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Meeks, Willie (1869-1936)
The Mennonite obituary: 25 Feb 1936 p. 15
- Birth date: 1869
text of obituary:
"Our faithful native helper, Willie Meeks, has gone home to be with the Lord. He died of pneumonia at the Clinton Indian Hospital January 31, 1936, at the age of about 67 years. On the cold Sunday of January 19, he started out as usual to walk the two miles to church. The shallow North Canadian River was frozen over. When Willie was partly across, the ice broke through and he slipped on one of his knees and got some water into one of his high-topped rubber boots. By the time he walked the other mile and got the fire started in the church, he was quite cold. After the services he walked home and ate supper, without feeling any evil effects of his unfortunate experience. But that night he became quite sick with hiccough and pneumonia. On Tuesday he was taken to the hospital. A week later he rallied some, but Friday morning a change for the worse took place and at 10:30 in the evening the Lord called him home. Repeatedly he had remarked to his children and the missionaries that visited him, that he was not afraid to die and ready to go when God called. His second wife preceded him in death on April 17, 1930. He leaves two married sons, two married daughters, and a number of grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, February 2nd, the missionary Linscheids, Bro. Ediger and Bro. Davis, a Baptist missionary, assisting. Many Arapahos were present in spite of the bad weather, some coming from other districts. Some remarked, that in Willie the tribe had lost their best man. The mourning, especially that of the relatives, was pathetic. No doubt many felt guilty because they had so often not followed the good advice, teaching and example of Willie. He was honored and respected by all who knew him, both in Oklahoma and also Wyoming. Since 1910 he has faithfully labored in our mission as evangelist and assistant to the missionary. Now he rests from his labors and is with God in glory. We could not wish him anything better. But how he will be missed! The Arapahos seemed to especially need him under present conditions. May the Lord find others to continue his work."
Pray ye the Lord of harvest that He may send laborers into His harvest! P. H. Richert, Secretary.
- Find a Grave Memorial ID: 108869732