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Block, John Henry (1899-1969)

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His interest in music led him to start
 
His interest in music led him to start
a youth choir. to sing in the church
+
a youth choir, to sing in the church
 
choir, as well as to act as assistant choir
 
choir, as well as to act as assistant choir
 
director. In 1922, he married Lena Sawatsky at Mariontov. Russia. The marriage
 
director. In 1922, he married Lena Sawatsky at Mariontov. Russia. The marriage
was blessed wi,th three sons and four
+
was blessed with three sons and four
 
daughters.
 
daughters.
   
In 1925 vhe tami'ly emigrated to
+
In 1925 the family emigrated to
Canada. settled on undeveloped farmland
+
Canada, settled on undeveloped farmland
at MuHingar, Saskatchewan and spent 10
+
at Mullingar, Saskatchewan and spent 10
 
years pioneering there. During this time
 
years pioneering there. During this time
 
he served the church as choir and music
 
he served the church as choir and music
director. Many evenings were spent transcrihing the old songs wri1tenin number
+
director. Many evenings were spent transcribing the old songs wri1ten in number
 
music to notes.
 
music to notes.
   
Line 45: Line 45:
 
proved most useful and in due time he
 
proved most useful and in due time he
 
owned his own construction business from
 
owned his own construction business from
whi'ch he retired in 1958.
+
which he retired in 1958.
Funeral servi'ces were held in the
+
Funeral services were held in the
 
Clearbrook (B.C.) Church on August 19,
 
Clearbrook (B.C.) Church on August 19,
 
with Rev. Herman Lenzmann and Rev. P.
 
with Rev. Herman Lenzmann and Rev. P.
Line 54: Line 54:
 
Helena; and his children, Jack and Lena
 
Helena; and his children, Jack and Lena
 
Block,Henry and Katherine Block, Arthur
 
Block,Henry and Katherine Block, Arthur
and Ri,ta Block, Alvin and Erna Ens,
+
and Rita Block, Alvin and Erna Ens,
 
Jacob and Helen Nickel, Peter and
 
Jacob and Helen Nickel, Peter and
 
Elvira Wiebe, and Walter and Ann
 
Elvira Wiebe, and Walter and Ann
Wi'llems; 22 grandchildren; four brothers
+
Willems; 22 grandchildren; four brothers
 
and one sister; and many relatives and
 
and one sister; and many relatives and
 
friends.
 
friends.

Latest revision as of 12:50, 23 September 2015

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1969 Sep 19 p. 26

Birth date: 1899 Aug 10

text of obituary:

JOHN HENRY BLOCK

John Block of Clearbrook, B.C. passed away on August 16 at his home at the age of 70.

Born in the village of Gross-Gerhardstahl, Ekaterinoslav, Russia on August 10, 1899, John Block was the sixth child of a family of 16. His parents were Henry Jacob and Katirina Block. After moving to No. 3 Village, Arkadak in 1912. he finished his elementary school and started high school. He accepted Christ as his Savior at 17. In 1917, he joined the Mennonite Brethren Church through baptism.

At 20 the government drafted him along with others and he served the armed forces as a carpenter for three years. Being a skilled tradesman. he was exempt from carrying arms.

His interest in music led him to start a youth choir, to sing in the church choir, as well as to act as assistant choir director. In 1922, he married Lena Sawatsky at Mariontov. Russia. The marriage was blessed with three sons and four daughters.

In 1925 the family emigrated to Canada, settled on undeveloped farmland at Mullingar, Saskatchewan and spent 10 years pioneering there. During this time he served the church as choir and music director. Many evenings were spent transcribing the old songs wri1ten in number music to notes.

Having sold everything, the family moved to British Columbia in 1937, buying their first house for $75 and renting a lot at Yarrow. His trade as a carpenter proved most useful and in due time he owned his own construction business from which he retired in 1958. Funeral services were held in the Clearbrook (B.C.) Church on August 19, with Rev. Herman Lenzmann and Rev. P. R. Toews officiating.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Helena; and his children, Jack and Lena Block,Henry and Katherine Block, Arthur and Rita Block, Alvin and Erna Ens, Jacob and Helen Nickel, Peter and Elvira Wiebe, and Walter and Ann Willems; 22 grandchildren; four brothers and one sister; and many relatives and friends.