Pauls, Curtis Duane (1940-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 May 7 p.

Birth date: 1940 May 15

text of obituary:

CURTIS DUANE PAULS

Curtis Duane Pauls, son of Curt W. and Frances Gerbrand Pauls, was born May 15, 1940, at Hutchinson, Kansas, and went to be with the Lord on April 10, 1953, reaching the age of 12 years, 10 months and 26 days.

When “Curty" was one month old his parents moved to a farm southwest of Adams, Okla., where he has lived his short span of life with his parents and sister.

He attended the Sunday School at the Mennonite Brethren church, and was a member of the 7th grade in the Adams public school.

On March 27, the last evening of the revival meetings conducted by Rev. Waldo Wiebe in the Mennonite Brethren church, he realized he was not right with the Lord, and that there was only one way to be ready to die, and go to heaven and that was by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. He responded to the altar call and that evening he received the assurance that his sins were forgiven and that he was a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ and his death on Calvary’s Cross. This was exactly two weeks before his sudden death. He gave witness of the new life in Jesus in various ways, which is a great comfort to the members of the family at this time. “Curty” was always a healthy child and possessed a fine, pleasant disposition which won for him many friends.

On Friday morning, April 10, at about 10:30, while at school in Adams, he met with an accident, whereby the Lord saw fit to take him out of this life.

He leaves to mourn his early departure, his parents, one sister, Carol, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pauls of Buhler, Kansas, and Mrs. B. B. Gerbrand, also of Buhler, Kansas; two uncles and aunts, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gerbrand of Buhler, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Herb R. Kroeker of Missoula, Montana; one great-grandfather, and step great-grandmother, five cousin and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Curtis were conducted Monday afternoon, April 13, at the Mennonite Brethren church with the pastor, Rev. M. R. Schimnowski, officiating.

A brief service was held in the Roberts Brothers Chapel in Hooker, where the immediate members of the family and relatives were gathered. The men’s octet from the church sang “There Is A Balm In Gilead” after which the pastor spoke on the text taken from II Cor. 5:1-10.

In the church the Men’s quartet sang “In Times Like These” after which the pastor spoke on the importance of heeding the voice of the Lord. The men’s octet then sang “Where Could I Go But To The Lord.” Rev. Fred Marks, pastor of the Adams Baptist church, led in the closing prayer.

At the graveside services the octet sang “Safe In The Arms of Jesus” and the pastor read a part of the 15th chapter of I Cor. showing the hope of the resurrection of the human body through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Between four and five hundred people were present to show their sympathy to the bereaved family.