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Diener, Harry A. (1889-1988)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Sep 5 p. 5 (bio)
Birth date: 1888 Aug 3
text of obituary:
GULFPORT, MISS. — Harry A. Diener of Gulfport celebrated his 80th birthday on Aug. 3, 1968. As an honor to their father on this occasion, his seven sons all flew to Mississippi to spend the weekend of August 10-11 with him.
The entire congregation at Gulfhaven along with his wife, seven sons, and other friends celebrated Bishop Diener's birthday with a fellowship dinner at the church on Sunday noon. A large birthday cake along with a delicious meal was provided by the ladies of the congregation. The congregation also presented Bro. Diener with a gift of $80.
Harry A. Diener has been active as a minister for the past 54 years. He served for six years, from 1915 - 1921, as a rural missionary in the Ozark Mountains in Central Missouri. In 1921 he moved to Hutchinson, Kan. to assist in the ministry at the new congregation in the Yoder area southeast of Hutchinson. In 1923 he was ordained as bishop and served the same congregation until 1964.
FROM AUGUST 1964 to September 1965 he served as interim pastor at Garden City, Mo. September 1965 he came to Gulfport to serve the Gulfhaven congregation.
Amanda, first wife of Bro. Diener, passed away on Nov. 25, 1958. On July 31, 1961, he was married to Anna Bender, widow of the late D. H. Bender.
IT HAS BEEN said by some people that Bishop Diener at 80 years of age can still keep up with any of the young fellows. He has had a fruitful ministry these past three years at Gulfport and does not have any immediate plans for retirement.
Bishop Diener has enjoyed good health through these many years. He supported his family by farming until 194 8 when his son Willard took over the operation of the farm. Since then he has been retired as a farmer, but not as a minister. Two of his hobbies are fishing and gardening. Mississippi is a good place for both of these activities.
The seven sons of Bishop Diener are Daniel, Elkhart, Ind.; Edward, Hartville, Ohio; Clayton, Hesston, Kan.; Truman, Hillsboro, Kan.; Paul, Hesston, Kan.; Willard, Hutchinson, Kan. and Herman, South Hutchinson, Kan.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1988 Jan 14 p. 7
