Nickel, John A. F. (1890-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 9 p. 8

Birth date: 1890 Sep 7

text of obituary:

JOHN A. F. NICKEL

John A. F. Nickel, the son of John J. and Katherina (Neufeld) Nickel, was born on Sept. 7, 1890, in Marion County, Kansas, and departed this life on Dec. 24, 1957, in Reedley, Calif. He reached the age of 67 years, three months and 17 days.

When he was but a little child his parents filed a claim in Major County, Okla., and moved to the Fairview community with their family. Later, when he was 11, they moved to Corn, Okla. He grew to manhood on a farm in that community. His formal education was meager due to the pioneer conditions of that day. It was here, while he was but a young lad, that he recognized his need as a sinner and accepted Christ as his Savior. Soon after this he was baptized and became a member of the local Mennonite Brethren Church.

In this community he also met Miss Susanna Koop, and on August 18, 1912, they were united in holy wedlock. This union was blessed with six sons and two daughters. One son, Ray Victor, died when nearly two years of age.

They farmed in the Corn community for five years, and in 1917 moved to Hillsboro, Kansas. They lived in Kansas for two years where he worked as a mechanic.

In the next eight years they lived in a number of different places where he was employed at various jobs. In 1925 they returned to Hillsboro and lived there for more than nine years. In 1934 they moved to Reedley, Calif. where they have lived since.

He was a hard worker up to the last week of his life. His health had been failing for some time, and he experienced a good deal of weakness. He thought it was due to an improper balance of insulin since he had a diabetic condition.

He took severely ill in the forenoon of Tuesday, Dec. 24. The doctor diagnosed it as a heart condition. At noon he was taken to the local hospital and that night he quietly slipped away. In the afternoon he left the testimony that his relationship with the Lord was in order and that he was ready to go if the Lord so willed it.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Mrs. Susanna Nickel, and seven children, Cleo Nickel of Fresno, Calif., Hilda, Mrs. David Phipps of Daly City, Calif., Edgar Nickel, Wesley Nickel, and Clemens Nickel all of Reedley, Mabel, Mrs. Amos Demurjian and Eugene Nickel both of Fresno; two sons-in-law; five daughters-in-law; 17 grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. P. H. Kroker, Shalfter, Calif.

The funeral was held Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10:00 a. m. in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. Rev. H. R. Wiens and Rev. G. B. Huebert officiated. A male quartet sang. — The Family.