Thomas, Duane Eugene (1954-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Mar 1 p. 8, 9

Birth date: 1954 Nov 27

text of obituary:

DUANE EUGENE THOMAS

Duane Eugene Thomas, born to Emil J. and Josie Barkman Thomas of Meno, Okla. on Nov. 27, 1954, quietly passed to the beyond on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1956.

When Duane was two days old he was transferred from the Enid Memorial Hospital to St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City where he underwent an emergency operation. He improved enough that he was able to come home in two weeks.

At six and one-half months he underwent major surgery and hopes for the life of Duane were high. The doctors, however, gave little hope for his recovery unless another operation were performed. A third operation was performed at eight and one-half months at the Crippled Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City. He showed signs of improvement for six weeks and then slowly his health began to fail. On Sunday, Feb. 5, 1956, he became seriously ill. He lingered two more days. he reached the age of one year, two months and 11 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his parents, Emil and Josie Thomas; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Pete H. Barkman of Dinuba, Calif.; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Thomas of Ringwood; his maternal great-grandfather, Rev. J. G. Barkman of Hillsboro, Kansas; besides uncles, aunts, and relatives.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 12, 1956. A prayer service was held in the home, followed by services in the New Hopedale Mennonite Church at Meno, Okla. Rev. B. J. Nickel, the pastor, and Rev. Ezra Barkman of Hillsboro, Kan. officiated. Interment was made in the New Hopedale Mennonite cemetery.