Dirks, John T. (1879-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Mar 3 p. 8

Birth date: 1879 Sep 14

text of obituary:

JOHN T. DIRKS

John T. Dirks entered Southwest Medical Center at Liberal, Kan., New Year's Day at 7 p.m. and passed away Jan. 21, at 7:15 p.m. at the age of 86 years, four month and seven days.

He was born in a little village in South Russia Sept. 14, 1879. His parents left Russia when he was about three years old. He came to America with his parents, Tobias and Eva Wedel Dirks, and a group of relatives and friends when he was about five years old. They were on their journey several years, traveling half way around the world.

He grew up on a farm southeast of Buhler, Kan. He was the oldest of 13 children. Three brothers, Tob, Dave, Isaac, and two sisters, Mary and Katie, are still living.

When he was 18 years old he was baptized by Abraham Ratzlaff, at the Hoffnungsau Church near Buhler.

As a young man he came by covered wagon to the panhandle of Oklahoma and filed a claim 15 miles southeast of Liberal before Oklahoma became a state.

He married Mary Becker, on Aug. 9, 1906. They moved to Beaver County Aug. 20. Here they joined the Friedensfeld Church at Lorena, Okla., under pastor Jacob Dirks. They were both charter members of this church and remained faithful unto the end. He gave the land on which the church stands today, having celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 1957.

Our parents shared many happy and sad occasions together during their 45 years of married life. In 1946 they moved to Liberal on account of her health. On Jan. 11, 1951, mother passed away.

He leaves to mourn his departure, five children: Hulda, Mrs. N. W. Dick and husband; Johnny and wife, Eva; Helen, Mrs. Arnold Regier and husband; Vera, Mrs. Chester Windsor, and husband; Thelma, Mrs. Henry Boese, and husband; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1966 Feb 22 p. 130