Koehn, Paul Dean (1938-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 May 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1938 Oct 25

text of obituary:

PAUL KOEHN

Our beloved son, Paul Dean, was born northwest of Montezuma, Kansas, October 25, 1938, and passed away in St. Anthony Hospital, Dodge City, Kansas, April 14, 1943, reaching the age of 4 years, 5 months and 19 days.

Paul Dean, as a bright and blooming flower, was a very ambitious and healthy boy. He had a friendly disposition, took great delight in different activities and with his cheerful attitude he brought much joy and sunshine into our home.

On April 3, about sunset, Paul Dean picked up an old piece of a discarded rifle barrel, and unfortunately found some cartridges which his father had thoughtfully put away to be out of sight or of reach for the children. While playing with it, strange as it was, the cartridge discharged, shot him through the chest, the bullet lodging near the spine.

He was rushed to the hospital, where the Doctors gave hopes for recovery, but all that skilled and loving hands could do, did not bring the desired results. He suffered intensely, yet patiently, until Wednesday morning at 6 o'clock he quietly closed his eyes in death.

He leaves his father and mother, 3 brothers, Robert, Junior and Pete, 3 sisters, Violet, Helen and Mae, grandparents, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his early departure. One grandmother, and grandfather, and 4 cousins preceded him in death. Three of his uncles are in the U.S. Armed forces and could not attend the funeral.

A precious one from us is taken,
     A voice we loved is still.
A place is vacant in our home,
     Which never can be filled.
Paul Dean we hope to meet thee,
     When the day of life is fled.

Then in Heaven with joy to greet thee
     Where no farewell tears are shed,
—Henry Koehn and family.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, April 18, in the Montezuma Mennonite church. Text by Rev. Ervin Harms, reading from Mark 10, 16; 2 Sam. 12:22-23; 2 Kings 4:26. Burial took place in the church cemetery.