Steiner, Noah Franklin (1873-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Sep 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1873 Jan 18

text of obituary:

NOAH F. STEINER

Noah Franklin Steiner, son of Rev. Abraham and Mary Ann (Kohler) Steiner, was born three and one-half miles west of Bluffton, O. on January 18, 1873, the youngest of twelve children.

He lived on the family homestead until the time of his death on Aug 15, 1948, at the age of 75 years six months and 27 days. He had been in failing health for several years, but death came after a critical illness of 11 weeks during which time he bore his suffering patiently. In the last weeks of his life he expressed on a number of occasions his deep faith in God and his readiness to meet his Lord.

As a young man he accepted Christ as his Savior and united with the Evangelical Mennonite Church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He was always interested in the program of the church, having served as Sunday school superintendent, on the board of trustees, and on the church council. He was also a member of the Bluffton College Board of Trustees for a number of years.

On January 6, 1895, he was united in marriage to Susan Gerig of Leo, Indiana. Together they shared life's joys and sorrows for over 53 years. They observed their golden wedding anniversary in 1945.

To this union eleven children were born, of whom four, Abraham, Jonathan, Glen, and Rosella, died in infancy. He leaves to mourn his departure his life-time companion; five daughters, Mrs. Albert Oyer, Mrs. Adella Oyer, Mrs. Earl Jorg, Mrs. Karl Gierman of Bluffton, and Mrs. Harry Bertsche of Archbold; two sons, Nelson of Bluffton, and Stanley of Detroit, Michigan; fourteen grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren. One grandson preceded him in death. Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Luginbill of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, besides a host of relatives and friends.

He was a devoted husband and father, and will be greatly missed in his home, the church, and the community.