Hooley, John David (1924-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Jul 11 p. 1

Birth date: 1924 Jul 2

text of obituary:

WEST LIBERTY, OHIO YOUTH MEETS DEATH BY DROWNING IN PENNA.

West Liberty, Ohio. — Funeral services were held at the Oak Grove church here on Tuesday afternoon, July 2, for John David Hooley, Jr., 22, who drowned the preceding Saturday while swimming near New Wilmington, Pa. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hooley of Bellefontaine,Ohio.

Mr. Hooley had been in Pennsylvania for the past 14 months, where he served as a dairy herd tester in Butler county. Details of the tragedy were not learned here. He is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Aug 15 p. 3

text of obituary:

JOHN DAVID HOOLEY

John David was the second son of John D. and Fannie Yoder Hooley, born July 2, 1924, at West Liberty, Ohio. His accidental death from drowning occurred on June 29, 1946.

“Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him.” And so with David. A few days ago he lived and laughed and worked, but swiftly, God took him, just two days before his 22nd birthday.

Following a year in C.P.S. camp, David served for over a year as a dairy herd tester in Butler county, Pa., under C.P.S. administration. He had finished his work for the year, completed his records and closed his books. Then, as was his usual custom, he went 30 miles to New Wilmington, Pa., to spend the weekend with friends and attend church services.

Saturday evening, June 29, he and several other young men went for a swim in a mountain stream. There David accidently stepped into deep water and lost his life. A large group of neighbors and friends gathered on the banks of the stream, and nearby a prayer meeting was quickly assembled. All that loving friends could do was done to save him, but God planned June 29, 1946, as “home-coming” day or David.

We remember fragments from his letters, bits of his conversation and even his actions that pointed to his going and we believe his work was finished.

His parents, two sisters, Margery Headings of DeGraff, Ohio, and Mary at home, and one brother Galer, in Italy survive him. A nine year old brother Richard, preceded him in death in 1930. Funeral services took place at the Oak Grove church, West Liberty, on July 2.

When but a boy, David united with the Oak Grove Mennonite church. As a young man, a love for Christ grew and developed into real zeal, and was exemplified in the way he conscientiously did each task, in the high ideals he upheld, in his attitudes, the faithfulness with which he read his Bible, and his loyalty to the church.

David loved the beautiful things of life and was quick to express his appreciation for them.

His friends knew him as a real chum, his parents as an obedient, thoughtful, and appreciative son, quietly, unassumingly he filled his place in the home, school, church and community. His ready smile, his cheery greeting, his quick step at the door, we will sadly miss, and we do not understand. But through our sorrow God whispers, “This thing is from Me.” We bow in submission to his will.

“This is for Me” the Saviour said,
     As bending low he kissed my brow,
“For one who loves you thus has led.
     Just rest in me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
     Tho’ why perchance you cannot see —
Grieve not for things you sorely miss.
     The thing I send is best for thee.”

Then looking through my tears I plead,
     “Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
“Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread,
     Each path before me here below,
And for my good this thing must be,
     His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I’ll sing,”Whatever be
     God’s way for me is always best.”

— The Family