Frantz, Peter E. (1890-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1973 Jul 12 p. 8

Birth date: 1890 Mar 1

text of obituary:

Newton and Vicinity

. . .

● Funeral services for Rev. Peter E. Franz, 83, of North Newton were held Monday afternoon at the Bethel College Church, with Rev. John Esau officiating. Rev. Frantz died the evening of July 5 at his home after a long illness. A native of the Hillsboro community, he served General Conference pastorates in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Kansas from 1922 to 1945, and after that worked as a carpenter. His marriage to Esther M. Voth occurred in 1922, the same year as his ordination. She died in 1965. In 1969 Rev. Frantz married Marie J. Regier, and she survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Cliff Shipley of Hutchinson; one son, Vernon, of Salina; two sisters, Mrs. Bena Ratzlaff of Fairview, Okla. and Mrs. B. B. Regier of Fresno, Calif.; two brothers, Cornelius of Fairview and William of Orienta, Okla.; and six grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1973 Jul 26 p. 11

text of obituary:

PETER E. FRANTZ

Peter E. Frantz was born near Hillsboro, Kan. on March 1, 1890. Later he moved with his parents to Fairview, Okla. He had two older sisters, two older brothers and three younger brothers.

Peter was much interested in getting an education. By running a threshing machine during the summer months, teaching a year of public school, and working in the dining hall during the school year he managed to work his way through school. He graduated from Bethel College in 1919. From there he went to Yale Divinity School and graduated with honors in 1921. For two summer months he attended the University of Chicago and then was asked to teach philosophy of religion at Bethel College. He stayed only one year because he felt strongly the call to the ministry, in which he remained for 22 years.

He was ordained in 1922 He served the Quakertown Church in Pennsylvania, 1922-1925; the Hebron Church near Buhler, Kan., 1925-1936; at Geary, Okla. from 1936 to 1941, and the Lorraine Avenue Church in Wichita from 1941 to 1945.

He was frequently asked to speak to high school and college students. During this time he was vice-chairman of the Western District Conference for two year sand was asked to preach the conference sermon. For two years he served as chairman of the ministers' conference. He served on various committees, among them the peace committee. However, he found the ministry too great a strain on his health, and he resigned. For many years he found creative satisfaction in carpentry. A number of houses in both Newton and North Newton testify to this fact.

The same year that he was ordained to the ministry he married Esther M. Voth, daughter of Missionary H. R. Voth. They had two children, a son Vernon and a daughter Linda. He and Esther shared life for 43 years. The last eight years Esther was ill. She died in 1966. On Jan. 22, 1969 he married Marie J. Regier.

He died quietly on July 5, 1973 after a number of years of failing health.

Looking forward to being reunited to him in realms beyond the sunset are his wife, Marie; one son, Vernon and wife Mary; one daughter, Linda and husband Cliff Shipley; six grandchildren; two sisters, Anna, Mrs. B. B. Regier of Fresno, Calif. and Bena, Mrs. Adam Ratzlaff of Fairview, Okla.; two brothers, Neal of Fairview and William of Orienta, Okla. — Marie J. Frantz.