Zehr, Bertha Staley (1872-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 16 p. 9

Birth date: 1872 Aug 28

text of obituary:

MRS. BERTHA ZEHR

Mrs. Bertha Zehr, 80, died on Monday morning, June 29, at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Roeschley, Flanagan, Ill. She had been in failing health for several years, and seriously ill only a few days.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the Lehman Funeral home, and at 2:00 o’clock at the Waldo Mennonite church. Rev. J. D. Hartzler and Rev. E. J. Stalter officiated at the services. Orie Roeschley, Chester Long, Virgil May and Homer Springer sang, “My Latest Sun Is Sinking Fast” and “When My Life’s Work Is Ended.” Pallbearers were grandsons, Harold Zehr, Jerold Zehr, Robert Zehr, Paul Zehr, Delmar Yordy and Elmer Lueck. Burial was in Waldo cemetery.

Bertha Zehr, daughter of Christian and Katherine Wise Staley, was born August 28, 1872, near Flanagan. In early youth she united with the Waldo Mennonite church.

On December 30, 1899, she was united in marriage to Joseph A. Zehr. He passed away in 1918.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a sister, a son and a granddaughter. Surviving are four sons, Milo, Roy, Walter and Lloyd, all of Flanagan, and two daughters, Mrs. Ella Yordy of Gridley, and Mrs. Lola Roeschley of Flanagan. There are 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

One step-sister, Mrs. Fanny Ingold of Fisher, and one step-brother, Dan Stieman of Danvers, also survive.

She was a kind and loving mother and was much concerned about her family and was a faithful member of her church.