Smucker, Mary Ebersole (1886-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jan 13 p.10

Birth date: 1886 Dec 22

text of obituary:

Widow of Long-Time Professor Dies At Bluffton Home

Bluffton, Ohio. — Funeral services for Mrs. Mary E. Smucker, 85, widow of Prof. Boyd D. Smucker, were held Dec. 30 at the First Mennonite Church here. Rev. Stanley Bohn, the pastor, and Rev. Wilmer Shelly officiated.

Mrs. Smucker, the former Mary Ebersole, died Dec. 22 at the Mennonite Memorial Home here. She was a graduate of Goshen College and at one time taught in public schools. Her husband, who served on the faculties of Goshen and Bluffton colleges, died in 1936.

Survivors include four sons, Dr. Orden C. of East Lansing, Mich., Dr. Donovan E. of Waterloo, Ontario, Bertran D. of Port Jefferson, New York, and Prof. Carl F. of Bluffton, as well as 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Feb 3 p. 14

text of obituary:

MARY EBERSOLE SMUCKER

Mary Ebersole Smucker was born on a farm near Ayr, Neb. on Dec. 22, 1886 and died on Dec. 27, 1971 at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton, Ohio.

Her father, Elias Ebersole, was born in Lancaster, Pa. and later moved to Sterling, Ill. Later the family moved to Nebraska. The family faithfully attended the Roseland Mennonite Church near Hastings. Two older sisters, Kate (Mrs. Samuel G. Lapp) and Esther (Mrs. George J. Lapp) as well as four brothers, Frank, Reuben, William and Benjamin, preceded her in death.

Mary Ebersole Smucker attended Goshen College where she met Boyd David Smucker. They were married Sept. 19, 1908 and lived in Goshen until 1913. During this time her husband taught oratory at Goshen College. The first two of her sons, Orden and Carl, were born in Goshen. The family moved to Arizona where Boyd was engaged in newspaper work.

In 1915 the family was called to Bluffton College, where Boyd served as field director and professor of oratory until his death. The two younger sons, Donovan and Bertran, were born in Bluffton. Mr. Smucker died in 1936.

Throughout her life, Mary participated fully in various aspects of the life of the First Mennonite Church and in the activities of Bluffton College. The four sons survive along with 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The Mennonite obituary: 1972 Feb 1 p. 80