Ediger, David J. (1880-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Oct 24 p. 5

Birth date: 1880 Aug 29

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Funeral services for Rev. David J. Ediger of the Buhler community took place at the Buhler Mennonite church on Monday afternoon. Rev. Ediger, a retired minister and farmer, died at Grace hospital in Hutchinson on Oct. 16. He is survived by his wife, one daughter and eight sons; three brothers, John, Henry, and Herman of Newton; and two sisters, Mrs. J. B. Martens of Inman and Mrs. Henry Friesen of Walton. The children all reside in Kansas except a son, Elmer Ediger, of Akron, Pa.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Dec 5 p. 3

text of obituary:

REV. DAVID J. EDIGER

Our husband and father, David J. Ediger, son of jacob and Katherine Harder Ediger, was born August 29, 1880, in McPherson county, Kansas. He received his education in a preparatory school near his home.

At the age of 17 he found peace with his God and through all the years never wavered in his faith. He was baptized by Elder Dietrich Gaeddert on Nov. 21, 1897, and was received as a member of the Hoffnungsau church, where he faithfully labored as a Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, C. E. worker and song leader for many years. As a young man before his marriage he was active in conducting a Sunday School on Sunday afternoons with Missionary Lizzie Neufeld and a song service on week-day evenings.

In the year 1901, on September 17, he married Annie Martens and for 45 years they shared life's joys and sorrows. To this union were born two daughters and nine sons, of whom two preceded him into the great beyond: Mrs. Katherine Kasper on March 14, 1937, at the age of 32, and little Raymond on August 26, 1927, at the age of two and one-half years.

In November, 1915, he purchased a farm at Greensburg, Kansas, and we made our home there for five years. Father and mother transferred their membership to the Greensburg Mennonite church, where he also tirelessly helped along in church work. Here he was elected into the ministry of the Gospel. He found great joy in this work all through the years and considered it a great privilege to serve.

In 1920 he sold the farm at Greensburg and purchased another farm near Meade, Kansas. Here we attended the Nebo church, where he also helped along as opportunities were offered.

A few years later we joined the Bruderthal church. Here father was ordained as a minister of the Gospel,in which capacity he served until 1925, when he sold the farm there and purchased a farm mile north and one-half mile east of Buhler. Here he joined the Buhler Mennonite church, where he remained a member until his death.

During the last 20 years he was often called upon to help out in churches at Moundridge, Goessel, Burrton, Halstead, Kingman, Tampa, and other places. It afforded him much joy to proclaim God's word and when on occasion he had to refuse an invitation because of weather, ill health of circumstances in the home, he invariable changed it and served to the best of his ability.

For at least 32 years he served as a member of the school board in the various communities in which he lived. The education and religious training of his children was close to his heart and he spared not time, money, nor effort to give them the best he could. His wish was to give all of his children at least a high school or professional education. This he realized last spring when the youngest son finished high school.

Although he worked hard all his life, his physical body was not as strong as might have been wished. He underwent two major operations and one foot amputation. He also suffered from cancer, of which, however, he was apparently healed. Also, in the family he had to look upon much suffering which sometimes almost crushed him. Through it all he had a strong hold on God and never lost faith in God's love and goodness. His favorite songs were "All the Way My Saviour Leads Me" and "Near to the Heart of God."

His grandchildren gave him much joy. His prayers in the family circle, which will be a sweet memory, were to this effect; "Father, grant that someday when we shall stand before Thy throne, we may be able to say, 'Here are we and all those whom Thou hast entrusted unto us.'"

At noon on Oct. 17, 1946, he went to work in the Buhler Mill as usual, cheerful as ever. About 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon he suffered a cerebral hemmorhage [sic] in which condition he was found by his fellow employees. He was rushed to the Grace hospital, where, in spite of everything the doctors and nurses could do for him, he failed to regain consciousness. He passed to his heavenly home peacefully, with no apparent suffering.

His sudden departure is mourned by his widow; one daughter, Mrs. P. B. Voth of Buhler; eight sons, John M. of Hutchinson, Art, Dave, and Leo of Buhler, Albert of Moundridge, Elmer of Akron, Pa., Roland and Irven of the home; six daughters-in-law; 14 grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. John B. Martens of Inman and Mrs. Henry Friesen of Walton; five brothers, Jake B. of Clinton, Okla., John J., Henry J., and Herman K. of Newton, Gus J. of Woodward, Okla.; and many friends and relatives.

He attained the age of 66 years, one month and 19 days.

We mourn, but not without hope. — Mrs. D. J. Ediger and children.

The Mennonite obituary: 1946 Dec 31 p. 13