Smith, Max (1890-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Jun 9 p. 6

Birth date: 1890 Jul 25

text of obituary:

— Funeral services for Max Smith, who died Thursday, June 2, in St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, were held Saturday forenoon in the Bethel College Mennonite Church. Rev. Russell Mast, pastor of the church, officiated. The body was then taken to Pawnee Rock, where services were again held at the Bergthal church, of which Mr. Smith had formerly been a member. Conducting the services there was Rev. Victor Sawatzky. Mrs. Smith, who reached the age of 69, was a widely known farmer at Pawnee Rock and lived there until he move to North Newton about two years ago. He was a member of the Bethel College board of directors until last year and although not in the best of health made a tour of South America in 1958. He is survived by his wife, Martha, two daughters, Mrs. Carl Smith of Pawnee Rock and Mrs. Erwin Graber of Crawforsville, Iowa, and their families, and by a step-son, Kenneth Kaufman and wife of Lawrence.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Jun 9 p. 8

text of obituary:

MAX SMITH

Max Smith was born to Samuel P. and Mary Base Smith on July 25, 1890. He passed away at the St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, on June 2, 1960. He attained the age of 69 years, 10 months, 8 days.

He was reared on a farm near Pawnee Rock and received his elementary education in the local rural school. After college work at Bethel and Southwestern colleges, he spent several years teaching public schools in Barton County.

On June 6, 1915, he was baptized by Elder P. H. Dirks and became a member of the Bergtal Mennonite church, where he remained an active member until transferring membership to the Bethel College Mennonite Church in 1959.

His marriage to Effie Unruh took place on May 24, 1916. The birth of two daughters completed the family and after 40 years the family circle was broken by the death of his wife.

On May 26, 1958, he was married to Mrs. Martha Kaufman, and subsequently moved to their present home at North Newton, Kan.

Max Smith was a farmer all his life and was active in community and church affairs, having spent more than 20 years as Sunday School superintendent. At various times, he served on a number of administrative boards of both Christian and philanthropic institutions.

Friends will remember his industriousness, his sense of humor, and his optimistic attitude.

His, widow, Martha, survives, as do his daughters, step-son, and their families. They are: Maxlyn and Earl Schmidt and children, Ann and Robert, Pawnee Rock; Ruth and Erwen Graber and children, Pamela, Suzette, and Max, Crawfordsville, Iowa; Kenneth and Joyce Kaufman, Lawrence, Kansas.

Brothers surviving are Clarence of Larned; Elrick, Leo, and Ben, of Pawnee Rock. Sisters include Mrs. Bertha Dirks of Larned, Sister Lena Mae Smith of Newton, and Luella, Mrs. Hans Regier of Whitewater. One sister, Susie, Mrs. Chester Siebert, passed away in 1958.

A source of comfort to him and an indication of his faith and trust in God are the verses of Psalm 121, which passage meant a great deal to him during his illness.