Schmidt, Jacob E. (1903-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 May 12 p. 5

Birth date: 1903 Apr 16

text of obituary:

— The Tabor community north of Newton was saddened this week by the sudden passing of Jacob E. Schmidt, 46, whose death at the Bethesda hospital at Goessel on Monday morning was caused by lockjaw. It is reported that he ran a sliver in his arm several weeks ago while carrying a piece of new lumber, which was the cause of his fatal illness. He is survived by his wife, and a daughter, Mildred. He was a brother of Rev. H. B. Schmidt, pastor of the Tabor church, and of Mrs. Gerhard Friesen of Newton. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at the Tabor church with Rev. Phil. A. Wedel and Rev. J. J. Voth in charge.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 May 26 p. 6

text of obituary:

JACOB E. SCHMIDT

Jacob E. Schmidt was born April 16, 1903 at Goessel, Kansas and died May 9, 1949 in the Bethesda hospital. He reached the age of 46 years and 22 days.

In his early youth he learned to love Jesus and accepted Him as his personal Savior. On May 15, 1921, he publicly confessed his faith in Him, was baptized by Elder P. H. Richert, and received into the fellowship of the Tabor church, whose true and faithful member he remained to the end.

He was united in holy matrimony to Marie Unruh on October 6, 1926. On May 29, 1929, they adopted Mildred Jean into their hearts and home. She brought him much joy and happiness.

He received his elementary education in the Greenfield school and attended Bethel academy for three years.

He has been a kind and loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He found much joy in helping others and often was more concerned in their welfare than in his own.

He loved his God and spent many hours in close communion with Him. He also loved his Bible and the church. Very seldom was he absent from any church service. He often regretted that he didn't do more for his Lord. Often he wondered about heaven and expressed a longing to be there. It wasn't hard for him to speak of spiritual and eternal things. When his father died he said "Dad died much too soon for me. I hope I don’t have to live till I am old either.” His wish has been granted.

Somehow he felt that his travels here were about over. He made pre- here were about over. He made prep- his neighbors about it. [sic fragments repeated in original] Before he left his home and was taken to the hospital he said ‘‘I am ready to go, I won’t be here many more days.” At the hospital he comforted the rest of us by saying "You need not worry about my soul.” He suffered patiently and bravely and even under intense pain assured us that he was happy.

We will miss his love and concern for us all, but we do not bid him farewell hopelessly. He has gone where we all hope to go. “The grace is not a blind alley, but a highway to a Big Beyond. It closes in the twilight to open in the dawn."