Joanna Magdalena "Lena" Mark

Notes:

She was one the family members BonnieMargaret Jacobs personally interviewed when preparing her history of the Benkelman family. Lena remembered many stories about her Benkelman and Striffler ancestors, as well as stories about her husband's Schwegler roots.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, June 30, 1983
Obituaries
Page 4

Joanna Madgelena (Lena) Schwegler, 91, a lifelong resident of the Cass City area, died Friday at Provincial House following a lengthy illness.

She was born February 27, 1892, in Elkland Township, the daughter of Archibald and Emeline (Striffler) MARK.

Miss Mark married Benjamin A. Schwegler May 11, 1915 in Cass City. Mr. and Mrs. Schwegler lived on a farm on Schwegler Road until 1944 when they moved to their home on Pine Street. He died May 27, 1962 (sic).

She had been a member of the Salem United Methodist Church for over 30 years.

Mrs. Schwegler is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Arthur (Majory) Battel of Cass City, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Buehrly of Ubly. Two daughters, Mr. J.F. (Mildred) KLEIN and Mrs. Philo (Alma Fern) HOWE, preceded her in death.

Funeral services were conducted at Little's funeral home, Cass City, with Rev. Robert Von Oeyen of the Fraser United Presbyterian Church and Rev. Clare Patton of the Salem United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial was in Elkland Township Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Joanna married Benjamin Adam Schwegler on 11 May 1915 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Benjamin (son of Andreas "Andrew" Schwegler and Louisa Benkelman) was born on 15 Feb 1886 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 27 May 1961 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
April 15, 1976

Mrs. Klein dies April 8

Mrs. Joseph (Mildred) KLEIN, 59, of Port Huron, formerly of Cass City, died Thursday, April 8, in Port Huron after a long illness.

She was born October 29, 1916, in Cass City, and had been a resident of Port Huron since 1953.

She attended schools in Cass City and graduated from the Bay City Business College. Mrs. Klein was employed at Petroland Bottle Gas Company for 13 years until her illness.

She married Joseph KLEIN February 9, 1942 in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Mary P. MIEKSZLYN of Marysville and Mrs. Fern L. HYSLOP of St. Clair; four sons, Jack of Pittsburgh, Pa.; James of Port Huron, Robert of Brunswick, Ga.; and Andrew of Lexington; her mother, Mrs. Joanna SCHWEGLER of Cass City, one sisters, Mrs. Marjory BATTEL of Cass City, and nine grandchildren.

The funeral was held Saturday at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home with Rev. Douglas A. Trebilcock of First United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Maggie Battel Bethel indicates that she died of ovarian cancer.

Mildred married Joseph Forest "Jack" Klein on 9 Feb 1942 in Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio. Joseph was born on 29 Mar 1915 in Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan; died on 30 Oct 1988 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan; was buried on 2 Nov 1988 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Attended the rural Wright School, located in Elkland Township on mile east and two miles north of Cass City on the southeast corner of Schwegler and Reed roads. A picture of the Wright School Girls-1931, shows Dorothy Deneen, Ruth Tuckey, Betty McCallum, Fern Schwegler, Helen Joos, Kathleen McCallum, Leila Battel (teacher), Marie Deneen, Alice Buehrly, Marjory Schwegler. Wright School Boys-1931, Lawrence Holik, Leon Holik, Keith Buehrly, Russell Ellis, Russell Striffler, James Tuckey, Calvin Helwig, Fred Withey, Clinton Law, Henry Hulbert. (The Way it Was, The Cass City Area Historical Society, Vol 7, July 2002, Number 4).

Marjory Battel was one of the cousins of BonnieMargaret Jacobs who searched their Bibles and records and picture collections to provide information for her 1981 manuscipt about the history of the Benkelman family. She and her daughter, Maggie, also identified people in the old family photos of numerous cousins, many of which are displayed on this website.

MARJORY MAGDALENE SCHWEGLER BATTEL

Marjory M. Battel, 89, of Cass City, died peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, April 20, 2008 in her home following a short illness. She was born April 26, 1918 at home in Elkland Township to Benjamin and JoAnna Magdalene (Mark) Schwegler. She married Arthur William Battel November 19, 1942 in the Cass City Evangelical United Brethren Church. He died December 2, 2006.

Marjory graduated from Cass City High School in 1937 as Salutatorian of her class. She enjoyed gardening. Marjory loved to read and was a very active member of Fraser Presbyterian Church. She was a Youth Fellowship Leader, Sunday School Teacher and 4H Leader. Marjory was a very giving, humble person. She served others and led by her example, asking not for acknowledgement. She loved to bake and cook, preparing food for her family and friends.

Marjory is survived by her children: John (Reba) Battel of Dandridge, TN, Mark (Diane) Battel of Cass City, Margaret (Richard) Bethel of Belmont; grandchildren: Michael (Andrea) Battel, Philip (Charise) Battel, Christopher (Kara) Battel, Robert (Sue) Battel, Brenda Battel, Daniel Bethel; great granddaughters: Laura, Elaina, Carla, Addy, Dori, Ella; great grandsons: Fisher and Andrew John; several nieces and nephews; special cousin, Sharon Fox. She is preceded in death by her sisters: Mildred Klein and Fern Howe.

Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2008 in Kranz Funeral Home Cass City with Rev. David Blackburn of Fraser Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will take place in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Pallbearers for Mrs. Battel: Michael Battel, Christopher Battel, Robert Battel, Brenda Battel, Daniel Bethel and Andrew Klein. Memorials may be made to the Fraser Presbyterian Church.. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday before the service
Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan Debra L. Kranz - 989-872-2195

(Courtesy of Lorraine Smith Benkelman)

Maggie Battel Bethel indicates that she died of pancreatic cancer.

An Imitation of Christ
Scripture and message
Written and Delivered by Daniel Bethel, Grandson


12:9-21

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thrist, give him drink; for in doing so thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.


Message

The theme of this message is, "an imitation of Christ". That is who Marjory was. The first Scripture, Romans 12: 9-21, was selected by Marjory for this occasion. The Scripture describes the way Christians are called to live and Marjory sought to obey it. The second Scripture, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 is a Scripture that Marjory read when she was younger and deeply defined her life an important crossroads. Allow me to tell you the story in brief:

As many of you might know, Marjory was salutatorian of her high school class. And even if you didn't know that, you probably know she was an extremely intelligent. After high school Marjory was awarded a scholarship to attend college by a local church group. At first, Marjory accepted. However, there was a series of devastating fires in the community and left several families in dire need and homeless. The victims of the fires came to the church asking for financial assistance but the church could not help because the money was already promised to Marjory for her scholarship. When Marjory learned of the need in the community she returned the money to the church instructing them to give it to the victims of the fire. She never went to college.

As I thought about this story and about Marjory I began to see the imitation of Christ - both intentional and unintentional in her life. I would like first to share the, perhaps, unintentional.

Christ and Marjory were both very intelligent people. They had opportunities to use that intelligence to advance themselves. Christ could have easily gone to Jerusalem, studied with and astounded the great teachers of His day - as early as the age of 12 but He chose to stay in His community. Likewise Marjory could have gone on to have higher education and accomplished who-knows-what. But she chose to stay in her community. Christ and Marjory saw needs in their communities and humbly sought to fulfill them. For approximately 20 years or more Christ learned the family trade of carpentry and worked hard to use this sustain his family and help others in need. Much the same way, Marjory married, learned the Battel family trade of maple syrup and farming, and worked hard at both. Finally, as noted before Christ and Marjory were both very intelligent people but neither had great schooling. In fact, when Jesus first started his ministry those who knew Him were astounded by His knowledge and wisdom. Christ was filled with the Holy Spirit which guided Him though His life and teachings but I do not believe that Christ just automatically knew the Scriptures He quoted. During his 30 years He very likely went to his synagogue, read, and learned the Holy Scriptures on His own initiative. Marjory did much the same. After turning down the scholarship Marjory made a commitment to learn all that she could. Not only did she educate herself in the Bible but in may other areas of subjects. Both Christ and Marjory did not begrudge what they did not have but rejoiced and took advantage of what they did have.

Yet that is not all to be said because Marjory very much intentionally lived as an imitation of Christ. The passage of Romans describes the actions of the Christian life. Now as a human being Marjory was not perfect; like all of us she had sins to be forgiven and imperfections to overcome. But that is not what we focus on when think of her. We think about her service, her unconditional love, her humility, her wisdom, and so on. And those we will miss the most. Yet I want to make an audacious claim. The awe-inspiring and admirable acts of service and character were not inherent in Marjory. She was simply not born like that. Those are merely fruits of her greatest accomplishment - the one we should respect the most. Marjory Battel's greatest accomplishment was her daily submission and obedience to Christ her Lord. What we will miss most about Marjory Battel is Christ in Marjory Battel. In a world where Christ is hard to see and often misrepresented, Marjory's submission shined the Person of Christ like a lighthouse on a dark and stormy night - and we were all drawn to it. The Apostle Paul describes it as such in his letter to the Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

And finally, here is Gospel, here is Good News for us today. What we loved most about Marjory Battel does not pass with Marjory Battel. Christ lives and therefore we live and can choose to live the beautiful and powerful life of Christ as Marjory did. What we feel we have lost, can be found once again. If are but willing to submit and obey Christ as much as we can, even as Marjory imperfectly did, we fill find that the wounds received in her departure can be healed and that Marjory's life is also our life for it all is One Life found in Christ.

Marjory married Arthur William Battel on 19 Nov 1942 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Arthur (son of John William Battel and Bessie Sowden) was born on 14 Jan 1917 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 2 Dec 2006 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan, Sept. 15, 1920
Page Four
Local Items

Alma Fern is the name given to the baby girl who arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Schwegler on September 8.

Attended the rural Wright School, located in Elkland Township on mile east and two miles north of Cass City on the southeast corner of Schwegler and Reed roads. A picture of the Wright School Girls-1931, shows Dorothy Deneen, Ruth Tuckey, Betty McCallum, Fern Schwegler, Helen Joos, Kathleen McCallum, Leila Battel (teacher), Marie Deneen, Alice Buehrly, Marjory Schwegler. Wright School Boys-1931, Lawrence Holik, Leon Holik, Keith Buehrly, Russell Ellis, Russell Striffler, James Tuckey, Calvin Helwig, Fred Withey, Clinton Law, Henry Hulbert. (The Way it Was, The Cass City Area Historical Society, Vol 7, July 2002, Number 4).

The Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, Vol. 7, September 4, 1944, noted that Fern Schwegler, Cadet Nurse at Hurley Hospital Flint, was set to graduate in Feb. 1945. As of the September 3, 1945 issue (Vol. 8), it was reported that she had graduated and was in essential nursing in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the home of the atomic bomb. Vol. 9 of this same periodical reported that she was again employed at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and for three months prior to that she was at Big Spring, Texas, Hospital.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, October 7, 1965
Page Seven

Mrs. Philo Howe, 45 Dies in Tennessee

Mrs. Philo Howe, 45, died Wednesday, September 29, in Oak Ridge Hospital, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The former Fern SCHWEGLER, she was born September 8, 1920, at Cass City. She was graduated from Cass City High School in 1938 and from Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. She entered government service with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission as a registered nurse at Oak Ridge Hospital.

She was married to Philo E. Howe of Charlevoix, Michigan March 20, 1948, in Oak Ridge and lived in that vicinity until her death.

Mrs. Howe is survived by her husband and two daughters, Patricia Fern, 12, and Diane Lee, 10. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. B.A. SCHWEGLER, and two sisters, Mrs. J.F. KLEIN, of Port Huron and Mrs. Arthur BATTEL of Cass City.

Funeral services were held October 2 in Martins Funeral Chapel at Oak Ridge. Rev. Ray Buchanan of Solway Baptist Church officiated and interment was in Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

Cass City Chronicle
October 7, 1965
Cass City Area Social and Personal News
Page 3

Mrs. B.A. SCHWEGLER, Mrs. Arthur BATTEL, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. KLEIN of Port Huron and Mrs. Andrew Schwegler of Lansing attended the funeral of Mrs. Philo HOWE in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Saturday.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Spring 2007)

Maggie Battel Bethel indicates that she died of brain cancer.

Alma married Philo E. Howe on 20 Mar 1948 in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee. Philo was born on 22 May 1921 in Michigan; died on 7 Jul 1994 in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Volume 27 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published on September 4, 1967, reported that Robert L. Klein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Klein, was graduated from Port Huron Northern High School.

Notes:

Art Peck shows his date of birth, in error, to be 10 Feb 1959.


Andrew J. Klein Port Huron

Andrew J. Klein, age 53, passed away April 13, 2010 after a 7 month battle with Cancer. He was born February 17, 1957 in St. Clair to Joseph and Mildred Klein. Andrew married Deniece Warren on November 7, 1975 in Port Huron. Andrew retired in November 2008 after over 30 years of service with Laborers Local 463/1075. He also served on the "E" Board for several years. Andrew enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys, and going to classic car shows where he had a 1968 Camaro to enter. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Deniece, 2 sons, James (Jennifer) Klein of St. Clair, and Andrew Klein Jr. of Port Huron, 2 grandchildren, Lindsay and Trevor Klein of St. Clair, siblings, Mary Klein of Marysville, Fern (Harold) Hyslop of St. Clair, and Jack Klein of Bowling Green, Ohio. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mildred Klein, and two brothers, James and Robert Klein. Per Andrew's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 5 p.m. in the Smith Family Funeral Home - South, 1230 7th Street with The Rev. Max Amstutz officiating. Friends may visit with his family beginning at 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. ?u?www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com ?/u?.

Published in The Times Herald on April 15, 2010
Courtesy of Maggie Battel Bethel

Andrew married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]