Dirks, Sylvester (1916-2007)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2007 March p. 29

Birth date: 1916 Apr 28

text of obituary:

SYLVESTER DIRKS

Sylvester Dirks died Jan . 7. He was born in 1916 to Jacob B. and Susanna Dirks in Wald- heim, Sask. At 13, he had a life-transforming encounter with Jesus Christ, was baptized, and joined Salem Church. While attending Bethany Bible Institute, he fell in love with Matilda Epp and married her in 1941. They moved to B.C. and taught at Yarrow Bible School. Feeling the call to missionary serv- ice, Sylvester and Matilda enrolled in a linguistics course at Briercrest Bible Institute. In 1944, they went to Peru and were among the original core of Wycliffe workers in that country. With colleague Will Kindberg, Sylvester translated the New Tes- tament into the Ashaninca language. In 1967, the family moved back to North America, where Sylvester served as pastor in several churches, in- cluding Dalmeny (Sask.) MB Church, Friedenstal Church (Lehigh, Kan.), and Nutana MB Church (Saskatoon). He then served 2 years in Cali, Co- lombia, returned to minister in Brooks, Alta., and David Henry Falk David Henry Falk died Jan. 1. He was born Oct. 2, 1917 in the south- ern region of Siberia, just days before the Bolshevik coup. Nine years later his family immigrated to Mani- toba, where they lived until 1934. In Alexander, Man., David accepted Christ as the constant for the rest of his life. In the midst of the Depression, the family moved to Abbotsford, B.C. David was baptized in 1936 and joined South Abbotsford MB Church. In 1939, he went to Hepburn (Sask.) Bible School, where he met Helen Lepp, whom David called "the best girl God made for me." They were mar- ried Oct. 11, 1940 and promptly moved back to Abbotsford. The highlights of David's life were marriage, children, church membership, and Singing in choirs, quartets, and octets. David is mourned by Helen; children Allen, Betty, Jerry, and David Jr.; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grand- children. The memorial service was Jan. 5 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. John Albert Rempel John Albert Rempel died Dec. 26 after a short battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 1S, 1932 in Win- kler, Man. to John and Anna Rempel. He ac- cepted the Lord as his Saviour July 6, 1945 at a Bill Hoover Crusade, was baptized, and joined Winkler MB Church. The family moved to Minto, Man., where he joined Boissevain MB Church. John married Rosa Janzen Apr. 17, 1955 . They farmed in Minto for 40 years. After retirement, John enjoyed helping on the neighbour'S farm and restoring tractors. He served on the Bois- sevain Hospital board, and was a member of the Wildlife Federation, Minto Co - op board, and Minto Drop-in Centre committee. John en- retired in 1984 to Abbotsford, B.C. In retirement, joyed hunting, fishing, quartet singing, western Sylvester served with Kingdom Ventures, Part- gospel music, working with the Boys ' Brigade nership Evangelism, and Logos Ministries. Afteratty's death in 1997, Sylvester fell in love with Herman Klassen died and married Nelly Klassen . Predeceased by Nelly Jan. 6. He was born Mar. in 2002; Matilda; 1 infant daughter; 1 son; he is 17, 1920 in Gnaden- mourned by 2 sons; 5 daughters; 20 grandchil- heim, Siberia to Herman dren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers; 2 sisters. and Helena Klassen. The memorial service was Jan . 11 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.c.