Country Chatter

The Tribe of Henry Peter and Anna Hertzler

The descendents of H.P. (Henry Peter) and Anna Shenk Hertzler gathered on Saturday, October 3, in Powhatan. They came from far and near; Montana, Minnosota, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Alabama, South Carolina and Virginia from the Shenandoah Valley to the Eastern Shore to the southern border.

Even though the children of H.P. and Anna (Arthur, Milford, Lois Hostetter, Ruth Shank, Harry, Oliver, Osie Ziegler, Edith and Dora Brunk ) have all passed away, the “cousins” have continued to meet through the years. I am not a true-blood Hertzler, only married to one of the “cousins,” but I have loved the Hertzler family dearly and treasured memories of past reunions. They are a uniquely congenial group who love to visit and family blood runs thick. They care deeply for each other and all are treated with genuine respect and love. These are all past-down traits of the previous generations.

The cousins are now getting “elderly” with the Patriarch, Bob Hertzler, on the door step of 93. This early summer Bob asked for one more reunion. We decided time was of the essence and we needed to do it this year.

We gathered in the spacious gym at Powhatan Mennonite Church. Because of the distance most travel, we always cater our meal. This year we feasted on Archers BBQ and Kendra Hooley’s homemade pies; apple, blueberry, pecan and peanut butter.

Eighteen of the forty-four cousins came bringing their wives, children and grandchildren in tow. Gordan Ziegler and Pat Martin had planned to come but at the last minute had to cancel.

We also remembered the nine cousins who have passed away; David Shank, Henry Shank, Mary June Rohrer, Jim Hertzler, David Hertzler, Ray Hertzler, Oliver Jr. Hertzler, Millie Ziegler and Kenny Brunk.

And finally a list of eleven who have lost their spouses:

• Bob Hertzler (Marie)
• Marjorie Schrock (John Swartzentruber) and (Truman Schrock)
• Judy Humphrey (Dick)
• Don Ziegler (Millie)
• Anna Glick (Robert)
• J.P. Hertzler (Alma)
• Carolyn Presley (Bill)
• Ray Hertzler (Betty) Both are now deceased.
• Harold Wenger (Christine)
• Shirley Coberly (Joe)
• Ron Brunk (Karen)

All good things must sooner or later come to an end and so it is with the Hertzler clan. The cousin generation is now mostly over seventy and some are not in good health. The next generation is scattered from sea to shining sea and do not know each other. It was sad to think most of us may never see each other again on this side of glory.

Some pictures from the day….

Attendees by family lineage: 65

• Arthur & Edna Hertzler (deceased)
  • Bob Hertzler
    • Bobby Hertzler
      • Patrick (Henry & Maverick)
      • Lindsey Hertzler
      • Ryan & Jeanelee Hertzler
    • Tony & Kathy Hertzler
      • Gerry Langfitt (Nate)
      • Issac Hertzler
      • Avery Hertzler (Josie)
    • Cheryl Snyder
      • Caleb & Kim Snyder (Lathan & Leo)
    • Ray Hertzler’s son, Kevin Hertzler
• Milford & Ada Hertzler (deceased)
  • Carolyn Presley
    • Keith & Diann Harman
    • Timothy Presley
    • Catherine Elmore
  • Janice & Dave Gerber
• Lois & Virgil Hostetter (deceased)
  • Marjorie Schrock
    • Jenna Beno
  • Bob & Nancy Hostetter
  • Anna Glick
• Ruth & Byard Shank (deceased) (no family representation)
• Harry & Alma Hertzler
  • David’s wife, Ilva Hertzler
  • Joe & Norma Hertzler
    • JR & Veronica Hochstetler
    • Karl & Michelle Hertzler (Levi, Kurt, Ezra and Elnora)
  • John (J.P.) & Sue Hertzler
  • Danny & Ruth Hertzler
  • Michael & Kay Hertzler
• Oliver & Anna Mae Hertzler (deceased)
  • Judy Humphrey
    • Ann Malinda Humphrey
  • Gene & Pat Hertzler
    • Jill Hostetter
• Ralph & Osie Ziegler (deceased)( no family representation)
• Edith & John Wenger (deceased)
  • Harold Wenger
    • son ?
  • Sidney Wenger
  • Preston Wenger
• Dora & Dan Brunk (deceased)
  • Ron Brunk
    • Lydia Brunk
    • Laura May Brunk
  • Kathy & Dale Stoltzfus
  • Juanita Brunk

For old times sake……