Epp, Johann (1861-1943)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1943 May 18 p. 14

Birth date: 1861 Feb 8

text of obituary:

Johann Epp (Hillsboro, Kansas), Sohn von Johann und Maria Epp, geb. Hübner, ward am 8. Febr. 1861 in Blumenort, Süd-Rußland geboren und starb am 30. März 1943 im Alter von 82 J. 1 M. und 22 Tagen. Im Juli 1879 kam er mit Eltern nach McPherson County, Kansas wo die Familie das Pionierleben durchmachte. Am 4. Dez. 1881 ward der Heimgerufene auf das Bekenntnis seines Glaubes von Aelt. Jakob Buller getauft und Glied der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde. Am 4. März 1883 heiratete er Sara Ewert und schloß sich dann der Bruderthaler Gemeinde an. Es wurden in dieser Ehe 4 Töchter und 5 Söhne geboren, wovon 2 Söhne starben. Am 7. Nov. 1903 starb seine Gattin. Am 17. Oktober 1909 heiratete er Helena Hiebert aus Georgia und es wurde eine Tochter geboren, doch der Tod löste am 18. Dez. 1910 auch diese Ehe. Am 26. Nov. 1911 heiratete er Helena Janz und durften sie 31 Jahre Freud und Leid teilen und am 26. Nov. 1936 die Silberhochzeit feiern. Im Oktober 1919 zogen sie nach Hillsboro und schlossen sich da der Ersten Mennonitengemeinde an, wo er auch Glied blieb. Der Abgerufene erfreute sich meist guter Gesundheit bis ihn in 1942 ein Schlaganfall lähmte worauf er lag und gepflegt werden mußte. Als die Pflege im Heim nicht mehr gut möglich war, brachte man ihn ins Missionsheim in Hillsboro, wo er dann entschlief. In seinem Leiden hat er eine merkwürdige Geduld bewiesen und durfte als Ueberwinder heim gehen. Es überleben ihn nebst Gattin, 8 Kinder und deren Familien, 33 Enkel, 16 Urenkel, 1 Bruder und viele Freunde, die trauern, aber nicht ohne die christliche Hoffnung des Wiedersehens. Endlich kommt Er leise, Nimmt uns bei der Hand; Führt uns von der Reise Heim ins Vaterland.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Apr 1 p. 5

text of obituary:

Local News

. . .

— J. E. Epps of 329 Muse street were called to Hillsboro Tuesday because of the death of his father, the aged John Epp, wo passed away at the Mission Home there. Grandfather Epp was 82 years old and was in failing health since last summer. Funeral services will be held at the Hillsboro Mennonite church at 2:30 Friday afternoon. He is survived by his wife. Children surviving besides Mr. Epp here in Newton are: George Epp of Lehigh, Mrs. G. M. Schmidt, Hillsboro; Mrs. John Gaede, Hutchinson; Henry of Pretty Prairie; Mrs. Fred Benkula, Walton; Mrs. Ben Kliewer, Salem, Oregon; and Mrs. Alvin Harms, Fair Chance, Pa.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Apr 15 p. 3

text of obituary:

JOHN EPP

Our dear loving father, the son of Johann and Maria Epp, nee Huebner, was born in the village of Blumenort, South Russia, on February 8, 1861, and passed on to his heavenly reward on March 30, 1943, thus reaching an age of 82 years, 1 month, and 22 days.

In the year 1879 he emigrated to America and made his home in McPherson county, Kansas, with his parents, brothers and sisters in the early pioneer days. Dec. 4, 1881, he was baptized by elder Jacob Buller and so was received into the Alexanderwohl church of Goessel, Kansas. Later he united with the First Mennonite Church of Hillsboro, Kansas, and was a member of this church at the time of his death.

On March 4, 1883, he entered into holy wedlock with Sara Ewert of Bruderthal. To this union were born nine children of which two preceded him in death. All the other children with their families are living.

On Nov. 7, 1903, the Lord saw fit to take his dear wife, our mother, from his side and leave him a widower and us as motherless children behind. On Oct. 17, 1909, he again found a life companion in Helen Huebert from Georgia, and she was willing to become our mother. This union was blessed with one child, Helen, Mrs. Alvin Harms.

On Dec. 18, 1910, this union was severed by death leaving him a widower again and her only child motherless.

But God in His wise providence had another helpmate for him, Helen Jantz, with whom he united Nov. 26, 1911 and with her he shared joys and sorrows of life for 31 years. They were privileged to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary on Nov. 26, 1937.

He has always been in fair health until July, 1942, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never completely recovered. On March 23 he had a third stroke. He suffered intensely for one week, when his Heavenly Father took him home.

Funeral services were held April 2, at 1:30 at the Mission Home with Rev. H. T. Unruh in charge. He used for his text Rom. 8:28 and the members of the Home sang “Wenn ich am Ufer des Jordans steh.”

At the church Rev. Unruh read several verses from Psalms 90 and 91. Special music was furnished by Rev. and Mrs. Arnold Funk, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Nickel, and Mr. and Mrs. Herb Funk. Rev. J. H. Epp preached in German, using the last verse of Isaiah 40 as text. Rev. Arnold Funk spoke in English on Phil. 1:21-24. Rev. J. E. Entz conducted the committal service at the cemetery. Pall bearers were six grandsons.

He is survived by his life companion and the following children: G. E. Epp, Hillsboro, Kans.; Annie, Mrs. J. W. Gaede, Hutchinson, Kans.; Sara, Mrs. G. M. Schmidt, Hillsboro, Kans.; H. E. Epp, Pretty Prairie, Kans.; Maria, Mrs. Fred Benkula, Walton, Kan.; J. E. Epp, Newton, Kans.; Elizabeth, Mrs. B. G. Kliewer, Salem, Oreg.; Helen, Mrs. Alvin Harms, Fairchance, Pa.; 37 grandchildren of whom 2 have passed away, and 16 great grandchildren; one brother and two sisters living and many friends who mourn his departure not without hope but confident that they will meet him again in glory.

— Mrs. John Epp and children

The Mennonite obituary: 1943 May 25 p. 4