Toevs, John (1865-1934)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 Feb 28 p. 1

Birth date: 1865

text of obituary:

Rev. John Toevs Laid to Rest at Aberdeen, Idaho.

Aberdeen, Idaho, Feb. 23. — Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock funeral services were held from the family home for Rev. John Toevs, pioneer farmer-minister, who died last Friday evening following a long siege of ill-health. Rev. J. E. Kaufman, present pastor of the First Mennonite Church and Rev. M. J. Galle, former pastor of this congregation now residing at Odessa, Washington, officiated. Rev. Galle preached in German and Rev. Kaufman in English, each paying due tribute to their fellow worker. The large congregation in attendance, crowded the First Mennonite church to capacity at the two o'clock service. Musical numbers for the service were rendered by a mixed quartet consisting of Mrs. O. D. Becker, Miss Edith Giesbrecht, Mr. O. D. Becker and Mr. H. D. Becker, and a male quartet consisting of Herbert, Walter and Otto Hege and H. C. Wiebe. Interment was made in the Homestead Mennonite cemetery four miles southwest of Aberdeen. The pallbearers were: John H. Friesen, Henry Hege, John Becker, Sr., Rudolph Horsch, J. D. Toevs, J. E. Toevs. — Aberdeen Times.

Rev. Toevs lived on a farm near Newton until the family moved to Aberdeen, Idaho, in 1907. Later he was ordained to the ministry and became elder of the Emmanuel Mennonite church. Although born in Germany, Rev. Toevs lived in Russia for several years, and then with his parents came to America via Asia. He reached the age of 68 years.

The Mennonite obituary: 1934 May 1 p. 22