Koop, John J. (1903-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Feb 07 p. 28

Birth date: 1903 Sep 04

text of obituary:

JOHN J. KOOP

John J. Koop was born to John and Katherine Koop on September 4, 1903 in Alexanderkrone, Molotschna, Russia. He received his elementary and secondary education in Alexanderkrone. In 1925 he and his parents moved to Canada and settled in Griswold, Man. On October 3, 1929 he was joined in holy matrimony to Mary Penner. The Lord blessed them with 11 children who all love the Lord. His wife Mary died in December 1965.

In 1937 he moved with his family to Vineland, Ont. where he farmed until the death of his first wife, and his retirement in 1965. He was always an active member of the local Mennonite Brethren Church. His loyalty to his Lord was evident in his faithful attendance at the church worship services and his consistent Christian life. Since he loved to sing, he was lately a member of the church men's and mixed choirs in Clearbrook, B.C.

He married Liese Braun on December 28, 1969. The Lord gave them nearly five years of wonderful joy and happiness. In May 1972 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. He is remembered as one who was always active and interested in the well-being and interests of his children and grandchildren. He loved to live.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Elizabeth; five sons: Edward in Orillia, Ont., John in Kitchener, Ont., Arthur and David in Vineland , Walter in St. Catherines, Ont.; six daughters: Mrs. Henry (Helen) Wiebe, Mrs. John (Tina) Sawatsky and Mrs. Ron (Marion) Willms in Vineland, Mrs . Abe (Elfrieda) Hildebrandt in Killarney, Man ., Mrs. Rudy (Margaret) Dyck in Vancouver, and Mrs. Peter (Agnes) Martens in Calgary; 32 grandchildren; two older brothers: Henry J. Koop of St. Catharines, Onto and Abram Koop of Vineland; and one sister, Agnes Koop of Vineland.

He is also survived by seven children of his second wife: George Braun of Victoria, Henry Braun of Regina, Mrs. John (Agatha) Wiebe of Hodgeville, Sask., Mrs. Ike (Margaret) Baerg of Tsawassen, B.C., John Braun of Calgary, Jack Braun of Regina, Helen Braun of Kikwit, Zaire; 18 step-grandchildren and one step-great grandchild; his second wife's four brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were held December 27 in the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church, with Rev. H. Lenzman and Rev. G. Braun speaking, and in Vineland, Ont. on December 28, with Rev. George Braun, step-son, and Rev. H. H. Wiebe, son-in-law, officiating .