Dirks, Jacob (1864-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Nov 15 p. 5

Birth date: 1864 Sep 24

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— On Sunday, November 11, funeral services for Min. Jacob Dirks, 81, a well known pioneer of the Halstead community, took place at the Grace Mennonite church west of Halstead. Minister F. H. Wenger and J. P. Unruh were in charge. The aged church leader passed away on Tuesday evening, November 6. He served the Halstead church as minister until his illness several years ago. He was also one of the original founders of the Church of God In Christ (Mennonite).

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Nov 29 p. 3

text of obituary:

REV. JACOB DIRKS

Jacob Dirks wwa born September 24, 1864, in Oustroge [sic Ostrog], Poland, Russia and died of old age and complications at his home near Halstead, Kansas, on November 6, 1945. He reached the age of 81 years, 1 month and 13 days.

When 10 years of age he with his parents emigrated to America, settling in Harvey county. Not long after arriving in America, he was bereaved of his parent sand forced to face the hardships of those pioneer days. He took employment wherever he could find work until he moved on a farm, which he finally bought and lived on most of his life. This was his home when he died.

When quite young, Brother Dirks became concerned about his salvation and at the age of 23 was converted and joined the church of God in Christ, Mennonite, of which he was a faithful member to his end.

On October 19, 1890, he united in marriage with Eva Koehn. To this union nine children were born, of which one son and one daughter preceded him to their heavenly home. On February 12, 1896, he was chosen by the church and ordained into the ministry by John Holdeman. In this office he served faithfully for nearly fifty years to the glory of god and the salvation of souls. In December, 1933, his life's companion was taken to be with the Lord, leaving him many lonely hours, so much the more so when his health bean to fail. He was ailing for a number of years, confined t his home for about a year and bedfast for about eight weeks. He suffered much during this illness, often expressing his desire to leave this world of trouble and be at rest.

Brother Dirks was of serious yet kindly disposition, as a Christian and partaker of the new life in Christ. He was sincere and earnest, endeavoring to live his faith in humility. As a minister, he zealously strove to fill his place in Gods kingdom as one that must give account. He sometimes spoke of his labors of many years, nevertheless, his hope of salvation was wholly in the grace and merits of an atoning Lord and Christ.

He had a strong faith in the fundamentals of God's Word and the church and was an earnest contender for the faith, and a pillar in the church.

He leaves to mourn their loss, the church of which he was pastor for many years; four sons and three daughters. Carl, Menno, John and Mrs. I. B. Decker of near Halstead; Henry of Rich Hill, Missouri, Mrs. Abe Decker of Parsons, and Mrs. Jake Smith of Fairview, Oklahoma. Also 37 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His wife, one son, one daughter and three grandchildren preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted from the Grace Mennonite church on Sunday afternoon, November 11, at 2:30 o'clock. A short service was held at the home, with Rev. Dan Smith of Fairview, Oklahoma, in charge. Rev. F. H. Wenger of Hesston and Rev. J. P. Unruh of Halstead officiated in the church. The church choir sang a number of favorite hymns at the home, in the church and also at the graveside.

Casket bearers were ministers with whom Rev. Dirks was associated in the past. these were Rev. Frank Unruh, Galva; Rev. Sam Fricke, of Cimarron; Rev. George Nichols, Fairview, Oklahoma; rev. Paul Becker, Halstead; Rev. Milford Wenger, Hesston; and Rev. Claude Unruh of Durham. Rev. Sam Fricke of Fairview had charge of the committal serves. The body was laid to rest in the family lot in the Halstead cemetery under the direction of Kaufman and Dreese Funeral Home.

Other ministers that came to pay their last respects and tribute to their church leader were Rev. John Becker, Galva; Rev. Jacob Yost, Durham; Rev. Henry Entz, Inman; Rev. Tobias Unruh, Moundridge; Rev. Jonas Koehn, Galva; and Rev. Ernest Wiggers of Burns. Also many friends came long distances for the funeral service.