Brenneman, William J. (1879-1957)

Revision as of 11:45, 27 June 2017

Birth date: 1879

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Nov 21 p. 7

text of obituary:

Retired Missionary Fatally Stricken After Taking Part in Service at Chicago Church

Chicago, Ill. — William O. [sic J.] Brenneman, 78, Old Mennonite minister and a city mission worker in Chicago for 30 years, died at his home in Iowa City, Iowa on Oct. 21 several weeks after taking part in the 64th anniversary services at the Union Avenue Mennonite Church.

Bro. Brenneman, who was accompanied to Chicago by his wife, Alice, participated in the anniversary services, giving his testimony and exhorting the believers to greater love for one another. The following day, Sept. 16, he became seriously ill and was not able to return home to Iowa City for two weeks. He died of a coronary ailment shortly after returning home.

Funeral services were held at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church on Nov.2.

Bro. Brenneman was ordained to the ministry at the 26th Street Mennonite Mission in Chicago in 1924. When that mission closed, he served at the Mennonite Home Mission, now the Union Avenue Mennonite Church, of which he was a member at the time of his death.

In his quiet, unassuming way, he served and gave his testimony in rescue missions and assisted in summer Bibble schools at various Mennonite mission in Chicago. His associates said he was always ready to witness for Christ, and to speak a word of testimony to those he met in everyday contacts. He considered it a supreme privilege to witness for his Lord.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Nov 28 p. 3

text of obituary:

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The article appearing in last week's Review concerning the death of Rev. Brenneman at Iowa City, Iowa gave an incorrect middle initial. The name was William J. Brenneman, instead of William O. Brenneman.