John J Centner (1857-1928)

CENTNER, MATTER, PHILIPH, ROST, MIELKE

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Last Monday morning at about 6:30 o'clock John J. Centner was stricken with apoplexy and passed. Apparently in good health when he awoke, he spoke about going to his farm when his wife told him that it had rained during the night and that consequently he would be unable to accomplish anything on the farm. About an hour later, his daughter Edna went to his room and found him lying unconscious on his bed in the throes of death. A physician was hastily summoned, but it was apparent that he could not long survive the stroke. Thus our town has lost another of its sturdy, dependable and respected citizens.

The funeral service is being held this (Thursday) afternoon, with Rev. A. C. Weber in charge. Interment will take place in Pleasant View cemetery.

John J. Centner was born September 20, 1857, in the province of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, where he was baptized and confirmed in the teachings of the Lutheran church. At the age of 14 years he came with his parents to America and lived with them in Iowa county, near the Amana colonies. There he met and married his now deeply bereaved widow, Christine, nee Matter. They were married on October 8, 1885, in Iowa county.

The following year the young couple followed the train of pioneers to northwest Iowa, where they established their household. By their proverbial German thrift and diligence they soon acquired a farm, from which they retired in the year 1914, moving to Hartley. Here the deceased spent the remaining years of his life.

The Centner family was blessed with six children, two boys and four girls. One of the children, a girl, was taken by death at the age of 13 years. The surviving children are Mrs. Ben Philiph, Everly, Ia.; Charley Centner, Melvin, Ia.; Otto Centner, Wiley, Colo.; Mrs Emma Rost and Edna Centner, the latter two of Hartley.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure besides these children and his widow a sister, Mrs. Charles Mielke, and 12 grandchildren.

Mr. Centner was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. For the past few years he served the local congregation in the capacity of treasurer. In the last congregational meeting he was elected to represent the church at the coming synodical convention.

He will be greatly missed in the church, as well as by his family and friends. He reached the age of 70 years, 10 months and 16 days.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 9 Aug 1928, p1