Eicher, William R. (1889-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jun 18 p. 3

Birth date: 1889 Sep 22

text of obituary:

Bishop of Nebraska Churches Dies

WILLIAM R. EICHER OF MILFORD ORDAINED TO MINISTRY IN 1916

Milford, Neb. — William R. Eicher, a minister of the West Fairview Mennonite (Old) Church near Beaver Crossing for more than 40 years and bishop since 1932, died at his farm home near here on June 5. He was 69.

Funeral services were conducted at the West Fairview church on Sunday, June 7, with Bishop Dale Oswald, also of the West Fairview congregations, officiating.

A native of this community, Bro. Eicher taught school and farmed in earlier years. he was ordained to the office of deacon in the West Fairview church in 1915, and to the ministry the following year. After his ordination as a bishop, he had bishop oversight of a number of churches in the Iowa-Nebraska Conference.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jun 18 p. 8

text of obituary:

WILLIAM R. EICHER

William R. Eicher, son of the late Martin J. and Katie (Roth) Eicher; was born Sept. 22, 1889, at Milford, Neb. and died at his farm home near Milford on June 5, 1959, at the age of 69 years, eight months, and 14 days. His health had been failing for several months due to a heart ailment and complications.

On October 14, 1913, he was married to Lydia A. Steckly of Carstairs, Alberta. To this union were born eight children. One son Ellis preceded him in death in October of 1948. Surviving are his wife Lydia and seven children: Laverta [sic La Verta], Mrs. Dan Schweitzer of Beaver Crossing, Neb., Verdella, Mrs. Milton Miller of Milford, Neb., Teresa, Mrs. Perry Burkey of Hesston, Kan., Walter of Chandler, Ariz., Violet, Mrs. Ted Troyer of Harper, Kan., Floyd, of Grand Junction, Colo., Lloyd of Englewood, Colo.; 14 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two sisters, Mabel, Mrs. James Klopfenstein of Goshen, Ind., and Mrs. Elsie Troyer of Milford, Neb., and a host of relatives and friends. Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.

He was a lifelong resident of the Milford community, graduated from Seward High School in 1909, and taught school until 1913 when he began farming.

He was baptized at the age of 17 at the West Fairview Mennonite Church near Beaver Crossing, Neb. and remained a faithful member until death. In 1915 he was ordained to the office of deacon, in 1916 to the office of minister, and in 1932 to the office of bishop at the West Fairview Mennonite Church. He was also overseer and officiating bishop of a number of churches in the Iowa-Nebraska Conference district, which duties he discharged faithfully until death. He also served as secretary of the Iowa-Nebraska conference for over 20 years. His greatest concern was for the welfare of the church and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, June 7, at the West Fairview Mennonite Church at Beaver Crossing, Neb. by Dale Oswald.