Rymer, T. H. (Rev)

Passed: 1925-02-06

Age: 82

Source:

Death Notice: 1925-02-11

Obituary Date:

Information: Rev. T. H. Rymer, retired minister of the U. B. Church, passed quiety to his rest last Friday morning about 10:30, after an illness of several days caused by infirmities due to old age.  For nearly half a century he had been one of the leading ministers of his church in West Virginia and at the time of his death was the oldest member in the West Virginia Conference of the United Brethren Church.  Early in life he entered the ministry and continued in active work wuntil he was forced to retire a few years ago but he continued to fill the Ripley pulpit in the absence of a pastor and gave unsparingly of his time in church work.  No record of his activities during life are available but it is believed by many that he had officiated in no less than one thousand wedding ceremonies which is a record reached by very few ministers. He was born in Highland county, Virginia, May 2, 1842 and at the time of his death was 82 years 7 months and 4 days old.  He came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Rymer, to Gilmer county, Virginia, now West Virginia,in 1847.  He was educated in the public schools and in a select school at Weston, West Virginia, after which he taught school for several years.  He professed Christianity at an early age, joined the United Brethren church and answered the call of the ministry when but twenty-four years of age.  At the session of the annual conference of the church held at Otterbein, Jackson county, in 1866, he was given a license to preach the gospel.  Three years later he was ordained by Bishop Glosbrenner at the Mount Olive church in Harrison county, West Virginia.  He remained at active minister for forty-seven years.  On May 6, 1869 he was united in marriage with Miss Allie Elizabeth Hover of Middleport, Ohio and to his union five children were born, two of whom died in infancy.  The surviving children are Dr. T. E. Rymer, J. Flem Rymer and Mrs. Ora L. Armstrong, all of Ripley.  Five grandchildren, Mildred, John Jr., Daniel and Roger Rymer and Elizabeth Armstrong, also survive.  He was married a second time to Elizabeth Spindler on October 29, 1913, who still survives him and is the one who cared for him during his declining years.  The remains lay in state amid a profusion of flowers at the Ripley United Brethren Church last Sunday from one until two in the afternoon and were viewed by hundreds during the time.  The funeral services were held immediately following by Rev. R. M. Hite assisted by Rev. Miles and Rev. Garrett.  Rev. Miles read the scripture and the obituary.  Rev. Garrett offered the prayer and Rev. Hite delivered the sermon.  The remains were then taken to Pine Hill cemetery where interment was made.