Entz, Samuel E. (1919-1999)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1999 May 27 p. 13

Birth date: 1919 May 21

Text of obituary:

SAMUEL E. ENTZ

Samuel E. Entz died May 11, 1999. He was born May 21, 1919, to Anna Claassen Entz and Bernard W. Entz east of Newton, Kan. He graduated from Hesston Academy in 1938. He was baptized in 1936 and became a member of First Mennonite Church in Newton.

In 1941 Sam was drafted and left for Civilian Public Service. He served at Henry, Ill., and Dennison, [sic] Iowa. After dismissal from CPS, Sam enrolled in Grace Bible Institute, now Grace University of Omaha, Neb., where he graduated in 1949. He met his wife, Leona Enns, at Grace. They were married Aug. 12, 1948, at Meade, Kan.

In 1949, Sam and Leona went as missionaries to Congo. They served 26 years with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission. Sam was in charge of the mission transport and mechanic work on trucks, other vehicles and the light plant. His work also included building a number of houses and a large church.

Taking the gospel to the villages was most important to Sam. He used a pickup with public address speakers to call the people for services. The highlight of his missionary service was when he took his mechanic helpers and a pastor to a remote area where the people had never heard the message of Christ. Many accepted Christ during two weeks there.

Returning to Newton in 1976, Sam set up a mechanic shop, where he placed gospel tracts in his customer's [sic] vehicles. He served Grace Community Church as care group leader, elder and janitor. He prayed for each person in the church directory every week. He also served on the Grace University Advisory Council.

He is survived by his wife, Leona; two sisters, Hilda Busenitz and Edith Harms; and two brothers, Walter and Willard, all of Newton. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel E. and William E.; and a sister, Martha Klaassen.