If this site was useful to you, we'd be happy for a small donation. Be sure to enter "MLA donation" in the Comments box.
Toews, Henry J. (d. 1971)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jul 1 p. 11
Birth date:
text of obituary:
REEDLEY, CALIF. '— For nearly five years Henry J. Toews, a member of the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church, baled clothing and made soap at the West Coast Mennonite Central Committee Clothing Center. He had retired from a long-time job as senior auto mechanic and thought that the work at the Center would be less strenuous and still bring in a little besides his Social Security benefits.
The longer Toews worked at the Center, the less significance the financial benefits of the job held and the more the feeling grew that he was rendering service to "someone, somewhere." His labor went to help the poor around the world. Indeed, in response to someone's remark to Toews that he ought to slow down, Toews replied that he enjoyed the work since it was for the Lord.
Henry Toews spoke these words on May 7, 1917. On May 14 he died. And from those who knew him came the remembrance: "There was a dependable man, a hard worker, one who lived his Christian faith.
WITHOUT FANFARE or without official titles, he worked quietly and fast. He worked with a sense of mission. His work was hard and heavy, compressing, banding and handling the 100 pound bales. It was messy and risky, mixing countless pots of kitchen grease with lye to make soap (35 tons of it!).
An order has just come through at the Reedley MCC Center for a shipment of soap to Indian — soap which Henry Toews made. We believe that from his vantage point, he will be able to see the recipients of his labors and rejoice.
Although saddened by his sudden going, we rejoice with him in his triumph. We extend to Tina Toews, his wife, who for four of the five years worked by his side at the Center, and to their family, condolence in their personal loss. Your husband, father, and our friend has "just gone Home!"