Bergman, Cornelius F. (1880-1977)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 17 Feb 1977 p. 8

text of obituary

• Cornelius F. Bergman, 96, died Feb. 9 at Axtell Christian Hospital in Newton. Services were held Saturday at the First Mennonite Church, Newton, where he was the oldest member. Rev. Andrew R. Shelly officiated. Mr. Bergman was a retired carpenter and grocery man, having lived in Newton since 1926 when he moved from Hillsboro. His wife, the former Maria Goertz, died in 1960. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Marie Jantz of Newton, Mrs. Edna Wance of Wichita and Mrs. Viola Hettinger, Littleton, Colo.; one sister, Mrs. Agnes Wohlgemuth, Salem, Ore.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 3 Mar 1977 p. 11

Birth date: 1880 May 3, Kansas
Date of Death: 1977 February 9, Kansas

text of obituary

CORNELIUS F. BERGMAN

Cornelius F. Bergman, son of Abraham and Katharina Funk Bergman, was born on May 3, 1880 at Hillsboro, Kan. and died Feb. 9,1977 at the age of 96.

He lived on a farm east of Hillsboro and attended the Lighthouse School. At age 10 he moved with his parents to El Reno, Okla., where they lived for 10 years while the parents helped with mission work among the Indians. Life was hard and the family moved back to Hillsboro.

At the age of 20, he was baptized and was received as a member of the Brudertal Mennonite Church near Hillsboro.

On Oct. 1, 1903 he was married to Maria Goertz at Inman, Kan. and they made their home at Hillsboro. Five children were born to this union of whom two sons, Albert and Elmer, died in 1912 at the ages of seven and one and a half years.

He also homesteaded in western Kansas and knew the hardships of early prairie life. After several years the family moved back to Hillsboro where they had a general store and were members of the First Mennonite Church. In 1926 he moved to Newton, Kan., where he was a carpenter, and in 1932 he transferred his membership to the First Mennonite Church of Newton where he remained a faithful member until his death.

In 1963 mother and lather celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with the family and friends.

Mother died Dec. 7, 1960. In 1973 father could no longer stay in his home on account of failing health and entered the Kansas Christian Home where he cheered up patients and others by playing his harmonica and singing.

He had been bedfast since August 1976, but remained cheerful. His favorite scriptures were the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer which he liked to hear in German.

He entered Axtell Hospital on Feb. 8. and died on Feb. 9, 1977.

One brother and two sisters preceded him in death.

Father leaves the following children to cherish his life and memory: Marie and husband Alvin Jantz, Newton: Viola and husband Jack Hettinger, Littleton, Colo.; and Edna and husband Edward Wance, Wichita, Kan. Also surviving are one sister, Mrs. Agnes Wohlgemuth, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.—The Family.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Marion County, Kansas
Son of Abraham and Katharina (Funk) Bergmann (wife 1)
Married Maria M. Goertz 1903 October 1, Inman, Kansas
Farmed in western Kansas; then moved back to Hillsboro, Kansas and ran a general store; then moved to Newton, Kansas, and worked as a carpenter

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
Individual (Bergmann) -- Marion, Kansas
See Abraham Bergmann (1855-1948) for family photos

Sources:
Gemeindebuch ... Brudertal, p. 103 (old book)
Grandma Online profile 30887
Find A Grave 171439682