Frantz, Ruben Peter (1906-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Oct 5 p. 3

Birth date: 1906 May 25

text of obituary:

Accidents From East to West Take Toll of Deaths, Injuries

Traffic accidents have again taken a heavy toll of dead and injured in Mennonite communities across the nation, according to reports coming to the Review. Farm accidents, though apparently not as numerous have added to the toll.

A two-car crash near Balko, Okla. on Sept. 24 resulted in instant death for Ruben Frantz, 56, farmer and father of four children. Funeral services were held at the Balko M. B. Church.

Near Archbold, Ohio, a car driven by Roger Miller, 21, and a truck driven by Denver Stamm collided at an intersection on Sept. 20, fatally injuring the Miller youth. Stamm suffered a broken back. Roger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller, was returning from the funeral of a relative, Mrs. Chris Rupp who died of injuries received in a highway crash which also claimed the life of her husband.

Roger Dale Regier, 22, of Fresno, Calif., son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Regier of Henderson, Neb., met instant death Sept. 22 when the motorcycle he was riding to work collided head-on with an auto. He leaves a young wife, the former Ruth Buller.

Near Plain City, Ohio, eight-year-old Joseph E. Troyer was killed when the tractor he was driving struck a gate post, throwing him under a rear wheel. He was a son of Eli N. Troyers of the Beachy Church, Plain City.

The list of injured includes Dennis Lehman, 43, Berne, Ind. farmer who suffered a mangled foot and broken leg when pulled into the web of a self-unloading wagon.

Dexter Friesen, 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Alden Friesen of York, Neb., who was seriously hurt when he fell 14 feet from a hay mow and struck a tractor;

Fanny Ellen Mullet, 18, of Middlebury, Ind. and Magdalena Graber, 17, of Millersburg, Ind., injured in a one-car accident near Goshen.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Nov 16 p. 8

text of obituary:

RUBEN PETER FRANTZ

Ruben Peter Frantz, son of Peter P. and Sarah Frantz, was born May 25, 1906 at Boyd, Okla. He grew up in the Balko, Okla. community, and attended the Bethany school. He also attended Tabor College at Hillsboro, Kansas.

At an early age he realized his need of the Saviour and placed his personal trust in Him. He was baptized and received into the fellowship of the Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church of Balko on Aug. 1, 1921.

On April 30, 1930 he was married to Martha Ediger. This union was blessed with two sons, Edwin and Norman, and one daughter, Marjorie. His wife Martha preceded him in death on Sept. 17, 1942.

On June 2 he was married to Alice Megert, and this union was blessed with one daughter, Patricia. In 1946 the family moved to Enid, Okla. where they resided for about two years, after which they returned to the Balko community.

Bro. Frantz was known in the community for his unusual honesty and promptness in dealings, and for his willingness to help neighbors and friends no matter how busy he himself might be. His interest in the church, its welfare and responsibilities was a challenge to many, his greatest concern being that of missions.

It was a shock to the entire community when he was suddenly snatched from this life in an automobile accident at noon on Sept. 24 within half a mile of his home as he was returning from morning worship services. He reached the age of 55 years, three months and 29 days.

His father preceded him in death on March 21, 1936.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his wife, Alice; two sons and their families, Mr.and Mrs. Edwin Frantz, Roger and Jeanette of Cloud Chief, Okla., and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Frantz and Sheila of Denver, Colo.; two daughters Marjorie of Denver and Patricia, at home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Ewert of Enid, Okla.; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Eva Megert of Corn, Okla.; one brother, Roland of Perryton, Texas; two sisters, Mabel, Mrs. David Regier and Sophia, Mrs. Dan Regier, both of Enid.