Willems, Kornelius (1861-1926)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1927 Jan 20 p. 7

Birth date: 1861

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1927 Jan 5 p. 4

text of obituary:

Kornelius Willems

Kornelius Willems was born in the village of Fuerstenwerder, South Russia. It was in this land of his birth that he spent his early childhood and grew to full maturity. There in the village school he obtained his elementary education. As a young man he worked much at the carpenter trade and as cabinet maker. He seemed to be especially gifted in this line of work and was painstakingly accurate in al that he undertook.

In the year 1881 on the 24. of May he was baptized upon confession of faith and received into the Church membership of the congregation of Margenau. Here he remained a faithful member until he came to America whence he joined with the Hoffnungsau Church and later with the Inman Mennonite church. He was married to Maria Martens on th 13th of January 1885. In faithful devotion he lived with his wife for 41 years, 11 months and 11 days. This union was blessed with 10 children of which one has gone before him.

On the 10th of February 1891 with his wife and their oldest child, Anna, he left the land of his childhood to make the U.S. his adopted fatherland. Having come to America he settled on the farm southeast of Inman and here with much labor and thrift he became economically independent with sufficient means to enjoy some comforts. He was not only interested in his family welfare, but wanted community welfare as well. To promote community interests he was quite willing to serve as member on the school board or as trustee of the Church. In each capacity he has served for a number of years. One of his great points of emphasis always was to do things in an orderly manner.

During his last few years he was threatened to become totally blind. This physical darkness has been prevented by his passing away. His sickness was not of long duration. On the 12th of December he still attended Sunday School and Church servives [sic] and who would have suspected that it might be his last public worship? Neither was he confined to his bed for a long period, only five days. It was on Christmas Eve, when here on earth notes of praise and joy were ascending heavenward, that his soul was released from its fragile body and went to its destination. For the immediate family Christmas morning brought grief and sorrow, but for him it must have brought joy and peace and happiness He reached the age of 65 years, 9 months, and 23 days. As a family we mourn his departure, but are patiently waiting for the day when we shall join him.

Funeral services were conducted at the Inman Mennonite church Wednesday afternoon. Rev. J. D. Epp of Newton officiated and was assisted by Rev. D. C. Ewert. The Hoffnungsau Male Quartette rendered two selections during the services. Short services at the house were in charge of Rev. Abr. Ratzlaff and Rev. Klaas Kroeker conducted short services at the grave. Burial was in the south cemetery. — Inman Review.