Waltner, Orlando A. (1914-1991)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1991 Sep 5 p. 6

Birth date: 1914 Dec 1

text of obituary:

Leader in General Conf. Dies at 76 in N. Newton

NORTH NEWTON, KAN. (GCMC) — Orlando A. Waltner, a missionary, pastor and former general secretary of the General Conference Mennonite Church, died of cancer Aug. 30 at his home. He was 76.

Waltner was born Dec. 1, 1914, in rural Marion S. D., the son of Alfred P. and Anna (Miller) Waltner. On June 9, 1939, he married Vernelle S. Schroeder in Freeman, S. D. She survives.

From 1939-56 Waltner served as a missionary to India with the GC Board of Missions (now Commission on Overseas Mission). He returned to Newton in 1957 and became executive secretary of the mission board from 1958-60.

From 1962-69 Waltner was general secretary of the General Conference Mennonite Church. During his tenure he helped write a new constitution for the General Conference and guided the transition from the old system to the current structure which was adopted in 1968.

In 1971 he took a two-year assignment with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Markham, Ill., then returned to Kansas as associate pastor of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, until 1987. Waltner was chaplain at Bethesda Retirement Home, Goessel, from 1988 until his death.

During his lifetime, Waltner touched many lives. Muriel Thiessen Stackley commented on his work in India, where she lived as a child with her missionary parents. "Orlando was a gentle, quiet man, and his ministry was very successful," she said. "He had the best traits for cross-cultural ministry."

As leader of the General Conference, "Orlando gave steady leadership during the turbulent '60s," said Vern Preheim, current GC general secretary. "He was always looking ahead as he anticipated concerns for evangelism, church unity and ministry to the social order."

Preheim pointed to Waltner's report to the 1968 triennial sessions at Estes Park, where he wrote, "What wineskins of our living will burst under God's advancing love and goodness none can foresee. Our spiritual pilgrimage requires that we confirm certain things of faith and practice. It also demands that we be open to exchange ideas and programs for that in which God's greater work and redeeming grace can come to all [people]."

Survivors other than his wife include two sons, Robert C. of Taipei, Taiwan, and John D. of Hesston; one daughter, Carol Holsinger, Agana, Guam; one brother, Silas P., Marion, S. D.; one sister, Hilda Becker, Marion, S. D.; and six grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be directed to the General Conference Mennonite Church, Bethel College or the GC Western District Conference.

A memorial service was held Sept. 2 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, where he was a member. He was buried at Restlawn Gardens of Memory, Newton.

The Mennonite obituary: 1991 Sep 24 p. 426