Hoeppner, Jacob R. (1898-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jul 12 p. 3

Birth date: 1898 Dec 11

text of obituary:

JACOB R. HOEPPNER

My beloved husband and our father Jacob R. Hoeppner was born December 11, 1898, at Hillsboro, Kansas. He departed from this life, Monday, June 25 at 9:40 P. M. in the Emmanuel hospital, in Turlock, California, reaching the age of 47 years, 6 months and 14 days.

When he was 13 years of age, he with his parents moved to Winton, California, where he remained for several years. Returning to Hillsboro, Kansas, he began training in watch repairing, as an apprentice under his brother Dick. this became his life profession.

After his brother Dick was called to Europe for reconstruction work, Jacob attended the Lancaster school in Pennsylvania, to complete his course in watch repairing.

It was during this time that the Lord drew close to him, and Jacob feeling his lost condition, accepted Christ as his personal Savior, however, not uniting with any church at that time.

Later, in the year of 1925 he was baptized and united with the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

In the year of 1920 he was united in marriage with Kathryn Janzen of Homestead, Oklahoma. This union was blessed with four children.

In 1931 he moved to Livingston, Calif., where he lived to the time of his death.

During his life's work he was very conscientious and enthusiastis [sic] in his occupation, also training a number of young men in his trade and winning the reputation of an expert in his profession. He also took delight in helping others and making friends as opportunities offered.

Father took much interest in reading the Scriptures, and also in praying with his family.

He now leaves to mourn his departure, his beloved wife Kathryn, three sons, Allen of Moundridge, Kansas, Carl and Donald of Livingston, Calif. and one daughter, Bertha Lucille, Mrs. George Toews of Winton, Calif. Two brothers, Dr. D. R. Hoeppner, Hillsboro, Kansas, and Edward Hoeppner of Winton, Calif. Four sisters, Agnes, Mrs. F. G. Hiebert, Hillsboro, Kansas, Margaretha, Mrs. A. G. Hiebert, Hillsboro, Kansas, Anna, Mrs. D. H. Dyck, Winton, Calif. and Lydia, Mrs. Isaac Wedell, his twin sister, of Winton, Calif. three grand children, and many relatives and friends.

His father, mother, and step-mother, also two sisters preceded him in death. Death was caused from an infection of the lung.

I can not say, and I will not say, that he is dead. He is just away.

With cheery smile and the wave of a hand, he has wandered into an unknown land, and left us dreaming how very fare [sic], if needs must be since he lingers there, and You, O you, who the wildest yearn, for the Old-time step and the glad return Think of him faring on, as dear in the love of there as the love of here. Think of him still as the same. I say, He is not dead He is just away!

The Family

Brother Hoeppner was well known and highly respected. This was shown by the large attendance of friends at the funeral. He will be missed at Livingston, where he operated his jewelry store and watch repair shop, through which he won many friends.

A short service was held at the home on Monday at 1 P. M., in charge of Rev. J. E. Friesen. Text, Ecc. Chapter 12.

Regular services were held at the Winton church at 2 P. M. where Rev. A. T. Koehn made the opening and Rev. John A. Koehn spoke words of comfort based on Psalm 90:3-6.

The services at the graveside were conducted by Rev. J. E. Friesen.