Hartzler, John E. (1879-1963)

Revision as of 16:52, 21 January 2020

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 May 30 p. 1, 3

Birth date: 1879

text of obituary:

Leaders in Church, Educational Work Called Away in Death

Two prominent and widely known church leaders whose service spanned more than half a century of time were called away in death late last week and early this week. They were Dr. J. E. Hartzler of Goshen, Ind. and Dr. P. C. Hiebert of Hillsboro, Kan.

Goshen, Ind. — Dr. John E. Hartzler, 84, well-known lecturer, teacher, and world traveler and former Mennonite college and seminary president, died Friday morning, May 24, at Osteopathic Hospital in Lancaser, Pa.

The body was returned here and funeral services were arranged for Tuesday afternoon at the Yoder Culp Funeral Home, with Rev. A. E. Kreider and Rev. Ernest Bohn, pastor of the Eighth Street Mennonite Church, officiating.

Dr. J. E. Hartzler

In failing health for over a year, Dr. Hartzler had left his home here about a month ago in company with Mrs. Hartzler for a stay in Lancaster County, her former home. While there she became ill and underwent major surgery. She was unable to return here for the funeral. He was admitted to the hospital May 19 after suffering a heart attack.

A resident of Goshen for the past 28 years, Dr. Hartzler devoted most of his time to study, writing, and lecturing in churches and communities across the land. He made a number of trips abroad to study world conditions, as well as serving as conductor of tours to Europe and the Holy Land.

Dr. Hartzler was born near Ligonier, Ind. and grew up on a farm near Garden City, Mo. He attended the former Elkhart Institute, now Goshen College, and was among the first graduates of the college. He was ordained to the ministry in 1904. He continued his studies at various colleges and universities, receiving the Ph.D. degree from Hartford Theological Seminary, Hartford, Conn.

A former professor of Bible at Goshen College and Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., he served as president of Goshen College from 1913 to 1918, president of Bethel College, 1920-21, and president of Witmarsum Theological Seminary at Bluffton, Ohio, 1921 to 1931.

Specializing in the fields of philosophy and ethics, Dr. Hartzler later served on the faculties of the American University and the ner East School of Religion in Beirut, Lebanon, the Bonebrake Theological Seminary, and the Hartford Seminary. He was the author of five books on theology, philosophy, and education.

Dr. Hartzler's first marriage was to Minnie M. Yoder of Bellefontaine, Ohio. She died in 1955 while they were on a tour in Oslo, Norway. In 1958 he was married to Myra Weaver, R. N., of Lancaster.

Surviving in addition to his wife are one son, Dr. John E. of Akron, Ohio; one daughter, Helen, of Palo Alto, Calif.; two granddaughters; two brothers, Herbert of Kalona, Iowa, and Bishop J. G. Hartzler of Windom, Kan.; and one sister, Mrs. Fannie Brenneman of Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Mennonite obituary: 1963 Jun 11 p. 399