Hershberger, Elmer Day (1899-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 May 3 p. 6

Birth date: 1899 Sep 13

text of obituary:

. . .

— Elmer D. Hershberger, 56, well-known dairyman here, died of a heart attack Sunday afternoon at the home northwest of Newton. The body was found by his wife when she returned home after attending a program in Newton. Funeral services were held Wednesday forenoon at the Evangelical United Brethren Church, of which he was a member. A native of Arthur, Ill., he was married to the former Amy Elizabeth Erb, who survives with their 12 children. Also surviving are two brothers and two sisters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 May 24 p. 8

text of obituary:

ELMER DAY HERSHBERGER

Elmer Day Hershberger, son of Joseph and Sophronia Hershberger, was born Sept. 13, 1899, at Arthur, Ill., and passed away April 29, 1956, at the farm home near Newton.

His mother passed away when he was but two years of age. Consequently his step-mother whom he loved dearly was the one to guide him in the formative years. He moved with the family to Harper, Kansas,when he was a child. There he grew up on a farm, moving with his parents near Hesston in 1915.

He was married to Amy Elizabeth Erb on June 27, 1918, and they established their home on a farm southwest of Hesston. In the spring of 1920 they moved to the farm northwest of Newton.

For years Mr. Hershberger's agricultural interests centered in his thorough-bred herd of Guernsey cattle. In 1929 he began delivering milk in Newton and became widely known in the community through his milk deliveries and his tireless efforts to keep the milk industry in Newton in local hands. It was a sad time when his health compelled him to sell his prize-winning herd two years ago.

Mr. Hershberger had suffered heart attacks across the years. These became more serious two years ago and gradually took all his strength. In the last several months, and in the last few weeks particularly, his weariness increased.

The departed was reared in the church and with Christian training in the home. He was baptized and received into membership as a young man at Harper, but the years that followed saw a gradual diminishing of interest in the church and its work. In the year 1951, however, the conviction deepened in him that he should confess his sin ans seek forgiveness through faith in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit worked in his heart, and on Feb. 10, 1952, he united with the Evangelical united Brethren Church in Newton upon the profession of his faith. This act made a tremendous difference in his life, and he was a victorious Christian all the rest of his time.

The names of the six sons are: Willis and Lloyd of Newton, Tillman of Gypsum, Kansas, Robert of Sedgwick, Kansas, and James and Glen of the home. The six daughters are: Mrs. Ray Spicher (Elizabeth) of McPherson; Mrs. Harold Dyck (Elva Mae) of Hesston; Mrs. Bill Garrett (Lola Faye) and Mrs. Joe Dunn (Edith) of Wichita; Mrs. Myron Enns (Wilma) of Salina; and Mrs. Leland England (Marjorie) of Hutchinson.

He also leaves two brothers, Ralph of Long Beach, Calif. and Allen of Sedgwick; two sisters, Mrs. S. E. Fausnight of Akron, Ohio and a twin sister, Mrs. Abe Hess of Wichita, and 25 grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday forenoon, May 2, at the Evangelical United Brethren church in Newton. Burial was made in the Pennsylvania Cemetery near Zimmerdale.