Elizabeth Ann Erb

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXI, No. 12 - June 23, 1938, Page 279, 280

Erb - Lizzie A. Hess, widow of the late Bishop Tillman M. Erb, was born near Ephrata, Pa., Jan. 10, 1865; died only a few miles from the place of her birth, at the home of her brother-in-law and sister, Bro. and Sister A. M. Wolf of Akron, Pa., June 1, 1938; aged 73 y. 4 m. 22 d. Death came suddenly as the result of a heart attack, although she had not been in good health for several years. She grew to womanhood at the place of her birth and was married to Tillman M. Erb, of Newton, Kans., Nov. 18, 1886. They set up their home in Kansas, where they resided the rest of their lives. They lived during this time at Newton, Harper, and Hesston. The Lord gave them 11 children: Anna May, wife of L. O. King, Hutchinson, Kans.; Allen H., La Junta, Colo.; Mabel H., widow of James A. Kauffman, Hesston, Kans.; Susie Etta (deceased); Paul H., Hesston; Ruth Naomi, wife of Clarence Ebersole, La Junta, Colo.; Jacob L., Wellman, Ia.; Amy Elizabeth, wife of E. D. Hershberger, Newton, Kans.; Tillman H., Denver, Colo.; Mary Elva (deceased); and Leah Ina, wife of Alvin R. Yordy, Denver, Colo. She is survived by 2 sisters (Anna, of Akron, Pa., and Maria, widow of M. M. Weaver of Hesston), 37 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. In the first year of their marriage our parents were converted under the evangelism of John S. Coffman and together they joined the Pennsylvania congregation of the Mennonite Church, where they held their membership for the rest of their lives, except for a few years when they lived at Harper. As the mother of a large family and as the wife of a busy minister and church administrator, Mother carried heavy responsibility for many years. Her Christian life both in the family circle and the church and community, was characterized by an unfaltering faith in God and by deep convictions and an active expression of these convictions both in word and deed. She will be remembered by her children as a mother who understood, inspired, and blessed. Since the death of Father she has lived in Hesston. She was enjoying a visit with her sister at the time of her death. Funeral services were held June 2 at the home of her sister in Akron, Pa., conducted by Amos Hurst and Clarence Lutz. The body was sent to Hesston, Kans., to the home of her daughter Mabel where services were held June 5 conducted by Amos Gingerich, and at the Pennsylvania Church by Earl Buckwalter and J.G. Hartzler. Text, Phil. 1:21.