Notes:
Data source is Susan Kingrey Boxberger. E-mail hgb001@aol.com
Documents: Family Bible given to Henry B. Wonner and Susan Searer on their 1st wedding anniversary, copy of death certificate, copy of marriage license
This obituary was given to me by Ina Kingrey Apple.
HENRY B. WONNER
Was born at Hanover, York county, Penna., near Gettysburg battlefield, of sturdy German and Swiss ancestry. He was the oldest of a family of nine, three sons and five daughters, born to Jeremiah and Rebekah (Boyer) Wonner. His birth occurred June 27, 1844; died June 19, 1915, aged 70 years, 11 months and 22 days.
His father died while Henry was quite young and the bereft mother gathered her brood of little ones, emigrating to Miami county, Ohio, setting up her home near North Clayton, and taking up the burthen of rearing the family, with the heaviest responsibility resting on the youthful shoulders of Henry, the eldest, and right faithfully did he aid the widowed mother in making sturdy, God-fearing citizens of them all. One brother and one sister have passed across and stand on the other shore to welcome his coming.
April 23, 1868, he was united in the holy bonds with Miss Susan Searer, with whom he spent near a half century of particularly congenial life; but two children came to bless their union, the son, Christian Edward, died in 1881, at less than three; the daughter Ella, was born in 1872, who married William Kingrey; their three sons were the apple of Grandpa's eye -- his chums.
Shortly after his coming to Ohio, Henry placed his letter in the Bradford Reform church, where he was an active worshipper until January, 1888, when he transferred his membership to the Greenville Creek Christian church, during the pastorate of Rev. B. F. Kemp, in which fellowship the family was raised, faithful to their obligations, strong in the faith to the end.
For nearly 40 years Mr. Wonner lived on the old John Arnold farm, across Greenville Creek, and no citizen of that community had more true friends nor more fully exemplified the true ideal of the Brotherhood of Man than he did in his relation with his fellow men, absolutely square in all his dealings, his word as good as his bond; a kind word to and for all whom his life touched, the helping hand always ready and open, his life was noble, unselfish, his example worthy of emulation; he believed that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellow men, who lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human happiness, is following in the footsteps of his Master.
"Weep not that his toil is over,
Weep not that his race is run;
God grant we may rest as sweetly
When, like his, our work is done.
Till then would we yield with gladness
Our noved ones to Him to keep,
And rejoice in the sweet assurance,
He giveth His loved one sleep."
_____
IN REMEMBRANCE
In that happy land above,
In that Home where all is love;
There is where the Saints do rest
And forevermore are blest.
In that Home there is no night,
There no sickness and no blight;
There the Saints do dwell in love,
In that haven, there above.
Oh! the Home of love and peace,
In that land all troubles cease;
In that clime beyond the sky--
Blessed Homeland, there on high.
In that land there's naught that mars,
In that Home beyond the stars--
In that clime so far away
There, the everlasting day.
Our earthly days so full of care,
Be not weary, onward fare;
Soon! Ah, soon! the time will come,
That we will all be gathered home.
There our Saviour reigns on high--
There His throne beyond the sky;
There the weary pilgrims meet,
There to worship at His feet.
"Many Mansions" in that Home,
Yonder there, in Heaven's dome;
In that Home of peace and joy,
There sweet love, without alloy.
Oh! dear heaven of love and peace,
When from earthly cares release;
There is rest for weary feet,
There the Saints forever meet.
Souls redeemed from sin and woe,
Forevermore no sorrows know;
In that Canaan there above,
There they rest in peace and love.
"Only a step twixt life and death,"
A sigh, a groan, a parting breath--
Death is ever with us nigh;
God, our Father, knoweth why.
Weary pilgrim, rest in peace!
Now from earthly cares released;
Father, dear, we say adieu--
The last and sad farewell to you!
According to information obtained from Linda McDaniel of Dayton (1995) Henry Wonner and Susan Searer were married by the Reverend Richard Brandon of Christian Church.