Tombstone Tuesday–Willie H. & Walter T. Weinmann

Willie & Walter Weinmann, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2018 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of brothers Willie H. and Walter T. Weinmann, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The brothers were the first two children born to George (Jr.) and Mary Elizabeth (Gunsett) Weinmann and they share this weathered marble tombstone. The “front” of the marker faces west and is illegible, if there was ever anything inscribed on the west side. Willie’s inscription is on the north side of the stone and Walter’s is on the south. The marker is inscribed:

Willie H.
Sohn von
G. & M.
Weinmann
Gest. 23 Dec.
1887
Alter
2 J. 4 M. 7 T.
Text Luke 2:10-11

Walter T.
Sohn von
G. & M.
Weinmann
Gest. 21 Nov.
1887
Alter
3 M. & 2 D.

Willie H., son of G. & M. Weinmann, died 23 December 1887, age 2 years, 4 months, 7 days.

Walter T., son of G. & M. Weinmann, died 21 November 1887, age 3 months, 2 days.

Wilhelm Heinrich “Willie” Weinmann was born 16 August 1885. He was baptized at home on 26 August 1885 and his sponsors were Joseph Gunsett (standing in for Jacob Gunsett), John Weinmann (standing in for G. Weinmann Sr.), and Johann Gunsett of Convoy.

Willie Weinmann was sick with malaria in November 1887, about for four weeks before he passed away. Willie died on 23 December 1887, at the age of 2 years, 4 months, and 7 days. He was buried on the 26th and his funeral text was Luke 2:10,11.

Willie H. Weinmann, north side of stone. (2018 photo by Karen)

William’s brother Walter was born about 4 months before Willie’s death.

Walter Theodore Weinmann was born 19 August 1887 and was baptized at the church on 4 September 1887.  His sponsors were Heinrich Gunsett and Heinrich Schinnerer II.

Walter Weinmann died on 21 November 1887, just about a month before his brother Willie. Walter was only 3 months and 2 days old. He has been sick with brain fever for 3 months, pretty much his whole life, and was buried on 23rd.  ­­­­­

Walter T. Weinmann, south side of stone. (2018 photo by Karen)

That must have been very hard for the Weinmanns, losing their two children within about a month of each other.

Tombstone (center) of Willie & Walter Weinmann. (2018 photo by Karen)

According to Zion Schumm’s records George Jr. and Mary (Gunsett) Weinmann went on to have five more children:
Karl Hermann (1888-1971), married Esther Berdie Dull
Minna Katherine (1891-1979), married Philip Sauer
Otto Emanuel (1895-bef 1971), married Annie M. Stetler
Lina Elisabeth (1899-1901)
Edward George (1903-1971), never married

Their parents, George Weinmann Jr. and Maria “Mary” Elizabeth Gunsett, married on 20 November 1884 at the house of the bride’s parents. Both were members of Zion Schumm’s parish. George was born in Germany and Mary was born in Ohio and George was a farmer. Mary (Gunsett) Weinmann died in 1943 and George Weinmann Jr. died in 1958. They are both buried near Willie and Walter in Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

Today the usual spelling for this surname is Weinman.

4 comments

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    • Susan Delaney on June 26, 2018 at 11:05 am
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    Such a sad loss for that family.

    1. Yes, so sad to lose those little children in such a short time period.

    • Dianne S Anselman Donovan on June 26, 2018 at 9:14 pm
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    Do you happen to know George Jr.’s parents names?

    1. Johann George Weinmann Sr (1829-1907) and Katharina Karcher (1932-1907), according to Zion Schumm’s records. Both buried at Zion Schumm.

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