Harms, Arthur T. (1903-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Apr 21 p. 8

Birth date: 1903 Jul 6

text of obituary:

ARTHUR T. HARMS

Arthur T. Harms, son of David A. and Katherine (Thiessen) Harms, was born on July 6, 1903 at Cordell, Okla. He departed from this life to enter in to the presence of his Lord during his sleep Sunday morning, March 27, 1960 in Cordell, Okla., having attained the age of 56 years, eight months, and 21 days. He had been under doctor's care for some time and had spent a week in the hospital in February.

His church and the service of his Lord occupied a major place in his interest and effort. Upon his conversion to personal faith in Christ as Savior, he was baptised by Elder Henry Riesen on May 24, 1920 and was received into the fellowship of the Herold Mennonite church. Services in the church included such special ministries as serving on the Board of Trustees, secretary-treasurer of the Sunday school, and singing with the men's chorus and quartet.

His faithfulness to his Lord and his church, together with his positive spiritual leadership in the home constituted an effective influence upon his family for righteousness and Godliness. He was continually heart to pray for all the children and grandchildren by name at the family altar.

One week before his passing he and his wife, Martha Heidebrecht, commemorated 33 happy years together by the observance of their 33rd wedding anniversary. Their home was blessed with two sons and three daughters: Milton, Wilma, L. D., Virgie and Donna. He received his education at the Flynn school and the Oklahoma Bible academy. The one year spent at the Bible academy was a special blessing to him in the fellowship of the school and the life time friendships formed. Realizing the importance of Christian education, he encouraged each of his children to attend the Academy and to pursue such other education as they felt necessary for their life and service.

From his youth he was engaged in the business of farming at Cordell, Okla., and for several years in Texas. This past year was spent in semi-retirement and was a time of often-expressed special enjoyment.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Martha of Cordell; his children, Milton of Hobart, Mrs. Dwight Zuercher of Fort Worth, Texas; L. D. of Cordell, Mrs. Russell Mueller of Council Bluffs, Ia., and Donna of the home; two daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, to [sic] grandsons, three granddaughters, his step-mother, two brothers, two sisters, his father-in-law, four brothers-in-law, six sisters-in-law, and a host of other relatives and friends.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (II Cor. 5:1).