Hershberger, Samuel S. (1883-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 May 24 p. 5

Birth date: 1883 May 13

text of obituary:

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• Rev. S. S. Hershberger, 79, of Garden City, Mo., died May 18 after several years of illness. He was the father of Mrs. Jonathan Mast and Herman Hershberger of Hesston. Funeral services were held May 20 at the Sycamore Grove Church at Garden City, where he had been a minister for 42 years. Those attending the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Eli Yoder of rural Newton, Ira Zook and Delos Yoder of Harper, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hershbrger and family, Jonathan Mast and family, and Mary Hershberger and Ida Gerber.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Jun 7 p. 8

text of obituary:

S. S. HERSHBERGER

Samuel S. Hershberger, son of Daniel and Fanny (Yoder) Hershberger, was born May 13, 1883; peacefully passed away May 18, 1962, one mile south of East Lynne, Mo., age 79 years and five days.

He was ordained to the ministry Oct. 12, 1913 and served the Sycamore Grove Church for over 42 years. He put his whole heart into the work of the church. He performed many marriage ceremonies and funerals, and also conducted funerals of other congregations when requested. He accepted responsibilities in the church conference and served in many capacities. Before his ordination he was busy in Sunday school work, conducted mission study classes, and later helped establish summer Bible school in the home church.

Serving as field evangelist several years in the conference district and in the southern states, he held meetings at 43 different places. His records show that he conducted 125 series of meetings. He often conducted meetings in rest homes. He served as a member of the board of the Kansas City Mission, and for many years was on the Kansas City children's home board.

His last sermon at Sycamore Grove was given in July 1958. His final sermon at Evening Shade was given on Sept. 21, 1958. In 1947 he had charge of the Hopewell Church and its outpost at Woodburn, Ore.

On Jan. 17, 1907 he was married to Mabel Alice Hartzler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos J. Hartzler. This union was blessed with four sons and four daughters: Mrs. J. M. (Alma) Mast of Hesston, Kan.; Irvin of Harrisonville, Mo.; Ruth of Marshall, Mo.; Elba of Harrisonville, Mo.; Laura of the home; Ralph of Harrisonville, Mo.; Herman of Hesston, Kan.; and Mrs. Harold (Lela) Stutzman of Kinross, Iowa. He also leaves 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a sister, Mary Hershberger of Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kan. One grandson, Allan Mast of Salzburg, Austria, could not be present for the funeral.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and his loving companion who passed away suddenly on Jan. 26, 1959. He was very lonely and his voice failed, so he directed his talent to writing letters and poems.

The funeral was held on May 20, 1962 at the Sycamore Grove Church, conducted by Leonard Garber assisted by Rufus Horst of Kansas City. Burial was made in Clearfork Cemetery beside his wife.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 May 30 p. 9

text of obituary:

Composing poems and writing letters of encouragement to relatives and friends, Rev. S. S. Hershberger spent many hours at his desk as long as he was able. Ordained at Garden City, Mo., he served the Sycamore Grove congregation there as minister for over 40 years. He died May 18, 1962.

Kept On Serving With Poems And Letters — In Spite of Disability

Hesston, Kan. — Sickness and disability may be a handicap but it need not necessarily end one's usefulness and service to mankind.

A good example of this was Rev. S. S. Hershberger, a minister of the Sycamore Grove congregation at Garden City, Mo. for over 42 years, who passed to his eternal reward in 1962. Children of Rev. Hershberger living in this area took special note of their father's long and devoted ministry on May 18, the first anniversary of his passing.

Rev. Hershberger, unable to speak for about three years and his fingers rigid from disease, spent long hours at his desk writing poems and letters of encouragement to children and friends.

Besides serving the Sycamore Grove congregation, Rev. Hershberger filled appointments at Kansas City from 1914 to 1951 and through that time also served on the board of the Kansas City Mission and Children's Home.

In the summer of 1947 he was supply pastor of the Hopewell congregation in Oregon. His last sermon was preached at Evening Shade meetinghouse on the edge of the Ozarks. His text was Phil. 4:11.