Schartner, John (1871-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 2 p. 8, 9

Birth date: 1871 Sep 22

text of obituary:

JOHN SCHARTNER, SR.

John Schartner was born in Russia on Sept. 22, 1871, and at the age of four came to Pennsylvania. From there the family moved to South Dakota where he grew to manhood, joined the old church, and was joined in marriage to Agnes Becker on Dec. 12, 1890. To this union 13 children were born.

In 1899 he took a homestead near Rosthern, Sask. where he farmed for eight years.

On May 3, 1896, he was baptized upon forgiveness of sins and was added to the Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) of which he remained a faithful member until the end.

Mother Agnes (nee Becker) died on Feb. 8, 1910, leaving him a widower with ten children. In 1907 he took up a homestead near Swalwell, Alberta district and again, as in South Dakota and Saskatchewan, shared the hardships of pioneering/

On Oct. 16, 1910, he was joined in holy matrimony with Rebecca Ratzlaff, and to this marriage were born three sons and five daughters. They shared joys and sorrows of life for 41 years, 10 months and 15 days. We realized the joys were a double portion but the hardships and sorrows were only half the portion.

About a year ago his health began to fail, but he worked around the farm at intervals. Last March he contacted the “flu” which was hard on him, but he recovered. However, a stomach ailment set in, and on July 20 the physician diagnosed his illness as cancer of the stomach, and he was bedfast from then on. He was very patient in his illness, and waited to be relieved of his suffering. His great concern was that all of his family be saved. He was conscious to the very last, and repeated the phrase, “In Jesus Name,” a number of times just before he passed away quietly at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, 1952, at the age of 80 years, 11 months and nine days.

We are in sorrow, yet not without hope to meet him on the other shore.

Four children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren precede him in death. He leaves his wife, six sons, 11 daughters, 11 sons-in-law, six daughters-in-law, 77 grandchildren, 96 great-grandchildren, Ann, a foster child, six sisters, and many friends who mourn his departure. We are confident that on the resurrection morning he will stand in the Savior’s presence.

The surviving children are Mrs. A. A. (Eva) Duerksen of Mt. Lehman, B. C., Mrs. A. L. (Susie) Baerg of Linden, Alberta, John and Mrs. D. B. (Agnes) Thiessen, both of Mt. Lehman, Mrs. Simon (Lena) Megli of Trochu, Alberta, Dave of Aldergrove, B. C., Mrs. H. I. (Martha) Bartel, Mrs. J. F. (Anna) Thiessen, and Isaac, all of Mt. Lehman, Mrs. G. (Minnie) Thiessen of Crooked Creek, Alberta, Tobe of Three Hills, Alberta, Mrs. B. (Amanda) Reimer and Mrs. H. F. (Ida) Reimer of Mt. Lehman, Fred and Mrs. A. ((Rozella) Esau of Crooked Creek.

Funeral services were held Sept. 4. In the home, a few hymns were sung and Bro. D. Boese read I Cor. 15:50-55, spoke comforting words and closed with prayer. At the church, Bro. J. L. Baerg made introductory remarks and led in prayer, Bro. F. P. Wiebe read the text, Psalm 90:1-12, and Bro. D. Boese made additional remarks and led in the closing prayer. At the graveside a hymn was sung and the services closed with the reading of I Thess. 4:13-18.

Pall bearers were John, Dave and Isaac Schartner, Jac. Thiessen, Henry Bartel, Dave Thiessen. Interment was made in Hazelwood cemetery at Abbotsford.