Tombstone Tuesday–William & Elizabeth (Wendel) Heffner

William & Elizabeth Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

William & Elizabeth Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of William and Elizabeth (Wendel) Heffner, located in row 1 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

HEFFNER
Elizabeth
1870-1965
William
1871-1920

Carl William Heffner was born 18 August 1871 in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Conrad and Margaret (Miller) Heffner. He was baptized 24 September 1871 with William Schumm and Anna Marie Heffner as sponsors. William was confirmed 18 April 1886 at Zion Chatt.

William married Elizabeth Wendel on 12 February 1893 in Van Wert County, Ohio. [1] They set up housekeeping in Blackcreek Township where William farmed and they attended church at Zion Chatt. Their three children were baptized at Zion Chatt, two were confirmed there, and the third was buried in Zion’s cemetery,

Although his tombstone shows his name as William, he sometimes went by the name of Charles W.

According to her Van Wert County birth record Elizabeth Wendel was born on 25 January 1871 in Harrison Township, Van Wert County to John and Catherine (Rohr/Rohe) Wendel. [2] However, other accounts, including the SSDI, her Michigan obituary, and their tombstone indicate her date of birth was 21 November 1870.

They resided in Blackcreek Township all of their married life.

William died of peritonitis on 14 November 1920 at their home in Blackcreek Township. He was buried on 16 November. [3]

Elizabeth remained in their home in Blackcreek Township until at least 1940. [4]

Elizabeth (Wendel) Heffner died December 1968 in Kent, Michigan. According to her obituary she was living with her daughter Esther Whitney at the time of her death. [5]

Children of William and Elizabeth Heffner :
Viola “Esther” Rebekka (1895-1976), married George Collins; married Whitney
Orah Mathilde (1896-1899)
Maria “Marie” Elizabeth (1898-1975), married John Eichler

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 179-2013,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 31 May 2015), Charles W. Heffner & Elisabeth Wendel, 12 Feb 1893; citing Van Wert, Ohio, Marriages, Vol. 8, p.182; from FHL microfilm 1015862.

[2] “Ohio, county Births, 1841-2003,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 31 May 2015), Elizabeth Wendel, 25 January 1871; citing Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, Births, Vol. 1, p.42; from FHL microfilm 1015856.

[3] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 31 May 2015), Chas Wm Heffner, 14 Nov 1920; citing Blackcreek, Mercer, Ohio; from FHL microfilm 1991439.

[4] 1940 U.S. Census, Blackcreek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 54-1, p.9A, line 8, Elizabeth Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 May 2015); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 3114.

[5] Elizabeth Heffner obituary, Find a Grave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 May 2015); Elizabeth Wendel Heffner Find a Grave memorial #35335796.

 

2 comments

    • Phyllis Brockmyer on June 5, 2015 at 11:44 pm
    • Reply

    Our Willshire class had an Anne Heffner from Chatt in 1st and 2nd grades. This would have been 1945-1946. The family then moved away. I assume she was related to the Heffners you have researched? Was this the last Heffner family in Chatt? Any future information on this family?

    1. It appears the Heffners from Chatt all descend from the 2 brothers that immigrated from Germany. They attended Zion Lutheran Church in Chatt and many are buried in Zion’s cemetery. I try to follow a family line on Tombstone Tuesday and have been working through the Heffners recently. There will be more featured.

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