Schmidt, Johann (1854-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 May 19 p. 5

Birth date: 1854 Feb 15

text of obituary:

. . .

— The widely known Johann Schmidt, 95 year old pioneer farmer of the Goessel community, died Monday, May 16, at 11:50 a. m. at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. B. Neuman in Hillsboro. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 19, at 1:00 o’clock at the Neuman home and at 2:30 in the Alexanderwohl church. Besides his aged wife, Mr. Schmidt is survived by 10 children and their families.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 May 26 p. 3

Text of obituary:

JOHANN SCHMIDT

Johann Schmidt, son of Jacob and Helena Schroeder Schmidt, was born Feb. 15, 1854, in the village of Alexanderwohl, South Russia. His education was received in the Alexanderwohl village school under C. F. Wedel, father of Prof. C. H. Wedel, the first president of Bethel college.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer June 17, 1872, and joined the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church.

In the great immigration of Mennonites to the United States in 1874 he also immigrated with his parents and sisters and brothers, and they made their home in Marion county, Kansas, one mile east of Goessel, Kansas. His father suffered greatly with rheumatism and as a lad of 20 years he had to take over the responsibilities and labors of the home. He also endured the hardships of the pioneer days.

On Dec 15, 1881, he was married to Helena Funk, with whom he shared life’s joys and sorrows for over 68 years. They made their home with the parents in order to be able to take care of them in their old age and infirmities. In this home they lived over 60 years. This union was blessed with eleven children. In later years, due to illness, the parents made their home with their children in Marion and Hillsboro.

When the Bethesda hospital was founded he served for many years on different committees of the institution and devoted much labor and time to the hospital and old folks home. For many years he served as songleader of the Alexanderwohl church. He also served as a trustee for a number of years. In 1905 he with Bro. B. H. Friesen (deceased) were elected as deacons and ordained. At the same time Rev. P. P. Buller was also ordained evangelist. The departed was very diligent in his duties as deacon of this large church and made many visitations and errands of mercy for the needy and distressed.

In the home he was a loving father, a careful provider for the material and spiritual things of life. Hardly ever a day closed when he did not pray and intercede for his family, asking the Lord that none may be lost. He loved to sing. His songs will ever remain a memory to the family.

He enjoyed good health and the Lord blessed him with a long life. The parents were able to celebrate the Silver, Golden, Diamond and also the 65th anniversaries of their married life.

On Feb. 6, 1942, he became seriously ill with intestinal flu and had to remain in bed for over a year. Our mother and father considered it a great blessing that they could make their home with their daughter Anna and her husband, B. B. Neumann, for over seven years, both in Marion and Hillsboro, Kans.

The departed rallied again sufficiently to be able to walk with a cane. However on June 8, 1947, he fell and broke his hip, from which he never recovered entirely but was made bedfast until his death. This was a great test of faith for him. In his time of leisure he recited verses of the Word of God and songs that he had learned in his youth.

Also in his life came days of testing and trials. In 1917 one of his daughters-in-law passed away, leaving twins. The parents took into their home one of these grandchildren, Susie, (Mrs. Dan Hershberger), who was a great joy for them. He was greatly grieved over the sudden death of his brother-in-law, Gerhard W. Funk, who died April 26, 1949.

During his stay in Hillsboro with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Neumann, he treasured greatly the many visits of ministers, deacons, and friends of the church, and the Sunday morning visits of the Tabor college students. The songs rendered, the flowers given, the cards of sympathy sent, gave him great encouragement and enjoyment. May the Lord bless all who had part.

He was very patient in his illness until his death. In the forenoon of May 16, 1949, he was called home in death, reaching the age of 95 years, three months, and one day.

He leaves to mourn his departure his deeply sorrowing life’s companion, who has also nearly reached the 90th year, the children, Helena, Mr. and Mrs. P. V. Unrau, Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. William Schmidt, (Anna) Mrs. B. B. Neumann, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Herman F. Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Simon F. Schmidt, Agnes, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Y. Schmidt, Katherine, Mr. and Mrs. Paul K. Funk, Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. Peter I. Goertz; 60 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and many relatives and friends.

One daughter at the age of eleven, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, one grandchild and all of his sisters and brothers preceded him in death.

“Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.”

Services were held May 19, 1949, in the B. B. Neumann home in Hillsboro and in the Alexanderwohl church, in charge of Rev. Phil. A. Wedel assisted by Rev. C. C Wedel and Rev. P. P. Buller. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 Jun 14 p. 11