Epp, Cornelius (1868-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Apr 6 p. 4

Birth date: 1868 Oct 4

text of obituary:

. . .

— One of the pioneer immigrants to this country from Russia, Cornelius Epp, 81, passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital last Friday afternoon following a long illness. Funeral services took place Tuesday afternoon at the home, 818 Pine street, Newton, and at the Alexanderwohl church, of which he was a member. His wife, the former Justina Schroeder, died Jan. 19, 1944. The following children survive: Wilma Geer and August Epp of Newton; Bertha Banman of Canton; Margaret Unrau and Edna Dirksen of Moundridge; Martha Schmidt, Linda Schroeder, Marvin Epp and Elva Schmidt, all of Ferndale, Wash.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Apr 20 p. 6

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS EPP

Cornelius Epp, son of Johann and Maria (Hiebner) Epp, was born Oct. 4, 1868, in the village of Blumenort. South Russia. He migrated to the U.S.A. with his parents in 1879 when he was almost ten years of age. He attended the public school from his parental home for a short time, and later was a student in the Peter Balzer Bible school for three years.

On May 21, 1888, he was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer and joined the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church, whose faithful member he remained until his departure.

He was united in marriage to Justina Schroeder on March 24, 1891, with whom he shared life’s joys and sorrows. The children were always impressed with the companionship and loyalty to one another as father and mother. Mother passed away in January 1944.

Upon the loss of mother, he found increased comfort in his children and in his church, which he loved. His life's interest centered around the church and its activities. He served in the church in various ways, such as Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, chairman and secretary of the church brotherhood, song leader, arbitration committee member, and other offices of the church.

He was always a very active man. He believed in thoroughness and exactness in all things that he did. He lived on the farm most of his life. The last years of his life he spent at his home in Newton with his children, Wilma and her husband, John Edward Geer. The parents were permitted to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in March 1941.

One of his outstanding contributions aside from church work was the service he rendered to the Mennonite people as secretary of the Mennonite Aid Union. This work he did faithfully for many years.

In the declining years of his life his health began to fail and during his last prolonged illness in the Bethel hospital he bore his illness patiently, submitting himself wholly to the will of God. He greatly appreciated all the kindness shown him by the nurses and doctors.

He passed to his reward on March 31, 1950, at 4:45 p. m. reaching the age of 81 years, five months and 27 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his children, Bertha, Mrs. A. J. Banman and family of Canton, Kans.; August Epp and family of Newton; Margaret, Mrs. W. H. Unrau and family of Moundridge; Martha, Mrs. Carl Schmidt and family of Ferndale, Wash.; Edna, Mrs. Menno Dirksen and family of Moundridge; Linda, Mrs. Harry Schroeder and family, and Marvin Epp and family of Ferndale; Wilma, Mrs. John Edward Geer, and husband of Newton; Elva, Mrs. Clarence Schmidt and family of Ferndale. Three children preceded their father in death in early infancy. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Marie Gaede of Shafter, Calif., and Mrs. Nettie Isaac of Glendale, Calif., 26 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 4, 1950. Brief services were conducted at the home in Newton by Rev. J. E. Entz and a ladies trio. At the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church near Goessel, Rev. P. A. Wedel and Rev. H. B. Schmidt were the officiating ministers, assisted by a men's quartet and men's chorus. Interment was at the Alexanderwohl church cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Apr 25 p. 299