Regier, John L. (1879-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Dec 11 p. 9

Birth date: 1879 Sep 29

text of obituary:

JOHN L. REGIER

Our beloved husband and father John L. Regier was born on September 29, 1879, to Rev. Jacob W. and Agatha Regier (nee Dyck) on a farm near Elbing, Kansas. There he also spent his childhood and early youth. He attended the local district school and also the church school for instruction in Bible and German. Later he attended the Bethel Academy for two years.

Following his study he worked on his parents' home farm. Since his father's duties as minister and community servant kept him from home much of the time, a big share of responsibility for the farm fell onto his shoulders.

On May 25, 1895, he was baptized upon confession of his faith in Jesus Christ by Elder C. H. Regier and received as a member into the Zion Mennonite church at Elbing. Thirteen years later, on May 8, 1908, he was united in marriage to Anna Janzen of Brainard, Kansas and settled on a farm one-half mile south of Elbing. Two children were born to brighten the home, Frieda, now Mrs. John Busenitz, and Willard. In 1922 we took two children, Ellen and Elmer Roberts, into our home to share our family life with us. Elmer preceded him in death on May 1, 1950.

Although farming was his occupation, he found great joy and satisfaction in helping others and in serving his Lord in special ways. For many years he was a member of the church board, deacon, Sunday school teacher and always willing to serve where he could. As a member of the township board for eight years he also served those beyond his own church. After his retirement he also spent much time with the relief program of the Mennonite Central Committee, especially in the collecting of machinery and tools for the new Mennonite settlers in South America.

A short time before his illness he wrote the following about his feelings for his Lord, "A Christian can have no greater happiness than to perceive the ways of the Lord Jesus, and there is no greater blessing for a family than that its members know the Lord draws them to himself."

Father enjoyed good health until early this year, when his years began to tell. On September 23 he entered Bethel hospital for an examination. On September 29, the day of his 73rd birthday, he submitted to surgery, being fully committed to the Lord. Although his recovery seemed somewhat slow to him, he did improve gradually and expected to come home on Monday. But God, in whose wisdom we do not doubt, took him to his heavenly home on Monday morning at 6:12.

He was 73 years and 14 days old, and leaves to mourn his passing his wife, three children and two sons-in-law, one brother, one sister, 15 grandchildren and many relatives and friends.