Lichti, John (1869-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Nov 8 p. 8

Birth date: 1869 Nov 16

text of obituary:

— Rev. John Lichti, 81, passed away Sunday afternoon at the Bethel home for aged, where he had made his home for the past two years. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Mennonite church, Deer Creek, Okla., where he had served as pastor from 1912 to 1926. He was born at Gruenstadt, Germany on Nov. 16, 1869. During his long service in the ministry, Rev. Lichti also serve as pastor of the Zion church at Lucien, Okla. and the Mennonite church of Medford, Okla. For many years he was a member of the Emergency Relief Board, of which he was secretary and later chairman. He is survived by two sons, Milton C. and Elmer J. Lichti of Deer Creek, and two daughters, Mrs. Edward D. Schmidt of Wichita and Mrs. Albert Jantzen of Oraibi, Ariz.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Nov 29 p. 9

text of obituary:

JOHN LICHTI

John Lichti, the oldest of nine children, son of Christian and Babette Hochstoetler [sic Hochstettler] Lichti, was born in Grunsdadt [sic Gruenstadt], Palatenqute, Bavaria [Rheinland-Pfalz], Germany, on November 16, 1869. His boyhood days were spent in Germany where he received his education.

He, with his family, attended the Mennonite church. He was baptized by Rev. Hege and received into the membership of the church.

In 1885 at the age of 16, he came to America with some friends and made his home with the Christian Krehbiel family, who were directing the Indian farm near Halstead.

A year later his sister, Christena, came to America and the two saved money and helped bring their parents and the other seven children to America in 1888.

On November 4, 1894, he was united in marriage to Levina Reusser. To this union were born four children.

For a number of years they made their home south of Moundridge where they attended the Garden Township church. In 1898 they made their home near Lucien. Here he was chosen as the elder of the newly organized Zion Mennonite Church which he served as pastor until 1912.

At Lucien he was pastor not only to the Mennonites, but to many others in the community who found him a true Christian friend and he was called on by many to perform baptisms, marriages and funerals. In spite of the fact that he was a farmer, the church activities received his foremost attention.

He was recognized as a progressive farmer with a pioneer spirit. He was the first to purchase a cream separator, sewing machine, carriage, and helped organized the telephone company and served as director of the same.

In 1912 the Deer Creek Mennonite church called him to the pastorate. He purchased a farm two miles south of Deer Creek which he farmed while he served the church.

In 1920 he accepted the call from the Medford Mennonite church where he served as pastor until he retired.

In 1940 they moved back to Deer Creek where they made their home until his beloved wife preceded him in death on June 6, 1949. After this he made his home in Bethel Home or the Aged where he lived until his death.

For many years he suffered from arthritis. Later his heart began to give him trouble and he became weaker until he peacefully fell asleep on his 57th wedding anniversary date, Nov. 4, 1951, at 5:30 p. m.

He leaves to mourn his death two sons, Milton C. Lichti of Deer Creek, Elmer J. Lichti of Deer Creek; two daughters, Mrs. Ella Schmidt of Wichita, Kans., and Mrs. Wilma Jantzen of Oraibi, Ariz.; four sisters, Mrs. Christina Schroeder and Mrs. Veronica Landis of Deer Creek, Mrs. Anna Krehbiel of Upland, Calif., and Mrs. Lena Gamp of Cape May Court House, N. J.; two brothers, Christian of Upland, Calif., and Paul of Long Beach, Calif.; nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.