Guenther, John Allen (1901-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Mar 2 p. 28

Birth date: 1901 Apr 5

text of obituary:

JOHN ALLEN GUENTHER

John Allen Guenther of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 3. He was born Apr. 5, 1901 to Peter Herbert and Mary Guenther in Manitoba. He grew up in Steinbach, Man., where his father was a postmaster. He graduated from Bible Institute of Los Angeles and a Baptist seminary in California. He taught in Bible schools and elementary and secondary schools in Manitoba. In 1936 he married Anna Braun. They moved to B.C. He farmed 1946-68. He raised livestock and grew cash vegetable crops. He was a lay minister in Clearbrook and County line Churches and City Gospel Mission in Vancouver. He was a loving, devoted father who instilled in his children the value of hard work and getting a solid education. He was optimistic and productive. He had a deep, mellow baritone voice, and played hymns on the harmonica and violin. He was a keen student of the Bible; he could read the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. He enjoyed reading, research, writing, gardening, skating, swimming and visiting. He witnessed about his faith. He provided loving support to Anna. She died in 1980. He married Agnes Peters in January 1982. In retirement, he enjoyed a calm, contented, contemplative life. Agnes died in 1997. He spent the rest of his life in Tabor Home, Abbotsford. A meaningful Bible verse was John 11:25. He is mourned by his sons Victor, Allen and Harvey; daughter Helen; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 8 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Peter Dueck ministering.