Voegtlin, Joseph (1888-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1888 Feb 28

text of obituary:

JOSEPH VOEGTLIN, SR.

Joseph Voegtlin, son of John and Katharina (Bassler) Voegtlin, was born near Mulhausen, France, Feb. 28, 1888. He passed from this life July 19, 1957, aged 69 years, four months and 19 days. His mother died while he was yet a small child.

Several times during his life he was critically ill, once during the dread influenza epidemic in 1918 and again in 1951, but each time the Lord gave him a remarkable recovery. His death was caused by the cumulative effects of cancer. He had been in poor health for approximately one year.

At the age of five, he, with his father and step-mother emigrated to the U. S. A., settling on a farm near Wayland, Iowa.

In the spring of 1915 he moved to Tofield, Alta., settling on a farm southeast of town, where he resided until his death.

On March 24, 1915 he was united in marriage with Fannie Stauffer. To this union were born two sons and two daughters, Mary, Mrs. Fred martin of Lacombe, Alta., Ruth, Mrs. Donald Yoder, Paul and Joseph John, all of Tofield. The mother in this home possed [sic passed] away on June 30, 1952. On June 2, 1955 he was united in marriage to Myrtle Huber of Leola, Pa.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his loving wife, four children, 12 grandchildren; two brothers, Albert of New Westminster, B. C., and Charles of Belforte, France, also many relatives and friends. Two grandchildren pre-deceased him.

When he was 17 years of age he accepted Christ as his Savior and united with the Sugar Creek Mennonite church near Wayland, Iowa, later transferring his membership to the Salem Mennonite congregation near Tofield.

He maintained an active interest in the work of the church throughout his life, serving as trustee for many years. The last several years of his life he enjoyed working at the MCC headquarters at Akron, Penna. for two separate terms of voluntary service.

His example of personal integrity, industry, and church and family loyalty will long be remembered by those who knew him best.

Funeral services were held on July 22 at the Salem Mennonite Church near Tofield, in charge of Bishop John B. Stauffer.

A men's quartet — Joe Roth, George Roth, Orvan Boettger, David Stutzman — sang "Still, Still with thee" and "Beyond the Sunset."

M. D. Stutzman spoke on II Cor. 5:1-9, stressing the comparison of the transient and perishing things with the eternal and unchanging rewards God has prepared for those that love him.