Kehn, Joseph Lee (1884-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Feb 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1884 Nov 7

text of obituary:

JOSEPH LEE KEHN

Joseph Lee Kehn, son of Benjamin T. Kehn and Anna Kehn, was born on Nov. 7, 1884 at Durham, Kan. and passed away at his home at Winton, Calif. on Jan. 11, 1966, at 7:30 a.m., reaching the age of 81 years, two months and five days.

On Nov. 18, 1904, he was united in marriage to Elisabeth Ann Nightingale, whose companionship he shared for 61 years. Their home was blessed with one son and two daughters.

After living for nine years at Fairview, Okla. they came to Turlock, Calif. where he owned and operated the Kehn Bus Lines, furnishing transportation between the cities of Fresno and San Francisco. Later he moved to South Gate, Calif. where he again set up his own business as a machinist. He retired in 1962 and moved to Winton, where they resided until his death.

He was a kind and considerate husband and father, a God-fearing man, yet in his later years he felt the need of a personal Saviour, he sought the Lord and found Him; and upon the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ, he was baptized and united with the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on Jan. 5, 1966. In his suffering he felt the presence of his Saviour very near and fell peacefully asleep with Jesus with praises in his heart.

Those left to mourn his passing are his widow, Elisabeth and daughter Lela May of the home; three brothers, Jacob B. Koehn of Winton, Calif., Nathan Kehn and Ed Koehn of Berkely [sic Berkeley], Calif., and six sisters, Mrs. Susie Ratzlaff, Mrs. Dean Ratzlaff, Mrs. Leah Heppner, and Minnie Koehn, of Winton, Calif.; Mrs. Laura Wilson of Atwater, and Mrs. Lula Loewen of Orinda; four grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of relatives and friends. Their only son Ralph and one daughter Ida preceded him in death, also one brother Semi [sic Simei] Koehn.

His funeral was conducted to the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Winton, Calif. on Monday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m., with many people present to pay their last respect.

Min. John Wiens, made the opening remarks and prayer, after which Min. Gerald Mininger gave the message. Min. John Jantz conducted a short grave-side service. — The Family.