Wall, Peter John (1889-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Apr 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1889 Mar 24

text of obituary:

PETER J. WALL

Peter John Wall, the son of John P. and Katherine Balzer Wall, was born on March 24, 1889, near Moundridge, Kansas. Here he spent his early childhood days and attended the rural school.

As a young man he attended some tent meetings conducted by a missionary church at the Alta Mill in Harvey county, Kan. Here he came under conviction and recognized that he was a sinner. Shortly thereafter, Rev. F. F. Wiens was conducting meetings in the Liberty school house east of Buhler, Kansas. Here our father found real peace. Upon the confession of his faith he was baptized May 10, 1910, by Rev. H. P. Schroeder and united with the Ebenezer Mennonite Brethren church for fellowship.

After his conversion he attended Tabor college in the year 1910-1911. Upon leaving Tabor he went to Fairview, Okla. to work, and it was here he met our mother, then Minnie Just. On Sept. 15, 1912, they were united in holy Wedlock by Rev. Martin Just at Isabella, Okla. This union which was blessed with two sons, lasted 47 years, six months and 11 days.

After their marriage they moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, then to western Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. In Texas we suffered because of the severe dust storms and depression. It was our father's greatest desire to please the Lord by living in a community where the environment would be the best for his children. Thus we left the dust bowl and came to Reedley, Calif., in 1933.

Our father loved the Lord and found special joy in searching the Scriptures. He served the church by singing in the male chorus and in quartets, and also directed the choir at the Balko Mennonite Brethren church. He enjoyed music and served His Lord by bringing special selections on the violin, organ, French harp, cornet, and banjo.

Our father served the Hartland Camping Association for two years as a carpenter, while mother served as a cook. In February of 1949 he had his first heart attack. After a number of weeks he recovered enough that our parents were able to again serve the Home Lake Conference. They served this conference until 1955 when father's health condition did not permit him to carry on manual labor. He had a number of attacks but the Lord answered the prayers of our pastors and many friends and restored our father again and again. However, the last ten days of his life he suffered greatly. Friday evening March 25, we took him to the hospital in Reedley but by 3:10 the next morning, March 26, 1960 he had entered the glorious mansions above. He reached the age of 71 years and two days.

Those who remain to mourn his departure are his wife, Mrs. Minnie Wall of Reedley, Calif.; two sons, Milferd [sic Milford] Wall of Reedley and John F. Wall of Reedley; two daughters-in-law; five grandchildren; three brothers, John Wall of Ingalls, Kan., Jacob J. Wall of Orland, Calif., Arthur Wall of Dinuba, Calif.; three sisters, Martha Wall of Dinuba, Calif., Emma, Mrs. Neufeld of Buhler, Kan., Minnie, Mrs. Harder of Dinuba, Calif.; eight brothers-in-law; nine sisters-in-law; and many relatives and friends who stand by in this hour of parting.