Esther H. Derstine

Other Events:

• Name: Esther H. Smith
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-213989
• Residence: 1971, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

90Smith, Esther, daughter of C. F. and Gertrude (Hagey) Derstine, was born at Souderton, Pa.; died of a heart attack at the K-W Hospital, Waterloo, Ont., Jan. 9, 1975; aged 61 y. She was married to Alfred M. Smith, who preceded her in death in 1964. Surviving are one son (Robert T. Smith), 4 sisters (Ruth - Mrs. George Hofstetter, Margaret - Mrs. Robert Becker, Grace - Mrs. Paul Brunner, and Yvonne - Mrs. Lawrence Harris), and 2 brothers (Clayton and John Derstine). She was a member of the First Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Jan. 11, in charge of Robert N. Johnson and Ernie Martin; interment in Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener.

Gospel Herald - Vol. 68, No. 5 -- February 4, 1975 - p. 89, 90

Esther married Alfred M. Smith 22 Aug 1936. Alfred (son of William Thomas Smith and Margaret Mary Schott) was born 9 Jun 1910, Woodstock, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 13 Nov 1964, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-22548
• Residence: 1927, 22 Cameron St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• School: Jul 1935, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Summer Bible School
• Residence: 1957, RR3, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1959, 1102 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Derstine - Clayton F., son of Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Derstine, was born at Souderton, Pa., Aug. 17, 1891; died at his home in Kitchener, Ont., of a severe coronary attack, Aug. 31, 1967; aged 76 y. 14 d. He was an ordained minister for 54 years, serving at Altoona, Pa., and Eureka, Ill., before going to Kitchener. He was predeceased by his first wife (Gertrude B. Haney), May 23, 1926. On July 5, 1927, he was married to Mary E. Kolb, who survives. Also surviving are 2 sons (John R. and Clayton K.), 5 daughters (Mrs. Esther H. Smith, Ruth-Mrs. George Hostetter, Margaret-Mrs. Robert Becker, Grace-Mrs. Paul Brunner, and Eyvonne-Mrs. Lawrence Harries), 2 brothers (Clarence and Lloyd), and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite Church, Sept. 3, with J. B. Martin, A. J. Metzler, and Robert N. Johnson officiating.

Gospel Herald, October 3, 1967

_________________________


Clayton F. Derstine, a Bishop in the Illinois Conference of the Mennonite Church, was the youngest Bishop in America. He came to the First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, in 1924, where he demonstrated spiritual integrity and wisdom for more than forty years. He was Bishop in the Ontario Conference from 1925. He was internationally known as an evangelist, teacher, writer and lecturer.

Bishop Derstine was an instructor in the Ontario Mennonite Bible School; taught public speaking at Waterloo College; was editor of the Christian Monitor for twenty-five years; compiled a book of 300 hymns and meditations and wrote fifteen books. He started the first Community Bible School in Canada; launched and served the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship; and was Chairman of the Board of the House of Friendship for twenty-five years. His work took him through Canada and to forty-five states of the USA. He had the privilege of preaching to and serving three generations of the Mennonite Church.


Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

___________________

Clayton Freed Derstine, born 17 August 1891, died 31 August 1967, was the son of Mahlon and Mary (Freed) Derstine of Souderton, Pennsylvania. Following his conversion in 1911, "C.F." Derstine joined the Souderton Mennonite congregation. His zeal in organizing cottage meetings for Bible study and young peoples' Bible meetings launched him on a lifelong mission of evangelism and teaching throughout the Mennonite Church (MC) and beyond.

Derstine was ordained a minister in 1914. He and his first wife, Gertrude Hangey (m. 1912), served at the Mennonite Mission in Altoona, Pennsylvania, 1913-1915. Within 13 months of his ordination, C. F. preached 520 sermons, as he accepted invitations from congregations in various states to conduct evangelistic services. He served as pastor of the Roanoke Mennonite Church at Eureka , Illinois , 1915-1924. He was ordained a bishop in 1921. Derstine moved with his family to Ontario in 1924 in response to a call from First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, where a division had splintered the congregation. During his pastorate (1924-1964), membership quadrupled. Derstine continued his evangelistic itineraries throughout Canada and the United States. His pulpit ministry stood as the focal point of his contribution to the church. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary Kolb in 1927.

His assignments in the Mennonite Conference of Ontario (Mennonite Church) included: conference executive committee (1925, 1930-33, 1936-30); bishop of the Toronto Mission (1938-1944) and of the Central District (1961-1966); Mennonite Mutual Benefit Association board (1944-1947); Colonization Committee (1953-1955); and the Ontario Mennonite Bible School faculty (1929-1948). He served the Mennonite Church (MC) general conference as associate member on the Relief Committee (1944-1946) and as editor of the Christian Monitor (1923-29; editor of the "World News" section until 1953).

His ministry in the community included founding a Summer Vacation Bible School for children, the first to be held in any denomination in Canada. With the support of community churches and the city of Kitchener, he founded the Kitchener House of Friendship, a ministry for the homeless.

Bergey, Lorna L. "Derstine, Clayton Freed (1891-1967)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1990. Web. 25 February 2011. https://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/D477ME.html.

Clayton married Gertrude B. Haney 21 Aug 1912. Gertrude (daughter of Lambert Haney and Linda Snovel) was born 21 Mar 1885, Silverdale, Bucks, Pennsylvania, USA; died 23 May 1926, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Gertrude B. Derstine
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-22624

Notes:

Gertrude Blanche Derstine was born at Silverdale, Pa., March 21, 1895; died May 23, 1926, at Kitchener, Ont. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Hangey of Telford, Pa.; her father preceded her in death. The immediate cause of her death was "Henock's Purpura." But she had been an intense sufferer for a number of years. She was widely know for her patient suffering, her uncomplaining disposition, her cheery personality. Even the last remark heard from her lips was, "Praise the Lord." On Aug. 21, 1912, she was united in marriage to Bro. C. F. Derstine of Souderton, Pa. Shortly after this, at the call of the Southwestern Penna. Mission Board, they gave their service to the Church in the city mission at Altoona, Pa. From there they were called to the Illinois Conference and resided at Eureka. While at this place she, in a most devoted spirit, supported her husband in the local work, as well as his evangelistic efforts throughout the church. For the space of twelve years her husband's work necessitated many lonesome hours for her, but she never uttered one note which made it hard for her husband to attend to his God-given duties, but constantly encouraged him in every way. When the call came to come to the First Mennonite Church at Kitchener, Ont., she responded to the call of duty, even though she was fondly attached to the cause and to the people at Eureka, Ill., where they had spent nine years. She was the first to say to her husband, "I can't see how we can conscientiously go back to the field in Illinois, seeing the urgent call and need here in Kitchener, and its environs." Her good Christian character and radiant personality could not be confined to her own home. She shall be deeply missed by all who knew her. In her girlhood days she accepted her Savior, united with the Mennonite Church and loyally exemplified her principles. Prior to her last operation she said, "I am ready to go or ready to stay, as the Lord directs; He has power either way." Everything that was know was done for her in order to extend her life, but she passed on into the presence of her Lord. Her early departure is deeply felt by her husband and her three children; Esther, Ruth, and Margaret Elizabeth. She is keenly missed by her mother, Mrs. Malinda Hangey, Telford, Pa., her brothers; Warren and Norman Hangey, and her sisters; Mrs. Valeria Reiner, Mrs. Ada Groff, Mrs. LaRue Kirkpatrick, the parents of Brother Derstine, Bro. and Sister M. B. Derstine, and their two sons Clarence and Lloyd. These and a host of relatives and friends mourn, but withal have the sustaining comfort in the fact that she has "fallen asleep in Jesus." In her last hours Sister Derstine requested that all her many friends should be thanked for their love. When the young men offered their life blood for transfusion to save her life, all she could say was, "Thanks." The funeral was held at the Kitchener Mennonite Church. More than 150 people attended the funeral or viewed her body in the home. The church at Eureka had about ten representative brethren and sisters attend the services. Goshen College sent Sister Vera Cressman, and had a special prayer service for grace on the sorrowing father and children. Many telegrams and letters of expressed sorrow and sympathy were gratefully received. The letter from the Publishing House Management and the Editors was thankfully received.. The whole atmosphere was one of trust and in the sustaining hope and comfort of the Gospel. The service was in charge of the Bishops of the Ontario Conference; Abram Gingerich, M. Hallman, Jonas Snyder, and S. F. Coffman, who preached the sermon on "The Christian's Triumph in the Hour of Suffering." Text, Rom. 8: 21-22. She was laid away by tender hands in the cemetery beside the church under the "Mountain Ash" tree awaiting the hour of the return of her Lord who shall call her body to life at the resurrection of the righteous.

Gospel Herald - Vol. XIX, No. 11 - June 10, 1926, pages 239, 240.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-48160

Lambert — Linda Snovel. Linda was born Abt 1855, Of, Silverdale, Bucks, Pennsylvania, USA; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Linda Haney
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-48161