Heppner, Ben (1917-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary:2002 Jun 21 p. 25

Birth date:1917 Jul 12

text of obituary:

BEN HEPPNER

Ben Heppner passed away Mar. 14. He was born July 12, 1917 to Bernhard and Sarah Heppner in Laird, Sask , He attended school to grade 9, He accepted Christ at 15, At 18 he recommitted his life to the Lord and attended Prairie Bible Institute for 1 year before returning to the family farm. He married Esther Nikkel Sept. 7, 1941. Th ey farmed in Laird. He worked with youth, Sunday school and cho ir. He returned to Prairie Bible Institut e, graduating in 1949 . He later earned a B.Th . from the American Bible College. He pas- tored a church in Oko- toks . In 1950 he joined West Indies Missions. On the island of Guade- loupe, he planted a church, pastored sever- a� churches, taught Bible schoo l and helped build homes. While on furloughs, he pastored Laird MB Church for a year and Dalmeny (Sask.) MB Church for 2 years. He served 3 years as a miss ionary in Haiti. He pastored Chilliwack (B.C) Central MB Church 1970-75 and Warman (Sask.) MB Church 1975-82 , In re- tirement, he kept busy with speaking engage- ments, interim pastoral assignments (at Hope Fellowship in Saska- toon, at Foam Lake, Sas k, and in Quebec), organizing 2 tours to Guadeloupe and serv- in g on the Warma n Housing Authority for 12 yea rs, In 1990 t hey moved to West Po rt al Mano r, Saskatoo n. He the n was interim pastor at Co ll ege Dri ve Com- munity Chu rc h in Lethbridge , Alta. for a yea r- and-a-half and pulpit past or at Langham (S ask .) Bible Church for a year. He enjoyed camping, hunting, gar- dening, singing, play- ing guitar and, in later year s, bowling, playing pool and games. He loved spending time with hi s daughter, grandchildren and great-grandch ildren . His greatest passion was se rving th e Lord. Prede- ceased by son Tim in a car acci dent in the early 1970 s, 2 sisters and 4 broth ers, he is mourned by Esth er, daughter Pat Wiebe; 3 grandchildren; 3 gre at-grandchildren; 5 sisters and 1 brother.