Waltner, John J. (1863-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 May 16 p. 7

Birth date: 1863 Dec 24

text of obituary:

Death Claims Freeman Pioneer at Age 99

Freeman, S. D. — John J. Waltner, one of the few remaining pioneers who came to this area from South Russia in the 1870's, died April 26 at the Freeman Hospital at the age of 99.

Born in Russia on Dec. 24, 1863, he came to South Dakota with his parents in 1875. His wife, the former Katharina Mueller, died in 1941. Surviving are five daughters two sons, and numerous grandchildren, including four great-great-grandchildren.

He was one of the founders of the Salem Mennonite Church, where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. Herbert Fretz.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 May 23 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOHN J. WALTNER

John J. Waltner was born Dec. 24, 1863 and died April 26, 1963, reaching the age of 99 years, four months, and two days.

The son of Johann and Maria Krehbiel Waltner, he was born in Volhynia, South Russia. In 1875 at the age of 12 he emigrated to America with his parents who settled on a farm some nine miles northeast of Yankton, S. D. Here he grew to manhood.

He was baptized April 2, 1882 by Rev. Christian Kaufman in the Salem Mennonite Church, later known as the Salem-Zion Church. In 1908 he became a charter member of the Salem Mennonite Church (South Church) which he helped to construct and organize, and of which he remained a faithful member until his death.

On Oct. 25, 1885 he was united in marriage to Katharina Mueller with whom he shared joys and sorrows for 55 years and eight months. She died June 10, 1941. This union was blessed with eight children, five daughters and three sons. Besides his wife, one son, Jonathan, preceded him in death Oct. 14, 1962.

He leaves to mourn his departure seven children, Elizabeth (Mrs. Reinholt [sic Reinhold] Weicht), Adolph, and Lydia (Mrs. John M. Miller), all of Freeman, S. S. D. [sic S. D.], John Jr. of Marion, S. D., Alvina (Mrs. Jos. C. Graber) of Freeman, Rosa (Mrs. Edw. C. Graber) of Freeman, and Laura (Mrs. Rudolph Miller) of Marion; one sister Carolina, Mrs. Peter Jos. Graber of Freeman; two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Mrs. Carry Mueller and Mr. and Mrs. Ben P. Miller; 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

His long span of life is considered a blessing by the children, for whom he was a source of advice and counsel.

Rev. J. Herbert Fritz brought the message. Mrs. LaVerne Graber was at the organ and music was funished by the Men's Quartet at the funeral chapel and to the Men's choir at the church. Interment was made at the Salem Mennonite Cemetery. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1963 May 28 p. 367