Woolner, Orpha Shantz (1902-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Oct 17 p. 11

Birth date: 1902

MRS. ORPHA WOOLNER

Mrs. Vernon (Orpha) Woolner died unexpectedly at her home in Kitchener, Ontario on Sept. 6, 1974 as the result of a heart attack. She was 72.

The former Orpha Shantz, she was a member of the Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church and of the Women's Missionary Assn. She had spent her entire life in the Twin City area.

Surviving are her husband; two sons, Lyell [sic Lyall] of Route 2, Petersburg, Ont. and Ross of Kitchener; three daughters, Mrs. Terrence (Elaine) Fox and Mrs. Gordon (Ruth) Schaus, both of Kitchener, and Mrs. Robert (Fern) Duthie of Chatham; three sisters, Mrs. Joseph (Lena) Martin of Elmira, Mrs. Stanley (Erma) Snider of Atwood, and Mrs. Martin (Wilma) Horst of Kitchener,; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter who died in infancy.

Minister officiating at the memorial service were Rev. James Reusser, the pastor, Rev. John Gingerich, a friend of the family, and Rev. Robert Duthie, a son-in-law. Following the commital [sic] service at the Erb Street Cemetery, more than 175 friends returned to the social room of the Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church for a fellowship meal, followed by an hour of sharing and paying tribute to the generosity of Orpha Shantz Woolner and the significant influence she had on her family and many friends, as well as her quiet and extensive service in church and community.