Hartzler, Chancy A. (1876-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Oct 30 p. 3

Birth date: 1876 May 5

text of obituary:

CHANCY A HARTZLER

Bishop Chancy A. Hartzler, son of the late Bishop John J. Hartzler and Magdalena Mast, was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, on May 5, 1876. He passed away at the Perry Memorial hospital in Princeton, Illinois, on October 15, 1947, after a brief illness, age 71 years, five months, 10 days.

On December 23, 1900, he was united in marriage to Mary Neuenschwander, who survives at her residence in Tiskilwa, Illinois. Alsa [sic] surviving are his only son, John D.; three grandchildren of Roanoke, Illinois; three brothers, Ira of Harrisonville, Missouri, Joe D. of Flanagan, Illinois, Lee J. of Goshen, Indiana; two sisters, Mrs. Mary King of Garden City, Missouri, and rMs. [sic] W. J. Eigsti, Buda, Illinois. His sister Sarah and brother Samuel preceded him in death.

At an early age, he, with his family, moved to Cass county, Missouri, where he grew to manhood. On May 5, 1893, he confessed Christ before men and thereupon took active part in Sunday School work, showing a vital interest in spiritual affairs.

He was ordained to preach the Gospel October 22, 1906, at the Sycamore Grove church by Bishop John J. Hartzler, his father, and Sebastian Gerig. The following six years he served the Kansas City Mission, acting as superintendent two years.

In January, 1913, he accepted the invitation of the Willow Springs congregation of Tiskilwa to serve as pastor, and on July 5, 1914 he was ordained Bishop, which office he faithfully filled until his death, except for an eighteen month period during 1927-28 when he resided at Goshen, Indiana.

His spiritual discernment and ready counsel was highly respected in the home, the church, the community, and in the conference circles. His absence will be keenly felt, for he had endeared himself to a host of friends through his work with various congregations which looked to him for spiritual leadership and guidance.

On October 18, in the afternoon, memorial services were held in the home in charge of Henry King of Arthur, Illinois, who read I Corinthians 15:1-22, and used Romans 1:16 to briefly present the Gospel of Christ. Following this, funeral services were held at the Willow Springs Mennonite church, in charge of Harold Zehr of Rantoul, Illinois. Three messages in song were presented by an octet from the congregation. The Scripture passage, II Samuel 22:1-7, 19-23, 47, was read and prayer offered by Ira Eigsti, Buda, Illinois. The memorial message give by Harold Zehr was based on the phrase “The time of my departure is at hand,” a part of the Scripture passage in II Timothy 4:1-6. The funeral services were concluded in the Willow Springs cemetery where the body was interred.