Penner, Peter W. (1876-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Feb 5 p. 1

Birth date: 1876 Feb 12

text of obituary:

Former Missionary To India Died Sunday

REV. P. W. PENNER, 76, SERVED ON GENERAL CONF. FIELD 40 YEARS

Hillsboro, Kans. — Rev. P. W. Penner, pioneer missionary to India under the General Conference Mennonite church, passed away here Sunday evening, Feb. 1, at the age of 76. He had been in ill health since his return from the field in 1949.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:00 at the home in Hillsboro, and at 2:00 o’clock at the Brudertal Mennonite church, Rev. Arnold Funk in charge.

Rev. Penner and wife, the former Mathilda Ensz, first went to India in 1908, their service there extending over a period of more than 40 years. Rev. Penner introduced the joint bookkeeping system at the mission, and in 1927 ordained the first Indian pastor, Rev. M. R. Asna. He was a former president of the Chhattis-garh Missionary Convention and Indian Christian Camp.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by an adopted Indian daughter. Miss Nellie Penner, now visiting in this country.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Feb 12 p. 6

text of obituary:

. . .

— A number of Newton friends attended funeral services at the Brudertal church near Hillsboro last Friday for Missionary P. W. Penner, whose death occurred on Feb. 1. Church and basement were filled with the many friends from throughout this area who gathered to pay last respects to the pioneer worker on the India field. Rev. Arnold J. Funk, pastor of the church, was in charge of the services. Other ministers who participated were Rev. John Thiessen and Rev. W. F. Unruh, both of Newton; Rev. J. W. Nickel and Rev. Roy Henry of Hillsboro.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Feb 19 p. 9
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 5 p. 9
The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Mar 10 p. 152
The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Apr 29 p. 267