLAND CITIZEN MEETS TRAGIC DEATH IN LOS ANGELES

Upland, Calif., March 26. — A happily planned pleasure trip, a picnic and meeting with old friends and neighbors ended in a tragedy Sunday night with the sudden death of E. R. Steiner, well known Upland citizen of 780 First avenue, who dropped dead on the street in Los Angeles.

Mr. and Mrs. Steiner went to Los Angeles Sunday to attend the Wayne county, Ohio, picnic and Mr. Steiner was in good spirits and seemingly in the best of leath [sic]. After leaving Sycamore Grove park, where the picnic was held, they made a trip to Long Beach and upon returning to Los Angeles they failed to make connections for the car they expected to take to Upland. This necessitated a long wait in the Pacfic Electric station for the next car, and Mr. Steiner decided to walk up the street a block or two, telling Mrs. Steiner he would return in a few minutes. As he often did this when waiting she felt no uneasiness about his leaving. But when he failed to return after some time she did begin to worry and to anxiously watch the clock as the hands crept round to the hour for the departure of the next train, trying to reassure herself that he would come soon. But when the time passed and the train pulled out of the station and still her husband had not returned, Mrs. Steiner could restrain her anxiety no longer and appealed to the station master. The police were notified and it was then the stricken wife learned her husband for whom she had waited was dead.

Mr. Steiner had been picked up at the corner of Sixth and Main at 8:10 and taken to the Georgia street receiving hospital where it as found he had been dead several minutes, apparently having died instantly. Securing his name and address from his clothing, the officers communicated with the Upland police, but as all other members of the Steiner family were out, no information could be secured. However, when Mrs. Stiener reported her husband missing, the two incidents were connected and officers took her to the hospital where she identified him.

The members of the family in Upland were finally reached when they returned home and were told the shocking news of their father's death. Ike Steiner and Mr. and Mrs. Elno Steiner left immediately for Los Angels, arriving there about one o'clock. The kindness and efficiency of the police, the telephone operators and the nurses at the hospital were a great aid to the grief-stricken family.

Mr. Steiner was 61 years old and had lived in Upland for 11 years. He was an employe of the Upland Lemon Growers' association and was well known to a large circle of friends who held him in high esteem and affection. Besides his wife, he leaves three daughters and three sons: Mrs. Gladys Corbin, of Oregon, who has telegraphed she will arrive here late Wednesday night; Mrs. Priscilla Deen, of San Bernardino; Miss Arvilla Steiner and Iraiah [sic Isaiah] and Elno Steiner, all of Upland, and Ferris Steiner of Amarillo, Texas. He also leaves one sister in Indiana and one in Oregon, one brother in Ohio and another in Oregon and two grandchildren.

Funeral Services

March 29. — Funeral services for E. R. Steiner, who died suddenly in Los Angels last Sunday night, were held at the Mennonite church at 3 o'clock this afternoon, the services being conducted by the Rev. Lester Hostetler, pastor of the church of which Mr. Steiner was a member. The church was filled with friends of the family and of Mr. Steiner, whom they held in high regard and whose memory they gathered to honor. There were many lovely floral tributes, the flowers being banked about the altar. The music was furnished by a double quartet composed of Mrs. W. F. Detweiler, Mrs. Emma Ruth, Miss Frieda Toews, Mrs. Mary Marier, A. J. Ledig, Dr. Kaufman, J. Boshard and C. C. Lichti.

The pall-bearers were selected from among his friends at the Upland Lemon Growers packing house, where he was employed, and his fellow church members, they being James Thompson, William Trunkfield, George Sturdevant, O. E. Hirschler, J. E. Krebill, and the Rev. J. K. Lichti, Sr.

Interment took place in Bellevue cemetery. — Upland News.