Beller, John (1860-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 16 p. 9

Birth date: 1860 Jun 21

text of obituary:

JOHN BELLER

John Beller, 93, a retired farmer, died suddenly at his home in Pontiac, Ill. at 8:30 o'clock Saturday morning. He was taken to the Raleigh Harris Funeral home in that city, where funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, with Rev. J. D. Hartzler and Rev. Edwin Stalter of the Waldo Mennonite church officiating. Burial was in Pike township cemetery.

Pallbearers, all grandsons, were: Carl Miller, Omer Yordy, Lyle Orendorff, Merle Grieser, Victor Beller, and Burdell Roeschley. A male quartet, Homer Springer, Orie Roeschley, Chester Long, and Virgil May, sang two hymns.

Mr. Beller was born June 21, 1860, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Schirch Beller. He came to this country in 1876, and settled in the Chenoa community.

He was married to Mary Forney of Pike township on December 29, 1879. In 1885 they moved to a farm south of Graymont, and on Nevember [sic] 17, 1904, she passed away. On August 12, 1906, he was married to Sarah Good of Hopedale, who survives. In 1917, they moved to their present home, 423 W. Moulton street, Pontiac.

Survivors are eight daughters, Mrs. Joe Orendorff, Mrs. Edward Yordy, Flanagan; Mrs. Elizabeth Grieser, Pontiac; Mrs. L. J. Middleton, San Bernardino, Calif.; Mrs. L. J. Hartzler, of Elkhart, Ind.; Mrs. Eli Roeschley, Mrs. Leo Roeschley, Graymont, and Mrs. H. R. Heintz, Chicago; one son, William Beller, Pontiac. There are 27 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren. Three sons, one daughter, 12 brothers and sisters preceded him in death.

Mr. Beller was a lifelong member of the Waldo Mennonite church.