Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Apr 3 p. 1, 3

Birth date: 1890 Oct 14

text of obituary:

Eisenhower Laid To Rest near Boyhood Home

Dwight D. Eisenhower was laid to rest Wednesday at Abilene, Kan. in the small chapel called Place of Meditation, only a few blocks from his boyhood home.

Eisenhower, 78, son of devout Brethren in Christ parents who became a world figure as Supreme Commander of European Allied Forces in World War II and in 1952 was elected the 34th president of the United States, died March 28 in the Washington Walter Reed Army Hospital. Death came after long hospitalization due to repeated heart attacks.

Thousands converged upon the town of about 7,000 residents to view the funeral procession Wednesday morning, some nine hours after the special funeral train with the body and the Eisenhower family arrived from Washington. President and Mrs. Nixon came by plane and returned to Washington almost immediately after the services.

Eisenhower's request to be buried in the chapel erected in his honor had been a well-kept secret which was revealed only after his death.

The state funeral was held Monday in the Washington National Cathedral, conducted by Eisenhower's former pastor, Rev. Edward L. R. Elson, and Episcopal bishop Francis B. Sayre Jr. Royalty, and presidents, prime ministers and diplomats from around the world were present to pay their respects. There was no sermon, only reading of Scripture passages and signing of hymns which Eisenhower himself had selected.

Although attending Sunday School as a youth in the Brethren in Christ Church (River brethren) and required by his mother to read through the entire Bible, Eisenhower never joined the church of his parents. He did, however, become the only president ever to be baptized and confirmed after entering the White House, at which time he joined the Presbyterian Church.

At almost every station en route from Washington to Abilene, large crowds met the funeral train and at some places brief memorial services were held.