Litwiller, Lilly Bechler (1888-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 29 p. 6

Birth date: 1888 Dec 28

text of obituary:

Suffers Fatal Burns In Home Accident

SERVICES HELD AT MANSON, IOWA CHURCH FOR MRS. SIMON LITWILLER

Manson, Iowa. — Funeral services were held at the Manson Mennonite Church for Mrs. Simon Litwiller, 70, who was fatally burned in her home in Manson on Jan. 12.

While pursuing household tasks Mrs. Litwiller accidentally came too close to the pilot light on her gas stove, igniting her clothing and inflicting third degree burns over 80 per cent of her body. She was taken to the Lutheran Hospital, Fort Dodge, where she died 20 hours later, at 4:00 a. m. Jan. 13.

Surviving are her husband; two sons, Glen and Earl of Manson; and two daughters, Mrs. Mervin Gerber of Adamsville, Pa. and Mrs. Eldon King of Conneaut Lake, Pa.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 19 p. 8

MRS. SIMON LITWILLER

Lilly Bechler Litwiller, daughter of Joel and Magdalena (Gascho) Bechler, was born near Zurich, Ontario on Dec. 28, 1888, passed away peacefully Jan. 13, 1959, at Lutheran hospital, Fort Dodge, Iowa, age 70 years and 16 days.

At the age of 18 years she came to Tazewell County, Ill. where she met her companion. They were married at the Christian Litwiller home on March 19, 1919, by Bishop John Birky, attended by Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Cripe. Together they walked life's pathway for almost 40 years, living in the vicinity of Manson, Iowa with the exception of two years.

She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour and united with the Zurich Mennonite Church at the age of 17 years. In her quiet, unassuming way her life was filled with deeds of kindness, not only to her own family and grandchildren, but to her many friends, neighbors, and to underprivileged children.

While doing her housework on Monday morning, Jan. 12, 1959, her clothing became ignited by the pilot light on a gas range, burning her body so severely that death resulted 20 hours later, on Jan. 13, 1959.

During her life she was unusually blest with good health, never having been a hospital patient until her death. May we humbly submit to the will of a loving Heavenly Father.

Surviving are her husband; two sons, Glen and Earl Litwiller of Manson; two daughters, Edythe (Mrs. Eldon King) of Conneaut Lake, Pa. and Berniece [sic Bernice](Mrs. Mervin Gerber) of Adamsville, Pa.; two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, 20 grandchildren; seven sisters, Mrs. Barbara Lockhart of Manson, Mrs. Sarah Smith of Prude Home [sic Prud'homme], Sask, Mrs. Anna Birkey of Kouts, Ind., her twin sister Mrs. Lydia Erb of Zurich, Ontario, Mrs. Susie Eichelberger of Hopedale, Ill., Mrs. Adeline Eichelberver and Mrs. Luella Eichelbervger, both of Kouts, Ind.; two brothers, Mose Bechler of Exeter, Ontario and Chris Bechler of Meadville, Pa. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother in infancy, and two grandsons.

Funeral services were held in the Manson Mennonite Church on Jan. 15, 1959. The sermon, from II Samuel 12:23, was given by Bishop Edward Birkey. He was assisted by Rev. Nick Stoltzfus. Music was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Swartzendruber and daughter Kathryn, Mrs. Harold Zook and son John, Ronald Zehr, Carolyn Stoltzfus, and Carl Bohn,Jr.

Burial was made in Rose hill cemetery, with six nephews serving as pallbearers.

Those from out of state who attended the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gerber and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Eichelberger of Beemer, Neb., Mrs. Clarence Talbot of St. Louis, Mo., Mr.and Mrs. Leonard Erb, Emerson Erb and Albert Erb of Zurich, Ontario, Mrs. Ervin Gingerich of Ailsa Craig, Ontario, the Eldon King family of Conneaut Lake, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Gerber, Delores and David of Adamsville, Pa.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Eichelberger and Mrs. Loui Eichelberger of Kouts, Ind., Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Eichelberger of LaGrange, Ind., Mr. and Mrs. Henry Eichelberger, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Eichelberger, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Litwiller and Barbara Litwiller of Hopedale, Ill., Mrs. Henry L. Horsch of Foosland, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Ammon Litwiller of Delavan, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Silas Litwiller of Minier, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Albrecht, Harold Albrecht, Wilbur Albrecht and Roy Kauffman, all of Tiskilwa, Ill.