Weber, Noah Musser . (1869-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Dec 11 p. 8

Birth date: 1869 Aug 13

text of obituary:

NOAH M. WEBER

Noah Musser Weber was born on August 13, 1869, in Berks County, Pa., in the area of the memorable settlement of Mennonites of more than 200 years ago. He died on the morning of Nov. 22, 1958, near Adamstown, Pa., in the area traditionally known as "Gehmansthaal," on the Gehman's estate of immigrant descent. Here he lived all his life, close by Gehman's Mennonite church. He reached the age of 89 years, three months and nine days.

He chose the Mennonite church through which to express his "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Was baptized Oct. 12, 1889, by the late Bishop Jonas H. Martin as member of the Bowmansville Mennonite congregation. Three others were also baptized at that time. Among them was Hettie H. Gehman, 16, a daughter of Henry G. Gehman, who three years later was destined to become his faithful wife.

Bro. Weber was not only a big man physically, he was big hearted, easy to get along with, loyal to the church of his choice, faithful to the Conference body. He was one of that vast multitude of unsung heroes who silently wield such a powerful influence in moulding the church for her heavenly destiny. Modestly he evaded the limelight of worldly popularity.

On Feb. 22, 1892, he married sister Hettie H. Gehman. The wedding took place in the anteroom of the Weaverland Mennonite church and was performed by the local bishop, Jonas H. Martin. For more than half a century the couple shared the joys and sorrows of a happy marriage "in the Lord." Hettie was of Gehman's ancestral descent of the sixth generation when young Noah met her in "Gehmansthaal" in 1892. Here they lived all the days of their married life on part of William Penn son's grant of land near Adamstown, Pa., on which land also Gehman's church now stands.

His immediate progeny are Alice (wife of Aaron Martin), Harry, Abel, Edwin, Anna (single), Esther (wife of Enos Musser), Sallie (wife of Ivan Gehman), and Ella (wife of Pre. Paul Z. Martin). There remain also 31 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Solomon, Joseph and Aaron, and a sister Anna, all septuaginarians and some over eighty.

In the year 1912 his local congregation needed a minister. He was one of the ten brethren named and ready to share the lot. Though not chosen he faithfully stood by the ordained one to the very last.

From the year 1915 continually, for approximately 30 years, he was associated with the Gehman's Sunday School leadership, either as assistant or superintendent, working with the brethren John L. Musser and Elmer Horst as associates. It is a school small in numbers but large in spirit, as teachers from Reading, Lancaster, Harrisonburg, Somalia and other places will testify, having caught at least a bit of inspiration for mission work by being associated with Gehamn's Sunday School.

For quite a number of years he served as a member of the board of Millersville Children's Home for unfortunate children.

Bishop Howard Z. Good had charge of the funeral services. He preached from 2 Cor. 5:1. Moses G. Gehman had opening prayer and read Psa. 90. Benjamin F. Weaver conducted the burial service. It was on Nov. 24, a calm, delightful autumn afternoon, when six brethren of the second generation carried this once "temple of the Holy ghost" to its earthly resting place in the Bowmansville cemetery, awaiting the "Trumpet of the Lord."