Tombstone Tuesday–Walter Bienz

Walter Bienz, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Walter Bienz, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Son of
A.J. & P.C. Bienz
Died May 19, 1890
Aged 2D

According to Zion Lutheran Schumm’s records, Walther “Walter” Stephan Bienz was born 17 May 1890, the son of Adam and Pauline Charlotte (Germann) Bienz. Walter was baptized at home later that same day, with Jacob Bienz and his wife serving as his sponsors. 

Walter’s father Johann “Adam” Bienz was the son of Jacob and Elisabeth (Pflueger) Bienz, born 26 October 1858.

Adam Bienz married Pauline C. Germann in Van Wert County on 25 September 1887. [1] Pauline was the daughter of Johann Phillip & Mary Elizabeth (Jung/Young) Germann.

Walter Bienz had an older sister, “Mina“ Elisabeth Bienz, born 18 December 1888, two years before Walter was born.

Walter passed away on 18 May 1890 at 11:00 in the evening. This date disagrees with his tombstone inscription by one day. Walter was buried on the 20th and his funeral text was Mark 10:14.

Walter’s mother Pauline passed away on 5 August 1891, a little over a year after Walter’s death. She is buried in row 6 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

Walter’s father Adam Bienz married Wilhelmine Christiana Reinking in Adams County, Indiana, on 9 April 1893. [2]

Adam Bienz’s second wife Wilhelmine Christiana died in 1897 [3] and Adam married Christina Mathilda Bleeke in Adams County, Indiana, on 14 May 1899. [4]

Christina Mathilda Bienz died 22 April 1944 [5] and Adam Bienz died 16 January 1949. [6] They are both buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Decatur, Indiana.

Walter’s sister Mina Bienz married Fred Geschwell. She died in 1952 and is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana. [7]  

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1879-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-65XH-H3?i=119&cc=1614804 : viewed 10 Mar 2019), Adam J Bienz & PC Germann, 25 Sep 1887; Van Wert County Marriages, Vol. 7:181.

[2] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6GTH-1XV?i=240&cc=1410397 : viewed 10 Mar 2019), Adam J Bienz & Christiana W. Reinking, 8 Apr 1893; Adams County Marriages, Vol. F:478.

[3] Find a Grave memorial no. 106418617, Wilhelmine Christine “Lena” (Reinking) Bienz, Immanual Lutheran Church Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana.

[4] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRS9-DQ8?i=49&cc=1410397 : viewed 10 Mary 2019), Adam J Bienz & Christena Mathilda Blakey, 14 May 1899; Adams County Marriages, Vol. G:492.

[5] Find a Grave memorial no. 98917043, Christina Mathilda Bleeke Bienz, Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana.

[6] Find a Grave memorial no. 98917041, Adam Jacob Bienz, Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana.

[7] Find a Grave memorial no. 74129510, Mina B Geschwell, Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.

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