Dirks, Harry (1927-1970)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Feb 06 p. 30

Birth date: 1927 Dec 27

text of obituary:

HARRY DIRKS AND CHILDREN

Harry Dirks of Black Creek, British Co'lumbia, was born on December 27, 1927, at Stephen~ield, Manitoba, and passed on to be with the Lord on January 3, 1970. His parents are Jacob and Ma,ria (nee Warkentin) Dkks. They moved to B'la·ck Creek in 1935. Ea:rly 'in his youth he accepted Ch~ist as his Sa~iour and was baptized on the confession of his fa'ith when he wa's 18.

On May 8, 1949, he was married to Ruth Unruh, whom he met whi,le attend- 'ing the Bethel Bible Inst'itutein Abbotsford. T'he'ir marriage was blessed with ,five chi'ldren: David, 18, b 0 r n January 9, 1951; A,rthur, 17,born March 19, 1952; Timothy, 15, ,born October 21, 1954; Grade-Ann, 11, born February 12, 1958; and Linda, 9, born March 25, 1960, and one adopted son, John, 6 years old

On January 3, 1970, Harry and his five oldest chi'ldren, Jim Falk, and Heidi Meyers, went on a p,lea,sure cruise to Toba Inlet. They expected to be home by 5:30 p.m., for a family supper. They did not return.

After an intens'ive s'earch, the bodies were ,found on January 5, wearing their life jackets and roped together in two groups of three and four. The body of Heidi at the time of this writing had not been recovered.

In 1954 Harry and hIs brother, Werner, started a construction company, in which he rema'ined until his dearth. He was always very much concerned abo'ut the Lord's work, the spiritual we'ifa~e of his chHdren and that they shou"d learn to love the Lord and serve him. He was particularly concerned that souls should be won to the Lord du~ing a forthcoming Barry Moore Crusade.

Harry enjoyed taking his famHy on boating and camping trips for relaxation. Occasional:ly they would also make an extended trip to vari'ous parts of the co,untry with the who·le family pa,rticipating.

Son David accepted Christ as his Savior at home when stilil quite yo'ung. After being a camper at Camp Homewood for several years, 'hea'ttended a Counselor-in-Training course which afforded him an opportunity for servi'ce. It was his desire to serve the Lord wherever he would ·Iead. He was baptized on his confes·sion o'f faith in 1968 and be'came a member of the Mennonite Brethren Chu~ch at Black Creek.

After completing Grade 12 at the George P. Vanier Schoo·1 this pas t summer, David commenced his Bible studies at MBBI. His first semes'ter was an enri'ching experience spiritually and increased his love for music and s·inging. Re'cently he had menti'oned that he looked forwalrd to being with his Savior throughout etemi,ty. Arthur also a'ttended Camp Homewood, where he found Christ as his Savior. He especially appreciated the Bible studies and the trips on the sa'ill'boat. He a'iso possessed a keen ,interest in 'exploring the coastline with his father.

Arthur was taking his Grade 12 in the George P. Vanier schoo,," I,t was his desire to study the Word of God and H've by it. He was bapt>ized on the confess.ion of his fa'ithin 1968 and received into the feillowship o,f the Mennonite Brethren Church.

Tim accepted Christ as his Savior at home. Camp Homewood also cont'ributed to his spiritual growth. Sa,i,I'ing and boating with his f8'ther, as weB as hockey and football, were only a few of Tim's interests. He particularly enjoyed his Grade 10 studies in the Courtenay School.

Another child who accepted her Savior at home was Gracie. Camp Homewood was allways a tremendous experience for her and strengthened her faith and des'ire to be an obedien,t Christ,ian. Bes'ides her keen interest in books, she also exercis·edth e same spirit in voll ey baH and swimming. Gracie was in Grade 6 in the Black Creek Elementary school.

Linda's h ea rt was 'in her singing, and she could express this joy ,in pnrticipating in th e junior cho'if. Sh e attended Camp Homewood VII her e Christ received entrance into her heart and life. Memorizing Scripture was a vital part of her experience there. She w as a Grade 4 student in t he Black Creek Elementary School.

They leave to mourn Ruth, wife and mother, and one son John, the parents and grandparents, Mr. ':lnd Mrs. Jacob Dirks and Mr. and Mrs. John Unruh, all of Black Creek; two brothers, Wa'iter, Cecil Lake, B.C.; Werner, Black Creek, and three sisters, Mrs. Erika Cot:treH, Princeton; Mrs. frieda UnrUh, Farming - ton, B.C.; Mrs. Lily Meyer, Black Creek, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral service's were held on Saturday, January 10, at 2 p.m. in the Mennonite Brethren Church at B'lack Creek