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Headings, Valentine J. (1909-1961)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Feb 9 p. 4
Birth date: 1909 Nov 2
text of obituary:
Hutchinson, Kan. — Valentine J. Headings, Jr., bishop of the Plainview Conservative Mennonite Church near here, died at Grace Hosiptal [sic] in Hutchinson Feb. 1 at the age of 51. He had been ill two months.
Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at the Plainview church.
Bishop Headings was well known in the Conservative Conference, having served as moderator of last fall's conference session. He leaves his widow, Fannie, two sons, three daughters, his father Valentine Headings, Sr., four sisters and four brothers.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Feb 8 p. 8
text of obituary:
VALENTINE J. HEADINGS, JR.
Valentine J. Headings, Jr. was born Nov. 2, 1909, on a farm near Hutchinson, Kansas, son of V. J. and Mary Ann (Helmuth) Headings, Sr. He grew to manhood on the farm with his four brothers and three sisters.
He passed away Feb. 1, 1961 at Grace hospital, Hutchinson, after two months of serious illness, at the age of 51 years, two months, and 30 days.
He leaves to mourn his departure his companion Fannie; five children, Earl of Lawrence, Kansas, Mary (Mrs. Ray Schrock) of Pueblo, Colo., Esther of Hutchinson, and Darlene and David at home. One daughter preceded him in death at the age of eight weeks. Also surviving are his brothers, Levi, Noah, Raymond, and John; three sisters, Barbara, Sarah, and Mary (Mrs. Fred Nisly), all of Hutchinson; and one foster sister, Mrs. Jonathan Keupfer of Baden, Ontario.
Valentine was a farmer all his life, always a good provider for his companion and family.
Upon his confession of faith he was baptized Oct. 3, 1931. In August, 1948, a Conservative Mennonite church was established in this community. He with his family united with this church on Dec. 8, 1948. On Dec. 22, 1949, he was ordained to the ministry by lot, out of a class of three, to serve at the Plainview Conservative Mennonite church. Bro. Nevin Bender of Greenwood, Del. was in charge of the ordination. On May 24, 1952, he was ordained to the office of bishop. Bro. Nevin Bender was again in charge, and Bro. Elmer Swartzendruber (deceased) of Kalona, Iowa, assisted.
He served as district representative of Prairie View Hospital at Newton, Kans. for seven years and as counsellor on the Peace Counselling Committee for 1-W boys for five years. He was also district representative for CROP and Regional Relief for a number of years. He was used in evangelistic meetings and Bible conferences, and was conference moderator for two years.
On Nov. 6, 1960, he preached his last message in the church on "Prayer Changes Things," although he preached to many from his hospital bed.
His last testimony was this: "For to me to live is Christ, but to die is gain." The funeral was conducted as he had planned. Bro. Jonas Yoder and Bro. Willis Nisly, home minsters, Bro. Lee Mast of Mountain View, Ark. and Bro. Morris Swartzendruber of Kalona, Iowa, were in charge of the service. The body is resting in the Plainview Conservative Mennonite Church Cemetery. — The Family.