Marie Wittwer

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, August 24, 1928
Vol. 24, No. 5

Mrs. Akerman Passed Away Friday

Mrs. Wm. Akerman passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, shortly before midnight on Friday, Aug. 17, following an illness with cancer. Funeral services were conducted at the Lenzner home on Monday afternoon by Rev. C.Fl. Smith, and interment was made in the Elkland cemetery.

Marie Wittwer was born in Bern, Switzerland, on Dec. 12, 1860. She came to the United States at the age of 21 and was united in marriage with Wm. Akerman at Forestville, Michigan, on Oct. 27, 1884. They resided on a farm near Forestville until 1905 when the family moved to Cass City in order to give the children the advantage of a High School education. Mrs. Akerman had formerly been affiliated with the Evangelical church at Forestville and Cass City but at the time of her death was a member of the Simpson Avenue Methodist Church in Kalamazoo with which she united during her residence in that city. She was always very interested in all matters of religious nature and passed very peacefully into the life beyond.

Besides her husband and three daughters, Mrs. Herbert Blodgett of Hartford City, Ind., Mrs. Joseph A. Benkelman and Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, both of Cass City, she leaves four brothers, Dr. E. A. Wittwer of Bay City and John, Fred and Edward Wittwer, who reside in Germany, and three grandchildren, Andrene Blodgett and Phyllis and Shirley Lenzner.

Relatives and friends from a distance who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Blodgett and daughter, Andrene, of Hartford City, Ind., Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Wittwer and daughter, Miss Henrietta of Bay City, Mrs. Fred Sullwold of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. John Wagester of Pigeon, Rev. J. J. Hommel of Saginaw, Fred Hirzel of Gutherie, Oklahoma, Mrs. Wm. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Staudaker and Mrs. G. Staudaker, all of Croswell, Mr. and Mrs. George Mast and Mr. and Mrs. John Schwalm, all of Sebewaing, Albert and Miss Bertha Yietter, Mrs. G. Koahn and Anna Saumseillor, all of Harbor Beach, Albert Hirzel, Alva and Fred Harnish, all of Forestville.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Marie married William Akerman on 27 Oct 1884 in Sanilac County, Michigan. William was born on 6 May 1858 in Stuttgart, Neckarkreis, W?rttemberg, Germany; died on 26 Sep 1941 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 28 Sep 1941 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 6, 1956
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items
Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Thomas and children, David and Kathleen, of Lansing visited Mrs. Thomas' mother, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, from Thursday morning until Saturday night.

Rev. and Mrs. J. Franklin Beck and four sons of Grand Island, N.Y., came Sunday night and visited Mrs. Beck's mother, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, until Wednesday morning. Mrs. Lenzner accompanied them home to spend a week.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, May 27, 1965
Page Three

Pay Final Tribute to Mrs. Lenzner

A pioneer resident of the Thumb area, Mrs. Mollie Lenzner, died Thursday, May 20, at Hills and Dales General Hospital. She was stricken Wednesday at her home in Cass City.

Mrs. Lenzner was born in Minden City, Sept. 18, 1885, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Akerman . She came to Cass City in 1905

She married Herbert F. Lenzner in Cass City, June 10. 1909. She and her husband lived in this community until their deaths. Together they published the Cass City Chronicle until retirement in 1951.

Mr. Lenzner died Feb. 7, 1953.

Mrs. Lenzner was a life member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Cass City.

Surviving are: two daughters, Mrs. Gordon L. (Phyllis) Thomas of East Lansing and Mrs. J. Franklin (Shirley) Beck of Akron, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Benkelman of Cass City and Mrs. H.C. Blodgett of Hartford City, Ind., and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the EUB church Sunday. The Rev. Robert Betts and Rev. Stanley Kirn Sr. officiated.

Burial was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Mollie married Herbert Frank Lenzner on 10 Jun 1909 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Herbert (son of Christian Oscar "C.O." Lenzner, Jr. and Sophia Ahr) was born on 13 Dec 1879 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 7 Feb 1953 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 10 Feb 1953 in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, February 14, 1980

Rites held for Esther Benkelman

Esther Selma Benkelman, 91, of Cass City died last Thursday at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility in Caro after a brief illness.

She was born February 12, 1888, near Minden City, the daughter of William and Marie (Wittmer) ACKERMAN.

Miss Ackerman married Joseph A. Benkelman June 10, 1911 in Cass City. He died June 11, 1968.

Mrs. Benkelman was one of the oldest members of Salem United Methodist Church of Cass City. She was also a member of the Dorcas Circle of United Methodist Women.

She is survived by three nieces, Mrs. Gordon THOMAS of East Lansing, Mrs. J. Franklin BECK of Mt. Gilead, Ohi and Andrew BLODGET of Hurtford City, Indiana. One daughter, Fern Marie, preceded her in death.

Funeral services were conducted Monday morning from Little's Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Eldred Kelley of Salem United Methodist church officiating. Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

(Research):Cass City Chronicle
July 31, 1958

......eleven members of the Class (of 1905 of Cass City High School) were present at the reunion Thursday. They were: Frances McBurney-Gravatt of Houston, TX; Cecil Krapf-Allen of Royal Oak, Jennie Ferguson-Doerr of Fostoria; Ethel Dodge-Rambo of Marlette; Mae Williamson-Marshall of Gagetown, and the following of Cass City; Mr. Auten, Mr. Schwaderer, Miss Adeline Gallagher, Jennie Leek-Hutchinson, Esther Ackerman-Benkelman and Mollie Ackerman-Lenzner....

Esther married Joseph A. Benkelman on 10 Jun 1911 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Joseph (son of Samuel G. Benkelman and Mary Striffler) was born on 5 Oct 1889 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 11 Jun 1968 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Indiana, Blackford County, Licking Twp, Hartford City, War
d 2
Enumerated 8 Apr 1930
ED 5-6 SD 4 Sheet 7A Stamped 73
403-169-177
Blodgett, Herbert Hd O $5000 M W 49 M W M@24 Mich Mich Mich Manufacturer Overhead Door Controls
Blodgett, Marie Wf F W 39 M@22 Mich Berne Switzerland Berne Switzerland
Blodgett, Andrene Dtr F W 12 S Mich Illegible Mich

Marie married Herbert Cady Blodgett about 1912. Herbert was born on 21 Apr 1879 in Michigan; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
June 2, 1939
Local Items
Page 3

Miss Phyllis M. Lenzner is expected home today after finishing a year as teacher in the Wayne Public School. She returns to the same location next fall.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 6, 1956
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items
Page Four

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Thomas and children, David and Kathleen, of Lansing visited Mrs. Thomas' mother, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, from Thursday morning until Saturday night.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Phyllis married Gordon Lawrie Thomas on 21 Jun 1941 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Gordon was born on 4 Dec 1914; died on 15 Oct 1997; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Volume 5 of the Striffler-Benkelman Broadcast, published September 1, 1941, reported that Shirley Anne Lenzner was graduated with honor June 9, 1941 by North Central College, Napierville, Illinois. Shirley had also accepted a position in the Wayne Public Schools.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, April 6, 1956
Cass City Area Social and Personal Items
Page Four

Rev. and Mrs. J. Franklin Beck and four sons of Grand Island, N.Y., came Sunday night and visited Mrs. Beck's mother, Mrs. H.F. Lenzner, until Wednesday morning. Mrs. Lenzner accompanied them home to spend a week.

In 1966, while living in Akron, Ohio, she wrote this letter to the editors of the Cass City Chronicle to accompany her subscription renewal:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Haire,

I am including this personal note, because the experience of subscribing to the Cass City Chronicle is so unique that I cannot let it pass by casually.

By virtue of being born in the bedroom in the apartment just above the "big press", I suppose that since my first moments on earth I have heard the rumble of printing machinery, and have always been sure that a little printers' ink was mixed with my blood.

My first 17 years in Cass City were intertwined with the Chronicle schedule, and I can remember well the various assignments of bringing papers from the folder, labeling, delivering to the post office, writing out liners and subscription renewals, proof-freading, and eventually writing copy.

After school days ans marriage, my physical closeness with the Chronicle naturally ceased, but the weekly issues have followed me and been read regularly in Illinois, New York, and now in Ohio.

When Dad and Mother sold to you folks 15 years ago, it was almost like parting with a member of the family. However, the move was a wise one, and we have all been pleased with the very harmonious way in which the Haire-Lenzner relations have continued since then.

The death of both of my parents wevers my most important ties in Cass City. One cannot easily dismiss sentimental associations that abruptly, however, and there are still many people in Cass City about which I care.

So please apply the enclosed check of $4.00 on our Chronicle subscription for the coming year. I can't say goodbye to that part of my life yet.

Sincerly,
Shirley Lenzer Beck
1040 Oak Tree Rd.
Akron, Ohio 44320

Cass City Chronicle
Wednesday, November 21, 1984
Page Two

Shirley Lenzner Beck, 64, died Sunday, Nov. 11, at her home in Lakeside, Ohio. She was the daughter of Herb and Mollie Lenzner, former owners and publishers of the Chronicle.

Born Feb. 8, 1920, she graduated from Cass City High School.

Shirley is survived by her husband, the Rev. J. Franklin Beck, retired pastor of the United Methodist Chruch in New York and Ohio parishes.

She leaves five sons, several grandchildren and a sister, Phyllis Lenzner Thomas of East Lansing.

Those who wish may send a contribution to the Lakeside United Methodist Church, Lakeside, Ohio 43440, who will share with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Foundation.

A memorial service was held in the Lakeside United Methodist Church, Sunday, Nov. 18.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, January 2008)

Shirley married Rev. J. Franklin Beck after 1941. J. was born on 5 Nov 1916 in New York; died on 3 Apr 1999 in Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Friday, February 10, 1928
Vol. 23, No. 23

Junior Class Lost Honor Student
Death of Fern M. Benkelman is mourned by a Large Circle of Friends

A death mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives and one of that greatly shocked the entire community was that of Miss Fern Marie Benkelman, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benkelman, who passed away unexpectedly shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday night, February 2, after a ten day illness with pneumonia. She was nearly 16 years of age, her birthday being March 27, 1912.

Fern was an honor student of the Cass City High School, her name appearing each year among those who won special honors in their monthly and semester standings. She was a member of the Junior Class, the Girls' Glee club, and president of the community club, a school organization. Twice she was elected to represent the local school in a statewide academic contest for the high school pupils, at the Central Normal at Mt. Pleasant, both years winning honors for her school.

Her activities in church work were also outstanding and made her a much admired and loved member of the Evangelical Sunday School, Junior choir, and Butzbach Missionary Circle. Fern served as an assistant pianist at this church, faithfully and efficiently.

Rev. C.F. Smith, pastor of the Evangelical church officiated at the funeral service which was held at the family residence Monday afternoon and attended by one of the largest companies of relatives and friends ever gathered at a similar occasion in this community. Members of the Junior class, numbering about 60, attended the services in a body, and bore the many beautiful floral tokens of affection to the Elkland cemetery where the burial services were held in the chapel.

Donald and Robert WALLACE, Lester BATTEL, Clark HELWIG, Maurice JOOS and Edward SCHWEGLER served as pallbearers.

Friends and relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. William ACKERMAN of Hartford City, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Adolph WAHL, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. WAHL and son, Mr. and Mrs. Milton GILBERT, C. WAHL and Mr. and Mrs. Albert WAHL, all of Bad Axe; Henry BENDER and Mrs. Druit CAPLING of Caro; Rev. and Mrs. F.L. POHLY, Mr. and Mrs. John SCHWALM and Marjorie HESS, all of Sebewaing, Mr. and Mrs. Walter GRAICHEN, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur GETZE, and Albert HIRZEL, all of Forestville; Miss Marjorie SICKLES of Saginaw, Mrs. W.J. CARPENTER of Flint; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. BROWN of Pigeon; Mrs. Wm. SMITH and Albert and Miss Bertha YIETTER, all of Harbor Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. KOSANKE and sons, Ralph and Donald of Pontiac.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]