Penner, Ernest (1950-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 Apr 30 p. 31

Birth date: 1950 Nov 21

text of obituary:

ERNEST PENNER

Ern est P[ nner, 20, of Clearbrook , B.C. died M arch 21 , 16 hours after being involved in an auto accident which claim ed t he lives of three other persons . He was born on November 21 , 1950, one of a set of twins born to Victor and Maria Penner of the Colony Fernheim , Paraguay. He spent his childhood days in Paraguay, happy to play with his brothers and sisters, es pecially enjoying th e horses, andgiad ly attending Sunday school along w ith t he rest of his family . In 1961 the Penners moved to Canada and found a hom e in th e Fraser Valley. Ernest left school at t he age of 16 to begin to work . He had come home from Prince George, B.C. , a few days before his death. On the day of t he accident. he and a fri end, M enno Teichroeb, 18, went riding and cam e into collision w ith a car heading t he wron g wa y on the 401 Highway near Abbotsford, B.C. Ernest was the only one to survi ve th e accident, lingering on ina semi-conscio us condition for a number of hours before also succumbing to his injuries. Ernest had made a profession of sa lvation at the age of 12 and though he experienced many difficulties in his Christian life, his family are confident that th ey will someday meet him in glory . Befo re his death he appeared to give indication that he understood what was said when his father spoke to him, " Ernest, th e Lord Jesus loves you; believe on him and you will be saved." He leaves to mourn, his parents, Victor and Maria Penner, three brothers (including his twin brother Irwin). four sisters, two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, and many oth er relatives and friends. Two brothers and t wo sisters predeceased him. The funeral was conducted in the Clearbrook M ennonite Brethren Church, 1 :ogethei'" with that forlVlenno Teichroeb, on March 25, with a very large attendance from th e community. Rev. Herman Lenzmann of th e Clearbrook Church and Rev. Jacob Tilitzky of the Ebenezer Mennonite Church ministered to the sorrowing families and participants.