Tombstone Tuesday-Rosa (Lillich) Buechner

Rosa (Lillich) Buechner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Rosa (Lillich) Buechner, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

ROSA
Wife of Henry
BUECHNER
1862-1929

Rosa Elizabeth Lillich was born in Van Wert County on 13 September 1862, the daughter of Fredrick [Samuel] and Sarah (Shell) Lillich. [1]

The Fredrick Lillich family in 1870, when Rosa was 8 years old: Frederick, 44; Sarah, 33; Catharine, 13; Rebecca, 11; Rosina, 8; Samuel F, 5; Sarah A, 3; William H, 12. The father Fredrick was a farmer, born in Germany. The other members of the household were born in Ohio. [2]

The same Lillich family in 1880: Frederick Lillich, 51; Sarah, 43, wife; Rebecca, 21, daughter; Rose Eliz, 17, daughter; Frederick S, 15, son; Sarah U, 13, daughter; William H, 10, son; Charlotte L, 8, daughter; John A, 6, son; George F, 3, son; Emma Isadore, 11 mo, daughter; John R Ellinger, 19, nephew. [3]

Rosa Lillich married Henry Conrad Buechner on 9 April 1896, married at Zion Lutheran, Schumm, by Rev. Seemeyer. [4]

After their marriage Henry and Rosa Buechner lived in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, where Henry farmed. They raised their three children, Fred, Leona, and Lawrence on their Blackcreek Township farm and the family was enumerated there in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses.

Rosa (Lillich) Buehner died of influenza with pneumonia and pleurisy on 1 January 1929. She was 66 years, 3 months, and 17 days old and died in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, likely at her home there. Rosa was buried on the 4th. [1] [5]

By 1930 widower Henry Buechner, daughter Leona, 29, and son Lawrence, 26, both single, had moved into the village of Willshire and lived on State Street there. Henry worked on the state road, Leona did housework, and Lawrence worked at a grain elevator. [6]

Rosa’s husband Henry Buechner died on 28 May 1931 in Willshire and is also buried in row 11 of Zion’s cemetery. [6]

Henry and Rosa (Lillich) Buechner had the following children:
Fredrick John Buechner (1897-1964), married Julia G Schumm
Leona Emma Buechner (1900-1994), married Earl C Shuherk
Lawrence Emanuel Buechner (1903-1970), married Myrtle Winkler

It is interesting to note that Rosa Lillich’s sister Louisa (1872-1963) married John Adam Buechner (1865-1933), the brother of Rosa’s husband Henry C. Buechner. Another example of sisters marrying brothers.

[1] Ohio Deaths, Mercer, Blackcreek, file no. 7706, Rose Buechner, 1 Jan 1929; FamilySearch.org, viewed 14 Aug 2022. 

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 445B, dwelling217, family 218, Frederic Lillich; Ancestry.com, viewed 16 Aug 2022.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.450D, family 138, Frederick Lillick; Ancestry.com, viewed 16 Aug 2022.

[4] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” Van Wert, Vol. 8, p.478, Henry Buechner & Rosa Lillich, 9 Apr 1896; database with images, FamilySearch.org, viewed 1 Aug 2022.

[5] Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, 1958-2007, Ohio Department of Health, Rose Buechner, 1 Jan 1929; Ancestry.com, viewed 16 Aug 2022.

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 22, p.5A, dwelling & family 109, Henry Buechner; digital image by subscription Ancestry.com, viewed 1 Aug 2022.

[7] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Willshire Township, Van Wert, Henry Buechner, 28 May 1931; database with images, FamilySearch.org, viewed 1 Aug 2022.

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