Peters, John H. (1885-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jul 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1885 Apr 28

text of obituary:

JOHN H. PETERS

John H. Peters, son of Henry and Elizabeth Peters, was born in Marienthahl [sic Marienthal], Russia, April 28, 1885, and departed this life on June 16, 1950, at 1:00 a. m. in his home at the age of 65 years, one month and 19 days.

His early formative years were spent in Russia where he grew into manhood, assisting his parents in making a livelihood for the immediate family. It was there that he received his education in the preparatory school and in the parental home. These were not years of ease for it was during his early life that the father passed away leaving the responsibility of the home in the hands of a mother with growing children.

In the year 1911 he, in company with his mother and three brothers, and two sisters came to America, settling in the Bessie, Oklahoma community. The new environment and needed adjustments were met through thoughtful considerations extended by relatives near at hand. Shortly upon arrival he began working as a day laborer and later he took up farming in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

On February 13, 1912, he was united in marriage to Margaret Rogalsky at Hydro, Oklahoma. To this union were born seven children, one son preceding him death.

After having lived in the midwest for many years the family decided to go west in June of 1935. They ended their move by coming to Dallas, Oregon and on May 12, 1940, he joined the Grace Mennonite church where he remained a member until his death.

On September 21, 1947, he became the victim of a light stroke. This malady repeated itself (as is so often the case in a more severe form) on November 28 of the same year. His condition a year ago seemed most encouraging, then in the latter part of the summer his physical condition took a turn for the worse and he grew steadily weaker, until of late we sensed that his heart was giving evidence of an ailment which resulted in his death.

Bro. Peters in these days of sickness has given a true confession of his faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour and a true desire to be in right relation to his fellow brother. He has left us here for a short while with a good-night, but to greet us with a good-morning up there. May our faith be anchored in his Christ and our lives bear witness of that faith through our deeds so as to be in readiness for that glorious reunion.

He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife; five daughters, Margaret (Mrs. Clarence Simpson), Helen (Mrs. Curt Balzer), Betty (Mrs. Melvin Quiring), Leona (Mrs. Paul Wilson), Martha (Mrs. Alden Schmidt): one son (John Jr.), sixteen grandchildren, one great grandchild, one brother (Jacob Peters), two sisters (Christena Janzen and Elizabeth Fell), a host of relatives and friends.

Those preceding him in death were; one son, Winchell Ray; one granddaughter, Barbara Lynn; his parents, three brothers and two sisters.