Hooley, Donald J. (1922-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 19 p. 1

Birth date: 1922 Jul 9

text of obituary:

Accountant Serving In Europe Called In Death

RELIEF WORKER DIED IN HOSPITAL AT FRANKFURT, GERMANY

Akron, Penna. — Donald J. Hooley, 30, serving as an accountant in the relief program at Frankfurt, Germany, passed away Monday, March 16 while undergoing surgery, according to word received at MCC headquarters here. Death was attributed to heart failure.

Donald left this country Jan. 7, 1953 for his second term of service in Frankfurt. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin J. Hooley of Hubbard, Oregon, and was a member of the Zion (Old) Mennonite congregation there.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 26 p. 1

text of obituary:

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MCC WORKER HELD AT HUBBARD, OREGON

Akron, Pa. — Funeral services for Donald J. Hooley, Mennonite Central Committee accountant who died March 16 in Frankfurt, Germany, were to be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, in the Zion (Old) Mennonite church. Hubbard, Ore.

Dr. P. C. Hiebert of Hillsboro, Kan., former M.CC. chairman, attended the memorial service to speak as a representative of the Mennonite Central Committee.

Memorial services were held at Frankfurt March 20. The body was returned to the United States by airfreight.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 26 p. 5

text of obituary:

. . .

M.C.C. Worker Dies in Germany

Donald J. Hooley, who was serving as accountant for the European M.C.C. program at the Frankfurt, Germany center, died March 16. Cause of his death was a heart failure at the time of surgery. Memorial services were held in Frankfurt March 20. The body is being returned to Oregon for burial.

Donald returned to Germany on Jan. 7, 1953, for his second term of service. He held the same position as accountant from Sept. 21, 1950, to Sept. 22, 1952.

He was born July 9, 1922. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Alvin J. Hooley of Hubbard. Ore. Donald was a member of the Zion (Old) Mennonite congregation.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Apr 23 p. 9, 10

text of obituary:

TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

(The following was written by Jacob T. Friesen, director of MCC at Frankfurt, Germany, where Donald Hooley had served in relief work for over two years previous to his recent death. This tribute was read at the funeral in Germany and also at the service held at Zion church, Hubbard, Oregon, after the body had arrived there for burial, Saturday, March 28.)

Jesus paid the highest tribute to those close to him when he called them friends. All barriers of division fell away as He turned to his inner circle saying, “No longer do I call you servants; for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” John 15:15. His love, his confidence and devotion, His fondest hopes and inner attachments to those closest to Him are gathered up in this one familiar word — friend. Our Lord's own life fills this word with meaning.

I can think of no word more appropriate or a tribute more aptly expressed for Don who has so unexpectedly left us, then to say, “We have lost a friend.” A friend who early in life sought and found his Savior and remained true to Him to the end. A friend 30 years of age who most of us know best as a fellow-worker, “In the Name of Christ.” One who knew figures and remembered them, but a friend who saw beyond columns and ledgers the needs of people and the challenge to serve. A friend who happily did the accounting for MFD, PAX, Der Mennonit, the Frankfurt Unit. One who remained friendly when bills came due and no money was in sight. A friend with endless patience when car titles got lost and registration of cars came due. A friend who did not shun the lowliest task and thoughtfully did what needed to be done. A friend who counseled and advised but was seldom heard giving commands. A friend with a sensitive conscience and a determination with God's help to do what was right. A friend whose last request was “Pray for me," as he pressed my hand and said, “Good-night.” A friend who fought bravely for breath as he had done so long until his heart grew weary and the Master commanded, “Peace, be still." A friend, no longer serving “In the Name of Christ" but rejoicing in the presence of Christ. A friend who lived briefly by the numbering of years, but lived long because he, with Christ, lived well.

He liveth long who liveth well!
      All other life is short and vain;
He liveth longest who can tell
      Of true things truly done each day.
Waste not thy being; back to Him
      Who freely gave it, freely give;
Else is that being but a dream;
      Tis but to be and not to live.
Fill up each hour with what will last;
      Buy up the moments as they go
The life above, when this is past
      Is the ripe fruit of life below.
Sow truth, if thou the truth wouldst reap;
      Who sows the false shall reap the vain;
Erect and sound thy conscience keep
      From hollow words and deeds refrain.
Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure;
      Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright;
Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor,
And find a harvest—home of light.

— Horatius Bonar

We who remain to serve “In the Name of Christ" do well to allow God to speak. He calls us to more complete surrender to Him and His service, to greater love for one another and our work, and a willingness to do “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus." The challenge comes directly from words of Scripture. (Col. 3:12-17 RSV)