Smucker, Herman J. (1907-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Nov 19 p. 11

Birth date: 1907 Apr 28

text of obituary:

RETIRED MINISTER DIES AT KALONA

Kalona, la. — Funeral services for Rev. Herman J. Smucker, 63, a retired minister of the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church at rural Iowa City, were held at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church near Kalona on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 8. Dean Swartzendruber and Robert K. Yoder officiated.

Rev. Smucker, a native of West Liberty, Ohio and a resident of Pleasantview Home at Kalona, died on Nov. 6. He had served the Pleasant Valley Church from 1957 until several months ago when he retired for reasons of health. Survivors include the widow, one daughter, four grandchildren, two sisters and one brother.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Dec 24 p. 11

text of obituary:

HERMAN J. SMUCKER

Herman J. Smucker, son of Jeptha J. and Barbara Elizabeth (Esch) Smucker, was born near West Liberty, Ohio on April 28, 1907. During his early years he became a Christian and united with the Oak Grove Mennonite Church. He attended Goshen College, and graduated from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago.

On Nov. 30, 1933 at Kalona, Iowa he was married to Fanny L. Gingerich, with whom he shared his life, being a most kind and loving companion. They farmed in Iowa and Ohio where a daughter, Mary Louise, was born. Later in Iowa he was employed for 17 years by the Farmers Electric Cooperative of Kalona, a number of these years as a foreman.

The Bible which he read through every year became a very meaningful part of his life. Faithful study led him to become actively involved in the mission efforts of the Lower Deer Creek Church where he was a member. In 1951 he was licensed to serve as assistant pastor at Iowa Valley Church near Lone Tree and later served at Cedar Bluff and at Pleasant Valley near Hills. On July 28, 1957 he was ordained to the Christian ministry to serve as pastor at Pleasant Valley. He was deeply concerned about the people of this community, helping many to find personal salvation and daily victory. When his health failed and he could no longer serve as pastor, the people still felt his concern as he became a prayer warrior in their behalf.

In June 1970 after much sickness and continually failing health, he and his wife moved to Pleasant View Home in Kalona where he was tenderly cared for until his peaceful death on Nov. 6, 1970, aged 63 years, five months and eight days.

He will be missed by his wife, Fanny, his daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bowers, his grandchildren, Roger, Beth Ann, Mary Sue and Laura Lynne of Iowa City, his sisters, Celesta, Mrs. Dale Bixler of Elkhart, Ind., and Ruth, Mrs. Dan Grisso of Springfield, Ohio, his brother, George of Winter Park, Fla., and many other friends and relatives. He was preceded to glory by his parents, one brother and one sister.

We do not mourn this passing as though we have no hope, but rather rejoice that his spirit returned joyfully to God who gave it.

A worship service was held in his memory Sunday afternoon, Nov. 8, at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, Kalona, Iowa, followed by burial in the nearby church cemetery.