Ramseyer, Alvin C. (1880-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 5 p. 1

Birth date: 1880 Jan 17

text of obituary:

College Director Dies On Ship En Route to Europe

A. C. RAMSEYER WAS WIDELY KNOWN POTATO GROWER OF OHIO

Word has been received of the sudden death of A. C. Ramseyer, 68, of Smithville, Ohio, who died of heart attack aboard ship while en route to Europe to visit his daughter, Edna, who was in Germany serving as leader of a MCC summer unit.

Mr. Ramseyer was a director of Bluffton College and was widely known as "Potato King" of the huge acreage of potatoes he raised annually.

According to information available here, the body was to have been returned to New York July 30 and funeral services held at Smithville on Saturday, July 31. His daughter was expected to fly home from Europe for the funeral.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

Ohio "Master Farmer" Was Active In Many Fields of Service

Smithville, Ohio — This community was saddened to hear of the sudden death of A. C. Ramseyer, prominent farmer and citizen, who was stricken by a heart attack while en route to Europe on July 23. he was traveling with a group of Wayne county people on the British S. S. Mauretania, planning to attend the Olympic games in London and to tour other points of interest in the British Isles and on the continent.

Mr. Ramseyeter had attained prominence many years ago as a dairy farmer. later he specialized in potato growing, being honored with the title of Master Farmer in the State of Ohio. He also had extensive interests in the citrus industry of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

Church, school, and community affairs all occupied a central place in Mr. Ramseyer's busy life. He was a member of the Oak Grove Mennonite church near Smithville, a member of the Board of Trustees of Bluffton College, and an active, progressive leader in the life of his community.

Alvin C. Ramseyer, son of Daniel and Rebecca Smiley Ramseyer, was born near Paris, Stark county, Ohio, on Jan. 17, 1880. He departed from this life on July 23, 1948, while en route to Europe, aged 68 years, six months, and six days.

On Dec. 22, 1905, Mr. Ramseyer was united in marriage to Mellie Yoder of Mingo, Ohio, who preceded him in death on may 25, 1907. One daughter, Mrs. Irene Musser of Smithville, Ohio, was born to this union.

On April 11, 1909, he was married to Mary Ellen Schrock of Orrville, O., who survives, along with nine children: Mrs. Irene Musser of Smithville, O., Edna Ramseyer of Bluffton, O., Erma Ramseyer of Columbus, O., Mrs. Esther Miller of Mission, Texas, Mrs. Frances Gundy of Ft. Wayne,Ind., Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr., Mrs. Mary Kathryn Gerig, Arden D. Ramesyer [sic Ramseyer], and Phyllis Ramseyer, all of Smithville, Ohio.

Mr. Ramseyer is also survived by ten grandchildren; one brother, Ward Ramseyer of Smithville, Ohio; two sisters, Amanda Ramseyer of Smithville, Ohio, and Mrs. Alvin Schrock of Wooster, Ohio, and by a large number of other relatives and friends.

He was a life-long member of the Oak Grove Mennonite church near Smithville, Ohio where funeral services were held on Aug. 4, 1948, in charge of Rev. J. N. Smucker and Rev. J. S. Gerig.