Reber, Joel D. (1876-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Dec 22 p. 6

Birth date: 1876 Nov 27

text of obituary:

JOEL D. REBER

Joel D., son of David D. and Mary (Swartzendruber) Reber, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, Nov. 27, 1876, and died at his home near Wellman, Iowa, Dec. 4, 1949, at the age of 73 years and seven days.

In 1897 he was baptized by Bishop Jacob F. Swartzendruber and became a member of the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite congregation, where he retained his church fellowship until his death. Until recent years, he was active in church and Sunday school wrk [sic].

He lived in matrimony a little over 29 years, having married Barbara Miller on Nov. 18, 1900.

The following six children were born to this union: Katie, wife of Art Schweitzer, Wellman, Iowa; Mary, wife of Nick Gascho, Pigeon, Mich.; Bertha, wife of Maynard Brenneman, Kalona, Iowa; Maynard, Kalona, Iowa; Harold of Davenport Iowa; and Lester of Kalona. The children are all living and together with their mother will deeply feel their loss here.

He also leaves one aged aunt, Mrs. C. P. Swartzendruber; three brothers, Joseph of Shelbyville, Ill, George of Iowa City, Iowa, and Noah of Milford. Nebr.; and three sisters, Barbara, wife of W. H. Detweiler of Oxford, Iowa, Lizzie, widow of Edward Schmucker, and Nancy, wife of Guy Weidlein, both of Wellman; seven grandchildren and five step-grandchildren. Many others mourn his death for to all who knew him, he was a friend.

For many years Joel and his companion lived on a farm just adjoining the place where he was born. Almost 12 years ago, they moved to Daytonville where they resided at the time of his death.

For about a year he had suffered more or less but was not confined to his bed until a week before his death. He took to his bed on his 73rd birthday with pneumonia and a very weak heart. Seven days later, the Lord saw fit to take him to his eternal reward.

Funeral services were held at the Lower Deer Creek church on Dec. 6, 1949, conducted by John Y. Swartzendruber and George Miller.