Schwartzentruber, Elmer (1909-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Feb 12 p. 12

Birth date: 1909 Apr 17

text of obituary:

ELMER SCHWARTZENTRUBER

Elmer Schwartzentruber, 97, of New Hamburg, Ont., died Dec. 21, 2006, at Nithview Home. He was born April 17, 1909, to Christian and Elizabeth (Wagler) Schwartzentruber in Wilmot Township.

He was a member of Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, Ont., where he was ordained deacon on Aug. 31, 1941, and minister on Aug. 12, 1951. He served the congregation until 1979, when he was named pastor emeritus. Since 1993 he was a resident of Nithview Home, where he enjoyed assisting and encouraging fellow residents.

He was involved on the conference level with the Christian Nurture Council and as secretary of Home Interests.

He served as executive secretary for the Amish Mennonite Conference of Ontario and saw the name changed to Western Ontario Mennonite Conference on the journey through to Inter-Mennonite Conference to MCEC and the fellowship of the Mennonite Conference of Canada.

He was in the first graduating class of Ontario Mennonite Bible Institute, Kitchener, in 1954.

On Jan. 9, 1930, he married Magdalena (Mattie) Wagler. She preceded him in death on Aug. 10, 1996.

Survivors include four daughters, Fern Erb and her husband, Carl, of New Hamburg, Mary Otterbein and her husband, Mel, of Kitchener, Ruth Umble and her husband, Rick, of Atglen, Pa., and Carol Joy Purves of Kitchener; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren and his brother, Solomon.

Services were held at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Burial was in Steinmann Mennonite Cemetery, Baden.