Naffziger, Joseph Daniel (1887-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Nov 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1887

text of obituary:

. . .

— Word was received here that J. D. Naffziger, 83, well known retired farmer and stockman of Harper, died Nov. 20 at the Harper Hospital. The funeral was conducted Monday forenoon at the Crystal Springs Mennonite Church, with Rev. Earl Buckwalter officiating. Mr. Naffziger was a native of Hickory County, Missouri and had lived in the Harper area since 1913. Survivors include his wife, Nora; son, Roy, of Crystal Springs; two daughters, Marie Naffziger of Greensburg and Mrs. Josephine Schmidt of Harper.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Dec 24 p. 11

text of obituary:

JOSEPH D. NAFFZIGER

Joseph Daniel Naffziger, son of Christian and Mary (Rich) Naffziger, was born in Hickory County, Missouri, on Nov. 12, 1887, and died at the Harper, Kan. Hospital on Nov. 20, 1970 after a long illness, aged 83 years, eight days.

When Joe was 12 years old his father died, leaving him as the eldest child to share with his mother the responsibility in their farming interests in Missouri. His mother took her four children and moved to Holden, Mo. to live with her brother, Dan Rich, where they lived six years. In 1907 they moved to Crystal Springs, Kan. where Joe lived until his death.

Joe operated a threshing crew in his early years and had farming interests until his retirement in 1960.

On Nov. 19, 1914 at Millersburg, Ohio he was married to Nora Mast, and they shared 56 years of married life. To this union were born three children: Marie Naffziger, Greensburg, Kan.; Mrs. Josephine Schmidt, Harper, Kan.; and Roy Naffziger, Crystal Springs. Also surviving are one daughter-in-law, Phoebe Naffziger, eight grandchildren, and one sister, Minnie Swartzendruber, Harper.

Joe was very interested in the welfare of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed being with the grandchildren, playing games with them, listening to them sing, and making small woodwork items for them.

He was converted and baptized in the Mennonite Church in Johnson County, Missouri, and later transferred his membership to the Crystal Springs Mennonite Church where he attended faithfully as long as his health permitted. He served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent for many years.

The months of November and December were always exciting at the Naffzigers, with birthdays, anniversaries, and the holidays. Joe lived to see his 83rd birthday and his 56th anniversary, but left the spirit of his memory to dwell with the family this Thanksgiving and Christmas while he spends the holidays with his Heavenly Father.