Miami Union

September 5, 1912 

FRANTZ, EMMA KULP - Emma Kulp Frantz, the wife of Elder Isaac Frantz, was born May 18, 1858, at Gratersford, Pa.  She was the daughter of Elder Isaac and Sister Susan Kulp.  At the age of thirteen she was baptized into the Church of the Brethren.  Her life was blameless and useful, her pure stainless character and sweet disposition made her life ideal.  Her father, Elder Isaac Kulp, was the most influential man in Gratersford.  When his health failed, this daughter, Emma, went into his large department store and filled his place as best she could.  Always active in the service of the Master, she found the same opportunities to serve him, her father had improved.  When the poor came to Kulp's store, the necessities of life, food and clothing, were given them without money and without price.  So long as they live grateful hearts in the old home will enshrine her precious memory.  Her name was uttered in prayerful gratitude by families of poor missionaries in the west, to whom she sent boxes of blankets, warm clothing and provisions.  The hard-working minister was given a new suit of clothes and a substantial purse before he left this home.  They helped to educate poor students., by aiding them in many ways while they pursued their studies in Philadelphia.  So numerous and large were her charities, that her people were dismayed when she spoke of leaving and wondered how they could do without her.  Her life swung in so large an orbit that it would be an injustice if we failed to refer to a few of these things.  Her father was pastor of the church in town, and superintendent of its Sunday school.  After his health failed, Emma was elected superintendent in his place, although she was not twenty years of age and she served continuously in that capacity, without a break until she came to Ohio.  She always kept in touch with the young people and her example and wise counsel helped many of them to choose Christ and in their happiness today they cannot forget her.  She was married on Christmas day, 1893, to Elder Isaac Frantz, and accompanied him at once to his home here.  Need we say much of her blameless life among us?  Of her faithfulness as wife and mother to his children?  It is as an open book well known to all of you.  Here as in Pennsylvania she became a worker in the church, her Sunday school class, can testify to her zeal and efficiency.  She superintended the school for some time also.  She was always sincere and unaffected, and so won the confidence of all hearts.  One child, Mary, came to bless the home but when she was seven years old, God called her to himself.  Their great grief caused by the death of little Mary, was followed by the knowledge that the mother was suffering from an incurable malady.  So the shadow in this happy home deepened.  All that the loving care and thoughtfulness of a kind husband and children could do for her during these years of affliction was done.  The kindly ministry of Vannas will surely be rewarded as well as all the service which these years necessitated.  After almost 19 years of married life, on the evening of August 27, 1912, her spirit took its flight to the God who gave it, leaving him bereft indeed.  She leaves a tender mother, one sister, Sara, the wife of Dr. Charles Wagner of the West Chester State school, one brother, Dr. Horace Kulp, a physician at Ardmore, Philadelphia, three stepchildren to whom she was a mother, Vannas, the wife of Edward Billman, Hubert Frantz of this place, and Homer Frantz of Long Beach, Cal. and five grandchildren and a large circle of loving sympathizing friends mourn for her.  Of her peaceful dying we can only say that "God never yet forsook at need the soul that trusted him indeed.  She loved the lines:

                                                                        Twilight and evening star,

                                                                        And one clear call for me,

                                                                        And may there be no moaning at the bar

                                                                        When I put out to sea."

Her desire was granted--there was no moaning at the bar when she embarked and her Pilot met her face to face on the evergreen shore.

Return to Main Page