Buller, Peter P. (1874-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Sep 4 p. 1

Birth date: 1874 Jul 23

text of obituary:

Retired Minister and Teacher Dies at Age 84

REV. P. P. BULLER WAS ACTIVE IN MINISTRY FOR HALF A CENTURY

Memorial services for Rev. P. P. Buller, 84, well-known retired minister, teacher and former community leader at Goessel, were held Saturday forenoon at the Sister Frieda Memorial Chapel in Newton and the Goessel Mennonite Church.

A resident of the Bethel Home for Aged since 1952, Rev. Buller died unexpectedly in his room late Wednesday or early Thursday morning and was found by workers of the Home sitting in his chair. He had been up and about as usual on Wednesday.

Rev. P. P. Buller

Services at the Sister Frieda Chapel were conducted by Rev. Ed. Stucky. At the Goessel church which was filled with friends and former associates, the services were in charge of Rev. Leo Miller, the pastor, assisted by Rev. P. A. Wedel.

Elected As Evangelist

Rev. Buller was born in South Russia and was brought to this country as an infant. In 1905 he was elected as an evangelist by the Alexanderwohl congregation, thus beginning 50 years in the active ministry. He served the Alexanderwohl church for 15 years and as pastor of the Goessel church for 35 years. He also taught in public schools and for 18 years in the Goessel Preparatory School.

Highly respected in the church and community, Rev. Buller held various offices in the Western District Conference, served on the Bethel College Board of Directors from 1916 to 1936, and on the board of the Herald Publishing Co. for many years, the last number of years as secretary. He was one of the founders of the town of Goessel and served as postmaster there for 27 years.

Surviving are one son and five daughters, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife the former Margaret Sommerfeld, died in 1941.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Sep 11 p. 8

text of obituary:

REV. P. P. BULLER

Our beloved father, Rev. Peter P. Buller, passed away to his heavenly home Thursday, August 28, 1958, at the Bethel Home, Newton, Kansas, at the age of 84 years, one month and five days.

Born July 23, 1874, in Steinfeld, S. Russia, he was the son of Peter and Anna buller. On August 24,1902, he was united in holy matrimony with Margaret [Margaretha] Sommerfeld, who preceded him in death on Dec. 31, 1941.

Our father was baptized upon the confession of his faith and taken into the Alexanderwohl church, Goessel, Kansas on May 24, 1896, by Elder Peter Buller. In 1905 he was ordained as evangelist in the Alexanderwohl church. In1908 he was ordained as minister in the same church. In the year 1920 the Goessel Mennonite church was built, in large part because of his efforts, and he served as minister until 1924 when he was ordained as its elder.

Our father received his education in Marion County, the Halstead Seminary, Bethel College, and Emporia State Teachers College. He was a teacher of the Marion County schools for four years, principal of the Lehigh Public school four years, and instructor of the Goessel Preparatory School 18 years. He served as pastor of the Alexanderwohl church 15 years, and pastor of the Goessel Mennonite church 35 years, making a total of half a century in the ministry. He was also postmaster of Goessel for 27 years, retiring from that position just before his 70th birthday.

During the active years of his life he held many civic positions and worked unceasingly for the betterment of the community. His most recent honorary position at the time of his death, was that of secretary of the Board of Directors of the Herald Publishing co., which publishes the Mennonite Weekly Review. He was for a time treasurer and business manager of the Bethesda hospital (1916-1944), a member of the Board of Directors of Bethel College, a member of the Educational committee of the Western District Conference, and a member of the Home Mission Committee of the Western District Conference.

In July 1944 after his retirement from the ministry and as postmaster of Goessel, he moved to 812 Logan Street, Newton, where he lived until 1952, when he came to live in the Bethel Home.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure one son, Otto and wife Myrtle of Topeka; five daughters, Mrs. Sophia Unruh and husband Otto D. of Clay Center; Miss Anna Buller of Council Grove; Mrs. Ella Gaeddert and husband Henry E. of Halstead; Mrs. Esther Elbi and husband Ashley of Kansas City; Mrs. LaWanda Burkett and husband, Dr. Norman A., of Council Grove; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

To the very end our father was a constant source of comfort and advice, which we, the family, deeply appreciated. He told us, his children, that in our weakness we are blessed to have a Saviour who is our strength in weakness. The many expressions of those of the home where he lived, of the inspiration and courage that he gave, were manifestation that he gave unstintingly of his services to all.

A short memorial service was held at the Home with Rev. Edwin R. Stucky officiating. the funeral services were held at the Goessel Mennonite church on August 30, with Rev. Leo Miller and Rev. P. A. Wedel officiating. — The Rev. P. P. Buller Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Sep 23 p. 589