Heppner, Ben (1917-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jun 21 p. 25

Birth date:1917 Jul 12

text of obituary:

BEN HEPPNER

Ben Heppner passed away Mar. 14. He was born July 12, 1917 to Bernhard and Sarah Heppner in Laird, Sask. He attended school to grade 9, He accepted Christ at 15. At 18 he recommitted his life to the Lord and attended Prairie Bible Institute for 1 year before returning to the family farm. He married Esther Nikkel Sept. 7, 1941. They farmed in Laird. He worked with youth, Sunday school and choir. He returned to Prairie Bible Institute, graduating in 1949. He later earned a B.Th. from the American Bible College. He pastored a church in Okotoks. In 1950 he joined West Indies Missions. On the island of Guadeloupe, he planted a church, pastored several churches, taught Bible school and helped build homes. While on furloughs, he pastored Laird MB Church for a year and Dalmeny (Sask.) MB Church for 2 years. He served 3 years as a missionary in Haiti. He pastored Chilliwack (B.C) Central MB Church 1970-75 and Warman (Sask.) MB Church 1975-82. In retirement, he kept busy with speaking engagements, interim pastoral assignments (at Hope Fellowship in Saskatoon, at Foam Lake, Sask. and in Quebec), organizing 2 tours to Guadeloupe and serving on the Warman Housing Authority for 12 years, In 1990 they moved to West Portal Manor, Saskatoon. He then was interim pastor at College Drive Community Church in Lethbridge, Alta. for a year-and-a-half and pulpit pastor at Langham (Sask.) Bible Church for a year. He enjoyed camping, hunting, gardening, singing, playing guitar and, in later years, bowling, playing pool and games. He loved spending time with his daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren . His greatest passion was serving the Lord. Predeceased by son Tim in a car accident in the early 1970s, 2 sisters and 4 brothers, he is mourned by Esther, daughter Pat Wiebe; 3 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 5 sisters and 1 brother.