Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr. (1921–2008)

Alvin Conrad “Al” Ramseyer Jr.

9 Mar 1921 – 16 Apr 2008, born at Smithville

Christopher’s grandfather · ancestor no. 6 · generation 3
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

• Parents: Alvin C. Ramseyer Sr. (1880–1948) and Mary Ellen Schrock (1886–1972)
• Spouse: Ruth S. Neuenschwander (1922–2017)
• Family notes: Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr. + Ruth S. Neuenschwander (m. 1945)

Life and evidence

Christopher’s maternal grandfather. Born at Smithville, Wayne County, Ohio; attended Bluffton College; married Ruth S. Neuenschwander on 4 Nov 1945. His obituary names his parents, birthplace, dates, wife (of 62 years) and burial at Oak Grove.

His brother Arden Daniel Ramseyer (1927–2017) published the family’s 2002 genealogy, and his sister Edna Ramseyer Kaufman (1910–2001) compiled most of it.

Through his mother he descends from the captive Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812) of the 1757 Hochstetler massacre.

Where they lived

• 1921 — Smithville

In their lifetime

• 1940 — 1940 MCC relief in Vichy France
• 1941 — 1941 Civilian Public Service begins

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n49867489["Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)"]
  n37384099["Daniel Ramseyer (1856–1942)"]
  n48818908["David Schrock (1858–1903)"]
  n40092133["Alvin C. Ramseyer Sr. (1880–1948)"]
  n57998085["Mary Ellen Schrock (1886–1972)"]
  n40487033["Barbara Reich (1826–1894)"]
  n45558266["Moses Schrock (1828–1909)"]
  n2034856["Christina Gerig (1832–1909)"]
  n16805015["Nancy Hostetler (1836–1860)"]
  n53370897["Mary Conrad (1825–1912)"]
  n36146830["Fanny H. Plank (1857–1942)"]
  n34988141["Joseph Plank (1834–1914)"]
  n33449834["Rebecca Smiley (1856–1932)"]
  n90976361["Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr. (1921–2008)"]
  n57993883["John Smiley (1822–1879)"]
  n90976361 --> n40092133
  n40092133 --> n37384099
  n37384099 --> n49867489
  n37384099 --> n40487033
  n40092133 --> n33449834
  n33449834 --> n57993883
  n33449834 --> n53370897
  n90976361 --> n57998085
  n57998085 --> n48818908
  n48818908 --> n45558266
  n48818908 --> n2034856
  n57998085 --> n36146830
  n36146830 --> n34988141
  n36146830 --> n16805015
  class n49867489,n37384099,n48818908,n40092133,n57998085,n40487033,n45558266,n2034856,n16805015,n53370897,n36146830,n34988141,n33449834,n90976361,n57993883 internal-link;

Sources

• MennObits (Gospel Herald and Herald of Truth obituaries)
• Find a Grave
• Bluffton bulletin (Ramseyer-Neuenschwander wedding)
• Obituary, Mennonite Weekly Review, May 2008
• Find a Grave 26082251

Narratives and research

• Stories: Double ancestors, The Ramseyer farm fortune
• History: 1940 MCC relief in Vichy France, 1941 Civilian Public Service begins, Faith traditions
• Congregations: Oak Grove Mennonite Church
• Sources: Bluffton bulletin (Ramseyer-Neuenschwander wedding), Find a Grave, MennObits (Gospel Herald and Herald of Truth obituaries)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.