Wedel, John W. (1864-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Oct 29 p. 6

Birth date: 1865 Jan 6

text of obituary:

. . .

— J. W. Wedel, 88, died at his home in the Goessel community early Monday morning. He was a retired farmer. Funeral services were announced for Wednesday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church. Surviving are three daughters, Frieda Wedel of Goessel, Mrs. Louise Dirks of Burrton and Mrs. Susie Schmidt of Canton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Nov 5 p. 9

text of obituary:

JOHN W. WEDEL

John W. Wedel, son of Heinrich and Katharina Wiebe Wedel, was born in South Russia Jan. 6, 1865. He was the sixth of eleven children of the family and outlived all of his brothers and sisters. He came to the U. S. with his family from Ladekop, South Russia in 1878 and settled in their new home in Marion county, Kansas one and one-half miles south of Goessel.

He received some of his elementary education in South Russia, but after the migration attended the Gordon School here in America.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer Sept. 19, 1883, by Rev. Jacob Buller and joined the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church, whose faithful member he remained until his death.

He was united in marriage to Katherine Schmidt on April 3, 1898. To this union four children were born. However, after nine years the mother was suddenly taken in death, leaving her husband and three children ages 5, 7, and 8 years. A little son by the name of Henry preceded his mother at the age of 2 ½ years.

In 1910 Mr. Wedel was married to Agatha Eitzen of Mt. Lake, Minn., with whom he shared life’s joys and sorrows for 39 years. She was taken in death March 10, 1949.

The departed was a farmer by occupation and lived all of his life on the farm with the exception of his declining years, when he lived with his family in Goessel, Kans. He too experienced pioneer hardships because of poverty and the task of starting a new home in a new world. Illness and suffering also came into his family periodically, but he always looked to his Redeemer Jesus Christ in whom he had implicit faith to help him carry the burdens and trials of life. He was a faithful church attendent [sic] as long as his health permitted.

He had been bedfast for two years and four months, and had been in the same room for the same length of time being nursed and ministered to by his faithful daughter Frieda. He suffered a stroke about two years ago and again about two weeks ago. The last stroke weakened him greatly, and he became weaker and passed to his reward on Oct. 26, 1953 at 9:00 a.m., reaching the age of 88 years, nine months and 20 days.

He leaves to mourn his death, Frieda of the home, Louise, Mrs. Peter Dirks and family of Burrton, Ks., Susie, Mrs. P. H. Schmidt and family of Canton, Ks.; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, two sons-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends. He was also the uncle of Rev. Irvin Wedel, who has an extensive mission work among the Negroes near Jackson, Miss.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:8.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Dr. D. C. Wedel, from the home and also at the Alexanderwohl church, Oct. 28, 1953. The Voth quartet sang at the services.