Epp, Johannes (1864-1944)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 May 30 p. 15

Birth date: 1864 Jun 8

text of obituary:

Johannes Epp wurde geboren den 8. Juni 1864 in Koscelitzki, West Preussen. Seine eltern waren Abraham und Marie Epp geb. Penner. Seinen Schulunterricht erhielt er in der heimatlichen Dorfsschule. Im Alter von 17 Jahren hatte er das Verlangen mit dem Herrn in den Bund zu treten und so wurde er am 26. Juni 1881 von Aeltesten Töws aus Rußland getauft und in die Gemeinde aufgenommen. Im Jahre 1882 kam er mit dem Vater und den Geschwistern nach America und siedelten sich nahe bei Beatrice, Nebr. auf einer Farm an. Den 30. October 1890 trat er in den heiligen Ehestand mit Anna Reimer. Diese Ehe segnete der Herr mit zwölf Kindern, wovon der Herr 3 im zarten Kindes alter zu sich nahm. Frohe und trübe Tage haben auch im Leben dieses Bruders abgewechselt. Seine Mutter verlor er schon frühe, noch in der alten Heimat. Sein Vater starb 1912. 1915 war es den Geschwistern vergönnt, das Fest der Silberhochzeit im Kreise ihrer Kinder zu feiern. Den 6. August 1937 erfuhr er das große Leid, seine Lebensgefährtin zu verlieren, was ihn sehr einsam ließ bis an sein Ende. Vor einigen Wochen mußte er wegen seinem leidenden Zustand ärztliche Hilfe in Anspruch nehmen, folgedessen er in unserm Hospital aufgenommen und liebevoll gepflegt wurde. Am 26. April um 6 Uhr abends rief der Herr ihn sanft aus diesem Leben zu sich. Er wird vermißt werden von 5 Söhnen und 4 Töchtern, 3 Schwiegersöhnen, 5 Schwiegertöchtern, 19 Großkindern, 3 Brüder und 2 Schwestern.

Endlich kommt Er leise
Nimmt uns bei der Hand
Führt uns von der Reise
Heim ins Vaterland.

Dann ist’s ausgerungen
Ach Dann sind wir da
Wo Ihm wird gesungen
Ein Hallelujah.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Jun 8 p. 6

text of obituary:

JOHN EPP

John Epp was born in West Prussia on June 8, 1864. His parents were Abraham and Marie Epp, nee Penner. He received his elementary training in a village school. At seventeen years of age he expressed his desire of entering into a covenant with his Lord and Saviour. June 26, 1881, he was baptized upon confession of faith by Elder Toews of Russia and was received into the membership of the church.

In 1882 he came to America with his father and family, taking up residence on a farm near Beatrice, Nebr. On October 30, 1890, he was married to Anna Reimer. The Lord blessed this union with 12 children, three of whom passed away in early childhood. For Bro. Epp, life had both its joys and sorrows. Early in his life his mother was taken from his side. His father died in 1912. But in 1915 he and his wife were privileged to observe the 25th anniversary of their wedding. His wife preceded him in death in 1937l.

During the past several months his health began to fail. In the last few weeks of his earthly life he received loving care at the Mennonite hospital. On Wednesday, April 26, 6:15 P. M., the Lord called him to his reward. His presence will be missed by his nine children, five sons and four daughters, thee sons-in-law, five daughters-in-law, 19 grandchildren, three brothers, two sisters, and many relatives and friends.

Now the laborer's task is o'er
     Now the battle-day is past;
Now upon the farther shore
     Lands the voyager at lase.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

'Earth to earth, and dust to dust,'
     Calmly now the words we say,
Left behind we wait in trust
     For the resurrection day.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

The funeral of John Epp was held April 29, from the Harmon-Johnson Funeral Home, Beatrice, Nebr. "It is well with My Soul" was sung by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Goossen and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Wiebe. Rev. Walter H. Dyck read John 14: 1-6. His meditation was based on Psalm 127:2. The closing song "Saved by Grace" was sung by the quartet.

Further services were from the First Mennonite Church, Beatrice. The opening song was "Ich Weiss an Wen ich Glaube." Rev. Cornelius Penner then read Psalm 90, led in prayer and gave the German message based on Hebr. 13:14.

The text of Rev. Dyck's heart-searching message was Psalm 31:5 "Into thine hand I commit my spirit." The quartet sang "In dem Himmel ist's Wunderschoen," and "Jesus Lover of My Soul."

Interment in the church cemetery. The quartet sang "Asleep in Jesus" and Rev. Dyck read 1 Cor. 15:51-58 and led in prayer.

Pall-bearers were Alfred Epp, Walter Epp, G. A. Penner, Arnold Reimer, Oscar Reimer, Donald Reimer.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 May 30 p. 3