John Randall

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00024-1937.1
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ch. of England
• Occupation: 1879, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Servant
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Randall.--John Randall was born in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ont., on Aug. 31, 1852. Forty-four years ago he united with the Mennonite Church of which he was a member till death. In 1879 he was married to Leah Clemmer who with 4 sons and 3 daughters remain to mourn his sudden departure. On July 10 while at work in a field on his son Jacob's farm near Breslau, Ont., he was found unconscious from a paralytic stroke, and died the following morning. His age was 69 y. 10 m. 11 d. Funeral services at his home in Bridgeport, conducted by U. K. Weber, and at the first Mennonite Church, Kitchener, by Jonas Snider and Howard Stevanus.

Gospel Herald - Volume XV, Number 17 - July 27, 1922, pg 335

John married Leah Clemmer 7 Oct 1879, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Leah (daughter of Jacob B. Clemmer and Anna "Nancy" Lichty) was born 7 Feb 1857, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Jun 1933; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lizzie Randall
• Eby ID Number: 00024-1937.1002
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Randall, -- Lizzie, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Randall, was born at Heidelberg, Ont., June 10, 1881; died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Abner Good, near St. Jacobs, Ont., April 21, 1951; aged 69 y. 10 m. 11 d. She had been ailing for some time and died as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage. She joined the Mennonite Church in her youth and was a faithful member until death. Surviving are 2 brothers (Jacob, Breslau, Ont.; Amos, Sawyer, Kans.), and 1 sister (Maryann-Mrs. Abner G. Good, St. Jacobs.). One sister (Barbara-Mrs. Alson Creesman) and 3 brothers (Onias, John, and Alson) preceded her in death. Funeral services in charge of Noah Hunsberger, and at the St. Jacobs Mennonite Church in charge of Roy S. Koch. Burial was made in the First Mennonite Cemetery in Kitchener, Ont.

Gospel Herald - Volume XLIV , Number 20 - May 15, 1951-page 478, 479

Other Events:

• Name: Elmina Snider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5852.1000
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Domestic General Servant

Elmina married Elias S. Snider 5 Sep 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elias (son of Isaac B. Snider and Nancy Sitler) was born 26 Sep 1882, German Mills (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1930, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25391
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Occupation: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, Farm
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Randall, Jacob C., was born in Woolwich Twp., Ont., June 23, 1883; died at South Waterloo Memorial Hospital on Feb. 27, 1975; aged 91 y. On Sept. 20, 1911, he was married to Ida May Schiedel, who preceded him in death on July 8, 1973. Surviving are 3 daughters (Eileen, Nora - Mrs. Robert Hammong, and Alice - Mrs. John Semple), 3 sons (Layton, Lloyd, and Elton), one foster daughter (Martha - Mrs. Ronald Schaus), 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son (John A.), 3 sisters, and 5 brothers. He was a member of the Breslau Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Mar. 2, in charge of Dennis C. Cressman; interment in Breslau Cemetery.

Gospel Herald - Vol. 68, No. 13 - April 1, 1975 - p. 258

Jacob married Ida May Schiedel 20 Sep 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Ida (daughter of Menno Schiedel and Mary Ann Hefkey) was born 8 Oct 1887, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 8 Jul 1973, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Cressman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25033
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

CRESSMAN - Barbara Randall was born on April 25, 1886, at Heidelberg, Ont., and died at her home near Bridgeport, Ont., on Dec. 27, 1926; aged 40 yr. 8 m. 2 d. On Dec. 5, 1906, she was united in marriage to Alson Cressman who, with one son, Horace, her mother, two sisters, and four brothers mourn her sudden departure. Two years ago she was stricken with paralysis and while she partly regained her strength, she never fully recovered. She suffered much but bore it all with Christian fortitude, leaving many testimonies of her faith in Jesus and her great desire to go to Him. Funeral services were conducted by Oscar Burkholder, on Dec. 29, burial taking place in the Breslau cemetery. Text II Tim. 4: 7.

Gospel Herald - Vol. XIX, No. 42 - January 13, 1927, pages 895

Barbara married Alson Cressman 5 Dec 1906. Alson (son of Jacob S. Cressman and Villina Snider) was born 5 Apr 1885, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Dec 1951, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 28 Dec 1951, Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25393
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, on Farm
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00024-1937.1001
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Bloomingdale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer Farm
• Residence: 1911, Bloomingdale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25395
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00024-1937.1000

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Ann Good
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25397
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Mary married Abner S. Good 14 Dec 1921, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Abner (son of Samuel Good and Mary Schmitt) was born 5 Jun 1891, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Aug 1981, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , St. Jacobs Mennonite Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Edna Marie Witmer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25420

Notes:

WITMER, Edna (nee Snider) - Went home to be with her Lord, on Friday, October 12, 2007, in her 96th year. Edna was born in German Mills, Ontario. Beloved wife of the late Lincoln Witmer (1986). Cherished mother of Darcy and his wife Donna of Meaford, Ross and his wife Evelyn of Waterloo, Lynne Hoffman of Breslau, Joe and his wife Elizabeth of Kitchener. Predeceased by her son, Elmer (2005) and his wife Monica (2004); son-in-law, Frank Hoffman (1999), and by infant son, Kenneth. Will be sadly missed by 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Survived by sisters, Olive Good, Alice Brubacher and Naoma Sauder, and by sister-in-law, Luella Snider. Predeceased by brother, Bretton Snider; sisters, Elva Horst, Reta Witmer and grandson, Steven Witmer. Edna was a longtime and faithful member of First Mennonite Church. Among her many passions were Bible study, quilting, caring for her plants and an affection for chocolates and sweets. Visitation will be held at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home , 621 King Street West, Kitchener, on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 from 7-9 p.m. Memorial service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Reception to follow at the Ratz-Bechtel Family Centre. As expressions of sympathy donations to the Mennonite Central Committee, House of Friendship or Christian Blind Mission International would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place. On-line condolences may be made at www.mem.com.

The Record 15 oct 2007

Edna — Abram Lincoln "Lincoln" Witmer. Abram (son of Deacon Isaiah B. Witmer and Jemima Schwartz) was born 11 May 1913, , Ontario, Canada; died 13 Mar 1986. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00106-5852.1002

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00106-5852.1001

Other Events:

• Name: Eileen Randall
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-48321

Notes:

Randall, Eileen, 85, Cambridge, Ont. Born: Mar. 21, 1912, Breslau, Ont., to Jacob and Ida Schiedel Randall. Died: May 16, 1997, Cambridge, Ont. Survivors - brothers and sisters: Elton, Nora Hammond, Alice SempIe; foster sister: Martha Schaus. Funeral: May 19, Preston Mennonite Church, by Amzie Brubacher. Burial: Breslau Mennonite Cemetery.

Gospel Herald - Volume 90, Number 24 - June 17, 1997

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-216090
• Interesting: 1954, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; plowing match, weather

Notes:

Barn destroyed by fire sat on site of 1954 plowing match

BRESLAU - The region is set to lose the barn on a farm property that hosted one of the most tumultuous events in the region's history - the 1954 International Plowing Match.

The John Randall barn, located just outside of Breslau across from Belgian Nurseries on Highway 7, fell victim to two fires apparently set by vandals, and will be torn down at some point this week. The farmhouse has already been demolished.

The 1954 plowing match, a farm exhibit show, was dogged by rain on its first two days, and on Oct. 15 it was struck by the full force of the infamous hurricane Hazel, which killed 81 people in Ontario and left 1,868 families homeless.

At the plowing match, strong winds blew over much of the tent city that had risen on the farms of Randall and neighbours. More than 100 tents were destroyed, which cost exhibitors about $500,000 in damages.

Helga Hartman, the current membership chair of the Waterloo Historical Society, was in Grade 7 when the plowing match took place. She remembers travelling to the event with the senior grades from Lexington Public School the day before the hurricane struck.

"It had been raining for more than a week and everything was saturated," she said.

"I remember how gooey the mud was. A lot of people lost their shoes and boots," she added with a laugh.

She also remembers the hurricane, calling it a "major event," and said the levelling of the tent city was a "disaster."

As for the barn, Hartman will be sad to see it go.

"It was a beautiful, white barn," she said. "Once it's gone, there will be nothing to mark the event which took place."

While there are usually plaques placed at the sites of international plowing matches, there is none at the Randall farm. Hartman said she is going to raise the issue with the Waterloo Historical Society.

"It was something that was really big at the time, and it will be wiped off the surface of the earth."

mderuyter@therecord.com

"Barn Destroyed By Fire Sat On Site Of 1954 Plowing Match". 2011. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2011/05/31/barn-destroyed-by-fire-sat-on-site-of-1954-plowing-match.html.

John — Bernice Lichty. Bernice (daughter of Oliver Lichty and Joannah Eby) was born 17 Oct 1923. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lloyd Randall
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-192777

Jacob — Katherine Leopoldine Nickel. Katherine (daughter of Felix Nickel and Leopoldine) was born 9 Mar 1927, Trautmannsdorf, , Niederösterreich, Austria; died 29 Oct 2012, Sidney, , British Columbia, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-163592

Notes:

RANDALL, Elton Passed away peacefully, at Freeport Health Centre of the Grand River Hospital, on Sunday, February 7, 2010 in his 89th year. Elton farmed in the Kossuth (Breslau) area for 63 years. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 66 years, Thelma (nee Dedels), his children, Sandra (Norman) Hill of Conn, James of Kitchener and Donald of Cambridge, grandchildren, Valerie (Michael) Tasker of Alma, Graham (friend Becky) of Arthur, Jamie (Karen) of Waterloo and Shannon (Bill) Falagitis of Kitchener, as well as five great-grandchildren. Brother of Nora Hammond of Cambridge, Alice Semple, and Martha (Ron) Schaus, all of Kitchener. Predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Ida Randall, brothers, Layton, John, Lloyd, and his sister Eileen. The Randall family will receive relatives and friends at the Henry Walser Funeral Home , 507 Frederick St., Kitchener, 519-749-8467 on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Service for Elton will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 1 p.m. Interment Memory Gardens. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, The Kidney Foundation of Canada or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family. Thanks to Dr. Liu, Dr. Lubitz and the staff of 5 South of the K-W Health Centre and the Freeport Health Centre for their care and concern. Visit www.henrywalser.com for Elton's memorial.

Waterloo Region Record 8 Feb 2010

______________

PAIR WED 50 YEARS

Small Farmer Said 'Doomed'

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob C. Randall who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today, believe that today a successful farmer must operate on a big scale.

And the celebrants ought to know. They have been farming all their married days at RR 1, Preston.

"Like the supermarkets have replaced the corner store, so the big farmer is outdoing the small man", Mr. Randall said. "Fifty years ago the little farmer could make a good living off the land- today he has to have an education, a big farm and plenty of capital since machinery is so expensive".

When the Randalls started farming, they had 80 acres of land and everything from pigs and chickens to cows and horses. Now they have a modest seven acres having sold 70 to the Wellington-Waterloo Airport in 1948 and three acres to a son Lloyd, who built a house next door.
And hard work never killed anyone, the couple agree. They managed the chores themselves with their four sons helping out.

"We never had any hired help, and I even helped load grain, milk cows, and clean the stables when things got piled up." Mrs. Randall said.
Mr. and Mrs. Randall were wed at the home of the bride's parents, RR 1, Preston, where the couple have lived since their marriage.
She is the former Ida May Schiedel, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Menno Schiedel, RR 1, Preston. Mr. Randall, 78, is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Randall of Woolwich Township.

Their attendants were Mr. Randall's brother, the late Amos Randall, and Mrs. Randall's cousin, the late Mrs. Gerry Keffer. The late Bishop Jonas Snider of Waterloo officiated.

"Farming is not the only thing that has changed a great deal. The standard of living is about ten times as high," Mr. Randall said.
The couple, who have seven children, said it costs them as much for groceries today for just the two of them as it did years ago for the entire family.

"And a honeymoon then was as uncommon as no honeymoon today," he added. He recalled the day after their marriage which entailed a trip to Berlin (Kitchener) to have photos taken; voting in the Dominion election when Sir Wilfred Laurier and his liberal government wre defeated and later in the week in which they travelled by horse and buggy to visit Mrs. Randall's aunt at Puslinch Lake. Monday they were back to farming again.

The Randalls have four married sons, Layton of Baden, John of Kitchener, Lloyd, RR 1, Preston, and Elton, RR 2, Preston. Their daughters are Eileen of Preston, Mrs. Robert (Nora) Hammond of Galt, and Alice of Kitchener. They have 13 grandchildren adn one great-grandchild.
Two of their sons are still engaged in farming-John was host at his farm for the International Plowing Match in 1954, the year hurrican (sic) Hazel whipped through the area.

Members of Breslau Mennonite Church, the couple enjoy good health. In their spare time, Mr. Randall enjoys a simple stroll through the woods, while Mrs. Randall devotes her free hours to piecing quilts for relief.

Tonight the couple will be entertained at a dinner party at Zehr's restaurant with immedate families and close relatives present.
Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., the couple will hold open house. They expect more than 200 friends will help them celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Elton — Thelma Gertrude Dedels. Thelma (daughter of Norman Dedels and Katherine Flora "Laura" Bechtel) was born 25 Oct 1920. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25034
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1951, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

HORACE CRESSMAN 1917-2004 Suddenly, at K-W Health Centre of Grand River Hospital, on Tuesday, June 1, 2004, Horace died of heart failure, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Mary Cathrine (Shantz), who predeceased him December 11, 2003. Loving father of Elaine and her husband John Weber of Petersburg, Mark Cressman and his wife Simone Peta of Waterloo, Brenda and her husband Clare Snider of Elmira and Mary Jane and her husband Victor Guerin of Toronto. Proud and loving grandfather of Emily Weber, Jill Weber-Friesen and her husband Curwin, Celine Cressman and her partner Saul Davis, Barrett, Ashley, Chanel and Sauve Cressman, Julie and her husband Anton Heimpel, Maureen Snider, Matthew, Rachel and Rebecca Guerin and great-grandfather to Liam and Simon Friesen and Sean and Erik Heimpel. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Ferne and her husband Merle Yoder of California and Audrey May of Kitchener. He was predeceased by his sisters-in-law, Irene and her husband Orton Koch, Edna and her husband Harold Shenk and brothers-in-law, John Feicht and Jack May. Horace lived his entire life on the family farm and was actively involved until two days before his death. He committed his life to the church and served 40 years as deacon at Breslau Mennonite Church. Friends are invited to share their memories of Horace with his family at Breslau Mennonite Church on Friday, June 4, 2004 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. The memorial service to celebrate Horace's life and faith will be held at Breslau Mennonite Church on Saturday, June 5, 2004, at 11 a.m., with Pastors Darrel Toews and Tara Gingerich Hiebert officiating. Cremation has taken place. A private family interment in the church cemetery will precede the memorial service. Following the service in the church, friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall for refreshments and a time to visit. In memory of Horace, donations to Breslau Mennonite Church or Mennonite Central Committee would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and can be arranged through the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, phone 745-8445 or www.edwardrgood.com

Horace — Mary Cathrine Shantz. Mary (daughter of Simeon N. Shantz and Celina Cressman) was born 1916, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Dec 2003, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-331542

Howard married Pauline Virginia "Polly" Cline 26 Jun 1948. Pauline was born 3 Mar 1922, Virginia, United States; died 4 Aug 2008, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Gladys Eileen Martin
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-239540

Notes:

MARTIN, Gladys Eileen (Mrs. Lloyd S. ) - On Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at home two days after celebrating her 77th birthday. Beloved wife of Lloyd and loving mother of Ron and Sharon, Darrel and Sharon. Lovingly remembered by son-in-law, Eugene and daughter-in-law, Karen. Grandmother of Robyn (Maurits) Dagelinckx, Ryan (Leanne) Uttley, Tonya and Jonathan Martin, Hillary and Evan Snyder and great-grandmother of Mikaela and Nathan Dagelinckx and Benjamin Uttley. Daughter of the late Abner and Mary Ann Good. Survived by brother, Willard (Joyce) Good and sister, Margaret (Peter) Metzger and sister-in-law, Polly Good. Also survived by sisters-in-law, Florence Wideman, Viola (George) Wallace, Ellen (Carson) Moyer, Laura (Milo) Shantz and brother-in-law, Abner (Shirley) Martin. Gladys will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by brother, Howard Good and brother-in-law, Aaron Wideman and sister-in-law, Almeda Martin. Gladys was active in her church, St. Jacobs Mennonite, past-president of the Women's Missionary Sewing Circle, taught Sunday School and served in many capacities. She also partnered with Lloyd in all their business ventures including farming, Martin's Tax Service and a recreation facility in Grand Bend. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p. m. At 9 a. m. on Friday, December 9th transfer will be made to St. Jacobs Mennonite Church for funeral service at 11 a. m. with Pastor Mark Diller Harder and Pastor Barb Smith-Morrison officiating followed by interment in St. Jacobs Mennonite Cemetery. In her memory, donations to Mennonite Central Committee or St. Mary's Hospital Cardiac Care Unit would be appreciated by the family as expressions of sympathy.

The Record Newspaper 7 Dec 2005

Gladys — Lloyd S. Martin. Lloyd (son of Annanias S. Martin and Susanna Steckle) was born 20 Jul 1928, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Apr 2008, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , St. Jacobs Mennonite Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-172734
• Residence: 1962, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Elmer Weston Witmer died peacefully at Freeport Health Centre of Grand River Hospital, Thursday, October 27, 2005, age 71. Devoted husband and best friend of the late Monica Witmer (July 4, 2004). Loving father of Denise Witmer (Paul Panagapka), Danny (Christine) Witmer, Debbie (Mike) Gordon and Dana (Rob) Waters. Fun loving and cherished grandpa of Lacey and Christine McAllister, Isaac Panagapka, Tyler and Brittany Witmer, Cameron and Nicole Gordon and Mitch and Brody Waters. Elmer will be greatly missed by his mother Edna Witmer and by his brothers and sisters Darcy (Donna) Witmer, Ross (Evelyn) Witmer, Lynne (late Frank) Hoffman, and by Joe (Liz) Witmer. He will be sadly missed by his extended family and by his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father Lincoln Witmer. Elmer was the owner of Witmer's Garage in St. Jacobs for over 36 years. His optimism and friendly smile warmed many hearts. Friends are invited, to share their memories of Elmer with his family at the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South in Waterloo on Sunday, October 30, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A morning prayer service will be held in the funeral home on Monday, October 31, 2005 at 9: 30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael's RC Church, 240 Hemlock Street, Waterloo at 10 a.m. with the Rev. James Malone as celebrant. The parish prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon at 3: 45 p.m. Interment in Parkview Cemetery. In Elmer's memory, donations may be made to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre or Cancer Research and can be arranged through the funeral home.

Elmer — Monica Marie Runstedler. Monica (daughter of Anthony Alexander Runstedler and Regina Cecilia Straus) was born 6 May 1935; died 4 Jul 2004; was buried , Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Lynne — Franklin Reuben "Frank" Hoffman. (son of Harvey W. J. Hoffman and Ruby Emilie Doering) [Group Sheet]

Connie — Donald Bruce Krupp. (son of Charles Sanford Krupp and Dorothy Marie Kehl) [Group Sheet]

Sandra — Norman Russell. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-18614

James — Jo-Ann Wasowicz. (daughter of Louis Wasowicz and Stella Startek) [Group Sheet]

Elaine — John Robert Weber. (son of Ion Laverne Weber and Edith Lorene "Lorene" Horst) [Group Sheet]

Ronald — Rhoda Lynn Martin. (daughter of Moses B. Martin and Alice Angeline Drudge) [Group Sheet]

Ronald — Sharon Elizabeth Gibson. [Group Sheet]

Darrel — Karen Sue Eby. (daughter of Milton Eby and Agnes Magdalena Eby) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sharon Louise Kruger
• Name: Sharon Louise Snyder
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-186153

Notes:

ST. JACOBS (Jun 4, 2007)

Any doubts Lloyd Martin had about holding a memorial service for his daughter evaporated when he walked inside the crowded St. Jacobs Mennonite Church.It had been a year since Sharon Martin had vanished, and her father and family needed to end the wondering and start the grieving. And so it was that hundreds of friends, relatives and former colleagues filled the pews to honour Sharon's memory, even while she remains alive and missing in the eyes of Waterloo regional police."It was overwhelming . . . We didn't know if it was the right thing to do or not. We debated it for a long time," Lloyd said. "But anyone I talked to that day reaffirmed why we did it. We all needed closure and healing."It may never be known exactly what happened to Sharon, who was last videotaped withdrawing money from a Fairview Mall bank machine.

The facts are this: suffering from schizophrenia, she disappeared May 17, 2006, for the second time since January. Although her body has never been found, her family believes she was driven to end her own life. She was 47. Lloyd, her father, was prompted to write this in the service's bulletin:"We believe that Sharon died in Hamilton on May 18, 2006. We may never have evidence that would provide absolute closure. We trust God's love be greater than Sharon's mental illness and trust his loving care wherever she is."But the life of the woman celebrated on a recent Saturday wasn't measured by her mental illness. Sharon was also a loving mother; an intelligent, well-educated and respected elementary school teacher, whose classroom broke down in tears the day she announced she'd be leaving her job. She was a terrific swimmer and basketball player; talented cook, accomplished musician and gifted singer.

One by one, mourners passed around the microphone in the church's basement, sharing memories of Sharon. They talked about road trips to Winnipeg, driving her grandfather's Mercedes, and wolfing down a friend's oatmeal as a girl so they could go out to play. They remembered her Christmas concerts, the mini-putt course she helped run by age nine, the choir she sang with at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate.Her family talked honestly and openly about Sharon's long struggle with schizophrenia, which altered her perception of reality.

They sang through their tears and said goodbye."The illness that took her away wasn't the sum total of her life. She was far more than that," said her sister-in-law, also named Sharon Martin. "She had such a profound influence on so many people, and a lot of people were hurting out there. We wanted to honour her, and not focus so much on the illness. But we didn't want to hide it."Today, Sharon's green Ford Taurus station wagon is parked outside her father's St. Jacobs home, and her life's possessions remain scattered through a handful of cardboard boxes. There are plans to ask a judge to grant a death certificate, and talk of placing a marker inside a local cemetery.By the time she disappeared, "she was living more in the spirit world than the real world," he said. Sharon had legally changed her named to Wendy Holmes, had stopped taking her medication, and was in and out of hospital. Throughout her struggle, however, there had been glimpses of the old Sharon and the recurring belief she might shake off the illness that dogged her."She had another reality that was very real to her," said her sister-in-law. "She often talked about taking flight, moving into another world."When Sharon first disappeared in January 2006, she was located in a Buffalo psychiatric hospital after five days. This time, her family again held out hope, following every trail they could, before her purse was found in a garden near Hamilton harbour.Publicly memorializing her was a necessary step in the grieving process, her family said. They couldn't go on forever in mourning limbo, even thought her sister-in-law admits they will probably never "know 100 per cent for sure" what happened to Sharon.As for those lingering questions, they're best answered by faith in higher power, the family said."It doesn't do much for me to sit around and stew about it," Lloyd said. "As a man of faith, I believe God's grace is bigger than her illness. I trust God to take care of her."

The Record 4 Jun 2007 - gmercer@therecord.com

Sharon — Victor Paul Kruger. [Group Sheet]

Sharon — Eugene Nelson Snyder. (son of Nelson G. Snyder and Vera Koch) [Group Sheet]