Koehn, Everett J. (1926-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Sep 19 p. 1

Birth date: 1926

text of obituary:

Kansas Young Man Fatally Injured On Highway Job

RUN OVER BY LOADED TRUCK WHILE AT WORK ON HIGHWAY 81 NEAR HESSTON

Hesston, Kansas. — Funeral services took place at the Meridian Mennonite church last Sunday afternoon for Everett J. Koehn, 19, who died the previous Wednesday shortly after being run over by a loaded truck while at work on the paving of Highway 81 near here.

The young man was working near the loading hopper when a truck loaded with sand backed into him and knocked him down. A rear wheel passed over his chest and he died about ten minutes later.

He was the son of Mrs. Eva Koehn of northeast of Hesston, and the late John C. Koehn. Survivors include the mother, five sisters and two brothers. Services at the home and at the Meridian church were in charge of Rev. Ervin Harms and Rev. Milford Wenger.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Sep 26 p. 3

text of obituary:

EVERETT J. KOEHN

Everett J. Koehn, son of John C. and Eva Koehn, was born Dec. 23, 1926, in McPherson county, Kansas, and departed this life Sept. 11, 1946, at Hesston, Kansas, at the early age of 19 years, eight months and 19 days.

In Everett's first years of infancy, he was very bright and alert and much interested in everything about him. But at six years of age he was stricken with an extremely severe nervous breakdown which rendered him helpless for a time and retarded his normal maturation physically and mentally. However, in the last few years he became fairly mature, insomuch that he became a good worker at many tasks given him to do, and he had a fair understanding of most issues of life.

In 1931 he, with his parents, moved to Scott county where he received several years of schooling. In 1938 his father suddenly passed away, leaving him with his mother and other members of the family still at home. One year later the family moved to his sister's home near Hesston, that of Harry and Gladys Wenger. Everett received two more years of schooling a the Hesston school. In 1943 his mother purchased a little farm home three-quarters of a mile north of the Meridian church where he was at home to the time of his death, usually busy working either at home or on various jobs in the community.

At the time of his death he was helping in the construction work of Highway 81 near Hesston, when, about 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, somehow he stood in the path of a loaded backing truck which knocked him over on his back and ran over his chest, causing severe crushing injuries and internal hemorrahages [sic]. Signs of life were evident for only about 15 minutes. He was taken by other workers to the office of Dr. Fred S. Brenneman in Hesston where every medical attention was given, but within several minutes his heart stopped beating. Thus Everett left us without the opportunity of a parting word.

Everett usually manifested concern about spiritual and eternal things, often speaking in a childlike manner about things of right and wrong, and at different times in the last several years took a stand to serve the Lord, then again failing of the desired goal. Last Sunday evening he was especially deeply concerned and those who worked with him the day of his death stated that it appeared he was in deep meditation. We have no direct assurance of Everett's salvation, but in humble submission we commit him into the hands of the Lord.

He leaves to mourn his violent, sudden death his sorrowing mother, two brothers, Reuben J. of Sedgwick and Clarence J. of Valley Center; five sisters, Mrs. Marvin Becker, Newton, Mrs. Harry D. Wenger, Hesston, Mrs. Homer Unruh, Tribune, Mrs. Emery Yost, Moundridge, and Evelyn of the home; 22 nephews and nieces and a large relationship of uncles, aunts, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Meridian church near Hesston. Ministers Ervin Harms and Milford Wenger were in charge. Min Wenger had the services in the home and opened the church service with remarks, Scripture and prayer, after which Min. Harms chose for his texts Eccl. 9:11, 12; Amos 4:12; Heb. 9:27, 28. Burial was made in the Lonetree cemetery. — The Family.