Wedel, Jonas J. (1884-1940)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1940 Feb 20 p. 12

Birth date: 1884 Feb 7

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Jan 3 P. 5

text of obituary:

— Jonas J. Wedel, well-known farmer whose home is one mile west of Walton, died this morning at the Bethel Hospital. He was brought to the hospital in a serious condition on New Year's morning suffering from a kidney disease and all that doctors could do proved of no avail. Funeral services will be held at the Emmanuel Mennonite church north of Moundridge, of which he was a member, at two o'clock Friday afternoon, Jan. 5. The funeral will be conducted by Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff of Newton and Rev. J. H. Epp of Hillsboro.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Jan 10 p. 2

Jonas J. Wedel

Jonas J. Wedel, son of Peter C. and Helena Hiebert Wedel, was born February 7, 1884, near Galva, McPherson county, Kansas. Here on the farm with his parents he received his education in the nearby district school called the Union district. After receiving catechetical instruction with a class of 18 members, he was baptized upon confession of faith in Christ Jesus as his Savior and Redeemer, on June 17, 1904, by the Rev. Peter Balzer, Elder of the Alexanderwohl church. He joined the Canton, now the Emmanuel Mennonit [sic] church, of which he was a true and faithful member all his life. He has served in various offices of the church and was elected as member of the trustee's committee at the annual meeting held in December.

On January 1, 1906, he was joined in holy wedlock with Karolina Koehn, daughter of Jacob Koehn, the Rev. Peter Goertz performing the ceremony.

This union was blessed with four sons. The oldest, Wesley, died through an accident when he was a little more than a year old.

After a happy married life of 19 years and 22 days his dear wife passed away on January 23, 1925, leaving him with three motherless sons, the youngest being only 10 years old.

After eleven years as a widower he found a life companion in Mrs. Bartel, nee Anna Schroeder, of Reedley, California. they were joined in holy matrimony on May 5, 1936, the Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff performing the ceremony. She was a loving, true and quiet mother in the home and it could be easily observed that they enjoyed a Christian home life. But it could be for only a short duration.

He has always lived in McPherson county, Kansas, except since August 1938, when they moved to a place one and one-half miles west of Walton, Kansas.

He has never enjoyed the best of health and had three serious operations which seemed to improve his health, but never fully relieved him of his illness. This malady was victorious over the otherwise strong body, and after three weeks of suffering and treatment by a doctor, he was taken to the Bethel hospital on New Years day. Here he quietly passed away on January 3, at seven o'clock that morning. Released of all pain as one redeemed of the Lord, he could enter into eternal rest, for which he was longing.

He attained the age of 55 years, 10 months and 26 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his dear wife, who with him shared for 3 years, 7 months and 28 days the joys and sorrows of his life; 3 sons, Clinton and Cecil Wedel and their little daughter, Phyllis; Howard and Lorena Wedel and their son, Kenneth; and Dayton at home; his dear old mother; 2 brothers, Eben P. and Martin P.; 9 sisters, Karolina, Mrs. Henry T. Unruh; Rachel, Mrs. David B. Unruh; Mary, Mrs. Ludwig C. Decker; Susie, Mrs. Fred F. Just; Agnes, Mrs. Jonas W. Decker; Lillian, Mrs. Louis J. Thomas; Sadie, Mrs. Dan Dalke; and Ruth with her mother.

His father and four brothers preceded him in death, two in their childhood and Ormond six years ago and Frank a year ago. Many close relatives and a host of friends hope to meet him in glory for the eternal joy there.

Funeral services were held on January 5, 1940. At the home Rev. J. M Regier, who was pastor of the Reedley, California, church when Mrs. Wedel lived at Reedley, brought a comforting message. At the Emmanuel church Rev. J. H. Epp and Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff conducted the services. The body was laid to rest in the church cemetery. A double quartet served with appropriate songs at the home, church and cemetery. — The Family.