Regier, John G. (1874-1932)

Revision as of 16:48, 31 March 2021

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1932 Jun 21 p. 13

Birth date: 1874 Oct 6

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Jun 15 p. 3

text of obituary:

The community lost a respected citizen and the Mennonite Church a staunch friend and supporter as John G. Regier, for many years treasurer of the Foreign Mission Board of the General Conference passed away at his home at 317 East Fourth street early last Monday morning. Death came after many years of protracted illness, the deceased reaching the age of 57 years.

Mr. Regier was founder of the local Regier Loan and Abstract company, but due to ill health has been in retirement since 1927. Funeral services will be held at the First Mennonite church tomorrow afternoon.

The Review extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Jun 15 p. 4

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— Funeral services for John G. Regier, who passed away at his home last Monday, will be held at the First Mennonite church at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. A short service will also be held at the home at 1:00 o'clock.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Jun 22 p. 3

text of obituary:

John G. Regier was born near Marienburg, West Prussia, on October 6, 1874, the oldest son of Jacob H. and Marie Regier, nee Claassen. When he was six years of age, his parents immigrated ot the United States, where they purchased a home two miles east of Newton, Kansas. Here he grew to manhood under the helpful influence of Christian parents and teachers. On the twenty-first of May, 1893, he was baptized upon confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Rev. Jacob Toevs, and united with the First Mennonite church of Newton of which he remained a afithful [sic] member until the time of death. By the grace of God, he experienced forgiveness of sin thru the atoning blood of Christ. As the years passed by his faith deepened. His desire to grow in grace and in all Christian virtues became evermore the desire of his hear tand the controlling factor of his life.

He attended the Newton schools and graduated with the high school class of 1896, after which he was a student in Bethel college for one year. Mr. Regier began his business career as a helper in the loan and abstract office conducted by his uncle, c. F. Claassen, with whom he was associated for seventeen years. He purchased the business from Mr. Claassen in 1904 and conducted an insurance, loan and abstract office in his own name until 1929 when he was forced by failing health to give up active work. His sterling qualities of industry, thoroness and faithfulness were crowned with the blessing of God, and he was successful in his undertakings.

He found a faithful life companion in Frieda E. Voth to whom he was married on May 10, 1908. the young people took a wedding trip to Europe, and the month of travel remained a pleasant memory thruout life. Varied experiences of joy and sorrow were their portion and both he and his wfie passed thru severe illnesses. Their lives were enriched thru close fellowship with Christian friends, and thru their associations with the religious activities of their denomination.

Mr. Regier's interest in all things pertaining to the up-building of God's kingdom deepened with his Christian experience. He was privileged to serve God in many ways with the talents entrusted to him, not only in the home congregation but also for the entire denomination. He was appointed assistant treasurer of the foreign mission board of the General Conference in 1911, and was elected as treasurer in 1923, after Rev. Gustav Harder's death. His whole heart was in this work and when his health failed he continued this service with the faithful help of his brother up to the time of his death. he greatly treasured the friendship of the missionaries and his association with the Mission Board. He also served as treasurer and custodian of Bethel college for fifteen years, giving not only his time and interest to the school, but delighting also in giving his personal help during the summer vacation months toward keeping the college property in good repair.

In 1922 Mr. Regier became a member of the Board of Directors of the Bethel deaconess Home and Hospital society and he took a great interest in every phase of the work as carried on by the institution. He traveled as a member of a committee of three to make a study of homes for aged before the newton institution was erected, and gave liberally of this time, efforts and means to make the Bethel Home for Aged a reality in this community.

As Mr. Regier's work and responsibilities were thus multiplied, the burden began to grow too heavy for him. His interest in the work of God grew, and he planned to give up his secular burdens and to give his entire time and strength to the mission cause and to the institution work. But before he could make these arrangements he broke down under the load. Severe illness laid him low, and tho he recovered some for a short time, his health did not return. And now there came for this tireless worker five long years of partial inactivity. it was a hard time of adjustment for a man who had been so intensely active. Thru God's grace he leaned obedience in suffering , and tho he signed at times under the burden, he did not murmur, but humbly submitted himself to the will of God.

On Monday, June the sixth, he became unconscious due to a cerebral hemmorrhage [sic]. His condition seemed to improve for several days so that he recognized his friends. On Friday there was a change for the worse and he lapsed into unconsciousness from which he passed into death early on Monday June the thirteenth. he was 57 years, 6 months and 7 days old at the time of his departure.

His death is mourned by his bereaved wife, his aged father, five brothers, B. G. Regier, Dr. H. L. Regier, G. P. Regier, W. W. Regier and J. E. Regier, and two sisters. Mrs. Anna Suderman and Miss Johanna Regier. A host of relatives and friends feel with them the great loss which the passing of a good and faithful servant of God brings to a community.

A large crowd of relatives and friends occupied the First Mennonite church building on East First Thursday afternoon, June 16, and many more went to the new building that was equipped with a loud speaker. Services were held first at the home where the Rev, B. Regier and the Rev. P. A. Penner had charge. The former spoke in German on the text chosen from Rev. 2, 10, and the latter on Hosea 6, 1. A group of ten sisters from the Bethel Deaconess hospital sang special music.

In the church Rev. P. R. Voth made the opening with Hebr. 12, 22-24. Then Rev. J. E. Entz spoke in the German language on Ps. 116, 15-16, and Ps. 126, 1-2, 5-6, and Rev. P. H. Richert in the English language on a text from 1. Thess. 4, 13-18. A quartet sang several favorite songs of the deceased.

Interment was made in Greenwood cemetery. The casket bearers were P. A. Penner, B. C. Regier, B. W. Entz, William Busenitz, G. B. Entz and P. D. Claassen.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Jun 22 p. 4

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— Funeral services for John G. Regier held at the First Mennonite church last Thursday afternoon were attended by a large crowd of friends who had learned to know Mr. Regier during his influential career. His remains were interred in the Greenwood cemetery. A complete account of Mr. Regier's life appears in another column of this issue.

The Mennonite obituary: 1932 Jun 30 p. 13

Bethel College Monthly obituary: 1932 Nov p. 11