Adrian, Cornelius J. (1908-1998)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1998 Apr 2 p. 9

Birth Date: 1908

text of obituary:

ORNELIUS J. ADRIAN

Cornelius (Corney) J. Adrian was born Oct. 21, 1908, to Henry F. and Mary Janzen Adrian on a farm near Burrton, Kan.

As a young man he accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized in 1928 in Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church.

In his younger days, he worked in the oil fields, helping build oil rigs. For a time he played semi-professional baseball for O’Henrys at Wichita. In later years he became known as a respected oil leaser and farmer.

He married Susie Bartel on Aug. 28, 1932, at Corn (Okla.) MB Church. they lived on a farm near Burrton for one and a half years and then moved to the Corn community. They farmed the land and milked cows to sell the cream.

He was active in church and especially enjoyed being a part of the Gideon International organization. He also had a benevolent and generous spirit toward the Comanche Indian Church in Indiahoma. For many years he was a correspondent for Mennonite Weekly Review. He also served as a notary public.

In 1964 Corney and Susie moved into Corn, but he continued to farm for 10 more years.

Corney was a serious yet fun-loving person. Morning devotions were always a part of his family’s daily routine, most often with Scripture being read in German. His children felt his unconditional love. they also remember him as an excellent teacher and an astute and respected businessman. He taught them the value of a close-knit family. Family reunions were especially important to him.

In the later years of their 65 years of marriage, Corney cared untiringly for his wife.

He died March 10, 1998. Surviving are his wife, Susie; two sons, Daryl and wife Rosalie of Muncie, ind., and Cycil and wife Wilma of Fort Worth, Texas; a daughter, Ann and husband Ken Bartel of Topeka, Kan.; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.