Nachtigal, Arnold E. (1906-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 May 13 p. 5

Birth date: 1906 Jun 7

text of obituary:

ARNOLD E. NACHTIGAL

Arnold E. Nachtigal, the eldest son of William J. and Susie Nachtigal, was born near Buhler, Kansas, June 7, 1906. He quietly and peacefully ceased this natural life at 7 o'clock, Saturday morning, May 8, 1943, at the age of36 years, 11 months and 1 day.

On May 26, 1937, he was united in holy marriage to Miss Blanche F. Cochroft by the Rev. Rex A. Harmon of the Christian church at Burr Oak, Kansas.

After one and a half years of married life in Buhler, they moved to Goessel, Kans., where both Mr. and Mrs. Nachtigal taught at the Gordon grade school until shortly before his death.

Mr. Nachtigal received his primary education in the Buhler schools and later continued his studies at Bethel College, now North Newton, and at the Fort Hays, Kansas, State College. During the last fifteen years of his teaching he had been in perfect health until his illness of nearly two years ago. At that time he became afflicted with an internal tumor which proved fatal to him. During the last year he was at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota, three times, but found he could not be helped by surgery nor medical aid. Eight weeks ago he became seriously ill and was taken to the Bethesda hospital at Goessel, Kansas, where he stayed for a month. He remained at home for the last four weeks, being cared for by a nurse and later by his wife, his mother and for several days by his brother-in-law, Milo Tegley, of Burr Oak, Kansas.

During the adolescent period of Mr. Nachtigal's life, he attended the Sunday School and services of the Buhler Mennonite Church as regularly as circumstances would permit. When invited to affiliate with the Bible class preparatory to baptism, he did so willingly. He responded to the invitation to receive Jesus as his personal Savior. Upon his own confession of faith, he was baptized May 20, 1923, by Rev. P. R. Voth, pastor fo that church at that time. He has remained a faithful member of this church to his end. He was always interested in church activities and took active part wherever opportunity was offered.

Mr. Nachtigal was always a kind and loving husband and will always be remembered for his considerations to others, willing at any time to help someone in need. He was so patient and forbearing during all his suffering and never complained about his pain even to the end. Very often, during his sickness, he repeated the song: "I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus, I cannot bear my burden alone." During the last month of his illness, he so often spoke of his Savior and how beautiful Heaven would be. God was so wonderfully glorified in all his suffering.

     "Like a ship that's left its moorings
And sails bravely out to sea,
So someone, Dear, has sailed away
In calm serenity;      But there's a promise of a greater joy
Than Earth could have in store,
For God has planned a richer life
Beyond the unseen shore."

The deceased is survived by his wife, Blanche F. Nachtigal, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Nachtigal, two brothers, Eldo of Buhler, Kans., and Harlow who at this time is in the armed forces in Africa, four sisters, Mrs. Waldo Harms of Whitewater, Kans., Mrs. Arthur Keiser of Newton, Kans., Mrs. John Penner and Mrs. E. R. Terry, both at San Antonio, Texas and a host of relatives and friends.

Faith reaches out to claim the promise: "My Grace is sufficient for thee."

His deeply bereaved wife, Mrs. Arnold E. Nachtigal desires to thank all who have assisted her and shown sympathy in her grief during the illness and death of her husband at Goessel, Kansas.