Lichti, Otto (1875-1920)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1920 Jun 3 p. 7
Birth date: 1875 May 20

---

The Mennonite obituary: 1920 Jun 10 p. 6
Birth date:1875 May 20
text of obituary:

Lichti.— Died at Reedley, Cal., on May 22 at the age of 45 years and 2 days, Dr. Otto Lichti. He was born on May 20, 1875, at Kisselhof, Palatinate, Germany. In the year 1889 he was baptized and received into the membership of the Mennonite church. In April of the year 1891 he came with his parents to America and they made their home in Kansas. Here he attended Bethel College for four years and one year he studied at the state university. After this he attended the Bloomfield, N. J., seminary for two years and served this institution as teacher the two following years. Following this he became pastor of the church at Pandora, O., and after serving here he went to Germany and Switzerland to continue his studies. After returning to America he attended Yale University for one year and there became pastor of a congregation in Conn. Seven years ago he came to Reedley, Cal., and after teaching for three years in the high school of our town he retired with his family to the farm and raised fruit. He was suddenly taken sick and after a few days died with internal hemorrhage. In 1901 he was united in matrimony with Elizabeth Eymann and the Lord blest this union with six children who with their mother mourn the death of a kind husband and a loving father.

Funeral services were held on the 24th in our church. Bro, W. P. Neufeld spoke in German on Psalm 90:12 and Bro. H. J. Krehbiel spoke English, choosing as text Isaiah 28:29. The brother of the deceased, J. K. Lichti of Fairmead read a sketch of his life. The heartfelt sympathy of the large congregation and this community goes out to Sister Lichti and her fatherless children. May the Lord comfort them.

---

Bundesbote-Kalender obituary: 1921 p. 35

Text of obituary:

† Prediger Otto Lichti.

Br. Otto Lichti war geboren den 20. Mai 1875 auf dem Kisselhof in der Rheinpfalz, Deutschland. Im Jahre 1889 wurde er durch die heilige Taufe in die Mennonitengemeinde aufgenommen. Im April 1891 kam er mit seinen Eltern nach Amerika. Nachdem er in Bethel College und Bloomfield, N. J., studiert hatte, und an letzterer Schule gelehrt, diente er der Gnadengemeinde, Pandora, O., als Prediger. Er studierte weiter in Deutschland und auf der Yale Universität. Er lehrte in Reedley, Kalif., und starb dort am 22. Mai 1920.

---

Mennonite Year Book and Almanac obituary: 1921 p. 20

Text of obituary:

DR. OTTO LICHTI

Dr. Otto Lichti was born May 20, 1875, in Kisselhof, Palatinate, Germany. At the age of fourteen he united with the Mennonite Church at Monsheim by baptism on confession of faith. In the spring of 1891 he came with his parents to America and settled in Kansas. Here he grew to manhood and attended Bethel College and was one of the four first graduates of Bethel. Then he entered Kansas State University where he continued his studies; after which he took two years' course in Bloomfield Seminary, New Jersey. After completing his course he continued two more years at the Seminary as a teacher and a member of the faculty.

In 1901 he married Elizabeth Eymann. Six children born to this union and the widow survive. On June 1, 1892, [sic] both Rev. and Mrs. Lichti united with the First Mennonite Church of Philadelphia. On the same day the pastor, Rev. N. B. Grubb, assisted by Rev. L. O. Schimmel, ordained him to the Gospel ministry. During the two years following he frequently preached in the First Church, and during the summer supplied a Presbyterian pulpit in Philadelphia, while the pastor spent the summer in Europe. Later, for two years he was the pastor of Grace Mennonite church, at Pandora, Ohio. Then he went to Germany and Switzerland for further studies. After his return he took another year at Yale University. After this he was pastor of a Congregational church at Ansonia, Connecticut; and then in 1912, he took up his residence at Reedley, California, where for four years he had charge of the German department in the Reedley High School. During the war this department was abolished. Then he retired with his family to a farm and engaged in fruit raising.

On the 10th of May, 1920, he became seriously ill with an internal hemorrhage from which he suffered until the 22nd, when he passed away at the age of 45 years and two days. On May 24th his mortal remains were laid to rest on which occasion Rev. H. J. Krehbiel and Rev. William P. Neufeld conducted the services. Mr. J. K. Lichti, a brother of the deceased gave a short address and read a sketch of Dr. Lichti's life.