Susannah Cassel

Other Events:

• Name: Susannah Shantz
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1328.5
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of Susannah Cassel
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1883, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1937, 39 Rudy St., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Cassel.-Susannah, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Cassel, was born in Waterloo Co., Ont., March 3, 1860: died March 13 1937, at the home of her daughter in Waterloo. She was in her 78th year. On March 6, 1883, she was united in matrimony to the late Noah S. Shantz, also of Wilmot, who predeceased her 10 months ago. Two daughters (Mrs. Tobias Shantz of Waterloo and Mrs. Marian Steiner of Lima, Ohio) and 3 sons (Lincoln C. of Kitchener, Walter C. of Wilmot, and Dr. Stauffer C. of Kitchener), 10 grandchildren and 2 brothers (Samuel of Kitchener, and Ephraim of New Hamburg) survive. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and united with the Mennonite church a few years after her marriage and has been a consistent member of Blenheim congregation ever since. Her constant testimony was to serve her Lord and she had a longing desire to depart and be with her Master, especially since the passing of her late husband. Her desire has been granted and though her lips may be silent and her hands cease to minister, yet her labors will still go on for "she being dead yet speaketh." "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them." Funeral services were held on March 16 with Bro. J. B. Martin at the home and at the Blenheim Mennonite Church with M. H. Shantz in charge. Text, Job 14 : 14, 15. Burial in adjoining cemetery.

Gospel Herald, April 15, 1937 - Vol. XXX, No.3 - page 62,63,64

_______________________

Golden Wedding Celebrated

On Monday, March 6th, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Shantz, of Baden, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their old homestead near New Dundee, where their son, Mr. Walter Shantz, now resides. The bridesmaid and best man of fifty years ago were present for the occasion, namely, Mrs. Ezra Cressman, of Plattsville, and Mr. Samuel Cassel, of Kitchener. A sumptuous dinner was served from a table prettily arranged with gold tapers and centered with the wedding cake decorated in gold and white. A unique feature of the dinner was that the set of dishes used had been brought to this country from Pennsylvania by Mrs. Shantz's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bricker, almost 100 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Shantz received lovely gifts and congratulations from their many friends. During the afternoon a program was given consisting of songs of yester-year and short addresses. Mr. and Mrs. Shantz's children and grandchildren were all present.

Independent Mar 10 1933 pg 4

______________

"Many Ontario Mennonite women were known for their hospitality, but few Indians were found among their recipients. What Susannah Shantz may have done to merit the gift which she received from two Indian women has been lost to memory - only the memory of the gift remains.

'FOR YOUR LITTLE PAPOOSE'

Susanna Bricker Cassel was born in Wilmot Township, Waterloo County. Her home was on the Huron Road, west of Haysville. Her father, Henry B.Cassel, her grandfather, Peter Bricker, and her great grandfather Sam Bricker had pioneered their respective farms in the Waterloo District.

When Susannah married Noah S. Shantz they took up residence on a farm south of the Huron Road, two miles east of Haysville, and became active members of the Blenheim Mennonite church. (This church has since merged with the Biehn congregation to form the Nith Valley Mennonite Church).The Shantz home was known for its warm hospitality to strangers as well as friends. Immigrant labourers from Europe found both employment and a home with Noah and Susannah.

On the Shantz farm there remained a heavy stand of hardwood and pine forest. Each year several Indian families came and camped in an old lumber shack on the edge of the forest while they harvested ginseng, the root of which was used for medicinal purposes.

One day, several months after the birth of her oldest child, Susannah responded to a knock on her kitchen door and found two Indian women standing there. The one had a small child with her. The older woman held a beautiful, hand-woven doll cradle fashioned from black ash which she shyly handed to Susannah, saying 'for your little papoose'.

This doll cradle and this intriguing tale of a Mennonite woman's interaction with native Indians was handed down to Susannah's daughters and grand daughters. Unfortunately the cradle has not been seen since the family moved from the old homestead, but the memory remains.

When this story was recounted to someone who was acquainted with the ways of Indian people, he responded that Indians presented gifts to persons whom they hold in high regard. Since that conversation the grand daughters have wondered about previous contacts their grandmother may have had with these two Indian women. Her hospitality, no doubt, had also been extended to them, prompting this generous gift."

Willing Service:Stories of Ontario Mennonite Women", pg. 248-49

Susannah married Noah S. Shantz 6 Mar 1883, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Noah (son of Joseph Y. Shantz and Elizabeth Stauffer) was born 16 May 1859, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 May 1936, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28574

Other Events:

• Name: Laura Good
• Name: Laura Shantz
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6734.2
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Good, Laura, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Noah Shantz, was born near Haysville, Ont., Dec. 22, 1883; died at the Fairview Mennonite Home, Preston, Ont., Feb. 11, 1969; aged 85 y. 1 m. 20 d. She was preceded in death by 2 husbands (Tobias Shantz in 1944, and Jeremiah Good in 1963). Surviving are 2 brothers (Walter C. and Stauffer C.) and one sister (Marian - Mrs. R. S. Steiner). She was a member of the Erb Street Church, where funeral services were held, with Milton Schwartzentruber and J. B. Martin officiating

Gospel Herald - Volume LXII, Number 10 - March 11, 1969 pages 239, 240

Laura — Tobias Shantz. Tobias (son of John D. Shantz and Elizabeth Steiner) was born 18 Oct 1874, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1944; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Laura — Jeremiah Good. Jeremiah (son of Jonas Good and Elizabeth Snyder) was born 29 Apr 1873, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Nith Valley Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00110-6734.3
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

SHANTZ. -Eden, son of bro. Noah S. and Sister Susanna Shantz, died on March 29th 1898 in Wilmot Twp. , Waterloo Co. , Ont. , of appendicitis. He was born July 3rd, 1887 and was consequently in his eleventh year. He was a clever boy and beloved by all who knew him. A large concourse of friends, neighbors and acquaintances gathered at the funeral to sympathize with the bereaved parents, this being their fifth child in the glory world. The large gathering at the funeral in the Blenheim church on the 31st of March was addressed by Pre. Noah Stauffer in an earnest discourse from Psalms16: 6.

"He is not dead, the child of our affection,
But gone unto that school,
Where he no longer needs our poor protection,
And Christ Himself doth rule. "1^a

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXV, No. 10, May 15, 1898 page 156, 157.

Other Events:

• Name: Marian S. Steiner
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6734.4
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, Farm

Marian — Reuben Steiner. Reuben was born 11 May 1878; died 15 Jan 1947; was buried , Zion Cemetery, Bluffton, Allen, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28575

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28573

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00110-6734.5
• Occupation: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, Farm
• Residence: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1937, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Shantz, Lincoln C., son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Noah S. Shantz, was born in Wilmot Twp., April 1, 1892; died at his late residence in Kitchener, Ont., on April 20, 1957; aged 65 y. 19 d. He was a member of the First Mennonite Church, and formerly a trustee of the church and a Sunday-school superintendent. He was predeceased by his first wife, Pearl Snyder Shantz, on Nov. 30, 1925, and also 2 sons in infancy. He is survived by his wife, Rosetta Snyder Shantz, one son (Paul), 2 brothers (Walter, Haysville, Stauffer, Kitchener), and 2 sisters (Mrs. Jeremiah Good, Waterloo, and Mrs. Marion Steiner, Lima, Ohio).

Gospel Herald - Volume L, Number 20 - May 14, 1957 - page 478, 479

Lincoln — Rosetta Snyder. Rosetta (daughter of Samuel H. Snyder and Angeline Shantz) was born 15 Aug 1902, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Lincoln — Pearl Mae Snyder. Pearl (daughter of Samuel H. Snyder and Angeline Shantz) was born 1895, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 30 Nov 1925; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00110-6734.6
• Occupation: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, Farm
• Residence: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1937, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Shantz, Walter C., son of Noah S. and Susannah (Cassel) Shantz, was born in Wilmot Township, Ont., Apr. 13, 1894; died at Cambridge, Ont., Dec. 10, 1987; aged 93 y. On Jan. 7, 1920, he was married to Selina Shirk, who preceded him in death in 1979. He is survived by 2 sons (Kenneth and Wilbur), 5 daughters (Lorna Bergey, Jeanne Culp, Joanne Hunsberger, Kathryn Leatherman, and Beth Good), and a sister (Marion Steiner). He was preceded in death by a son (Clyde), 3 brothers (Eden, Lincoln, and Stauffer), and a sister (Mrs. Laura Good). He was a member of the Nith Valley Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Dec. 13, in charge of Amzie Brubacher and James Sider; interment in Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery^.1a

Gospel Herald - Volume 81, Number 2 -January 12, 1988, page 30

Walter married Selina Shirk 7 Jan 1920, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Selina (daughter of Peter Shirk and Judith Weber) was born 21 May 1898, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Jun 1979, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28576

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28577

Other Events:

• Name: S. C. Shantz
• Occupation: 47 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dentist
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-24097
• Residence: 1911, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1937, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1938, 156 Union Blvd., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1951, 782 Avondale Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Stauffer — Margaret Agnes Hauser Laschinger. Margaret (daughter of Jacob Laschinger and Sarah Elizabeth Nash) was born 4 Jul 1905, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Feb 1951, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Stauffer married Esther M. Nelson 6 Jan 1953, , Cook Co., Illinois. Esther was born 1902; died 1993; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-18300

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-34331

Joanne — Maurice Hunsberger. (son of Melvin Hunsberger and Verna Good) [Group Sheet]

Beth — Paul S. Good. (son of Joseph C. Good and Naomi Shantz) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Interesting: public service, education
• Public Service: Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation member
• Name: Lorna Lucille Bergey
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-40003

Notes:

BERGEY, Lorna Lucille (nee Shantz) - Died peacefully at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, on Saturday, March 22, 2009, in her 88th years. Lorna was the loving wife of the late David D. Bergey who predeceased her in 1980. Survived by sons, Edward (Karen Rudy) and Robert (Linda Penner) both of Brampton, Grandchildren Christopher (Lisa Moretti) Bergey of Woodbridge, Suzanne (Jeremy) Stacey of Brampton. Fondly remembered by eight great-grandchildren. Also survived by siblings, Jean Culb (Vineland), Kenneth and Marie Shantz, Wilbur and Kay Shantz, Joanne Hunsberger, Beth and Paul Good all of New Hamburg and Kathryn Leatherman of Elkhart, Indiana and sister-in-law, Vaughn Waddle. Predeceased by Clyde Shantz. Lorna was a resident of Fairview Suites, Cambridge and formerly resided in Eastwood Community (Kitchener), Haysville and New Dundee. In 1988 Lorna retired form Bergey's Cheese that she and her husband David had operated for 38 years. She tirelessly volunteered her time and held leadership positions throughout her life in a variety of Mennonite Church and Community organizations. These include Mennonite Women's Mission Service Commission, New Dundee Public Library, Doon Pioneer Village, North Waterloo Cancer Society, Waterloo Historical Society, Historical Committee of the Mennonite Church of North America, Mennonite Archives of Ontario (Conrad Grebel), Pennsylvania Folklore Society of Ontario, Mennonite Historical Society of Canada, Mennonite Bi-Centennial Commission, MCEC Historical Committee, Mennonite Historical Society of Canada, Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario and Ontario Mennonite Credit Union, in many of these organizations Lorna pioneered as the first woman to hold leadership positions. Lorna was a fervent supporter of the Mennonite Church through the Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Foundation, and Mennonite Economic Development Association. Her encyclopedic knowledge of Mennonite History allowed her to assist many history writers over several decades. In addition to her long list of historical articles and sketches she has also been an acknowledged source in many local histories. At the time of her death, Lorna was a member of the First Mennonite Church, Kitchener. Relatives and friends may visit at Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home and Chapel (621 King St. W., Kitchener) on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at First Mennonite Church (800 King St. E., Kitchener) on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 10 a.m. As expressions of sympathy donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee by calling the funeral home at 519-745-9495.

The Waterloo Region Record - Mar. 24, 2009

______________________

A lover of local history

As one of Waterloo Region's most respected Mennonite historians, Lorna Bergey was honoured many times. Academics called on her vast knowledge when writing books, yet such attention made her uncomfortable. "To her, she was just a farm wife with a Grade 8 education," said her son, Ed Bergey of Brampton. By her late 60s, Lorna was finally feeling confident and deserving of the respect, but it would never be anything she'd brag about. Her Mennonite upbringing of humility meant the work was important, not the accolades. Ed said that Lorna was both "happy and mortified" at every new award.

Lorna was born the eldest of eight children to a Mennonite farming family near Baden. In Grade 8 she passed her high school entrance examinations but dreams of an education would be dashed by responsibilities at home caring for siblings and an ailing mother.

In a 2001 Record interview she said, "Can you imagine, I was only 12 years old? From this experience, I learned that girls and women were expected to serve their appointed homes, but I also learned when something needs to be done, you do it." Lorna lived up to those responsibilities even though she would also fill every free moment absorbing books and information, particularly related to her heritage.

She once said, "I don't think I ever thought of it as being interesting to anyone else. I don't think that the generation of my parents felt too comfortable exposed to the public view. For my generation, I sort of feel that credit should be given where credit is due."

Lorna's life had been about caring for others, until she met David Bergey at a church function and fell in love. Her father, however, dictated there would be no marriage until she turned 19. "On May 29, on her 19th birthday, she got married," Ed said. The couple raised two sons, Ed and Robert, while running a farm, though due to poor financial returns David sold his cattle, did contract work for other farmers and expanded a cheese-making business at their farm, started as a sideline by his grandmother in 1872.

In 1954 David was seriously injured after plunging 14 metres from a silo. He spent the rest of his life in and out of hospital. It was up to Lorna to take charge. According to her sons, she did a splendid job. She built Bergey Cheese into a profitable business by closing down their own small cheese-making operation and selling selected products from other companies. Eventually Bergey Cheese ran stores in Toronto and Hamilton as well as vendors' stalls at five farmers' markets.

"There was no health insurance in those days," Lorna once recalled. "So two years of mounting medical bills made it a sink-or-swim proposition. It was our bread and butter."

In 1988, eight years after David died, Lorna closed the successful business, which gave her time to pursue historical research.

In 2001, she was part of a documentary produced by the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario and she was a veteran volunteer archivist at Conrad Grebel University College, largely responsible for creating the Mennonite collection.

"She was very gifted at getting people to donate things," said Sam Steiner, now a retired archivist at the college. He talked about how Lorna stayed on to help him after he was hired in 1974 and how her rich, detailed stories gave vibrancy to historical facts. She was "the person who helped to gather the building blocks for people writing about history."

Lorna was also the first woman to serve in leadership roles in numerous Mennonite historical societies. Sam remembers her as a serious woman, plainly dressed and never without a hat. Ed added that while his mother was not the soft, cuddly sort, she was a good mother, one they admired for her resilience, her toughness and honesty. "She took life as it came and lived her faith," said Ed^.

The Waterloo Region Record 14 Apr 2009 Valerie Hill RECORD STAFF

Lorna married David Dalton Bergey 20 May 1940. David (son of Gilbert Bergey and Angeline Martin) was born 6 Feb 1916, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Apr 1980, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-208988
• Residence: 1960, Petersburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Wilbur married Audrey Kathryn "Kathryn" Hallman 16 Aug 1952. Audrey (daughter of Reeve Gordon B. Hallman and Idella Mae "Mae" Cassel) was born 18 Aug 1927, Rosebank, Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Jun 2014, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Dundee Union Cemetery, New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-208420

Notes:

Shantz, Clyde Franklin, son of Walter and Selina (Shirk) Shantz, was born near Haysville, Ont., June 18, 1933; was killed instantly April 22, 1960, at Bridgeport, Ont., while employed with a paving company; aged 26 y. 10 m. 4 d. On July 20, 1957, he was married to Vaughn Sararus, who with a 7-month-old daughter (Cathleen Suszanne) survives. Also surviving are his parents, 2 brothers (Kenneth, Plattsville; and Wilbur, Petersburg), and 5 sisters (Lorna--Mrs. David Bergey, New Dundee; Jeanne--Mrs. George Culp, Vineland; Joanne--Mrs. Maurice Hunsberger, Hew Hamburg; Kathryn, Goshen, Ind.; and Beth--Mrs. Paul Good, Plattsville). He was a member of the United Brethren Church, New Dundee Ont., where funeral services were held April 26, in charge of K. Nicholson, assisted by Arnold Cressman.

Gospel Herald - June 21, 1960 - Vol. LIII, No.25 - page 574

Clyde married Vaughn Elera Sararus 20 Jun 1957. Vaughn (daughter of Weston Sararus and Ilah Grace Hallman) was born 3 Jul 1936; died 27 Aug 2012; was buried , New Dundee Union Cemetery, New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28572

Edward — Karen Yvonne Rudy. (daughter of Abner R. Rudy and Edith Erma Snyder) [Group Sheet]

Robert — Linda Patricia Penner. (daughter of William W. Penner and Susan Tjart) [Group Sheet]

Philip — Susan Kay Meyer. [Group Sheet]

Faye — Ross Malcolm Steckley. (son of William Lloyd Steckley and Merrill Katherine Iutzi) [Group Sheet]

Kathryn — Robert "Bob" Radunske. (son of Otto Carl Radunske and Gertrude Margaret E. "Gerda" Starke) [Group Sheet]