Miller, Christian W. (1853-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 24 p. 1

Birth date: 1853 Oct 23

text of obituary:

Called by Death at Age 103

SERVICES FOR C. W. MILLER HELD SUNDAY AT HESSTON CHURCH

Hesston, Kan. -- Funeral services were held at the Hesston Mennonite Church last Sunday for Christian W. Miller, former Hesston resident who died Thursday, Jan. 17, at the age of 103. Death came at the Moots Hospital in Pryor, Okla.

A native of Holmes County, Ohio, where he was born Oct. 23, 1853, Mr. Miller was believed to be among the oldest members of the Mennonite Church. Although failing in physical strength and confined to a wheel chair for some months, his mind remained clear until his death.

The family resided near Canton in McPherson County, Kan. for a number of years where he engaged in farming and also served as minister of the Spring Valley Mennonite Church. Upon retirement they moved to Hesston, and Mrs. Miller died here in 1938. In 1939 he and his daughter Fanny moved to Adair, Okla. where she continued to care for him until a short time before his death.

Surviving are five children, 24 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. The children are Mrs. Ella Weaver of Newton, Charles D. miller, Seneca, Mo., Fanny Miller of Adair, Okla., Herman R. Miller of Newton and Mrs. Mildred Janzen of Tulsa, Okla.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 31 p. 8

CHRISTIAN W. MILLER

Christian W. Miller, son of Solomon and Barbara (Schrock) Miller, was born in Holmes County, Ohio on October 23, 1853; departed this life Jan. 17, 1957, at the Moot's Hospital, Pryor, Okla., aged 103 years, two months and 25 days.

He moved with his parents to Indiana when a small boy. At the age of 21 years he came out west and grew up with the country. These experiences remained clear in his mind up to the last.

On Jan. 31, 1882, he was married to Catherine Landes at McPherson, Kansas. This home was cheered by seven children, the oldest son dying at birth and a daughter at the age of five. Those remaining are: Mrs. Ella Weaver, Newton, Kansas; Charles D. of Seneca, Mo., Fannie Pearl, who made a home for him; H. Ray of Newton, Kansas; and Mrs. Mildred Janzen of Tulsa, Okla. His family also includes 24 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Soon after his marriage he was converted and made his church home with the Spring Valley Congregation near Canton, Kansas. Here he was ordained to the ministry and served the congregation until he moved to Hesston with his family in 1909. He and his family became charter members of the Hesston College congregation when it was organized. His wife died in 1938. In 1939 he moved to Adair, Okla. where he spent most of the rest of his life.

His determination and zeal were a challenge to many of us. In his nineties he still walked nearly two miles to church on Sunday mornings. He was active about the home until the last year during which he spent much time in the wheel chair. He was not bedfast until he entered the hospital Dec. 26, where he peacefully fell asleep three weeks later.

Funeral services at Adair were in charge of Richard Birky, at the Hesston Mennonite Church in charge of Milo Kauffman and Earl Buckwalter. Burial was made at the Spring Valley Mennonite Cemetery near Canton, Kansas.