Litwiller, Cecil (1848-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 23 p. 4

Birth date: 1948 Sep 1

text of obituary:

Library For Primary Department in Sunday School Is Memorial To 9-Year-Old Boy

CONTRIBUTE TO FUND AFTER ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF CECIL LITWILLER

As a token of appreciation for nine-year-old Cecil Litwiller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chancey Litwiller of Washington, Iowa who lost his life in a farm accident, neighbors and friends contributed funds to be used for whatever purpose his parents should choose.

The first contributions were made immediately after his sudden death by several former neighbors who were Catholics. Thereupon other neighbors and friends decided to make a money contribution instead of giving a floral contribution.

Cecil Litwiller, born Sept 1, 1948, and died Oct. 7, 1957.

'Lover of Books

The matter of choosing a memorial which would be indicative of Cecil's interest was not a difficult one to make for he was a great reader and lover of books. When other friends heard that the family had chosen a library for the Primary department of the East Union Mennonite Sunday School, more contributions came in, even from business acquaintances of the family.

On Christmas day the family placed the light blonde, five-sectioned bookcase in the Sunday school room where Cecil had so joyously talked and sung about his Jesus for the last three years of his life. The family experienced the feeling that Cecil was looking down with a great smile of joy and satisfaction as this was being done.

A few days later his parents selected about two dozen books from the Menno Book Store at Bloomington, Ill. which his mother will cover with plastic. These brightly colored, beautiful children's books will form the nucleus of the children's library which will stand as a monument to the life of Cecil whose earthly life was finished on Oct. 7, 1957, but whose heavenly life has just begun.

(Submitted by his aunt, Mrs. Maude Swartzendruber, Bloomington, Ill.)