Goering, Samuel J. (1892-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 May 17 p. 3

Birth date: 1892 May 17

text of obituary:

Accident Takes Life of Retired Missionary, Conference Leader

Friends and relatives from many outlying communities, as well as several different states, attended funeral services held Monday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Bethel College Church in North Newton for Rev. Sam J. Goering, 69, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident last Friday afternoon.

It was one of the largest funerals ever held in the College Church sanctuary.

Rev. Russell L. Mast, pastor of the Church, delivered the sermon, using as text Job 35:10, “Songs in the Night.” This text, he said was most fitting for the occasion in that it characterized Rev. Goering's life and confident faith in his Lord. A retired missionary, and prominent in church, college and conference affairs for nearly 30 years, Rev. Goering was affectionately known to his many friends as “Uncle Sam.”

The two-car collision involving the Goering car and one driven by Chester A. Hall, also 69, occurred Friday, about four p.m., at an open intersection three miles northwest of Newton. Haiti, a retired farmer who lives about three quarters of a mile north of the accident scene, suffered severe lacerations and multiple rib fractures, but is reported on the way to recovery at Bethel Deaconess Hospital.

Both drivers were thrown out and had to be extricated from under their cars. Rev. Goering's head and face were pinned under a rear wheel, which caused a frontal skull fracture and other internal injuries. A considerable time elapsed before an ambulance could be called and Rev. Goering already had a low heartbeat when he arrived at Bethel Deaconess Hospital. Doctors undertook heart massage but he failed to rally and did approximately an hour later.

Both cars had rolled over and were completely demolished.

Rev. Goering was born near Moundridge May 17, 1892, the son of Joseph H. and Maria (Strausz) Goering. He would have been 70 years old had he lived six days longer. June 16, 1918, he was married to Pauline Miller at Marion, S. D., and the following year they left for China as missionaries under the General Conference. They served in China until 1935, after which he became business manager of Bethel College, a position he held until 1942.

Later he again returned to China as relief commissioner under the MCC, and he and Mrs. Goering also served in the same capacity in Europe after World War II. He traveled widely in Europe, Africa and the Far East and maintained a keen interest in international developments around the world.

He was a member for several terms of the Bethel College board of directors, the Bethel Deaconess Hospital board of directors, the Foreign Mission Board, and Mennonite Press board of control. Besides being active also in other phases of church and community life, he had various farming and industrial interests.

He received his advanced education at Bethel College, Witmarsum Seminary, Bluffton, Ohio, and at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, the latter awarding him the M. A. degrees.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline; a son, Robert and family of rural Newton, a sister, Mrs. Anna Graber of Moundridge; two brothers, Adolf, Moundridge, and John and family of Burrton.

Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 May 24 p. 8

text of obituary:

REV. SAM J. GOERING

Samuel J. Goering was born May 17, 1892, near Moundridge, Kansas, the son of Joseph H. and Maria (Strausz) Goering. He early accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord, and on May 23, 1909, was baptized by Rev. N. R. Kaufman, thereby becoming a member of the Hopefield Church near Moundridge. on April 25, 1943, his membership was transferred to the Bethel College Mennonite Church where he continued a faithful and active member the remainder of his life.

His early education was received in the Moundridge community. Later he attended Bethel College, graduating in 1918 with the A.B. degree. He did some graduate work at Witmarsum Seminary at Bluffton, Ohio, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. In 1936 he received his A.M. degree from Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo.

On June 18, 1918, he married Pauline Miller of Freeman, S. D. Soon thereafter the couple left for North China under the Mennonite General Conference Foreign Mission Board. Here they spent 16 years, from 1919 to 1935, as missionaries.

During their first furlough, Robert Charles came into their lives and he has been a great joy and inspiration to them all through the years.

In 1943-44 Rev. Goering served as Relief Commissioner for the Mennonite Central Committee, investigating relief possibilities in the Orient. Soon thereafter he was sent to Europe as Relief Director for two years. This experience meant much to him because of his great concern for the needy and the homeless.

During his lifetime he served the Mennonite Church in various capacities. For five years, from 1936-1941, he was business manager of Bethel college. For 11 years, from 1948 to 1959, he served as a member of the Bethel College Board of Directors. For 11 years, from 1947 to 1959, he served as a member of the Mennonite General Conference Foreign Mission Board. For six years, from 1953-1959, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bethel Deaconess Hospital.

He, with his family, lived on the Bethel College Campus since 1938 and proved a friendly and helpful neighbor in the community. The home and family life was enriched as Jessie, now Mrs. Menno Gaeddert, and Roland Brown spent several years as part of the family while continuing their education.

Children enjoyed “Uncle Sam” as he enjoyed them. Many happy moments were spent as they shook hands, conversed, and learned to know each other. He was a lover of books and was an avid reader. He had a genuine and deep concern for people, their problems, the church, the college, the hospital, the community, those near him and far away. Many college students and others shared their concerns and aspirations with him, and often sought him out for counsel. God's great outdoors was a great joy to him as he worked in the garden and on the farm with his children.

On May 11, 1962, at about 4:00 p.m. he was fatally injured in a two-car accident northwest of Newton. He would have celebrated his 70th birthday on May 17. He is survived by his wife Pauline, a son Robert and his wife Lorene, two grandchildren Scott and Beverly Jo., all of Newton; two brothers, Adolph G. of Moundridge, and John D. and wife Martha of Burrton; one sister, Mrs. Anna Graber of Moundridge; six sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Rev. Goering was an understanding companion, a gracious father, a faithful Christian. His broad interests made his life rich and full. Of him it can be said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord . . . that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” Rev.14:13.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. May 14 at the Bethel College Church. Dr. Ed. G. Kaufman was in charge of a service in the Little Chapel, followed by services in the sanctuary in charge of Rev. Russell Mast and Rev. Robert J. Carlson. Burial was made in Greenwood Cemetery.