Block, John A. (1908-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Aug 11 p. 28

Birth date: 1908 Sep 19

text of obituary:

JOHN A. BLOCK

John A. Block of Rosthern, Sask. passed away June 6. He was born Sept. 19, 1908 to Abram J. and Maria Block in Neu-Chortitza, southern Russia. The family moved to Siberia when he was 2 weeks old. His father was a conscientious objector in World War I, serving in a government logging camp. His mother injured her back and lungs. She died Nov. 18, 1917. His father married Anna Penner June 26, 1918. In 1927 the family immigrated to Dundurn, Sask. In March 1928 they moved to a farm near Macklin, Sask. Church services were held in different homes. One day while working in the field, he was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit's conviction and accepted Christ. He believed the Lord was calling him to pastoral ministry. He attended Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask. 1931-34. He married Mary Epp July 4, 1935. They farmed near Waldheim, Sask. He was ordained in Waldheim Zoar Mennonite Church June 13, 1943, and served there 18 years. He then pastored Grace Church for 28 years. He loved to preach; 3 weeks before his death, he preached at the nursing home, rising from his wheelchair to lean on the pulpit. He loved the Lord and his family. His first concern was to know Jesus and make Him known. He wanted his family to know the Lord's love and experience God's plan for their lives. He prayed tirelessly for them and others. He loved serving others and was quick to share with strangers their need to know God's love. He loved family get-togethers and getting down on the floor to play with his grandchildren. He was on the Rosthern Junior College Board for 4 years, was dean of men for 1 year, was on the Rosthern Bible School Board and worked on the Waldheim Missions Conference for 40 years. He enjoyed the tent revivals of the 1940s and often talked about how missionaries impacted many countries. He helped promote Menno Home in 1960 and was on the executive when it was built in Waldheim in 1962. He was a nurse for 3 years at Menno Home and an orderly at Rosthern Nursing Home for 15 years until age 76. Mary died Apr. 24, 1987. He married Ruth Heppner Oct. 7, 1989. He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2000. Predeceased by Mary, 4 brothers, 4 sisters and 1 grandchild, he is mourned by Ruth; children John, Zelma Walker, Alfred, Abe, Loyal, Sherrylyn Loewen, Ramona Bargen and Kelvin; stepchildren Roger Heppner, Susan Fisher and Bruce Heppner; 43 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren and 1 brother. The funeral was June 10 in Waldheim, with Clarence Peters and Otto Derksen ministering.