Kroeker, John Abram (1903-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1973 Apr 06 p. 30

Birth date: 1903 Feb 15

text of obituary:

JOHN ABRAM KROEKER

in Sa'gradowka, Hussia. His parents mo,ved to S,lavgorod in 1911, and it was here he received his early schooling and grew to manhood. He committed his life to Christ at 19 and was b·aptized the s'ame year and joined the MlB fellowship, In 1926 the family moved to Canada and settle,d in Co'aldale, In 1933 he was marr'ied to T,ina Hubert and their union was blessed with three chH,dren, At 39 John ,began to suffer from diabetes, so the family left rt-he farm and moved to Greendale, B,C. and bought ·a fruit farm, John served in the Greendale MB Church for many years as us·her and trus-tee, In 1966 he retired in Gre.endale, and although he su1'fered from rheumatism and had to give constant attel1ltion to the diabetes problem, he did not lose his zest for 'i'lfe. He took special delight in the bea'uty O'f his Mas,ter's creation. In the fall of 1972 he was hospitalized in Chi'lliwack, and although he was able to join the family for seve,ral extended pe-riods, he died of cancer 011 March 17, He is survived by h'is wife, Tina , 2 daughters (Mrs, Esther Guenther, Mrs. E'ls,ie Dyck); a son John and his wife Amy; s'ix grandchildren, a brot'her, 2 sisters, and many re,latives and friends, The funeral was held on March 22 in Greendale, with J,B. Harder and Harry HeidebrecM officiating.