Signalman Laverne Bell "Vern" Wismer

Other Events:

• Military: WW2 - Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-42287P
• Residence: CA 1942, 66 Noecker St., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Love and loss live on long after war's end

Eileen Zarnke came home one day in 1944 to find people waiting in her kitchen. They had awful news. Verne is dead, they told her. Killed in action. Eileen falls silent recalling the moment. Her eyes fill with tears. Laverne Wismer was her boyfriend. "I sometimes think it was better to be killed, than to have to live with it," she says.

Wismer was an ordinary soldier who answered the call of king and country during the Second World War. Today, he's mourned by an army buddy who kept a solemn promise, by the little sister he loved to tease, and by the heartbroken girlfriend he left behind. He did his duty. They lived with the consequences. It's what sacrifice means.

Somewhere in Italy, November 1943 to April 1944 Laverne Wismer is having trouble concentrating on the letter he's writing to his parents. Bing Crosby is on the radio and he likes the music. "I'm getting to be really hep lately," he jokes to his parents, Samuel and Catherine Wismer. After two years of training in England, Wismer is finally in the war against Nazi Germany. But he's not allowed to say much about the fighting and dying. "We don't know any more about the war than you do," he tells his parents. "Probably not as much." Wismer, 26, writes cheerful letters to his folks, to sister Margaret, to girlfriend Eileen, who he calls Ila. They all call him Verne. He hasn't seen them since he left for England in 1941. In Italy, Verne is a signalman. He fixes radios and lives in an army truck. It's filled with equipment he needs. It also has a light, benches, cupboards, a radio, and room to sleep. Guys come by at night to play cards and listen to the radio. "It is nice and comfortable," he writes. "For once, I have a place to work where I don't have to crawl around on my hands and knees." Verne knows he's lucky. But this is not how he wanted to fight.

When he left his machinist job at the Waterloo Manufacturing Company, Verne had his heart set on becoming a pilot. But when he went to enlist in August 1941, the air force turned him down, saying his blood pressure was too high. Annoyed, he marched across the street to join the army. Now in Italy, Verne tells his folks he's far from the fighting. "I haven't been up to the front yet and don't expect that I shall for some time -- if ever." In Italy, soldiers do their jobs and try to be comfortable, Verne writes. He likes that there are no parades or spit-and-polish, like in England. Other soldiers are fond of Verne. He's trustworthy. Back home, he was a scoutmaster. In Italy, the men ask him to run the canteen. It means a lot of running around and handling their cash. He's bothered when soldiers get drunk and cause trouble, like half of them do after a payday. "Darn those guys who don't know when and where to drink!" he writes. He assures his mother he's being good. "You don't have to worry about me and vino. No one with any sense at all drinks that stuff and I pride myself (perhaps flatter would be better) that I have at least a little bit of a brain."

Verne asks his family to keep sending parcels filled with treats. He shares whatever he gets with the guys. Eileen is known among his buddies as the girlfriend who sends the best parcels. "We are cooking our own meals and the things in the parcels sure help," Verne tells his parents. "Tonight for supper I mixed a tin of chile con carne (Ila) with a tin of steak and kidney (army). It was good even if I do say so myself." Verne likes to tease his little sister Margaret. She asks if he's getting fat on spaghetti. "Tell Sis I still love her very dearly in spite of the letters she sends me," he tells his parents. "Some of the things she writes sound suspiciously like sarcasm. Could that be possible? How's about it Sister Dear?"

He describes Italy as a country of pretty mountains and mud. "You don't need to worry about me," he tells his mother. "As long as I have to be in the army, I'm satisfied with my job right here. It's as good as anything I know."


Don Monteith made a promise to a dead soldier in 1944. Last month, he kept it. For the first time since the war, Don returned to Italy. At the Cassino War Cemetery, he found a grave with a special name. It said: Laverne Wismer. Don struggled with his emotions. He planted a Canadian flag. And he spoke to his wartime buddy, again. "Now you're home," he said.

Don met Wismer in 1941 at Camp Borden, near Barrie. He operated radios. Wismer fixed them. The army guys called him Wiz. "Wiz was just a great, great guy," Don says. "He was good-natured, friendly. He was easy to keep a conversation with about anything." The other guys liked Wiz, partly because he happily shared Eileen's spectacular parcels. When the mail came, guys would gather, anticipating the goodies. "They were going to get married," Don recalls. "But he thought he'd better wait until he got back."

Don and Wiz were both sent to Italy. But Don was not there when Wiz was killed. The men got the news a day or two later, from other soldiers who brought a mule train down a mountain. It hit them hard. Don volunteered to go up the mountain to figure out what happened. In the early spring of 1944, Wiz was sent to the front. There, Don learned that he left shelter to fetch water at a creek. He was either shot by a sniper or felled by a mortar, according to accounts told later. Laverne Wismer died April 28, 1944. He was 26. By the time Don got up the mountain, Wiz was already buried in a temporary grave. Don planted a cross the men had made. Standing there, feeling miserable, he promised: I'll be back, to make sure you get the grave you deserve. "It took me 64 years to get back. But I got back," Don says. "I would have rolled over in my own grave, if I hadn't got to see him." Don went on to fight in Italy and Holland. After victory, he stayed in the military, then came home to build a career in insurance. He's 85 now, retired in St. Thomas, Ont.

Remembrance Day has always been Laverne Wismer day to Don, and to Margaret Wismer Kuehl. Her three brothers all served in the war. Only Verne was killed. The telegram arrived in Waterloo on a Friday afternoon. "My family took it quite hard," Margaret says. They thought Verne was far from the fighting. Margaret, now 89, was close to Verne. He was two years older than her. "You never forget," she says from her home in B.C. Verne was always looking out for her. "He checked out any boyfriends I had, made sure they were OK," she says. Margaret helped break the news to Eileen. They have stayed friends over the decades. "She never got over it," Margaret says.

Eileen's memories of the war are sharp and clear. Too clear. She met Verne before the war, when they worked at the Forsyth pyjama factory. He walked her home after they rehearsed a Christmas skit, then invited her to a wiener roast. Verne did not resemble the man of her dreams. He wasn't ugly but he wasn't handsome. He wasn't dashing. He was kind of plain and a bit awkward. "He was tall and slim, and I don't think he had an ounce of rhythm," Eileen says. They went on group dates. She found him nice, easy to talk to. Slowly, she fell in love. It surprised her, a bit. "There wasn't anything special about him," she recalls. "It was just that he had everything that was good."

The couple, both 24, talked about marrying when Verne enlisted. Other couples were marrying in a hurry before the men went off to war. A girlfriend warned Eileen not to let him go without a wedding. But Verne balked. A friend warned him, what if you come back missing a limb? "He kind of took that to heart," Eileen says. Suddenly, he was overseas.

They wrote each other constantly. Every two weeks when she got paid, Eileen mailed a parcel, 22 pounds, the heaviest allowed. She filled them with goodies like cookies and spices and jam. She figured he was sharing them. One day in 1944, Eileen came home from golfing at Rockway. Her mother was waiting in the kitchen with Margaret. Margaret was distraught. Six decades later, the memory still brings Eileen to tears. "That was the biggest shock in my life," she says. Three weeks passed before she could return to work.

After the war, Eileen kept busy with jobs and church and Sunday school. She liked to bowl and skate. She tried pottery and sculpture and macramé. She hung out with girlfriends. They had a sewing club but did little sewing. She once dated a guy who was always joking. She could never tell when he was being serious. Another fellow drank too much. "Any other guy that came along, I measured him by Verne," Eileen says. "And most of them didn't fit." She never married.

Eileen turns 92 in January. She lives in the same small house where Margaret told her Verne was dead. The paint is fading in her living room. The furniture is worn. A cat sleeps on a kitchen chair. When people say everybody loses in war, Eileen understands. She weeps softly, dabbing at her red eyes. "I used to say, I don't need a poppy to remember," she says. "I wish there was some kind of flower that would make me forget."


Waterloo Region Record November 29, 2008 Jeff Outhit

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00037-3031.3

Notes:

WISMER, S. G. (Sam)

Peacefully, in his sleep, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1991, in his 99th year. Predeceased by his wife, Catherine in 1981 and son, Laverne in 1944, one grandson, Jimmy and three sisters, Esther Shantz, Nancy Gies and Ada Bristol. Survived by one daughter, Margaret and her husband, Merrald Kuehl, two sons, Stewart and has wife Hazel and Jack and his wife Denise, five grandchildren, Ann Margaret Sumner, Mark Kuehl, David, Douglas and Bob Wismer and six great-grandchildren. He was a charter member and an elder of Knox Presbyterian Church, secretary treasurer and business administrator of the Waterloo public school board, until his retirement in 1957, where he was affectionately known as “Pop” by many. Mr. Wismer’s family will receive friends at the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today (Wednesday). The funeral service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, on Thursday, at 2.30 p.m., with Rev. Brooke Ashfield officiating. Interment in Parkview cemetery, Waterloo.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 23 Oct 1991 pg A11

Samuel married Katherine Annie Bell 24 Apr 1916, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. Katherine was born 1888, Ripley, Huron Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario; died 1981; was buried , Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Katherine Annie Wismer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-130487

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21022008
• Eby ID Number: 00133-8243
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, Iron Foundry
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Wismer, "was born April 29th, 1859. He was married, May 12th, 1885, to Susannah Gehman."

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_______________________

Wismer.-John S. Wismer was born in Woolwich Twp., Ont., April 29, 1859; died Feb. 11, 1934; aged 74 y. 10 m. 12 d. He was married on May 12, 1885, to Susanna Gehman who survives, along with 1 son (Samuel of Waterloo), 3 daughters (Esther-Mrs. Menno Shantz of Ayr, Nancy-Mrs. Onar Geis of Brighton, Mich., Adah-Mrs. Edward Bristol of Waterloo), 23 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 2 brothers (David and Henry), 2 sisters (Leah-Mrs. John Naismith and Nancy-Mrs. Noah Shiry). Bro. Wismer accepted the Lord in his early years and was a faithful worshiper of God in the Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held at funeral chapel by Noah Hunsberger. Text, Psa. 91. At the church the services were conducted by J. B. Martin (Text, Jno. 3: 16) and Jonas Snider (Jno. 14: 1-3)^.

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXVI, No. 48 - March 1, 1934, page 1022, 1023

John married Susannah Gehman 12 May 1885. Susannah (daughter of Rev. Solomon B. Gehman and Angeline Shantz) was born 15 Jan 1865, Dumfries Station, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 31 Jul 1943; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21022008
• Name: Susannah Wismer
• Eby ID Number: 00037-3031
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Susannah Gehman, "was born January 15th, 1865. She is married to John Wismer, a farmer. They reside near Doon and have the following family"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

________________________

Wismer. - Susannah, eldest child of the late Bro. Solomon B. Gehman, was born at Dumfries Station, Jan. 15, 1865; passed away July 31, 1943; aged 78 y. 6 m. 16 d. She was married May 12, 1885 to John S. Wismer, who preceded her in death Feb. 11, 1934. Sister Wismer is survived by all her children (Esther, Mrs. Menno Shantz, Ayr, Ont.; Nancy, Mrs. Oscar Gies, Howell, Mich.; Adah, Mrs. Edward Bristol, North Bay, Ont.; Samuel, Waterloo), 3 brothers (Samuel,Calgary, Alta.; William, Rush Lake, Sask.; and Solomon S., Bridgeport), 21 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in the Mennonite Church, Waterloo, Ont., in charge of Bro. J. B. Martin. Text, II Tim. 4: 6-8. Burial in the David Eby Cemetery.

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXVI, No . 26 - September 23, 1943 - pp. 543. 544

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21599745
• Eby ID Number: 00133-8241
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

John Wismer, "was born August 11th, 1835. On September 23rd, 1856, he was married to Nancy Snyder who was born November 28th, 1836. They reside near Blair, Ontario, where he followed farming many years. Their family consists of seven children"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

John married Nancy Snyder 23 Sep 1856. Nancy (daughter of Benjamin Schneider and Elizabeth Detweiler) was born 28 Nov 1836, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Jun 1927; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21599852
• Name: Agnes Snyder
• Name: Nancy Wismer
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6092
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Nancy Snyder, "was born November 28th, 1836. On September 23rd, 1856, she was married to John Wismer, a farmer. They reside near Blair, Ontario.."

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_________

MRS. J. C. WISMER DIED TODAY

A large circle of friends learned with regret today of the death this morning of Nancy Snyder, wife of John C. Wismer, in her 91st year at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Noah Shiry. Mrs. Wismer had lived with her daughter following Mrs. Shiry's bereavement last August, and Mrs. Shiry told the Reporter this morning that her mother had filled for her many a lonely hour, and would be sadly missed. The funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon, the service to be at the late residence at 2.30 p.m. and interment at Blair. Those who survive are Mrs. Wismer's husband, now in his 93rd year, the following sons and daughters: Benjamin, Gimsby; John, Waterloo; David, Kitchener; Henry, Ayr; Isaiah Strassburgh; Mrs. John Nasmith, Blair, and Mrs. Nancy Shiry, Laurel street, Preston; one brother, Benjamin Snyder, Roseville and one sister, Mrs. Kipp, Woodstock, 15 grandchildren and 28 great grand- children.

Mrs. Wismer was the daughter of Benjamin Synder of Roseville whose wife was Elizabeth Detweiler, also of Roseville. She married John C. Wismer September 14, 1856 and the happy couple had celebrated the 70th anniversary of their wedding last.

_________________

DEATHS

WISMER-Died on the morning of Thursday, June 30th, 1927 at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Nancy Shiry, 768 Laurel street, Nancy Snyder, beloved wife of John C. Wismer in her 91st year. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon, service at 2.30 p.m. at the late residence, interment at Blair.

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21018395
• Occupation: Roseville Mennonite Church, North Dumfries Township, Ontario; minister
• Eby ID Number: 00037-3030
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1864, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, Farm
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Rev. Solomon Gehman, "was born July 21st, 1841. On May 3rd, 1864, he was married to Angeline Shantz who was born April 10th, 1846. After their marriage they moved on his father's old homestead where he is still residing. On November 26th, 1882, he was ordained unto the ministry of the Mennonite denomination by Bishop Amos Cressman. His field of labor is Detweilers and Blenheim. Of the many young men who were ordained unto the ministry of the Mennonite Church since 1870 none have surpassed him as an orator. As a preacher he is highly interesting and acceptable. His sermons are always distinguished for appropriate and well-digested thought, far from being dry and merely a repetition of meaningless gestures and phrases, but, on the other hand, they are well seasoned with gospel truth accompanied by the Holy Ghost. He has done much to raise the standard of the church of his choice. Parties of all denominations love to be instructed spiritually by his soul-cheering sermons. He seems to be a favorite, not only among his own members but also of those of other sects and nationalities. To him and his wife is born the following family"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_________________________

Gehman. - Pre. Solomon B. Gehman was born July 21, 1841; died at his home near Waterloo, Ont., Nov. 19, 1912; aged 71 y. 3 m. 28 d. About 30 years ago he was ordained to the ministry in the Mennonite Church, in which calling we believe he was faithful in performing his duties. He was in good health, until about 3 months ago, when he was stricken down with a complication of diseases causing his death. He was a powerful speaker, full of Spirit and life, and no sacrifice was too great by day nor night, in going out, especially in bringing the lost to Christ. The writer is especially impressed in remembering the time (about 27 years ago) when Bro. Gehman and different others came into our midst holding the first evening meetings, as we then called them, when quite a number of us became willing to accept Christ as our Savior. In this Bro. Gehman was an instrument and we believe there will be stars in his crown. Funeral was held on Nov. 21st. Services at the house by Noah Hunsberger and at the Waterloo Church by Jonas Snider in German, and Noah Stauffer in English, from II Tim. 6: 8. Buried at the David Eby cemetery. He is survived by the widow, 3 sons and 2 daughters; one son, John Allen preceded him.

Gospel Herald - Volume V, Number 36 - December 5, 1912

____________________________

Roseville Mennonite Church (Detweiler Meeting House)

Services began in homes in the area with the arrival of the first settlers around 1822. A first meeting house was built about 1830 approximately a half-mile west of Roseville, on the south side of the road. One acre of land on the northeast corner of Lot 37, Concession 11, North Dumfries Township, was transferred from Samuel C. Snyder. The deed for the property was dated 1830, but it was not registered until August 1842. A stone meeting house was built in 1855 just slightly east of the old log meeting house; the church was dedicated on November 25, 1855 by the congregation's first minister, Jacob F. Detweiler. Henry Shantz, Enoch Detweiler and Solomon Gehman were the ministers who followed Jacob F. Detweiler.

Sunday School began in 1924 and in 1933 Young People's Bible Meetings were organized. The latter meetings were held in conjunction with those of the Blenheim Mennonite Church. A Sunday School classroom was added to the Detweiler church in 1956.

Moses Bowman, a layman from First Mennonite Church in Kitchener, was ordained minister to Detweiler Mennonite Church in 1938 where he continued to serve until the time of his death in 1964. The small congregation was served by visiting ministers until it disbanded in January 1966. Some of the remaining families are reported to have joined with Blenheim Mennonite Church at that time.

Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

________________________

Died In Waterloo, on Tuesday, November 19th, 1912 Solomon B. Gehman Aged 71 Years, 3 Months and 28 Days The Funeral Will take place from his late residence on Thursday, November 21st, at two o'clock, p. m., to the Waterloo Mennonite Church for service and thence to the Mennonite Cemetery, West of Waterloo, for interment. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

Funeral Card

Solomon married Angeline Shantz 3 May 1864, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Angeline (daughter of Samuel Y. Shantz and Esther Erb) was born 10 Apr 1846, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Jan 1928; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21018431
• Name: Angeline Gehman
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6768
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1864, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Angeline Shantz, was born April 10th, 1846. On May 3rd, 1864, she was married to Rev. Solomon Gehman."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_______________

Gehman.-Angeline (Shantz) Gehman, was born at Bridgeport, Ont., April 10, 1846. On May 3, 1864 she was united in marriage with Solomon B. Gehman, and about 9 years later, both were converted and united with the Mennonite Church. On Nov. 26, 1882, Bro. Gehman was ordained to the ministry which position he faithfully filled till Nov. 19, 1912, when he was called to his reward. He was a powerful speaker, and in most of his sermons, laid special emphasis on repentance and getting right with God, being instrumental in a great revival that took place in Waterloo Co., in 1885. This union was blessed with 6 children of whom one son (John) preceded them. Sister Gehman died at the home of her daughter in Waterloo, aged 81 y. 8 m. 23 d., leaving 2 daughters and 3 sons (Susanna - Mrs. John Wismer, Samuel, Esther - Mrs. Norman Gingerich, Willie, and Solomon).The funeral was held at the Waterloo Mennonite Church on Jan. 6, conducted by Jonas Snider and Noah Hunsberger.

Gospel Herald - Volume XX, Number 43 - January 26, 1928 - pp 942-944