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Ratzlaff, Paul Jonas (1907-1928)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1928 Sep 5 p. 1
Birth date: 1907 Dec 24
text of obituary:
Son of Reverend J. J. Ratzlaff Dies Sunday of Injuries Sustained Saturday.
Paul Ratzlaff, 21, son of Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff of this city, formerly of Goltry, Oklahoma, died at 10:45 Sunday morning from injuries he received at 5:45 Saturday afternoon when his car was side swiped by another car coming from the south or west 17 miles south of Newton.
Paul was evidently traveling at a considerable speed going south on the Kansas avenue pavement on his way to Enid, Oklahoma, when his car was hit by the other car coming from the west just south of the Frisco crossing three miles north of Wichita. Paul was alone but the other car was driven by Thomas Cobb, 45, foreman for the Wichita Union stockyards company. With him were Mr. and Mrs. Claude Wiley also of Wichita. Ratzlaff's car was entirely demolished when it hit a row of mail boxes along the side of the pavement. He himself received terrible cuts all over his body and suffered a fractured skull. Mr. Cobb escaped into a cornfield and has not yet been found though Wichita police conducted a thorough search.
Those first arriving on the scene found Paul lying 100 feet away from his car. He had evidently been thrown out by the first impact. He was hurried to Wichita in an abulance [sic] but never regained consciousness.
A funeral was held Monday afternoon at the Bethel College chapel and interment was made to-day near Meno, Oklahoma. Hundreds of friends and relatives were present Monday, to show their sympathy and respect for the sorrowing in their hour of bereavement.
Paul was employed by Mr. W. J. Rich as Maytag mechanic. He was of a cheery disposition and well-liked by numerous friends in this city. A vomplete {sic] obituary follows herewith.
Paul Jonas Ratzlaff, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, was born Dec. 24, 1907, at Meno, Okla. He grew to manhood in the home of his parents. He graduated from the grade school in 1923. The next three years he attended the High School in Goltry, Okla., and in 1927 graduated from the Bethel college academy.
He was baptized May 31, 1925, upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ with a large class of converts at the Goltry, Okla., Mennonite church by his father who as then serving that church as minister, and he remained a member of that church until his death.
Two years ago he moved with his parents and three sisters to Newton, where he attended Bethel college the first year. During the summer months of 1927 he worked on a threshing machine in Oklahoma in his home community and early in the fall he and three boys took a trip to the Yellowstone National park. After that he worked for W. K. Smith in the drug store at Newton a short while and late in the fall started to work for the Rich mercantile company of Newton where he was liked very much. He was service man in the May-Tag washing machine department and special salesman. He was a willing worker, dependable, honest and true to his employer.
Sept. 1, about five o'clock in the afternoon he started to go to Oklahoma in his Cabriole coupe to get his girl friend wh planned to attend Bethel college this year. He left home with the warning of his mother, "Paul, look out for an accident." Joyful, as he always was, he he backed onto Main street, his parents taking a last look after him in his natural way of leaving home.
Before he reached Wichita he met with an accident. As nearly as the facts can be learned, a Ford coupe coming from a side road, 17 miles south of Newton, ran into the side of his car at an intersection road, causing a crash that was fatal to the Newton young man. He was rushed to St. Francis hospital at Wichita, where his youth and vitality fought with death until 10:45 Sunday morning when death was victorious.
His parents, one brother, four sisters, one brother-in-law, two nieces, one nephew and one grandmother mourn and cannot realize the untimely horrible death of the loving, friendly, joyful and cheering son and brother whom they hope they will meet in glory with God in heaven. he was loved by all, leaving a host of relatives and friends who sympathize with the sorrow-stricken family. He reached the age of 20 years, eight months and nine days.
Short services were held in the Bethel college chapel Monday in order that the many friends and relatives in and near Newton might pay their last tribute to him. A quartette sang, after which Rev. H. Riesen read Scripture and led in prayer. Rev. H. A. Fast preached a short sermon and the quartette sang two more number. A large number of people gathered to sympathize with those who mourn the great loss of one so dear. Paul was accompanied to Meno, Okla., Tuesday evening, where this afternoon services were held in the Mennonite church and the body laid to rest.
