Rev. Erich G. Bizer - 1895-1990

BIZER, SCHAEFER, FRUECHTE, JORDAN

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 8/27/2011 at 22:29:21

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa newspaper, March 1990
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services for Rev. Erich G. Bizer, age 94, a resident of the Good Samaritan Home, in Quincy, Illinois and formerly of Allamakee County, Iowa were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 1990 in Trinity Church with the Revs. Robert Jacobs, and William Foose officiating. Burial was in the Greenmount Cemetery, Adams County, in Quincy, Illinois in a special area of the cemetery reserved for ministers of Evangelical and Reformed Church ministers. Hansen-Spear Funeral home of Quincy, Illinois was in charge of arrangements.

Erich G. Bizer, son of Rev. Konrad/Conrad and Gottlibena Wilhelmina (Schaefer) Bizer, was born August 29, 1895 in Sigourney, Iowa in Keokuk County. At the age of 8, Erich's father, Rev. Konrad Bizer became the minister of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wheatland, in Union City Township, Allamakee County, near New Albin, Iowa. Rev. Konrad Bizer would serve the Wheatland Church until 1924. Erich attended Allamakee County schools. In 1914 he graduated from Elmhurst College, then attended Eden Seminary where he graduated in 1917. On June 21, 1917 he was ordained at his home, in a ceremony conducted by his father. His first congregation was in San Antonio, Texas where he remained for one year.

He married Elsie L. Fruechte on August 29, 1918 in Eitzen, Minnesota. They moved to Lake Zurich, Illinois where he spent three years at a church before being named minister of Salem Church near Lena, Illinois. In 1931 they moved to Zion Church in Hubbard. Beginning in 1943, he began his final full time pastorate at St. Peter's Church in Frankford. Rev. Erich and Elsie retired in 1962, moving to Quincy, Illinois to be near their son. He served as interim and assistant pastor for several Quincy area congregations, including Fort Madison, Iowa, Keokuk, Iowa, Salem Evangelical and First Union Congregational in Quincy, Mandon Congregational Church in Bluff Hall, Payson, and Bethany Church in Tioga. In 1977 he was honored for 60 years of meritorous service by the Illinois Conference, United Church of Christ, at a reception held at Trinity UCC. He was a member of Trinity UCC where he was also supply pastor and taught adult Sunday School class for many years.

Rev. Erich G. Bizer died Tuesday, February 20, 1990 at the Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years, Elsie, who died January 4, 1989, 2 brothers, Rev. Carl Bizer, and Rev. Armin Bizer, and 2 sisters, Anna Bizer, and Emilie Jordan.

Surviving are 3 sons, Dr. Raymond Bizer of St. Charles, Missouri, Robert Bizer of Quincy, Illinois, and Rev. Arnold Bizer of Alhambra, Illinois; 6 grandchildren, Dr. John Bizer of Maple Park, Illinois, Donald Bizer of Litchfield, Maine, David Bizer of New Braunfels, Texas, Douglas Bizer of Pittsburgh, Illinois, Barbara Bizer of Collinsville, Illinois, and Cami Bizer of Alhambra, Illinois; 2 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews also survive.