Nickel, Peter E. (1872-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 12 p. 3

Birth date: 1872 Jan 13

text of obituary:

Retired Minister of M. B. Church Dies

SERVICES HELD AT REEDLEY FOR REV. PETER E. NICKEL, 87,

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services for Rev. Peter E. Nickel, 87, well-known retired minister of the Mennonite Brethren church, were held at the Reedley M. B. Church on March 4. He died at the Mennonite Home for Aged here March 1 after a long illness.

A native of Russia, Rev. Nickel came to the Hillsboro, Kan. community at the early age. There he was ordained to the ministry and served as pastor of the Hillsboro M. B. Church for 23 years. He was active in home missions work of the Southern District Conference and served on the Tabor College Board of Directors.

Surviving are his wife, Pauline; four sons and four daughters; two sisters, Mrs. John Duerksen of Fairview, Okla. and Mrs. John C. Friesen of Reedley; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

REV. PETER E. NICKEL

Peter E. Nickel, our loving husband and father, the son of Jonathan and Aganetha Nickel, was born in South Russia on Jan. 13, 1872. When he was but a child, his parents brought him to the United States of America and they made their home in Kansas.

On Oct. 3, 1894, he was united in holy matrimony with our mother, then Pauline Hadel. This union, which lasted 64 years, four months and 28 days, was blessed with 10 children, six sons and four daughters. One son, Daniel passed away in infancy, and one son, Harry, passed away last year at Delano, Calif.

After our parents were married they moved to Fairview, Okla., where they suffered great hardships in their pioneer life. It was during this time of poverty that they turned to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as their personal Savior. They were baptized on May 6, 1897, and united with the Mennonite Brethren Church for fellowship.

The family moved back to Hillsboro, Kansas, where father was very active in the church. The result of this was that the church elected him into the ministry. He was ordained by the Hillsboro Church after which he served as their pastor for almost 25 years.

In 1937 our parents moved to Reedley, Calif. and united with the Mennonite Brethren Church. Here father was active for a number of years in the church council and also served as assistant to the church leader.

The last years of his life were spent in the Reedley Home for the Aged. Father enjoyed an active life and comparatively good health. However, the last several years he had been bedfast, and during this time had a great longing to go home and be with the Lord. The Lord called him Sunday morning, March 1, 1959, and said “Come up higher.” We rejoice to know that he has been delivered and is safe with his Master. He reached the age of 87 years, one month, and 18 days.

Those who remain and stand by in this time of sorrow are: his wife, Mrs. Pauline Nickel; four sons, Roy of Barstow, Calif., Herb of Wasco, Calif.; Benny of Reedley, and Jona of Shafter, Calif.; four daughters, Verna, Mrs. Charles Dahlke of Lehigh, Kansas, Alice, Mrs. C. R. Dickhut of Covina, Calif., Esther, Mrs. Lester Gordon of Delano, Calif., and Leah, Mrs. Al Wengeler of Hollister, Calif.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. John G. Duerksen of Fairview, Okla. and Mrs. John C. Friesen of Reedley.

The memorial service was held in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church on Wednesday, March 4, at 2:00 p. m., with Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. H. R. Wiens officiating. — The Family.