1900 Michigan, Osceola County, Richmond Twp., Reed City, E.D. 156, sheet 14A, stamped page 243, film T623-737 (taken 15 June 1900)
Osceola Street, dwelling 293, family 295
Geffert, Frank W., head, white, male, Dec 1864, age 35, married 8 yrs., born Wisconsin, parents Germany, minister Lutheran Evangelical
---------, Henrietta M., wife, white, female, July 1867, age 32, married 8 yrs., mother of 5 children, 5 living, born Illinois, parents Germany
---------, Julia H., daughter, white, female, Oct 1892, age 7, single, born Michigan, father Wisconsin, mother Illinois
---------, Rudolph L., son, white, male, Sept 1894, age 5, single, born Michigan, father Wisconsin, mother Illinois
---------, Esther M., daughter, white, female, Dec 1895, age 4, single, born Michigan, father Wisconsin, mother Illinois
---------, Edna H., daughter, white, female, Aug 1898, age 1, single, born Michigan, father Wisconsin, mother Illinois
---------, Vera E., daughter, white, female, Apr 1900, age 1/12, single, born Michigan, father Wisconsin, mother Illinois

----------------deceased

Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois) 10 May 1907 Obituary
Rev. F.W. Geffert Passed Away

His Sudden Death a Painful Shock to his Family and Congregation

About eight weeks ago, Rev. F.W. Geffert asked his congregation for a short vacation, in which to rest up and to regain his health, which had been failing him for some time. The congregation at once voted to allow him a vacation for an unlimited time. He first went to Milwaukee, where he spent four weeks with his sister, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pittelkow. From there he went to his brother, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Geffert, at Madison, Wis., where he intended to remain until he had regained his health, and then return and serve his congregation more faithfully than ever before. But his Lord had made different plans and laid out an easier path for him to walk. After he had been at Madison a short time, he was glad to inform his family and congregation that he was gaining in health and hoped for a speedy recover, but after staying there longer, it proved to him that he was not getting much better, and Friday, April 26, 1907, at five o’clock, his heart failed him and he passed away in silent sleep. The telegram announcing his death was received here April 27, which was most sorrowful news for his family and congregation. His wife, who had been summoned to his bedside by telegram, the day previous, did not arrive there in time to see her husband alive.

The remains arrived here Monday forenoon on the 10:10 G.R. & L. train, accompanied by his wife, his sister, Miss Tillie Geffert, of Chicago, and his father-in-law, Henry Weinrich, of Arlington Heights, Ill.

The funeral services were held Tuesday, April 30, at 1:30 p.m., from the parsonage, Rev. E.G. Franck, of Big Rapids, a long time friend of the deceased, officiating. The remains were then taken to the church, where Rev. C.J. F. Frincke, of Grand Rapids, officiated at the altar, reading the 103 Psalm. Rev. J. H. Todt, of Manistee, delivered a most impressive funeral sermon from St. John 14.4, “Whither do go ye know, and the way ye know,” to an exceedingly attentive audience. Not only the members of the church and friends of this city were in attendance, but also a number of friends from the sister church, of Big Rapids, including the choir, which rendered several fine and appropriate selections. Also twelve of his brother ministers, members of the Grand Rapids Special Conference, of which the deceased had been a member sixteen years, attended in a body, and of which the following acted as pall-bearers, Revs. E.G. Franck, Big Rapids; H. Knorr, Ludington; M. Luecke, Cadillac; O.C.A. Boecler, Grand Rapids; D. Ehmann, Conklin; A. Schultz, Grand Haven. The flower tributes were most beautiful, showing the high esteem in which he was held by his congregation and friends. The remains were take to the G.R. & I. R.R. station at 6:30 escorted by his fellow pastors and a large number of the congregation, and taken on the 6:55 p.m. train to Arlington Heights, Ill. where funeral services were held May 1, and interment made. The remains were accompanied by his wife, Henry Weinrich, of Arlington Heights, Ill., Miss Tillie Geffert, of Chicago, and Wm. Hoffmeyer, of this city. The deceased leaves a mourning widow, nine children, his aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Geffert, of Reedsburg, Wis., one brother and five sisters, besides a large number of relatives and friends to mourn their loss.

The following is a biographical sketch: The late Rev. Franz W. Geffert, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church, of Reed City, was born December 9, 1864, at Reedsburg, Wis., baptized and raised in the Lutheran faith. After his confirmation he attended the Lutheran colleges at Watertown and Milwaukee, Wis., and Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1888 he graduated and went to the Lutheran Concordia Seminary, at St. Louis, Mo., where he graduated as candidate for the ministry in 1891, and then ordained near Howard City, Mich., as pastor of several small congregations. Here he labored faithfully, six years. In 1897 he received and accepted a call which was sent him by the Lutheran Trinity congregation of Reed City. Here he also labored faithfully and successfully for almost ten years, ever studious, diligent and active in his endeavors for the welfare of his charge. About two years ago it was noticed he was failing in health, but nevertheless, he worked faithfully until a short time ago, when he was granted a rest. He was united in holy matrimony with Miss Henrietta Weinrich, of Arlington Heights, Ill., Nov. 15, 1891. This happy union was blessed with nine children, seven girls and two boys, all surviving the father. He died at the home of his brother at Madison, Wis., Friday, April 26, 1907, age 42 years, 4 months and 17 days. May his memory ever be blest among us!

of Howard City, Montcalm, Michigan at marriage