Obituaries and Death Notices from the Wellesley Maple Leaf - R

Rank, Jacob

St. Clements - We have this week to record the death of Mr. Jacob Rank, sr., which occurred at his home just west of this village, lot 7, con. 7, e.s.  at one o’clock last Wednesday afternoon, aged 76 years, 1 month, and 19 days. Deceased emigrated from Germany with his parents when a lad of 12 years and the family settled at once on the farm upon which he died. At the age of 20 he was married to Catharine Feick, who predeceased him twenty years ago. Of their 12 children ten (six sons and four daughters), survive. The surviving children are: John, Wellesley Tp., on his Grandfather’s homestead; Henry and William in Waterloo; Louis in Wellesley Tp. west of Bamberg; Jacob in Sebastopol; Christ’n, on his father’s homestead; Mrs. Henry Hahn near Linwood; Mrs. Henry Hergenroeder of Berlin; Mrs. Jacob Fenner, Waterloo;  and Mrs. John Schneider, Wellesley Tp., west of Heidelberg. The funeral occurred last Saturday morning, the attendance being very large. The remains were interred in the Heidelberg Lutheran cemetery.
Wellesley Maple Leaf, July 18, 1907

Ratz, Alfred

DEATH OF ALFRED RATZ
The sad death of Mr. Alfred Ratz occurred at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Ratz, at 3 o'clock last Sunday morning. Deceased was a bright stalwart young man in his 25th year and the family had only lived here a few weeks when he was stricken down with an overwhelming attack of typhoid fever. He sank into unconsciousness after a few days, in which condition he remained almost continuously until the malady carried him away in spite of all that love and medical skill could do. The funeral occurred on Tuesday, the remains being laid away to rest in Oetzel ‘s cemetery, North East hope, in the presence of a very large number of relatives and friends of the family. The pallbearers were: three brothers of the deceased young man, (Ed, of Chesley, Art and Nathan, of Tavistock,) John Sutter, of Gadshill, and Messrs. Oscar Eby and G. Leonard, of Canboro. Among the relatives present from a distance were; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kaufman, Berlin ; Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Ratz, Tavistock; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Ratz, Berlin; Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Ratz, St. Clements; Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey, Mr. and Mrs. Sutter and Mr. and Mrs. McGonagle, Gadshill; Mr. Mrs. [sic] Balzer Schmidt and three daughters, Baden; Mr. Geo. Fleischhauer and Rev. Mr. Kreb, Tavistock; Mr. A. Fleischhauer, Bright, and Mr. T. O'Donnell, Stratford. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community in their great sorrow.
Wellesley Maple Leaf, July 23, 1908

Reid, Susan (nee Smith)

Crosshill - We learn of the death, from cancer, of Mrs. John Reid (nee Miss Susan Smith, sister of Mrs. Wm. Hastings) formerly of this place, but who has been living for some time at Denver, Colorado. She leaves six children, one brother and seven sisters, to mourn her loss. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
Wellesley Maple Leaf, December 5, 1901

Reid, Tillie

Millbank - The sympathy of the community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Reid in the death of their accomplished daughter, Miss Tillie, which occurred on Monday morning of last week. Deceased was a teacher in a Toronto school until about six months ago when illness compelled her to retire. Wellesley Maple Leaf, July 13, 1905

Reiner, Eckhardt

ECKHARDT REINER IS DEAD
Passed Away on Saturday Morning Last after a Gallant Struggle
Deep Mourning in Town. Over Two Thousand People Attend the Funeral  

In Wellesley, on Saturday, June 13 at 5: [?] o’clock, a.m. Eckhardt Reiner, son of J. G. and Elizabeth Reiner, aged 27 [?] years, four months and one day.

Eckhardt is dead. The gloom of sorrow which has hung over this community for the past two weeks will change into a hallowed memory as time, which heals all wounds, passes on, but the influences of good which eminated [sic] from the genial, manly young fellow who has gone so early to his grave will never be effaced.

Eckhardt Reiner was the third son of J. G. Reiner, Esq. He was born and raised in Wellesley village, receiving his public school education here. After passing the entrance examination he attended the Berlin High School and afterwards took a commercial course in Stratford Business College.

He then took a position in his father’s store, working his way up from the bottom, step by step, until the management of the mercantile branch of Mr. Reiner’s immense business was placed in his hands. In the store he made the personal acquaintance of almost every person in this entire district, his natural affability endearing him to all. In February 1901, when the firm of Reiner Bros. & Co. was organized, deceased became a partner and was given charge of the departmental store where he has remained ever since.

Music with him was a passion. From his earliest youth he showed his love for song and harmony, and he devoted his spare moments to perfecting himself as a musician until he had few superiors as an amateur. He became an expert performer upon the flute and other instruments. His greatest musical love was for the piano, and he very quickly became a skillful performer, interpreting the great masters with an intuition which astonished the professionals who occasionally heard him. His assistance as accompanist was always marked by a happy instinct of sympathy with the performer and his aid, always cheerfully given, was sought for almost every concert held in this section. He has been an organist of the Missouri Lutheran Church for many years, the efficiency of that splendid choir being due in a large measure to his abilities and personality.

In out-door sports and social pleasures, too, he took a prominent part until an attack of inflammatory rheumatism, a couple of years ago weakened his heart and warned him into carefulness. He was an expert tennis player and always took an active part in the local club’s affairs.

On Tuesday evening, June 2nd, he was taken ill with what proved to be appendicitis. The attack appeared to be a slight one at first but the following Monday afternoon dangerous symptoms developed , and three physicians  were called from Stratford and New Hamburg to assist Dr. Glaister in performing an operation. For a day or two Eckhardt’s life trembled in the balance, but all that love, and wealth, and determined scientific skill and care could do were brought to bear, so that hopes for his recovery again brightened the anxious community. His progress during Thursday night last was marked and he had at length been able to take the much-need nourishment and rest. But about daylight he became unaccountably delirious and soon lapsed into unconsciousness, in which condition her remained until he passed peacefully away early the following morning.  

THE FUNERAL
On Tuesday afternoon an immense concourse, estimated at over 2000 people, gathered to attend the solemn funeral obsequies. After short [sic] service at the house the cortege moved to the cemetery headed by a bevy of girls dressed in white and carrying the beautiful flora [sic] tributes, the pall bearers being young men chosen from the employees of the firm. At the grave side the casket was uncovered and the vast assemblage slowly filed past to take a last look at the pain worn and loved face ere it was lowered into its resting place.  

The church was crowed and hundreds gathered at the open windows to hear the solemn requiem played by Mr. L. Peine, of New Hamburg, and to listen to the touching remarks of the pastor Rev. Mr. Lochner, and to the address of Rev. Mr. Weinbach of Sebringville, in English.  The church and the large pipe organ were tastefully draped for the occasion, while the floral offerings were the most elaborate ever seen here. Besides the bunches of wild flower gathered by little children who loved him, and the boquets [sic] and clusters brought by neighbours, there were:

A wreath, from his parents; a Golden Gates Ajar from his brother, Mr. Geo Reiner, [illegible]; a Gates Ajar from the employees; a wreath, from the Stratford Lutheran Church choir[;] a pillow from the Tennis Club’ a wreath from Medames Lips and Wilhelm; a large boquet [sic] of carnations and roses, from his Godchild, Adella Forler; an anchor from his friend, Mr. Philip Berdux; a harp from the Wellesley Luth. Choir; a boquet [sic] from Neld Preiss [?]. The grave was lined with evergreen and flowers by the gentlemen of the choir. 

Eckhardt is gone. Our pen may well falter at the task of uttering the heart-grief of his relatives, or the no less sorrow of his companions. But his life was a fitting one though seemingly too short; the world is the better for his having lived in it, and the pathos of his untimely end should spur the community to emulate his noble, gentlemanly character. 

CARD OF THANKS.
I wish, through the Maple Leaf, to express the sincere thanks of myself and family for the many acts of kindness and sympathy shown ns during the Illness and death of my son, and also for the beautiful and costly flowers sent on the sad occasion of the funeral.
J. G. Reiner
Wellesley Maple Leaf, June 18, 1903

Reist, Eleanor Marie

Reitzel, Egidius

St. Clements
The death of Egidius Reitzel, a student of St. Jerome’s College, Berlin, occurred last Tuesday evening. He was preparing for graduating this week. On Tuesday his classmates had driven np from Berlin to see him, and they found him bright and cheerful though very weak. His doctor held out hope for only about two weeks more. Soon after the members of the graduation class had left the sick room the young man weakened and passed away in the evening. The funeral was held on Friday in St. Clements and was one of the largest seen in the village for a long time. The school children and members of the Societies marched in a body. Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. A. L. Zinger, with Rev. W. V. Kloepfer as deacon and Rev. Father Halm [?], the parish priest, sub deacon. The class- mates of deceased assisted in serving at the altar and Rev. W. Kloepfer preached a touching funeral sermon. Wellesley Maple Leaf, June 27, 1907

Richardson, Margaret

Hawkesville
The death of Mrs. John Richardson, which occurred on Sunday last removes one of the most highly respected residents of this section. She was In her sixty sixth year and had lived in this vicinity for almost half a century, sharing the trials and hardships of pioneer life with her aged and now sorrowing husband, who survives her. A year so ago the aged couple retired from the homestead at the corner of the section and fifth lines and came to this village to reside.
They raised a family of upright sons and daughters, most of whom are honored residents of the township, and to whom the sincere condolence of the entire community is extended in their hour of sorrow. The funeral occurs at Rush’s cemetery to-day (Wednesday) after services in the English church in this village. Wellesley Maple Leaf, March 14, 1907

Richber, Casper

KASBAR RICHBER. [sic]
The very sudden death of this well known gentleman at St. Agatha yesterday morning removes one of the very oldest hotel keepers in the county. He had been in busines [sic] at St Agatha for over 30 years, and before that he had a hotel and a butcher shop on Hesse Straus, just north of Bamberg. Last Tuesday evening about nine o’clock he was stricken with apoplexy, and never recovered consciousness, passing away at. 4 o’clock on Wednesday morning.  Wellesley Maple Leaf, December 4, 1902

Rieder, Lauretta

New Hamburg
On Thursday word was received from Berlin of the death of Lauretta daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Rieder, formerly of this town. Deceased, who was in twenty-first year had been ill only a short time and her death is a great shock to her parents and friends in New Hamburgwho deeply deplore her early death. The funeral took place on Sunday the family residence to Mount Hope cemetery. Wellesley Maple Leaf,  April 9, 1908

Riehl, Jacob

Lisbon
The death of Mr. Jacob Riehl, occurred on Saturday evening last at the home of his brother, Mr. John Riehl, just south of here, in his 66th year. Deceased had been ill a long time. He had lived in this neighborhood nearly all his life. Thu funeral occurs in the Evangelical cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.  Wellesley Maple Leaf, October 6, 1904

Riehl, Louise

We regret to announce the death of Mrs. (widow) Riehl, 8th concession, North Easthope, which occurred shortly before noon yesterday after a short attack of inflammation. She was in her 49th year. The funeral occurs at one o’clock p.m., to-morrow, Friday, at the Evangelical cemetery just south of Lisbon, after which services will be held in the church. Wellesley Maple Leaf, October 3, 1901

Robertson, William

Linwood
We have this week to record the death of Mr. Wm. Robertson which occurred at his home in Linwood last Thursday. The deceased was 71 years of age. Mr. Robertson had worked at his trade of blacksmithing in Linwood many years ago, but lately on account of ill health, has lived retired. He leaves a widow and grown-up family of four to mourn his loss. Thus one by one the old residents are bidding us good-by, soon they will till he gone to the Great Beyond, whence no traveller ever returns. We extend our sympathy to the the [sic] lonely ones in this their hour of sorrow. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Me.  Edgar and was largely attended by his old neighbors and friends.
Wellesley Maple Leaf, July 25, 1907

Roth (infant)

We are sorry to report the death of Mr. John S. Roth’s infant child, which occurred this week after a short illness. Wellesley Maple Leaf, January 31, 1901

Rowe, John

Dropped Dead (Special to the Maple Leaf)
Linwood, Oct 8th – Our village was shocked today by the sudden death of the young John Rowe, a laboring man who has lived in Linwood for a great many years. Deceased, who was between 65 and 70 years of age was to all appearances in his usual health until the moment he so suddenly expired. He was walking about town and had called into Ziegler’s wagon shop for a chat. After sitting on the bench for a short time he fell suddenly to the floor and expired immediately. Deceased was a brother of Mr. Robert Rowe, retired farmer, of this place. Wellesley Maple Leaf, October 10, 1901

Ruler, George

Hawkesville
Death is claiming one by one the old citizens of our village. On Wednesday evening, Mr. George Ruler died of pneumonia.  He was 86 years old. He was a native of Yorkshire, England. For many years he was an active member of the Methodist church and only retired a short time ago owing to inability to attend. He leaves a widdow [sic] and six children to mourn his loss. The sons are:- George of Linwood  and Albert of Glen Allen. The daughters are:- Mrs. Will Foster and Mrs. Pogson [?] of Manitoba, Mrs. Store of Winfield and Mrs. Kenzie of Brantford. Wellesley Maple Leaf, March 7, 1907