Buhr, John D, (1896-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 July 11 p. 23

Birth date: 1896 May 01

text of obituary:

JOHN D. BUHR

It pleased the Lord to call home his child, John David Buhr, on May 10. The funeral service was held May 14 in the Clearbrook (B.C.) Mennonite Brethren Church. Rev. Herman Lenzmann officiated.

John Buhr was born May 1, 1896 to the David D. Buhrs, in Nikopol, South Russia. Here he spent his childhood and received his education. He enjoyed school so much that he attended the high school in New York, near his birth place. Already at age 15 he was secretary in the village office.

During the first World War, he served in the medical corps. At the close of the war he spent two years in the university in Kiev; then he returned home and helped his father.

On August 29, 1920 he married Anna Klassen, with elder Hermann Neufeld officiating.

In 1925 they immigrated to Canada. They lived two years in Winkler, Man. and then three years in Holmfield, Man. There he accepted Christ as his Saviour, was baptized by J. Schellenberg and accepted into the Holmfield Mennonite Brethren Church.

They moved to Neelen, Man. for two years, went back to Winkler and in 1933 to Winnipeg, where they remained for 28 years. He worked as a painter for the T. Eaton Company for 18 years.

After his retirement at 65 he began a new period of life. They moved to New Westminster, B.C. and he was a court interpreter during the negotiations between the Doukobours and the government. He also did research at the University of British Columbia in association with this. In 1970 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with their family and close friends.

In 1972 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. His wife passed away February 8, 1973.

He married Mary Knelsen on January 19, 1974. After a short illness, he passed to his heavenly home on May 10. He was predeceased by his wife, Anna Buhr, and five daughters: three in infancy, Elfrieda, the youngest, in 1964 and Mary, the oldest, six months later.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Mary Buhr; three sons and two daughters: John in Washington, D.C., David in Coquitlam, B.C., Peter, missionary in Thailand, presently studying in Pennsylvania and preparing to go to Singapore, Mrs. Art (Anne) Lonen in Burnaby, B.C., Mrs. Gordon (Margaret) Cormie in Winnipeg; 18 grandchildren; one sister in Russia; four children by his second marriage; and many relatives and friends.