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DeGarmo, Mary (d. 1947)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jan p. 1
Birth date:
text of obituary:
China Missionary Killed, Others Missing On East Honan Field
CIVIL WAR RESULTS IN DEATH OF MARY DeGARMO; BARTEL FAMILY MISSING
Word has been received here that Miss Aganetha Regier and Missionary and Mrs. Loyal Bartel and two-year-old son David of the Tsaohsien field in East Honan, China, are missing following the occupation of that field by the Communists for the fifth time. This news was contained in a telegram received by Aaron Regier, nephew of Miss Regier of San Jose, Calif., and forwarded by G. T. Thiessen of Orange Cove, Calif., former China missionary.
Newspaper reports have also confirmed the death of Mary DeGarmo, for many years a worker on the Tsaohsien field, who was instantly killed on Dec. 22 when a bomb or hand grenade was thrown through a window of her home, exploding near her as it struck the floor. This reportedly happened during a skirmish between the Communists and Nationalists in that area. With Miss DeGarmo when she was killed were Missionaries Mary Schmidt and Mary Quiring, also of the Bartel Mission station at Liu Ho. The Loyal Bartel family had been stationed at Tsao Hsien, about 23 miles from Liu Ho.
Miss DeGarmo was a former resident of Berne, Ind., was a member of the First Missionary church there and was serving under the Missionary Church Association. She was formerly an instructor at the Light and Hope Orphanage near Birmingham, Ohio, conducted by the late Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Sprunger.
Commenting upon her work in China, Bro. Thiessen writes, “I would describe her as faithful in her tasks . . . She was fearless and heroic. For years she was alone at a station, really doing a man’s job in holding it, even when the Japanese robbers, and now the Communists, came to molest her and the station.
“She was firm as to her convictions, very strict with herself as well, and with that she also avoided all appearance of evil. Another characteristic was a love for souls. Not only did she win them, but was also eager that they should grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. She hath done what she could.”
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Apr 1 p. 8
text of obituary:
Letter Tells Story of Missionary’s Death
PASSING OF MARY DEGARMO A GREAT LOSS TO HONAN, CHINA, FIELD
This report on conditions in war-torn northern China and the death of Missionary May DeGarmo is from a letter written y Mrs. Louise Schrag, worker of the Bartel Mission, to Mr. and Mrs. Julius Stucky, Moundridge, Kansas.
Ningling Hsien, Honan, China. — This part of China has been a battlefield for several months. A number of raids have been made on the railroad ten miles north of us. The noise of cannon, machine guns, and also bombing from the air could be heard at this place. Armies often came through here, staying a few hours of a couple of days.
Since last Easter no attack has been made on this city, so it has been rather peaceful here compared to other places. At most of our mission stations the situation has been very ad. But the one that suffered most is Liuho, which is very near the railroad that I have already referred to ten miles north of here.
The mission compound there has been turned into a soldiers’ camp for over four months. No battle, however, took place until a month ago. Those on the inside were well fortified, thinking they could hold out until help came, but they finally had to surrender.
When those on the outside came in, they threw a few hand grenades. The last one came through a window, hitting Miss (Mary) DeGarmo, who passed away within a few minutes. It is a great loss for the church. She spoke the Chinese language well and was very active in the Lord’s work. We cannot understand that the last bomb should take her life.
There was no one hurt in the yard, for which we are thankful. About 60 Christians were living there. The shots and shells came in like rain.
Almost all have moved out, including two of our missionaries, Misses Schmidt and Quiring. They have moved to Ningling along with a number of native Christians, so our family has increased considerably. Even though we cannot understand why the Lord has permitted this severe test and trial to come to the Liuho church, we do know that He makes no mistakes.
On Sundays the services are still held in the mission compound. although the church building has been somewhat damaged, the Christians come in crowds. Last Sunday there were nearly 300 present. The offerings have been better of late. Many thank-offerings are given in gratitude for God’s protecting care in times of great danger. At this place we get reports that most of the Christians are pressing on. But they need your prayers as never before.
We had a very mild winter until the 22nd, when it began to snow and finally the north wind became so strong we had a regular blizzard. Many refugees have come through here from a flooded district. There are so many that it is impossible to do relief work. These cold days they must suffer very much. Poor China — there are always wars, famines, or floods in one part or another.
Bro. H. C. Bartel came here a few days ago from Shuangshipu Shenhsi on his way to the States. He has been sharing some of his many experiences in the west with us.
Miss Mary Schmidt will go with him to the States. She looks well and strong, but, since she was in an internment camp in Shanghai, her speech has been impaired.
Rev. Bartel does not have a U. S. passport, but holds a China passport. We hope he will not have any difficulty entering the States. He has not been in the homeland for 20 years. We know he could be a great blessing to many. Remember him in your prayers.
We are not discouraged, but are happy to be here and we believe our being here is an encouragement to the Christians.
