Stutzman, Joseph B. (1889-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jan 6 p. 8

Birth date: 1889 Oct 25

text of obituary:

JOSEPH B. STUTZMAN

Joseph B. Stutzman, 65, a faithful West Rockingham county churchman, and retired bakery operator, who had resided in Rockingham county, Va. since 1928, died at three o’clock Thursday morning, Dec. 23, 1954, at his home on Route 4, in the West Central switchboard community.

Mr. Stutzman had been in failing health since 1950, having suffered a heart attack on Easter Sunday of that year. He suffered a second attack six weeks ago and had been bedfast since that time.

A son of the late Joseph Stutzman and Barbara Troyer Stutzman, he was born on Oct. 25, 1889, near Lincoln, Neb. As a child of seven years, he moved to Jewelsburg, Col., where he lived for some years prior to moving to Portage county, Ohio. He made his home in this Ohio community until 1928 when he came to Rockingham county where he has since resided.

Mr. Stutzman owned and operated Stutzman’s Bakery from 1928 until he retired from business in 1941. Since his retirement from business life he had devoted his time to mission work of the (Old) Mennonite Church.

He was a lifelong member of the Mennonite Church and took an active part in the various organizations and undertakings of the church. He was active in Sunday Sshool [sic] work and served as Sunday school superintendent at Gospel Hill Mennonite church and Mt. Herman Mennonite church, near Standardsville. He contributed generously of his time talent and means to the Blue Ridge Mission Field and shall long be remembered in the hearts and minds of the people of this community.

On Sept. 23, 1913, he married Miss Minerva Selzer, who preceded him in death on May 15, 1948.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Oliver (Doris) Keener, of Harrisonburg Route 2; and Mrs. Durward (Barbara) Bowman, of Harrisonburg Route 4; and one son, Joseph E. Stutzman of Drumore, Penna. He also leaves 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. William Howitt, of Union City, Pa., and Mrs. Eldon Miller, of Hudson, Ohio; and two brothers, Lloyd J. Stutzman, of Mantua, Ohio, and James Stutzman, of Schwenksville, Pa. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

A sister and four brothers preceded him in death.

Mr. Stutzman possessed a kind and pleasant Christian personality and was respected and admired by all who knew him. He will be missed by many.

Funeral services were held Sunday morning at eleven o’clock from the Weavers Mennonite church. Chester K. Lehman conducted the services, assisted by J. E. Kurtz. Burial was made in the family lot in the Weavers Church cemetery. Bishop Daniel W. Lehman had charge of services at the home and the cemetery.