Waltner, Edward J. B. (1890-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Dec 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1890 Oct 3

text of obituary:

— Rev. and Mrs. S. J. Goering of North Newton spent part of last week at Freeman, S. D. where they attended the funeral of Mrs. Goering’s brother, John C. Mueller. The funeral of Mr. Mueller, a long-time member of the General Conference emergency relief board, was held at the Salem-Zion church, with Willard Claassen officiating. Another funeral at the same church was that of Edward J. B. Waltner. Both of the deceased had suffered severe strokes several weeks ago.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 3 p. 9

text of obituary:

EDW. J. B. WALTNER

Edw. J. B. Waltner, son of Jacob J. and Freni (Miller) Waltner, was born Oct. 3, 1880, at Freeman, S. D. He passed away quietly at his home Nov. 30, 1951, at the age of 61 years, one month, 27 days.

As a boy he was nurtured in the fear of the Lord in a Christian home and received his education in German and English. He received his catechetical instruction from Rev. Christian Mueller and was baptized by Rev. H. A. Bachman on July 12, 1908, and became a member of the South church, where he remained a faithful member until his death.

He was deeply interested in spiritual things and served the church in various capacities, serving as Sunday school superintendent or teacher from 1910 to shortly before his death. He served as deacon from 1940 to 1946.

At the age of18 to 27 he taught rural schools. On April 22, 1917, he was united in marriage with Anna L. Tschetter by Rev. C. Hege and they settled on a farm in Norway Twp.

This new happiness was sharply circumscribed when on Oct. 4, 1917, he was inducted into the army, Because he refused to compromise his conscience in taking human life he was led through many testings and trials. He was court martialed and sentenced to 15 years in the military prison in Leavenworth, Kansas June 11, 1918. One year and 4 months later the Secretary of War gave the order to release him from prison and discharge from the army. After his release he went back to farming and settled on a farm near Freeman where he remained the rest of his life.

He was deeply concerned about the Christian life and exerted a strong influence in home, church and community. He supported a native evangelist in China from 1923 to 1940.

On Sept. 16 he first noticed the beginning of the illness that finally took his life. His condition gradually became worse and on Oct. 22 he was taken to the hospital where he received the best medical care. After 11 days he was permitted to go home where loving hands lightened the burden of illness.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife Anna, who stood faithfully by his side to the end; three sons, Home, LaVerne and Donald; one daughter, Belva, (Mrs. Verney Unruh), now missionary under the General Conference in Japan; one grand-daughter; four brothers, John G., Emil J., Ben J., and Henry Jac., and one sister, Lena. His parents, one infant brother and one sister preceded him in death.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”