Busenitz, John A. (d. 1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituaty: 1952 Nov 13 p. 6

Birth date: 1873 Oct 20

text of obituary:

. . .

— Services for John A. Busenitz pioneer Butler county farmer who passed away Nov. 7, were held Tuesday afternoon at the Emmaus church near Whitewater, Rev. J. E. Entz and Rev. Walter H. Dyck in charge. He came to this country from Germany in 1893. Surviving are his wife, 11 children, and three brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Nov 27 p. 9

text of obituary:

JOHN A. BUSENITZ

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John A. Busenitz, was born October 20, 1873, near Brodsack, West Prussia, and passed on to be with his Lord on November 7, 1952, at 7:30 a. m., reaching the age of 79 years and 18 days.

He was the oldest son of John and Katharine, nee Dyck, Busenitz. His was a happy childhood in the midst of a family of one sister and five brothers and under the loving and firm guidance of his parents. His childhood was one of simplicity and he learned to work at an early age. These impressions remained with him through life. He attended public school until his eleventh year. The next four years he was under the instruction of Christian teacher in a Christian boys boarding school in Southern Germany.

In 1889 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by Elder Heinrich Penner. In 1893, for the sake of religious freedom, his parents sold their farm and emigrated to America, settling in Newton, where he with his parents joined the First Mennonite church. Soon after, they bought and moved to a farm six mile southeast of Newton where he helped his parents establish a new home.

On September 10, 1903, he was joined in holy wedlock to Justine Wiebe by Elder Gustav Harder establishing their new home near Elbing, whereupon he also joined the fellowship of the Emmaus church near Whitewater. By the grace of God they were privilege to share life’s joys and sorrow together for over 49 years.

In the fall of 1928, they were granted the joys of a silver wedding anniversary in the presence of their children, relatives and friends. Many happy years followed in which they worked and fellowshiped together with their eleven children and by the grace of God were privileged to help them establish their homes.

The Lord granted our father good health and showered him with many blessings for which he was very thankful.

The work of the church and conference was dear to his heart being privileged to serve as deacon of the congregation for twelve years. He was much concerned about the spiritual welfare of his children, making it possible for each to attend a Christian high school.

In 1945 they retired from active farming and moved into their present home in which they were privileged to enjoy seven more years in retirement.

Gradually symptoms of failing health appeared and the Lord led them into a quiet life to speak kindly to them and lovingly prepare them for their heavenly home. For the last 18 months he suffered from hardening of the arteries and dropsy which also caused his death. As long as he was able, he spent much time reading his Bible and hymnbook, many portions of which he knew by memory. Later mother read to him, which he greatly appreciated.

Again and again we experience the Lord’s help in trials, and how we were refreshed and strengthened! Gradually the Lord loosed all earthly ties so that he could say with Isaiah, "Behold, for peace I had great fear; but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.”

In his last weeks he often quoted as a prayer the German verse,

“Fuehre mich, O Herr, und leite,
Meinen Gang nach deinem Wort
Sei und bleibe Du auch heute
Mein Beschuetzer und mein Hort.
Nirgends als in dir allein
Kan ich recht bewahret sein."

It was on last Friday morning that the longing of his heart, that he might go home, which he often expressed, was granted him.

He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife; four daughters and seven sons, John, Herman, Justine, Willie, Albert, Edgar, Margaret, Hedwig, Berhard, Elizabeth, and Arthur, four sons-in-law, six daughters-in-law, all of whom were privileged to be at home for the funeral, 48 grandchildren, three brothers, Frank, Willie, and Gerhard, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 1:45 p.m. at the home and 2:30 p.m. at the Emmaus Mennonite church on November 11 with Rev. John Entz and Rev. W. H. Dyck officiating. Burial was made in the Emmaus cemetery.