Balzer, Jacob P. (1893-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Apr 10 p. 8

Date of Birth: 1893 Mar 3, Kansas
Date of Death: 1969 Apr 6, Kansas

text of obituary:

. . .

• Rev. Jacob Balzer, 76, lifelong resident of the Inman community, died at Bethel Deaconess Hospital on Sunday after a long illness. A retired minister and evangelist, he was a member of the Zoar M. B. Church near Inman where the funeral was conducted Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Edwin C. Ollenburger, the pastor, officiated. Rev. Balzer leaves his widow; a son, Dave R. of Inman; two daughters, Mrs. Jake Penner of Salina and Mrs. Harry Kejr of Brookville; and 13 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Jun 5 p. 11

text of obituary:

REV. J. P. BALZER

J. P. Balzer was born March 3, 1893 to Jacob and Gertrude Penner Balzer near Inman, Kan. He received his elementary training at Lake Valley. Later after the Lord called him into Christian service, he attended Hesston College and Moody Bible Institute.

He married Marie F. Neufeldt on Aug. 15, 1915. They began their married life on a farm near Inman and continued there until he entered the ministry in 1930. This ministry was interrupted by a serious heart attack in the fall of 1957. He learned to adjust to this limited way of life and in time was well enough to enter different phases of ministry, especially that of personal work. During this time he also acquired a variety of hobbies which gave many opportunities for witness. Just in the last few days he had made several personal calls.

He went home to Glory on Easter Sunday noon at Bethel Hospital, Newton, following a third severe heart attack which occurred early Saturday morning.

He is survived by his widow; one son, Dave R. and wife Margaret of Inman; two daughters, Florence Penner and husband Jake of rural Salina, and Rosella Kejr and husband Harry of rural Brookville; and 13 grandchildren. One infant granddaughter preceded him in death. He was the last surviving member of his family. Preceding him were one brother Dave of Inman, and two sisters, Sara, Mrs. Dietrich Neufeldt of Buhler and his twin, Gertrude Hildebrandt of Wichita.

J. P. lived with eternity's values in view. — Marie F. Balzer and Family.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Inman, Kansas
Son of Jacob and Gertrude (Penner) Balzer
Married Marie F. Neufelt 1915 August 15
Minister, evangelist -- Zoar MB Church, Inman, Kansas

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
With wife and 3 children

Sources:
D. D. Schroeder's Family Geneaology: Schroeder-Neufeldt at 6.251
See Robert E. Balzer's Balzer Family Tree (chart)
Information from Mrs. Louis (Hilda Neufeldt) Janzen 1987