Leatherman, Noah H. (1887-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1 Mar 1973 p. 11

Birth date: 1887 Apr 11

text of obituary

NOAH H. LEATHERMAN

Noah H. Leatherman was born to Jacob O. and Christina Hauenstein Leatherman on April 11, 1887 near River Styx, Ohio and died the morning of Jan. 15, 1973 at his home near Livingston, Calif., reaching the age of 85.

In 1895 his parents with their family moved to Kansas and made their home in the Hesston community. They settled near the Maple Grove School, where he received his education and attended the Meridian Church.

In the sprlng of 1917 he especially felt the need of a Saviour and became heavily convicted of his sinful life. He found forgiveness in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. While on a trip to Michigan he was baptized by Min. F. C. Fricke in the Newark Church, Ithaca, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

During World War I he was drafted. He believed in the non-resistant principles as taught by Jesus and his Apostles and went as a conscientious objector. Since the government at that time had no provisions for COs, he with other COs was placed among the regulars and subjected to much ridicule and mistreatment. In all this he remained faithful in testifying for his Lord. He also was among those who were sent to the penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan. for life. In time they were all released. He kept a diary of happenings while in camp, most of which is printed in a book.

On Nov. 17, 1926 he married Ida Buerge at River Styx and they made their home in that community. Two sons, Robert and Herbert, were born to them. On May 20, 1929 his companion and mother of two small children was called away by death. His sister Ida Leatherman helped out in the home during the ensuing two and one half years.

On Dec 20, 1931 he married Mary G. Hiebert of Hillsboro, Kan. Two daughters, Margaret and Ruth Helen were born to them. Margaret died in infancy.

In 1936 they moved to Hillsboro, where they lived on a farm south of town. They worshipped with the Alexanderfeld congregation. Father's Christian life was expressive of living in peace with all men and seeking their best.

In 1964, because of age and health, he and his wife moved to Livingston, Calif. to be near their daughter. Here they joined the Livingston congregation.

He enjoyed normal health most of his life. In the fall of 1961 he was in a car accident in which he received multiple fractures and from that time he had diabetes. Since July 1971 he had been an invalid. Throughout this time he suffered patiently, showing much thankfulness for all the care he received.

He leaves to mourn his bereaved companion, two sons, Robert and wife Esther, Herbert and wife Tena; one daughter, Ruth Helen and husband Alfred Koehn; 14 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Naomi Buerge of Ithaca, Mich.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 on Jan. 19, 1973 in the Livingston, Calif. Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Rev. Jesse Koehn and Dick Loewen officiated. Interment was in the Winton, Cemetery.