Nikkel, Robert (1942-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Mar 7 p. 1

Birth date: 1942 Sep 3

text of obituary:

Kansas Farm Youth Fatally Injured

Inman, Kan. — Funeral services for Robert Nikkel, 20-year-old farm youth of the Conway community who was fatally injured in a farm accident, were held Saturday, March 2, at the Zion Mennonite Church northwest of Inman.

Robert, son of Irvin E. and Nellie Nikkel, was helping his father grind feed with a hammermill on Tuesday afternoon when his clothing caught in the power take-off. He died of a broken neck while being taken to Mercy Hospital in Moundridge.

Surviving in addition to the parents are a brother James; two sisters, Grace of the home and Mrs. Jake Goertzen, Jr. of Inman; and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Friesen of Conway and Peter M. Nikkel of Inman.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Apr 4 p. 8

text of obituary:

ROBERT NIKKEL

Robert Nikkel, son of Irvin and Nellie (Friesen) Nikkel, was born in McPherson, Kan. on Sept. 3, 1942 and departed this life through a farm accident on Feb. 26, 1963, reaching the age of 20 years, five months and 23 days.

Robert lived in the Conway, Kan. community most of his life. He received his education at the Monitor and Plainview schools, except for one year when he and his parents lived in California.

At the age of 14 he felt the need of a Savior and answered the Lord's call. He repeated and found forgiveness of sins, and upon confession of his faith was baptized and received into the Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) on Dec. 27, 1956, by Min. John A. Ensz.

Robert was of a quiet, happy and cheerful disposition, showing his appreciation to his parents in the home and to all who knew him.

At the time of the tragedy the Zion congregation near Inman, of which he was a member, was in the midst of revival meetings. At various times Robert expressed the need of a deeper consecration, and only a few hours before his sudden departure, he manifested a concern for his salvation. We commit him to a just and merciful God who “doeth all things well.” Robert was planning to attend the preparatory class at Tucumcari, N. M. following the revival meetings and later enter 1-W service.

He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his parents, one brother and two sisters, James of Grace of the home and Anne, Mrs. Jake Goertzen, Jr. of Inman, one brother-in-law, Jake Goertzen; one niece, Sandra; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Friesen of Conway, Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Nikkel of Inman, and many relatives and friends. His grandmother, Mrs. P. M. Nikkel, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held March 2 at 2 p.m. at the Zion Church. Min. Arvid Ensz made opening remarks based on Psalm 50:1. Min. A. R. Toews chose for his text Job 14:1, 2, Psalm 90:12 and II Cor. 5:10. Min. Milford Wenger made additional remarks, and Min. Tobe Koehn conducted the graveside service and closed with prayer. — The Family.