Janz, Arthur (1926-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Dec 1 p. 15

Birth date: 1926 Aug 24

text of obituary:

Congo mission worker, AIMM leader dies at 82

GOSHEN, Inc. — Arthur Janz, a missionary in Congo for 18 years and a longtime staff member with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, died Nov. 17 at Greencroft Healthcare after a 15-month battle with cancer. He was 82.

After being ordained and commissioned by the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference in Steinbach, Man., Janz served with his wife, Martini in Congo from 1951 to 1969.

Returning to North America, he served in the AIMM office in Elkhart until 1991, when he retired as associate executive secretary. He continued working part time with AIMM until 1994 and volunteered with AIMM until December 2007.

He served churches in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in Steinbach and in the panhandle of Oklahoma.

He was a member of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart for more than 30 years and an associate member of Steinbach EMB Church, his supporting congregation during a lifetime of ministry.

He was born Aug. 24, 1926, in Steinbach to Benjamin P. and Katherina (Barkman) Janz.

On Sept. 1, 1946, he married Martini Reimer in Steinbach. She survives.

Other survivors include three sons, Larry Janz and his wife, Sue A. Markley, of Elkhart, Mark Janz and his wife, Debra VanEnglen, of Alta Loma, Calif., and Bruce and his wife, Ann Campbell-Janz of Lancaster, Pa.; two daughters, Joanne Janz and Brenda Janz Hoover and her fiance, Randy Yoran, both of Ocean Springs, Miss.; a sister, Katherine Janz Regier of Steinbach,; two brothers, Walter Janz of Dallas, ore., and Alvin Janz of Steinbachc; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Helen Brandt, Annie Kreutzer and Lydia Regehr, and three brothers, Peter, Benjamin and John Janz.

Funeral services were held at Prairie Street Mennonite Church of Elkhart. Burial was in Prairie Street Cemetery.