Banwar, Puran A. (1912-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jun 10 p. 5

Date of Birth: 1912
Date of Death: 1971

text of obituary:

India Church Leader Dies

Newton, Kan. — News of the sudden death of Rev. Puran A. Banwar was received here recently. He died in Ambikapur, M.P., India, on Saturday, May 22. The funeral was held the following day.

Rev. Banwar was the pastor and evangelist-in-charge of the entire work of the General Conference Mennonite Church in the new area in Surguja, Madhya Pradesh, India. He had been serving in his capacity as elder and leader of the young church in Surguja for more than 15 years. Under his leadership, the church has more than doubled in membership.

He also was instrumental in starting a primary school in one of the remote villages. In addition to that he used his own home, plus buildings adjoining it, to house more than a dozen village children in Ambikapur to make it possible for them to attend middle school and high school. He was also used of the Lord in a great way to help lessen the dreadful effects of the three famine years in the mid-sixties.

Bro. Banwar came to America to study at Bethel College in 1947-48. He had served as administrator of the Bethesda Leprosy Home, Champa, M.P., India, and later also as Bible teacher in the Union Bible School, Janjgir, M.P., India.

At his death, he left behind his widow, Lilly Banwar, two sons and one daughter, two sisters and one brother. He had become an able leader and administrator in the church conference in India, and it will be difficult to fill his place.

A group of friends who knew Puran gathered for a memorial service in North Newton, on May 27. — Rev. Lubin W. Jantzen.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Jun 29 p. 431

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
India
Son of Joseph and Trophenia Banwar
Married Lily _____
Minister
Manager -- Bethesda Leper Home & Hospital, Champa

Bethel alumni note:
Bethel College BA 1948

Photo holdings:
Individual -- 2 poses
Individual (in Indian dress)
Individual -- 1948 Graymaroon p. 29
Individual -- Berne, Indiana 1947 (from Ferd Ediger collection 2003)
With mother and 7 siblings
With wife -- from GCMC COM Office 1980
With wife and 2 sons -- Bilaspur, India (2 copies)
See Amos E. Kreider for 1946 group photo
See Samuel Floyd Pannabecker for 1948 group photo

Sources:
Family photo with mother and siblings dentified by Mariam (Penner) Schmidt
See The Mennonite 03/02/1948