Burkhalter, Noah (1893-1920)

The Mennonite obituary: 1920 Apr 15 p. 1
Birth date: 1893 May 16
text of obituary:

SAD NEWS

Our young missionary, Noah Burkhalter, died of typhoid fever in Jangjir, India. He was just getting ready to do most efficient work when the Lord called him to his reward. May God comfort the bereaved and make others willing to enter the field.

The despatch was dated April 13.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1920 Apr 29 p. 4
text of obituary:

EDITORIAL

The sad information of the death of our missionary brother, Noah Burkhalter, in India, came with shocking suddenness — as lightning out of a clear sky to the church and the many personal friends of the dear brother and his family. It only seems like a few days since he and his young wife bade us farewell and we wished them Godspeed on their journey and in the work to which they were called. God’s ways are not our ways and, much as we feel the blow which our work has sustained in the field, where laborers are so badly needed, we can only bow to His will knowing that He doeth all things well. Our sympathies especially go out to the young wife so sorely tried and so far away from the loved ones in the homeland. Yet, we recall that the brother offered his life for India, expecting nothing else but to end his days in that land where the gospel is so much needed. We recall, that every consecrated life given for Christ means an impression upon the minds of the natives which will turn their thoughts from the sacrifices missionaries make for them to the great sacrifice that our Lord made for all men.

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Bundesbote-Kalender obituary: 1921 p. 36

Text of obituary:

† Missionar Noah Burkhalter.

Br. Noah Burkhalter war geboren am 16. Mai 1893. Am 3. Juni 1906 wurde er von Br. J. W. Kliewer getauft und in die Berner Mennonitengemeinde aufgenommen. Er studierte eine Zeitlang im Moody Institut, Chicago, Ill., dann in Bluffton College, Ohio, nahm in Brooklyn, N. Y., einen kurzen medizinischen Kurs und einige Studien im Bluffton Seminar. Am 6. August 1918 verehelichte er sich mit Adah Frances Good, und am 23. Juli 1919 reisten die Geschwister von Amerika nach Indien ab. In Indien beschäftigten sie sich hauptsächlich mit Sprachstudium. Er starb am 12. April 1920 in Champa, Indien, am Typhus.

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Mennonite Year Book and Almanac obituary: 1921 p. 17

REV. NOAH BURKHALTER

"Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel." This characterized the life of one who has closed a short but useful earthly career. Although his opportunity to realize his ambitions may have been short, we who knew the deceased, know that no man can desire any thing greater than to be called from active service while engaged in his chosen field, and to be ready to meet his Master when called. Rev. Burkhalter's choice was the foreign field among the heathen, and from there he was called while endeavoring to do the best he knew how. He was the youngest of a family of twelve children, born at Berne, Indiana, May 16, 1893. He died at Janjgir, India, April 12, 1920. His early education was received in the rural schools of his home town, graduating from the Berne High School in 1913 with high scholastic standing. At an early age he made a decision to lead a Christian life, to which vows he remained true until death. At the age of 13 he was baptized by Rev. J. W. Kliewer, and received into the membership of the First Mennonite Church at Berne. Having definitely decided to enter into Christian work, he sought to prepare himself with a more complete education. Taking first a course at the Moody Bible Institute, he continued his studies at our own denominational college at Bluffton, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1918. Afterward he took a short medical missionary training course in Brooklyn, N. Y.

On August 6, 1918, he was married to Miss Adah Frances Good, of Bluffton, Ohio, who had also planned to accompany her husband to the mission field. They were assigned by our mission board to India, and accordingly sailed on July 23, 1919, from San Francisco, and in due time reached their field of labor. They at once applied themselves to the study of the language, and in many ways assisted the other missionaries on the field. During the short period of one year he proved himself efficient and endeared himself into the lives of the Missionaries as well as the natives of India. He was beloved and honored by all who knew him and with whom he came in contact, because he was ever true to his Christian Convictions and his works live after him as a challenge to others to continue the work which he was permitted to do for even so short a time.

Brother Burkhalter leaves behind him in India his wife and a child born after his departure from this life. A sister, Miss Martha Burkhalter, also a missionary at Janjgir, survives.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1920 Jul 22 p. 2
Birth date: 1893 May 16
text of obituary:

REV. NOAH BURKHALTER

“Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." This characterized the life of one who recently closed a short but useful earthly career. Although his opportunity to realize his ambitions may have been short, we who knew Noah Burkhalter, know that no man can desire anything greater than to meet death while actively engaged in his chosen field, and to be prepared to meet his Master when called.

Mr. Burkhalter’s choice for service was the foreign field among the heathen, and from there he was called while endeavoring to do the best he knew how.

Noah was the youngest of a family of twelve children born to Peter Burkhalter and Mary (Luginbill) Burkhalter. Noah was born on May 16, 1893, at the home farm which is still occupied by his parents, north of Berne, Ind. He died at Janjgir, Central Province, India, on April 12, 1920. His death was due to typhoid fever, from which he had suffered more than four weeks. Even at his death, he was seeking, not his will, but that of his heavenly Father, to whom he had early sacrificed himself.

Brother Burkhalter’s early education was received in the rural schools of Adams county, Indiana, and in Berne. For ten years he had made his daily trips back and forth from his home to school, seeking an education which would better fit him for his life work. After his graduation from the eighth grade he entered the Berne high school from which he graduated in 1913 with a high scholastic standing.

During all these years his school mates had learned to know him as a cheerful companion, unselfish and radiating a good cheer to all about him.

Two years of Noah’s life had been spent in teaching in the public schools, and in this profession he made a great success, because of his great patience with his pupils, and the great sincerity of service.

Mr. Burkhalter had already at an early age made a decision to lead a Christian life, to which vows he remained true until his death. On June 3, 1906, at the age of 13, he was baptized by Rev. J. W. Kliewer, and received into the membership of the First Mennonite church at Berne.

After having definitely decided to enter into Christian work, he sought to prepare himself with a more complete education. After a short term at Moody Bible Institute, Mr. Burkhalter entered our own denominational college at Bluffton, Ohio. It was here, that through the Christian influence of the college and such organizations as the Y. M. C. A. and the Student Volunteer Band and the Gospel Team, that he decided for definite Christian service in the foreign mission field.

After graduation from Bluffton College in 1918, he took a short medical missionary training course at Brooklyn, N. Y., and also some studies at the Bluffton College Seminary. In all these classes he always showed himself a conscientious and hard working student.

On August 6, 1918, he was married to Miss Adah Frances Good, of Bluffton, Ohio, who had also planned to accompany her husband to the mission field. Only last summer Brother and Sister Burkhalter were assigned by the foreign mission board of our conference, to India, for which place they sailed from San Francisco, on July 23, 1919; a short while after they had been ordained at the Mennonite church at Berne. Since their arrival in India, he had been engaged mostly in language study, and in assisting the other missionaries. His transfer from Champa to Janjgir, India, was of only a short priority to his death. Even with the many handicaps he suffered during the first months of his new work, he trusted always in his Master and lived an examplary[sic] life.

The deceased leaves behind him, his wife in India, his aged parents, and nine brothers and sisters. His sister Martha Burkhalter, who is also at Janjgir, India, as one of our missionaries, was with him at the time of his death. Two sisters had preceded him in death.

Those who knew our departed brother well, have always found him an honest, cheerful and helpful student; standing for the highest that religion has to offer. He was a supporter of clean athletics and a clean social life. Others always received first consideration from him in preference to self. In his studies he was always a hard worker, finding time for other activities but not shirking his duties.

In the religious life of the school, he was a faithful supporter, who could at all times be depended upon for assistance. Whether as an usher, or to lead in song, or to deliver a talk, he was always true to the duty in which he was engaged.

He was an active worker on the college gospel team, always carrying within a message of cheer. He was a good supporter of the church, Sunday school and the Christian Endeavor society. He was especially cheerful as a Student Volunteer; as he was preparing himself to bring the message of hope, cheer and eternal life to the heathen.

He was beloved and honored by all who knew him and with whom he came in contact, because he was ever true to his Christian convictions and his works live on challenging others to continue the great work which he was allowed to carry on for such a short time.

Clifton Sprunger.