Eck, Peter H. (1874-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jan 12 p 6

Birth date: 1874 Jul 8

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services for Peter H. Eck, 86, a resident of the Bethel Home for Aged the past four months, were held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the First Mennonite Church, of which he was a member. Rev. Arnold Epp and Rev. J. E. Entz officiated, and burial was made in the Emmaus church cemetery near Whitewasher. Mr. Eck died Thursday evening, Jan. 5, at the Bethel Home. He was a retired farmer, having farmed at Ringwood, Okla. and near Newton before retiring and moving to Newton in 1950. Mrs. Eck died in March of last year. Surviving are three daughters, five sons and 17 grandchildren.

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'Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jan 12 p 8

text of obituary:

PETER H. ECK

Peter H. Eck was born July 8, 1874 at Hirschau, Russia, a son of Peter H., Sr., and Aganetha Eck. After a short illness, our beloved father departed this life on Jan. 5, 1961, at the Bethel Home for Aged in Newton, Kan. at the age of 86 years, five months and 28 days.

When the mass migration of Mennonites from Poland and Russia to America took place in 1874, his parents decided to go to Turkestan, a province in the southeastern section of Russia not far from the border of China. Opportunities in Turkestan proved to be limited so it was decided to retrace their steps to see if arrangements cold be made to go to America. In 1885, with his parents and four brothers, our father came to America. He received his education in McPherson County, Kan., teaching elementary school for a number of years until he was married.

On April 12, 1903 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by Rev. John Ratzlaff and received as a member of the New Hopedale Mennonite Church of Meno, Okla. He remained a faithful member of this church until the family moved to Newton in August of 1948, and on May 1, 1949 he transferred his membership to the First Mennonite Church of Newton where he remained faithful and loyal until his departure from this life.

On Sept. 10, 1905, he was united in marriage to Eva Thomas. The first years of life together were spent on a farm near Ringwood, Okla. During the years from 1907 to 1911 the family pioneered at Coy, Okla.

On Sept. 4, 1955 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with the family and a few close friends.

His whole life was centered around the welfare of his family. His devotion was such that no sacrifice was too great. During the last months and during his illness, he expressed great longing to go to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Maker.

He was preceded in death by his four brothers, Jacob, John, Tobias and Benjamin, two sons, John and Cornelius, and his wife, Eva, who passed away March 10, 1960.

He leaves to mourn his departure five sons, Albert of Wichita, Daniel, David and Otto of Newton and Joe of Meno, Okla.; three daughters, Martha, Mrs. Alva Buller of Peabody, Margaret, Mrs. Eldon Schmidt, and Marie, Mrs. Roscoe Becker of Newton; three sons-in-law, five daughters-in-law, and 17 grandchildren, plus many brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral services were conducted Jan. 7 at the First Mennonite Church in Newton, with Rev. Arnold Epp and Rev. J. E. Entz officiating. Burial was made in the Emmaus Mennonite Church cemetery near Whitewater, with Rev. L. R. Amstutz in charge of the graveside service. — The Family.