Birky, John S. (1895-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Feb 7 p. 11

Birth date: 1895 Aug 21

text of obituary:

JOHN S. BIRKY

John S. Birky, 78, of Foosland, Ill. died Jan. 17, 1974 at the home of his son, Wilbert, in Foosland.

Services were held Sunday, Jan. 20, at 2 at the East Bend Mennonite Church near Fisher, Ill. with Rev. Irvin Nussbaum and Rev. James Dunn officiating.

He was born Aug. 21, 1895 at Hopedale, Ill., a son of Christian and Barbara (Witrig [sic Wittrig]) Birky. He married Fannie L. Naffziger on Oct. 4, 1916 at Fisher. She preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 1972. On Aug. 11, 1973 he married Stella J. Berkey at Smithville, Ohio.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Wilbert of Foosland and Wayne of Gibson City; three daughters, Arneitta Birkey, Delavan, Geneva Good, Rantoul, and Betty Zehr, Urbana; 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill of Kouts, Ind. and Alvin of Spencerville, Ind. He was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.

Mr. Birky had been a resident of the Foosland-Fisher area for 65 years. He retired from farming in 1959. He had spent the winter months in Sarasota, Fla. for many years.

He was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, where he served on the church council and on various other committees.