Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Susannah Gehman

Female 1865 - 1943  (78 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Susannah Gehman 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.

    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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

    Susannah married John S. Wismer 12 May 1885. John (son of John C. Wismer and Nancy Snyder) was born 29 Apr 1859, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Feb 1934, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 2. Naomi Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point died Yes, date unknown.
    2. 3. Esther Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point was born 22 Apr 1888, , Ontario, Canada; died Mar 1947; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    3. 4. Samuel Gehman "Sam" Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point was born 3 Nov 1892, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Oct 1991, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 24 Oct 1991, Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    4. 5. Nancy C. Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point was born 26 Sep 1894, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
    5. 6. Adah Angeline Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point was born 8 Apr 1901, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Naomi Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (1.Susannah1) died Yes, date unknown.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: 00037-3031.5


  2. 3.  Esther Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (1.Susannah1) was born 22 Apr 1888, , Ontario, Canada; died Mar 1947; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Esther Shantz
    • Eby ID Number: 00037-3031.2
    • Residence: 1911, Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
    • Residence: 1943, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

    Esther married Menno M. Shantz 9 Sep 1908, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Menno (son of Henry Shantz and Veronica Martin) was born 11 Apr 1883, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Nov 1954, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 7. Henry Willard Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 23 Dec 1909, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 May 1939, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    2. 8. Esther Estelle Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 11 Oct 1911, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Aug 2000; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    3. 9. John George Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 3 Jun 1913, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Nov 2004; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    4. 10. Lydia Lauretta "Rita" Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 12 Feb 1915, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1941; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    5. 11. Menno Leon Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 15 Feb 1917, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Jan 1918; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    6. 12. Ella Mae Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 4 Feb 1919, Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
    7. 13. Irvine Leonard Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 16 Dec 1920, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 May 1993; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    8. 14. Peter Arnold Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 28 Feb 1923, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 8 Apr 1923, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    9. 15. Samuel Howard Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 10 Jul 1924, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Feb 1997, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    10. 16. Marion Elizabeth "Ella" Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 21 Sep 1926, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 31 May 2006, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    11. 17. Doris Evelyn Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point

  3. 4.  Samuel Gehman "Sam" Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (1.Susannah1) was born 3 Nov 1892, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Oct 1991, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 24 Oct 1991, Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    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]

    Children:
    1. 18. Aircraftman W. J. "Jack Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 19. Stewart L. Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point
    3. 20. Signalman Laverne Bell "Vern" Wismer  Descendancy chart to this point was born 21 May 1917, York Township, York Co., Ontario, Canada; died 28 Apr 1944, , Italy; was buried , Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Provincia di Frosinone, Lazio, Italy.

  4. 5.  Nancy C. Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (1.Susannah1) was born 26 Sep 1894, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Nancy C. Gies
    • Eby ID Number: 00037-3031.4
    • Occupation: 1911, Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Domestic, House Work
    • Residence: 1911, Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
    • Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
    • Residence: 1943, Howell, Livingston, Michigan, USA

    Nancy — Oscar G. Gies. Oscar (son of John G. Gies and Elizabeth Bott) was born 30 May 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 21. Robert Charles Gies  Descendancy chart to this point was born 1916, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
    2. 22. Lloyd R. Gies  Descendancy chart to this point was born 1919, , Ontario, Canada.

  5. 6.  Adah Angeline Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (1.Susannah1) was born 8 Apr 1901, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Ada Wismer
    • Name: Adah Angeline Bristol
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-203863
    • Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
    • Residence: 1943, North Bay, Nipissing District, Ontario, Canada

    Adah married John Edward Bristol 24 Sep 1918. John (son of John Bristol and Susanna Feist) was born Oct 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]



Generation: 3

  1. 7.  Henry Willard Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 23 Dec 1909, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 May 1939, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Willard Shantz
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56558
    • Residence: 1911, Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

    Notes:

    Shantz.-Henry Willard, eldest son of Menno and Esther Shantz, of Ayr, Ont., was born Dec. 23, 1909; died May 3, 1939, aged 29 y. 4 m. 11 d. Sick only one week, death was due to erysipelas of the face and brain. He leaves father and mother, 3 brothers (John, Irvin, and Samuel) and 5 sisters (Estelle, Mrs. Horsfal, Ella, Marion, and Doris), as well as a host of friends. Two brothers predeceased him in infancy. An active, consistent Christian since his conversion at the age of 13; S. S. Sup't of the congregation at Roseville; a 1937 graduate of the Ontario Mennonite Bible School of Kitchener, Ont., and a willing helper in other rural missions fields, it is hard for us to understand why our Lord saw fit to allow his removal so early in life; but we realize that he will continue to speak to us who are left behind to carry on the work in which he was so interested. Services were conducted at the home by Bro. Moses S. Bowman and at the church by Bros. Lorne Schmitt and Moses H. Roth. Text, II Cor. 5: 1.

    Gospel Herald May 18, 1939 - Vol. XXXII, No.7- pages 158, 159, 160


  2. 8.  Esther Estelle Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 11 Oct 1911, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Aug 2000; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Stella Shantz
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-123363


  3. 9.  John George Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 3 Jun 1913, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Nov 2004; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-123364

    John — Mary Catherine Klapkew. Mary (daughter of George Klapkew and Anna Joblanska) was born 14 Mar 1915, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Jan 2005, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 23. Douglas Howard Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 24. Theresa Lynne "Terri" Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point

  4. 10.  Lydia Lauretta "Rita" Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 12 Feb 1915, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1941; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Lydia Lauretta "Rita" Horsfall
    • Name: Rita Shantz
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56561

    Lydia — Cyril Horsfall. Cyril (son of William Horsfall and Eliza Ann Womersley) was born 30 Mar 1913, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Dec 1988, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]


  5. 11.  Menno Leon Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 15 Feb 1917, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Jan 1918; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Leon Shantz
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56559


  6. 12.  Ella Mae Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 4 Feb 1919, Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Ella Mae Burns
    • Name: Ella Mae Luckhart
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202557

    Ella married Donald Nelson "Don" Luckhart 17 Jul 1971. Donald was born 10 Jun 1924; died 6 May 1994; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

    Ella married Leonard Burns 1942. Leonard was born CA 1919. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 25. Sandra Gaye Burns  Descendancy chart to this point was born 3 May 1952; died 26 Dec 2008, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

  7. 13.  Irvine Leonard Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 16 Dec 1920, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 May 1993; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-123365

    Irvine — Marjorie June Doreen Lisk. Marjorie was born 11 Dec 1925; died 20 Mar 2008, Edin Mills, Wellington Co., Ontario; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 26. Gloria Esther Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 23 Nov 1943; died 5 Nov 1995; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    2. 27. Larry Irvine Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 13 Jun 1947, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Apr 2017.
    3. 28. Kenneth Lee "Ken" Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point was born 23 Jun 1949; died 6 Oct 1998; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
    4. 29. Joy Elaine Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point

  8. 14.  Peter Arnold Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 28 Feb 1923, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 8 Apr 1923, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56560

    Notes:

    Shantz - In North Dumfries, on Sunday, April 8th, Peter Arnold, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Menno Shantz, aged one month and eight days. Interment took place at Roseville on Tuesday afternoon.

    Ayr News Apr 12 1923 pg 8


  9. 15.  Samuel Howard Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 10 Jul 1924, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Feb 1997, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340917

    Samuel — Yvonne Inez Loughlean. Yvonne was born 29 Jan 1926, Clavering, Derby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 30. Cheryl Yvonne Shantz  Descendancy chart to this point

  10. 16.  Marion Elizabeth "Ella" Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 21 Sep 1926, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 31 May 2006, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Marion Elizabeth "Ella" Linseman
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-123368

    Notes:

    LINSEMAN, Marion Elizabeth - Marion passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener. Marion resided in New Hamburg and was formerly of RR 1 New Hamburg. She was born 79 years ago in North Dumfries Township and was the daughter of the late Menno and Esther (Wismer) Shantz. Marion was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg. Beloved wife of Ron Linseman, whom she married September 20, 1952. Dear mother of Cindy Harrison of Kitchener, Tom and wife Debbie Linseman of RR 1 New Hamburg and Sandy McCorkandale of New Hamburg. Sadly missed by her grandchildren, Justin, Derek, Saphire, Steven, Tristen and husband Scott Deibel and great-granddaughter, Atlanta. Also missed by her sisters, Ella Luckhart and Doris and husband Howard Weicker, all of New Hamburg; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Shantz of Ayr and Yvonne Shantz of New Hamburg. Marion was predeceased by brothers, John and wife Mary Shantz, Willard Shantz, Sam Shantz, Peter Shantz, Leon Shantz and sisters, Stella Shantz and Rita Horsfall. Family and friends may call at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron St., New Hamburg on Saturday, June 3, 2006 from 5-8 p.m. A public interment will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at 1 p.m. at Roseville Mennonite Cemetery. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg with Pastor Andre Lavergne officiating. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Arthritis Society.1a


    The Record Newspaper 2 Jun 2006

    Marion married Ronald Thomas Linseman 20 Sep 1952. Ronald was born 12 Apr 1927; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 31. Sandra "Sandy" Linseman  Descendancy chart to this point was born 3 Mar 1952, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Dec 2008, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

  11. 17.  Doris Evelyn Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1)

    Doris married Howard F. Weicker (son of Percy Walter Weicker and Olive Alice Kalbfleisch) [Group Sheet]


  12. 18.  Aircraftman W. J. "Jack Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (4.Samuel2, 1.Susannah1)

  13. 19.  Stewart L. Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (4.Samuel2, 1.Susannah1)

  14. 20.  Signalman Laverne Bell "Vern" Wismer Descendancy chart to this point (4.Samuel2, 1.Susannah1) was born 21 May 1917, York Township, York Co., Ontario, Canada; died 28 Apr 1944, , Italy; was buried , Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Provincia di Frosinone, Lazio, Italy.

    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


  15. 21.  Robert Charles Gies Descendancy chart to this point (5.Nancy2, 1.Susannah1) was born 1916, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-297531
    • Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical


  16. 22.  Lloyd R. Gies Descendancy chart to this point (5.Nancy2, 1.Susannah1) was born 1919, , Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-297532
    • Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical



Generation: 4

  1. 23.  Douglas Howard Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (9.John3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1)

  2. 24.  Theresa Lynne "Terri" Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (9.John3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1)

  3. 25.  Sandra Gaye Burns Descendancy chart to this point (12.Ella3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 3 May 1952; died 26 Dec 2008, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202562

    Notes:

    Passed away suddenly on Friday December 26, 2008 at St. Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener. Sandy resided in New Hamburg. She was born 56 years ago in Kitchener. Sandy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg and was currently a real estate agent with Trius Real Estate in Kitchener. Sandy loved maintaining her flower beds and spending time with her precious granddaughters. Dear daughter of Ella (Shantz) Luckhart. Much loved mother of Tristen Diebel. Sadly missed by granddaughters Atlanta & Lily. Lovingly remembered by her "dad" Ron Linseman of New Hamburg, "sister" Cindy Harrison and her sons Justin & Derek of Kitchener, "brother" Tom & Debbie Linseman and their children Steve & Saphire of New Hamburg. Sandy is also remembered by Doris & Howard Weicker of New Hamburg, Yvonne Shantz of Ayr, and by her cousins and friends. According to Sandy's wishes cremation has taken place. Friends and relatives may call at Mark Jutzi Funeral Home on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. On Wednesday December 31, 2008 visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church from 10: 00 a.m. until the time of the Service to Celebrate Sandy's life at 11: 00 a.m. with Rev. Andre Lavergne officiating. Burial in Roseville Cemetery at a later date. As expressions of sympathy donations may be made to the Arthritis Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.


  4. 26.  Gloria Esther Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (13.Irvine3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 23 Nov 1943; died 5 Nov 1995; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Gloria Esther Ulrich
    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202579

    Gloria — John Ulrich. [Group Sheet]


  5. 27.  Larry Irvine Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (13.Irvine3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 13 Jun 1947, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Apr 2017.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202581

    Notes:

    SHANTZ, Larry Irvine

    1947 \endash 2017) - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Larry Shantz on April 24, 2017 at age 69, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. Beloved partner of Lola Zakrzewski. Loving father of Jeremy Philip (Bridget Hinnegan), Jonathan David, and Jeffrey Larry (Kimberly Wideman). Brother and friend of Joy Roberts and husband Douglas McMullen. Proud grandpa to Jacob, Alexander, Henry, Tamsin, Abigail, and Nora.

    Larry was born Friday June 13, 1947 to Irvine and Marjorie Shantz in North Dumfries, Ontario. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Gloria, and brother Kenneth. A self-proclaimed late bloomer, Larry found happiness with his partner Lola in recent years, taking up dancing and dazzling patrons of Polish halls across the province with his moves and charm. He was proud to live in his childhood farmhouse and took great pride in tending to the land and his gardens. Dad had a big heart and was always willing to give the shirt off his back to help others. His affection, honesty, irreverence, antics, and multi-kisses will be sorely missed by his friends and family.

    A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 1:30 PM at Calvary Church, 173 Northumberland Street, Ayr. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the House of Friendship at houseoffriendship.org, or the rare Charitable Research Reserve at raresites.org. Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 519-822-0051 or www.wallcustance.com.

    "SHANTZ, Larry Irvine". 2017. Guelphtoday.Com. https://www.guelphtoday.com/obituaries/shantz-larry-irvine-597371.

    Larry — Marjorie Ruth Jutzi. (daughter of Rev. Rufus Jutzi and Ruth Viola Good) [Group Sheet]


  6. 28.  Kenneth Lee "Ken" Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (13.Irvine3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 23 Jun 1949; died 6 Oct 1998; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202582


  7. 29.  Joy Elaine Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (13.Irvine3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1)

  8. 30.  Cheryl Yvonne Shantz Descendancy chart to this point (15.Samuel3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1)

    Cheryl — John Carl Douglas "Doug" Purdon. (son of John Andison Purdon and Alma Lorraine "Lorrie" Atkinson) [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. 32. Jay Purdon  Descendancy chart to this point
    2. 33. Holly Lynn Purdon  Descendancy chart to this point was born 29 Dec 1975, , Ontario, Canada; died 25 Jul 1994, , Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

  9. 31.  Sandra "Sandy" Linseman Descendancy chart to this point (16.Marion3, 3.Esther2, 1.Susannah1) was born 3 Mar 1952, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Dec 2008, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: Waterloo-202605

    Notes:

    McCORKINDALE, Sandy - Passed away suddenly, on Friday, December 26, 2008, at St. Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener. Sandy resided in New Hamburg. She was born 56 years ago in Kitchener. Sandy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg and was currently a real estate agent with Trius Real Estate in Kitchener. Sandy loved maintaining her flower beds and spending time with her precious granddaughters. Dear daughter of Ella (Shantz) Luckhart. Much loved mother of Tristen Diebel. Sadly missed by granddaughters, Atlanta and Lily. Lovingly remembered by her "dad" Ron Linseman of New Hamburg; "sister" Cindy Harrison and her sons Justin and Derek of Kitchener, "brother" Tom and Debbie Linseman and their children Steve and Saphire of New Hamburg. Sandy is also remembered by Doris and Howard Weicker of New Hamburg, Yvonne Shantz of Ayr, and by her cousins and friends. According to Sandy's wishes cremation has taken place. Friends and relatives may call at Mark Jutzi Funeral Home on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. On Wednesday December 31, 2008 visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Service to Celebrate Sandy's life at 11 a.m. with Rev. Andre Lavergne officiating. Burial in Roseville Cemetery at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Arthritis Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. On-line condolences and donation information is available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca


    Waterloo Region Record 29 Dec 2008