Franz, Johann P. (1880-1935)

Revision as of 16:11, 14 March 2013

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1935 May 28 p. 13

Birth date: 1880 Jun 5

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 May 16 p. 4

. . .

— Funeral services for John Franz of Thomas county are being held at the Alexanderwohl church near Goessel this afternoon. Mr. Franz passed away last Saturday in the hospital at Hays, where he had submitted to an operation. He is survived by his wife and family.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 May 22 p. 2

text of obituary:

John P. Franz, was born on June 5, 1880, in McPherson Co., Kansas, the son of Jacob and Elisabeth Pankratz Franz. On May 18, 1902, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by the Elder Peter Balzer and joined the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church near Goessel, Kans., where he held his membership at the time of his departure. He was united in wedlock with Mary Unrau on May 24, 1906. Five children were born to this union, three sons and two daughters.

The family lived in the Alexanderwohl community till 1921, when they moved to Thomas county, Kansas, and settled northwest of Oakley. here the family went through 14 years of pioneer life, which was partly pleasant and partly filled with perplexities. Mr. Franz enjoyed good health until May 3, 1935, when he was stricken with an attack of acute appendicitis. When the application of home remedies gave no relief a doctor at Oakley was called the same day. Upon a careful examination the doctor advised that he be taken to the Protestant hospital at Hays, Kansas, and submit to an appendicitis operation. He submitted to this operation on May 4, 1935, at Hays. The operation was successful. After about three days a complication (erysipelas) clouded the hope for his recovery. His condition became more alarming from hour to hour. Everything possible was done to save his life, but his time was up, and at 6 o'clock A.M., May 11, he went to be at home with the Lord at the age of 54 years, 11 months and 6 days. The span of his married life is 28 years, 11 months and 17 days. To his family his departure seems too soon, for he was a good pdovider [sic] and a loving father.

He was sincerely interested in the spiritual welfare of the little group in his community. Much did he enjoy to read the Bible. The ministers who were sent by the Western District conference to serve the little group were generally welcomed into his home. When he was sick in Hays and his dear companion asked about his eternal hope, his answer way, "If I should die do not worry about me, it is well with me."