Pankratz, John M. (1870-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Sep 28 p. 4

Birth date: 1870 Sep 12

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the home for aged, Goessel, and the Alexanderwohl church for J. M. Pankratz, 80, who died Saturday evening at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel. He is survived by seven daughters and three sons, all of the central Kansas area.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 12 p. 6

text of obituary:

JOHN M. PANKRATZ

John M. Pankratz, son of Rev. Peter and Elizabeth Martens Pankratz, was born on Sept. 12, 1870, in the village of Waldheim, South Russia. Several years later their home burned down and his parents with the family moved to Paulsheim where he started to school. A few years later when his father was called into the ministry by the Alexanderwohl church they sold all their belongings and moved to the village of Alexanderwohl, in South Russia. In that village he continued his education.

In 1885 the departed emigrated to the U. S. with his parents, brothers and sisters, arriving in Lehigh, Kans. on May 26, 1885. They were hospitably received into the home of Peter Schroeder where they resided until their own home was purchased, west of Hillsboro, in Marion county, Kansas.

On May 26, 1890 he was baptized by Elder Jacob Buller and received into the Alexanderwohl church of which he remained a faithful member until his death.

On Jan. 19, 1893 he was united in marriage to Eva Duerksen to which union were born five sons and seven daughters. (Two sons and one daughter preceded him in death).

Since his wife's passing on Nov 8, 1939, he was very lonely. He found much comfort in reading his Bible and singing the familial songs and Christian hymns, which strengthened him in faith and gave him courage. He was always an active church member as long as health permitted.

The departed enjoyed normal health most of his life until the declining years, when his health began to fail. He patiently bore his burdens and looked forward anxiously to be redeemed from this life and care and be with the Lord in whom he trusted in a simple childlike faith.

For several years he made his home with his children, Martha caring for him faithfully until her marriage. Then Agnes took care of him for some months. Later on he made his home with some of the other children until November 1949 when he entered the Bethesda Home for the Aged in Goessel, Kans.

In his last illness he was transferred to the Bethesda hospital where he received the best of medical and doctor’s care until he passed away on Sept. 23, 1950, reaching the age of 80 years and 11 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure the following: John D. Pankratz and family, and Peter D. Pankratz and family, Hillsboro, Kans.; Mrs. Agnes Riesen and family, Newton, Kans.; Henry D. Pankratz and family, Hillsboro: Eva, Mrs. John Funk and family, Hillsboro; Marie, Mrs. John G. Flaming, Newton; Martha, Mrs. Victor Voth and family, Canton, Kans.; Katharina, Mrs. Arthur Funk and family, Hillsboro; Margaret, Mrs. Sam Richert and family, Wichita, Kans. : Mrs. Jake Ratzlaff and family, Hillsboro; P. F. Schmidt, Newton; 50 grandchildren (5 of them preceded him in death); five great-grandchildren (one of them preceded him in death); two brothers, Abe Pankratz of Reedley, Calif., and Ben Pankratz of Selma, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Kliewer of Cordell, Okla. and Mrs. Maria Schmidt of Reedley, Calif.

Funeral services were conducted in the Bethesda Old Folks Home at Goessel, Ks. on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 pm. in charge of Rev. Philip A. Wedel and at the Alexanderwohl church at 2:00 p.m., also conducted by Rev. Philip A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel.

The Gospel men’s chorus served with very fitting songs. A short Scripture passage, prayer and a few remarks were made at the graveside by Rev. J. J. Voth, committment [sic] and blessing by Rev. P. A. Wedel.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Oct 24 p. 707