Country Chatter

On Saturday, June 13, 2015, descendants of Henry Peter and Anna Hertzler gathered at Shady Oak in Harrisonburg for a family reunion.

Here are a few family facts:

• They had 10 children; Arthur, Milford, Menno (died as a youth in a boating accident), Lois (Hostetter), Ruth (Shank), Harry, Oliver, Osie (Ziegler), Edith (Wenger), and Dora (Brunk).
• There are 44 cousins with Bob Hertzler (81) the oldest.
• The closest we could figure, there are now 634 living descendants including spouses with approximately 60 (10%) in attendance. They came from Arizona, Florida, Chicago, Delaware, Pennsylvania and points in between!
• Harry (98) and Osie (96) are the only living children and they were both there!  We weren’t sure on either one until the last minute.

This was a touching moment as siblings, Harry and Osie, greeted each other. It has been quite a few years since they have been together and it was the highlight of the reunion.

With a huge grin he took his hat off and got down on his knees in front of her.

 

They were obviously both really happy.

They sat and held hands-it was so precious. It made you wonder what was going through their minds.

 

Each family unit was represented and had their picture taken with Harry and Osie.

Arthur and Edna Hertzler family

(Kim, Rachel, Caleb Snyder, Bobby Hertzler, Bob & Marie Hertzler)

Milford and Ada Hertzler Family

(David Gerber, Harrison Elmore, Christina Harman, Keith Harman, Jan Gerber, Catherine (Presley) Elmore, Diann (Presley) Harman and Annalena Elmore)

Lois and Virgil Hostetter Family

(L-R:  Nancy & Bob Hostetter, Margie Swartzentruber)

Ruth and Byard Shank Family

L-R: David & Lois Shank, Daniel & Margaret Lehman, Brandon & Heather Byler, John & Patricia Martin, Ray & Merietta Shank)

Harry & Edna Hertzler Family

(L-R with wives in front of men) Michael & Kay Hertzler, J.P. & Alma Hertzler, Joe & Norma Hertzler, David & Ilva Hertzler)

Oliver and Anna Mae Hertzler Family

(Back row L-R: Jill & Obe Hostetter, Gene & Pat Hertzler

(2nd row:  Ryan & Karla Hostetter)

Osie and Ralph Ziegler Family

(Audrey Ziegler)

Edith and John Wenger Family

L-R: Sidney Wenger, Howard Wenger, Elba & Harold Wenger, Louise and Linford Sommers

Dora and Dan Brunk Family

(Kenny Brunk and Dale & Kathy Stoltfus)

Other pictures

Newlyweds, Harold & Elba Wenger, married April 10, 2015 and hailing all the way from Arizona.

Linford Sommers and Ray Shank

Alma, Norma and Ilva Hertzler

David and Lois Shank

Gene Hertzler and Keith Harman

Osie and Bob Hertzler

 

Marie Hertzler and son, Bobby Hertzler

Howard and Sidney Wenger

Obe and Ryan Hostetter

J.P. Hertzler and Patricia Martin

Marie Hertzler and Pat Hertzler (Photo by David Hertzler)

Father and son; Harry and David Hertzler

Playing games – Christina Harman and Analena Elmore

Kim, Caleb and Rachel Snyder

 Karl Shenk  and Ray Shank

Judy Humphrey and Catherine Elmore

Lois Shank and Merietta Shank

Kenny Brunk

Kathy Stoltfus and Marie Hertzler

David Gerber and Keith Harman

Gene Hertzler and John Paul Hertzler

Harry Hertzler and David Shank

Howard Wenger, Sidney Wenger and Michael Hertzler (Photo by David Hertzler)

Harold Wenger introducing his new bride, Elba, to Osie. In the background Margie Swartzentruber and Audrey Ziegler.

Sister-in-laws: Norma, Ilva, Alma and Kay Hertzler

This amazing man who is 98 years old is agile, stands tall and steady, and still walks with a spring in his step.

He is a man of God who, in his younger days, was a preacher and teacher.

Osie, a twin to Oliver, is loved by everyone who knows her.  Her husband, Ralph Ziegler, was a plumber and preacher.

They were instrumental in helping to start the Mennonite Church in Richmond, Virginia and later pastored at Woodland Mennonite.

Osie wrote poetry and those attending the reunion were rewarded with a treasured book of her poems, “Homespun Verse: A Mother’s Medley”.

******

Blessing on the meal by Uncle Harry. Thanks Catherine Presley for sharing this video.

******

Note to family: If I have anyone mislabeled or labeled with a ? please let me know so I can make corrections.  There were a few I just didn’t know!  Thanks, Pat

pathertzler@gmail.com