Schellenberg, Isaac Flaming (1899-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 May 5 p. 6

Birth date: 1899 Sep 5

text of obituary:

— Funeral services for Isaac F. Schellenberg, 56, well known farmer and teacher of Vinland, Kansas, were held Tuesday forenoon at the Mennonite Brethren church in Buhler, Rev. R. M. Baerg and Rev. Waldo Hiebert officiating. Mr. Schellenberg died suddenly of a heart attack Saturday evening at North Newton, he and his wife having come with relatives at Buhler to attend the all-school play at Bethel College. Mr. Schellenberg was a teacher, athletic coach and school administrator for a number of years, serving schools in South Dakota, at Henderson, Neb. and Vinland and Ramona, Kansas. He leaves his wife, the former Tina Franz, a daughter, Naomi and son James, and a number of brothers and sisters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 May 12 p. 8

text of obituary:

ISAAC F. SCHELLENBERG

Isaac Flaming Schellenberg was born Sept. 5, 1899, near Buhler, Kansas the son of Abraham and Susanna Schellenberg. His early childhood was spent near Buhler and at Escondido, Calif.

He entered Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas, after graduating from the academy there. He received an A.B. degree from the University of Kansas in 1925.

While at Tabor he met Tena Franz, who became his wife on May 30, 1926, at Henderson, Neb. To this marriage were born three children: Alfred Louis, who died in April, 1928, a few days after birth; Naomi Ruth; and James Arthur.

As a teacher for several years, he taught a wide variety of subjects — especially physical science and mathematics — and served as well as athletic coach and school administrator. He taught in South Dakota from 1925 to 1928 — one year in a grade school near Yale and two years as principal and coach at the high school in Hitchcock. For the following three years he was athletic coach and superintendent of schools at Henderson, Neb. Later he returned to teaching at Vinlnad, Kansas, where he was principal from 1945 to 1948; and at Ramona, Kansas, where he was athletic coach form 1948 to 1950.

Most of his life, however, he was a farmer. His boyhood was spent on the farm; and in 1913 he bought a farm a mile west of Vinland, Kansas, to continue as a farmer. Nearly all the rest of his life was spent there. He enjoyed growing plants and animals, and the scars from fence-making remaining on his hands at death are the marks of hard farm work.

Isaac dedicated himself to a new life in God at the age of 17 when he also became a member of the Ebenezer Mennonite Brethren church of Buhler. His baptism was by his father, Elder Abraham Schellenberg, one year before his father's death. For the rest of his life he was an active worker in the Church and a keen Bible student. After moving to Vinland he became an active member of the Methodist church there, and at the time of death served both as song leader for the Sunday school and as teacher of the young people's Bible class.

Ike — as Isaac was known to his friends — was a man of dependable character and solid morality. He was completely unpretentious and rigidly honest. His sense of humor was both unique and wholesome. He was strong physically, skillful in athletics, and in excellent health nearly all his life. His mind was unusually alert, and he had a great variety of interests. He had a generous, gentle love for all. Children liked to be around him. Memories of him a a husband and father will always be kind and pleasant.

Death came suddenly but peacefully Saturday night, April 30, 1955, at North Newton, Kansas. He began to feel weak during the trip from Buhler to newton, where the family and relatives were going to see a play. He died in the arms of his wife a few moments after arriving in Newton.

He is survived by his wife, Tena, his children, Naomi and Jim, four brothers and nine sisters, and many other relatives and friends. The surviving brothers and sisters are: Jake, San Diego, Calif.; George, of Lyden, Wash.; John, of Dalhart, Texas; Dan, of Reedley, Calif.; Susanna of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Helena Penner, of Colony, Okla.; Mrs. Eva Harms, of Dinuba, Calif.; Anna, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Agnes, Martha, and Rubena, all of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Justina Ediger, of Chilliwack, British Columbia; and Mrs. Maria Regier of Enid, Okla.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on May 3 in the Mennonite Brethren church at Buhler, Rev. R. M. Baerg and Rev. Waldo Hiebert officiating. Music was given by Jona Baltzer, soloist, and Mrs. P. P. Janzen at the organ. The body was laid to rest near the grave of his parents in the Ebenezer cemetry [sic], Buhler, less than four miles from the place of his birth.