Penner, Abraham J. (1876-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Nov 15 p. 5

Birth date: 1876 Nov 3

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jan 3 p. 8

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM J. PENNER

Abraham J. Penner, son of Johann and Helena Schroeder Penner, was born on Nov. 3, 1876 in the Grace Hill community.

He was baptized on May 25, 1896 by Rev. G. N. Harms on his confession of faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, becoming a member of the Grace Hill Mennonite Church of which he remained a faithful member until his death.

He was married to Elizabeth S. Gaede on May 5, 1904 by Rev. G. N. Harms in the Johannestal Mennonite Church. They established their first home in the Grace Hill community and lived there until 1923. They then moved to their home four miles northeast of Newton where they resided until 1955, when they retired to their home in Newton.

On May 9, 1954 they were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

He was preceded in death by three infant sons. His wife passed away Jan. 12, 1960. He often expressed his desire to go Home to be with the Lord and his loved ones. He listened daily to his favorite programs on Radio Station KJRG and gave regularly to the support of a number of radio missions. He knew his Lord and Saviour in an intimate way that expressed itself in his love and understanding for everyone. He was respected by all who knew him for his honesty and sense of fairness.

He died on Nov. 11, 1962 at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital after an illness of about 11 weeks. Seven weeks of this time were spent in the hospital. On Nov. 3 he observed his 86th birthday. He was in almost constant pain the last two weeks of his life, but was always in good spirits. The doctors and nurses expressed their admiration for him many times.

He leaves to mourn his passing six daughters: Mrs. Francis (Sidonia) Sheridan of Smith Center, Kan., Mrs. Sarah Logan, Mrs. Selma Plank, and Mrs. Hukla Wright of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Orpha Swift of Garden Grove, Calif. and Mrs. Ralph (Zella) Brown of Hazelton, Idaho; four sons, Roland of Wichita, Kan., Ben and Carl of Newton, and John of Route 4, Newton; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. J. B. Schmidt of Moundridge, Kan.

The Mennonite obituary: 1962 Dec 11 p. 796