Flaming, John (1863-1942)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1942 Mar 24 p. 14

Birth date: 1863 Mar 28

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Feb 12 p. 5

text of obituary:

Rev. John Flaming

Rev. John Flaming was born in Shardau, South Russia, March 28, 1863. His parents were Andre Flaming and Helen Unruh Flaming. In the 1874, he emigrated with his parents to America. Here they settled at first near Peabody, Ks.

Later they moved onto a farm near Inman, Ks. In 1880, he found the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior and in company with25 other young souls he was baptized by rev. D. Gaeddert and was taken into the Hoffnungsau church.

In the year 1884, on Jan. 24, he entered the holy state of matrimony with Maria Enns. More than 54 years were they permitted to share the joys and sorrows of married life. The union was blessed with 13 children, of which four preceded him in death.

In August, 1893, the family moved to Oklahoma where they settled on a homestead one mile west and one mile south of Corn. Later they moved to a farm 3½ miles north of Corn. Here he lived until Nov. 14, 1929, when he decided to leave the farm and moved to a small house one mile north of the Bergthal church. This remained his home until death took his beloved wife in July 15, 1938. After that he went to live with his children, where he received filial care and love.

On Sept. 7, 1940, he suffered a light stroke, after which his health gradually began to fail. On January 23, 1942, he was taken to the Gaede Hospital in Weatherford. Here he quietly passed away at 3:00 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 4, 1942.

He reached the age of 78 years, 10 months, and seven days. he leaves to mourn his death nine children: Two daughters, Marie, Mrs. H. N. Kroeker; and Lydia, Mrs. G. N. Kroeker, both of Corn, Oklahoma; 7 sons: P. J., Weatherford; H. B., Corn; John W., Parlier, Calif.; Ernest B., Reedley, Calif.; and Fred, Alvin, Clarence of Weatherford; 24 grandchildren, of which 4 have died, and 2 great grandchildren; one brother, Rev. Peter Flaming living in Buhler, Kans. Six sisters preceded him in death. Besides his immediate family he leaves to mourn his departure a host of other relatives and friends.

Short Biography of Rev. John Flaming

A sturdy oak has fallen, a fruitful tree has gone the way of all flesh. In truth was Rev. Flaming a sturdy oak which had struck its roots deeper and deeper into his faith in his merciful God no matter how the storms might howl around his head and threaten to dislodge him.

When we read the short life sketch he has left us, we must say: Here truly was a soul that trusted in God, that saw its way clearly and then went that way no matter what the odds or difficulties.

Though rather unschooled, he nevertheless did a noble work as a minister and elder of the Bergthal church. If the walls could only speak, they would tell of many a sound Gospel truth which was fearlessly proclaimed to the world by this intrepid leader. he was a servant of God for 32 years and Elder of this church 21 years, and it was no idle whim or fancy which brought him to tell the world of the Great and mighty Savior whom he loved and served.

When in 1895, a crashing tree threw him to the ground and for two hours he was thought dead, a solemn promise made to his God made him a willing tool int he hands of God. As Sunday School president and also as a teacher he began his work in the vineyard of God.

Then in June 16, 1899, came the call to the ministry. Though knowing his weakness he followed the call and was ordained April 16, 1902, as a minister and May 14, 1911, as Elder. His sermons were not the outpouring of personal knowledge nor the idle seeking for acclaim, but as he himself puts it, "I received it all on my knees from the Lord."

Again his faith was put to the test when his beloved wife was struck by lightning in 1896, and a few years later again. But he found a bottomless well of help and sustaining power in his Bible and in his petitions and prayers to his God. The greatest test came when in July, 1938, his beloved wife was taken from him. But instead of much complaining and faultfinding he looked more and more to his God and finally had the only objective in life to see his wife again by being with his Lord.

And so his life's sketch abounds with this one thought: There is nothing of value left in this world; to be with his God and Father and rest in the arms of his Jesus was all that interested him, and towards that he was striving. It gave him a great joy to receive me and my family as members of the Bergthal Church, and he was ever a challenge to my work — always in his place when possible — attentive; even prayer meetings were not too late or too tiresome for him to attend.

We have lost a leader and a friend, the children have lost a father, but Heaven has gained a tireless worker and a faithful servant. There he is now, "Safe in the arms of Jesus", his hopes attained, his objective reached.

— Rev. Henry Hege.

The Mennonite obituary: 1942 Mar 24 p. 12