Friday Finds: Remembering Fred Mentzer
As I continue exploring the treasures within my genealogy files, I often come across newspaper clippings that provide invaluable insights into the lives of my ancestors. This week’s Friday Finds features an obituary from the 27 May 1943 issue of the Yates Center News, honoring the life of Fred Mentzer (1871–1943).
Fred spent his life on the farm west of Yates Center, raising a family and embodying the values of hard work, faith, and dedication to his community. His obituary not only details his family connections but also offers a glimpse into his character and legacy.
I’m sharing this clipping on Heartland Genealogy so that fellow Mentzer family descendants and genealogy enthusiasts can appreciate and preserve this piece of our family history.
Obituary
Fred Mentzer
John Frederick Mentzer, son of George and Emmaline Mentzer, was born March 3, 1871, at Kewanee, Ill., and departed from this life May 17, 1943, at Johnson hospital, Chanute, Kans., at the age of 72 years, two months, and 14 days.
Soon after the Civil War, of which his father was a veteran, the family moved to Woodson county, locating west of Yates Center, where a farm was homesteaded.
Mr. Mentzer was united in marriage with Anna May Wells on March 27, 1895. To this union eight children were born—all of whom survive. Mrs. Mentzer passed away May 7, 1938.
The children are: Fred Mentzer, Mrs. Marjorie Weide, Mrs. Mildred VanValkenburg, and Mrs. Pearl Mentzer, all of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Wendell Tolle of Tulsa, Okla.; Mrs. Hazel Harold, Mrs. Cecil Beine, and Harley Mentzer of Yates Center.
Four brothers—Charles Mentzer of Emporia, Kans.; Ernest, Philip, and Henry Mentzer of Yates Center—and one sister, Mrs. Clara Williams, Yates Center. He also is survived by 19 grandchildren, 33 nieces and nephews.
A brother, Albert Mentzer, and one sister, Susan, preceded him in death.
Mr. Mentzer was a member of the official board of the Christian church, and his life culminates a life of Christian service.
He spent his entire life, after his marriage, on the farm west of Yates Center—the home he and his wife bought to begin life together. He had always enjoyed good health, hardly ever missing a day’s work until his recent illness. In fact, his whole life was one of busy activity. No job was ever too great for him to attack, and he never stopped until the job was done. His life was a living example of justice and fair play, a simple faith in a great country—a living God, and eternal life was the hope that carried him through to the end.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, May 20, from the Christian church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. M. C. Good. Burial was in the Yates Center cemetery.