Claassen, Vernon Henry (1926-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Jun 2 p. 5

Birth date: 1926 Apr 13

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Emmaus church, Whitewater, on Wednesday afternoon for Vernon H. Claassen, 23, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest G. Claassen who passed away at a Wichita hospital on Sunday after being a patient there for seven months. The young man, a graduate of Whitewater high school with the class of 1943, had spent his entire life in the home community. Members of the immediate family surviving him are the parents and three sisters, Edith, Marian, and Joan.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Jun 16 p. 3

text of obituary:

VERNON HENRY CLAASSEN

Vernon Henry Claassen was born April 13, 1926. As a small boy he began to show a willing, helpful disposition which has always been a joy to his parents, and a pleasure to those who worked with him.

He received his education in the district school and the Whitewater high school, also religious instruction in Sunday school and vacation Bible school. He early realized that his highest loyalty should be to his Creator and Redeemer, and as an outward token of his inmost convictions, received baptism and joined Emmaus church in 1942.

After leaving school he took up farming with his father, also keeping an active interest in all neighborhood activities, especially in the work of the church choir.

Two years ago, it was his privilege to make the annual trip with the Whitewater graduating class. This was an exceptional experience for him. He especially enjoyed the wonders of nature he saw, and the friendships he made, and took delight in recalling these.

For some time he had shown occasional symptoms of a nervous trouble, entering St. Francis hospital in Wichita for treatment last October.

A series of treatments was given him, and he was making steady progress toward recovery until March 20, when he suffered severe convulsions and had since been in a more or less unconscious state. On April 1, and again on May 23, he was conscious and talked to his attendant. While unconscious he was given nourishment by intravenous feedings.

In spite of all the care that was given him, he gradually became weaker and passed quietly away at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29. Before he lost consciousness, he was at all times considerate of his attendants, his concern always being to be as little trouble as possible. He reached the age of slightly over 23 years.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Claassen; three sisters, Edith, Marian, and Joan; and many relatives and friends.

Our prayer was always that God might restore him to us in health, in whatever way He might choose, at whatever time He might choose. That prayer will yet be answered, though not in this time. God will restore him to us, in His own time, in His own way.

It is only with the deepest sorrow that we can take leave of one of our family circle. And yet, If we must say "Farewell."

"We say it in steadfast tone.
For into the Father’s keeping
We surely can trust His own."