Wiens, John (1936-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Aug 22 p. 6

Birth date: 1936 Nov 04

text of obituary:

Missionary Candidates Killed in British Columbia Accident

Fresno, Calif. — A two-vehicle collision at Prince George, British Columbia on Aug. 14 claimed the life of David P. Wiens, 35, a candidate who had been accepted for service in Uruguay by the Mennonite Brethren board of Missions and Services.

Mr. and Mrs. Wiens and four children ranging in age from five to 13 had planned to move to Fresno so he could study at the M. B. Biblical Seminary in preparation for his missionary assignment. The 10-year-old daughter, Debbie, was already in Fresno visiting relatives.

Mr. Wiens had resigned his position as principal of a school at Armstrong, B. C. He had been a teacher and principal for 15 years. He and a cousin, John Wiens, were instantly killed in the crash and another cousin, Jake Wiens, was injured. They were on the way to Dawson Creek, B. C. where David Wiens was to speak in the churches.

The Wiens family are members of the East Aldergrove M. B. Church in British Columbia.

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Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Sep 20 p. 30

text of obituary:

JOHN WIENS

John Wiens was born November 4, 1936 to Nick and Katherine Wiens in Comox, B.C. near Black Creek, the fifth child in the family. In 1942 the family moved to Arnold B.C. It was here that John began attending Sunday school and also accepted the Lord as his Saviour at a very young age. He was baptized upon his confession on August 5 1951 and became a member of the Arnold MB Church.

After completing elementary school he studied at the MEl during grades 8 to 13 and then enrolled in the Clearbrook Bible School. Later he attended the College o Education in preparation for a teaching career. During 12 years of teaching, he served in the St. Mary's Lake Vanway School, Chilliwack School District, and for the last seven years in Prince George Students loved being members of his classes

He was married to Helga Schmidt on July 9, 1961, a marriage that was blessed with three children, Gordon in 1962, Leonard in 1966 and Lillian in 1970. They shared many precious moments around the family altar. In the family circle, he helped others become aware of the spiritual side of life. He was always active in the churches he attend ed, helping in boys' brigade, Sunday school and many other areas. He sought to share God's love with those he met. John met his death through a car accident in Prince George on August 14. He was predeceased by a sister Agnes, and a sister-in-law Helen .

Left to mourn his passing are his wife and three children, his parents, the Nick Wienses of Clearbrook and the parents of his wife, the Henry Schmidts of Arnold; six brothers Henry of Clearbrook, Cornie of Abbotsford, Ernie of Trail, B.C., Nick of Linden, Alta., Reuben of Lesotho, South Africa, and Walter of Medicine Hat, Alta.; and one sister, Margaret (Mrs. Ed Neufeld) of Fresno, Calif.