REV. SEBASTIN GERIG 1838 - 1924

GERIG, GOLDSMITH, WYSE, ROTH, EIGSTI, LEICHTY, BLOSSER, SUTTER, ORENDORFF, KOEBEL, ROTH, MEYER

Posted By: Ann Miller White (email)
Date: 4/14/2004 at 22:55:02

OBITUARY: Wayland News – Thursday 4/10/1924

Sebastin Gerig was born May 27, 1838 in Alsace, France. While he was quite young both of his parents died, thus leaving the children alone. Due to this fact he had to drop his school work at the age of nine years and help increase the family income by delivering bread for a bakery in the city of Milhousen, France. From year to year he saved the tips that were given him. This money in addition to some he borrowed from his sister he used in order to come to America.

He accepted Christ as his Savior and united with the Mennonite Church when he was 17 years of age. Remaining true to his belief in the non-resistance doctrine. He came to America in April, 1856 before he was 18 to escape the compulsory military training and to enjoy the religious freedom of this country of which he later became a naturalized citizen. He was the first of the family to come to America. At different times later his brothers, Benjamin and Chris, and sisters Kathryn Koebel, Mary Roth, and Elizabeth Meyer came to the United States.

He spent a few weeks in Canada about six years in Davis County, Iowa, and two years in Ohio. After that he came to Henry County, Iowa where he has since resided.

On September 11, 1864 he was married to Magdelena Goldsmith. If he had lived until September 11, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. To this union were born three sons and nine daughters, Joseph of Springdale, Ark., Samuel, deceased, Jacob, Mrs. C. M. Roth both of Wayland, Mrs. Jacob Eigsti, Morton, Illinois, Helena, deceased, Mrs. William Wyse, Mrs. D. W. Orendorff, Mrs. Amos Wyse, Mrs. Eva Leichty, Ms. A. D. Blosser and Mrs. S. J. Sutter all of Wayland Iowa.

He was called to the ministry of the Sugar Creek church near Wayland, Iowa in 1869. Ten years later he was ordained as Bishop. He took an active part in this service for 55 years. He always preached in the German language which was easier for him. Although he received n o formal education in America, he was able to speak, read, and write the English language fairly well.

Considering his age, he was remarkably active, physically and mentally until last October when physical health began to fail. Since then he was unable to attend church services. In his last sermons he often referred to Psalms 30:25 and used it as a text once. “I have been young and now old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.”

For the past ten weeks he was confined to his bed. Ruing his illness he suffered much but bore it patiently. When his pains were almost beyond endurance he always lifted his voice in prayer in behalf of the church, his children and grandchildren and always thanked the Lord for his many blessings. He was submissive to his Master’s Will and often prayed that “Not my will but Thine be done”.

On Thursday morning, April 3, 1924 he passed peacefully at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 6 days. He leaves to mourn his departure his aged companion, two sons, eight daughters, 29 grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. A grandson preceded him in death.

The funeral services were held at the Sugar Creek church Saturday April 5, 1924 at 2:00 PM conducted by Rev. Joe Hershberger of Kalona, Iowa, Rev. Dan Graber and Rev. Simon Gingerich, the sermon being based on Luke 2:29, the text which the aged Bishop had selected.