Schmidt, Marvin (1911-1942)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1942 May 26 p. 14

Birth date: 1911 Dec 7

text of obituary:

Marvin Schmidt, Sohn von Abraham Schmidts, ward geboren am 7. Dez. 1911 zu Gössel, Kansas. Er erhielt eine christliche Erziehung im Elternheim und in der Schule. Als er 14 Jahre alt war, beendigte er die Distriktschule und 4 Jahre später graduierte er von der Hochschule. 1930 Pfingsten wurde er getauft auf das Bekenntnis seines Glaubens an seinen Heiland von Aeltester P. H. Richert und Glied der Tabor Gemeinde. Da er Talenta hatte in Musik und Singen, wurde er beansprucht. Auch diente er als Sonntagschullehrer. Am 20. Okt. 1936 verehelichte er sich mit Elma Ruth Frey. Zwei Söhne geboren: Robert Keith und Marvin Duane. 1937 zogen sie nach Wilson County, Kansas, wo sie eine Farm gekauft hatten. Als die Gruppe sich hier bei Fredonia vermehrte wurde auch er herangezogen zum Werk des Herrn, indem er als Sonntagsschul-Superintendent diente. Als Vater und Gatte war er friedsam und liebevoll und hatte sehr große Sorge für Heim und Familie. Der Tod übereilte ihn am 2. Mai 1942 zwischen 4 und 5 Uhr nachmittags als ein Sturm die Gebäude zerschmetterte. Seine Frau fand ihn auf den Knien tot. Alt geworden 30 Jahren, 4 Monaten, 25 Tagen. Im Ehestand gelebt 5 J. 6. M. Er hinterläßt sein betrübtis Weib, 2 Söhne, seine Eltern, 2 Brüder, 5 Schwestern, seine Schwigereltern, seine Großmutter. Zwei Brüder gingen ihm voran. Begräbnisfeier wurde gehalten am 8. Mai 1942 in der Tabor Kirche. Rev. P. H. Richert; Text 2 Thess. 2, 16 und Rev. Gustav Frey von Fredonia, Text John 13, 7, dienten. Ein Quartett sang passende Lieder. Die Leiche wurde auf dem Tabor Friedhof beigesetzt.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 May 7 p. 1

text of obituary:

Storms and Floods take Heavy Toll of Life In Widely Scattered Areas of Central West

MARVIN SCHMIDT AMONG THOSE KILLED BY TORNADO IN SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS

Devastating storms again swept through widely scattered areas in Kansas and Oklahoma during the past week, taking a heavy toll of life and property.

The first of the tornadoes to strike last week was the one at Oberlin, in northwest Kansas,where 14 persons were killed and many others injured when the violent storm leveled a number of farm homes late Thursday night. The families were asleep, unaware of the approaching storm.

Most extensive damage was done in the vicinity of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and in southeastern Kansas on Saturday. In Oklahoma the death toll was estimated between 30 and 40, with heavy property damage in the residential section of Pawhuska.

Friends in the Newton and Goessel communities were deeply grieved to hear that Marvin Schmidt, 30, farmer living five miles southwest of Fredonia, was killed in the storm which cut through that farming district late Saturday afternoon. He died almost instantly froma crushed chest and other injuries when he was hit by flying timbers in his barn. Mrs. Schmidt and the children who were in the house were not injured, although the house too was moved from its foundation.

Mr. Schmidt was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Schmidt of Goessel. He and his family had moved to Fredonia only a few years ago.

Funeral services were held at Fredonia on Tuesday, after which the body was brought to Goessel, where services will be held this afternoon (Thursday) at 1:30 at the home of his parents and at 2:30 at the Tabor church.

Mr. Schmidt is survived by his deeply sorrowing wife, who is a daughter of mr. and Mrs. Herman Frey of Fredonia, and by two sons, age two and four years.

Tragedy at Clements

From near Clements, Kansas, came the shocking news that Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Hepler were burned beyond recognition in a fire that destroyed their small farm home sometime after midnight on Friday morning.

Mrs. Hepler was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Woelk of Goessel, and a sister of Mrs. Walter Entz southeast of Newton, and Miss Hulda Woelk, a nurse at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital.

The fire resulted from an explosion of gas, according to neighbors who rushed to the scene. Mr. and Mrs. Hepler had installed a gas stove a short time ago, and it is believed that a leak somewhere might have filled the house with gas, which was later exploded by the pilot light on the kitchen range.

The first neighbor to arrive found the bodies lying face downard completely enveloped in flames and beyond possibility of rescue. The Chase county coroner said the couple evidently was overcome by gas before the blast.

The remains were brought to Goessel early this week, where funeral services were held Wednesday morning at the Goessel Mennonite church. Interment was made in the Goessel cemetery.

Surviving Mrs. Hepler are four brothers, Henry Woelk of Wichita, Alvin Woelk of Walton, Arthur Woelk of Lehigh and Eldon at home.

Mr. Hepler is survived by his father, Andrew Hepler, a brother Tom, and two sisters, Mrs. Ray Holdeman and Miss Grace Hepler.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 May 21 p. 5

text of obituary:

Marvin Schmidt

Marvin Schmidt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Schmidt, was born Dec. 7, 1911, at Goessel, Kansas. He was reared in a Christian home, was tender of heart, and consequently took up religious home training in the most childlike manner. He was obedient and loved to share with his brothers and sisters in all good offered.

He finished grade school at the age of fourteen. Four years later he graduated from high school and the same year was baptized upon the confession of faith and admitted to the Tabor church at Goessel, Kansas.

He has always been an active member in his home church. Took part in all church activities, especially in music and singing. He served as Sunday School teacher for the juniors and intermediates at the Tabor church. His musical talent made many demands on him and so kept him real busy.

On October 20, 1936, he was united in marriage to Elma Ruth Frey. To this happy union were born two sons, Robert Kieth, age 3, and Marvin Duane, age 2.

In 1937 they moved to Wilson Co., Kansas, where they had bought a farm. Here they started with all best intentions to be happy and help build the community. Here, too, Christian education was of great interest to him. When the group was enlarging, Sunday School and services were started and here, likewise, his interest in church work was appreciated and put to work again serving as Sunday School superintendent at the time of his death. As a father and husband he was always peaceful and loving and was much concerned about the welfare of his home and family.

Death overtook him May 2, 1942, between 4 and 5 o'clock P. M. when a windstorm demolished the buildings. When his wife came out of the house after the storm, she found her husband on his knees, dead.

He leaves to mourn his too early departure his wife, two children, his parents, two brothers, Harlow and Eldon; 5 sisters, Verna, Emma, Nola, Viola, and Lu Etta; his parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Frey; 2 brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, his grandmother, Mrs. Peter Schmidt, one grandmother-in-law, one niece and one nephew; many uncles, aunts and cousins and countless friends. Two brothers have preceded him in death.

Death has robbed us of our daddy
Whom we loved and cherished dear;
Can we help but shed a tear?
Yes, we miss him, Oh! we miss him!
When we see his vacant chair;
And how sad the room without him
For there is no daddy there.
Oft' we think we hear him coming;
Coming through the open door.
Then we tearfully remember
Daddy will come back no more.
Daddy's work on earth is ended,
Faithful was the cross he bore
Now his loving soul's ascended
Over to fair Canaan's shore
Farewell, dear daddy, your labor's are o'er,
You willing hands will toil no more,
Peaceful by thy slumber, thy rest be sweet,
Our circle is broken, our home incomplete.

Funeral services were held at the Tabor Mennonite church on Friday, May 8, at 2:30 P. M. The Rev. P. H. Richert officiated and was assisted by Rev. Gustav Frey of Fredonia. Texts were II Thess. 2:16 and John 13:7, respectively. A quartet sang at the services and at the grave, "Asleep in Jesus." Burial was made it [sic] the Tabor Cemetery under the direction of G. H. Bergen of Goessel. — Copied from the original by D. S. Thiesen, Tabor church secretary and correspondent.

The Mennonite obituary: 1942 Jul 7 p. 6