Dirks, George Wallace (1911-1929)

The Mennonite obituary: 1929 Jul 10 p. 4

Birth date: 1911 Sep 13

text of obituary:

George Wallace Dirks (Contributed)

The deceased, George Wallace Dirks, was born near Greensburg, kansas, on the thirteenth day of September, 1911; passed away Friday, June 221, 1929, at the home of his parents near Winton, California. He lived to the age of 17 years, 6 months and 8 days.

George spent his childhood and early youth near Greensburg, Kansas. In the year 1923 he moved with his parents to the home at Winton, California, where thee years ago he was graduated from grammar school. The following year he entered Livingston high School, completing his Junior year with the closing of the last school term.

His death was caused by accidentally losing his footing before diving, thus striking the ground at shallow water, from which he evidently sustained fatal injuries to his spine, paralyzing the lower aprt [sic] of his body.

Various physicians were consulted. He was under the doctors' and nurses' care for eight days. For several days every hope was held out for his recovery, but 24 hours before his death a sudden turn for the worse occurred. Due to a rapid rise in temperature he became semi-delirious but intermittently retained full consciousness up to within five minutes before death ensued.

George's life was beyond reproach. His clean life and noble character won him the admiration and affection of many dear friends, who painfully feel the incalculable loss which his early death brings. All his associates and school mates knew his [sic] as a conscientious young man. His deeper convictions and higher aspirations were revealed during his sickness, when he completely pledged his life to his Redeemer, whether he lived or passed away. In answer to his many earnest prayers he received the blessed assurance of salvation. A few minutes before his death he asked his father to pray with him for a real joy to leave for the better world, and joyously expressed his soul's delight by singing the chorus: "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord."

George is survived by his parents, one grandmother, four brothers, nine sisters, many other relatives, and a host of friends who mourn his early death. Of the immediate family all but one brother who lives in Kansas were at his bedside when the end came.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, June 25 at 2 o'clock at the Winton church.

— Geo. J. Dirks and family.