Zook, David D. (1863-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Feb 19 p. 5

Birth date: 1863 Feb 8

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Pennsylvania Mennonite church near Hesston Monday afternoon for David D. Zook, the aged minister of the church who passed away at his home on Route 1, Newton, Friday, Feb. 13. He was born at Allensville, Mifflin county, Pa. on Feb. 8, 1865, and had lived in this vicinity for over 60 years. He served as minister at several churches in this area. Four daughters and four sons survive him.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Feb 26 p. 3

text of obituary:

REV. DAVID D. ZOOK

David D. Zook was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1863, son of David J. and Lydia Y. Zook. He was the last to survive of a family of eleven children.

At the age of 23 he came to Harvey county, Kansas with his parents, where he was converted. Shortly after his conversion he received the Light on Holiness and obtained the experience, and later was ordained to the ministry. With these experiences in grace he early became a successful Christian worker, and faithful exponent of the Word. He was the pastor of the East Emmet church.

January 15, 1891, he was married to Ella B. Zook at Allensville, Pennsylvania. They immediately established their home on a farm near Newton where they lived together until Mrs. Zook passed away on May 5, 1937. He died at his home, where he was cared for by his daughters Katie and Sadie, five days after celebrating his 85th birthday.

God blessed this union with ten children: Katie (Mrs. Ira Zook) of Newton; John V. of University Park, Iowa; Abram H., who died in 1936, leaving Olive, his companion, of Newton; Loretta (Mrs. C. S. Overholt) of Newton; Joe L. of Osage City; Lydia (Mrs. S. V. Christensen) of Wichita; Sadie of Newton; Frank D. of Garnett; George M. of Newton; and Levi E. who died in infancy in 1909. Also surviving are 31 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

David Zook was intensely interested in the spread of the Gospel both at home and in foreign lands. His life was poured out in earnest ministry and intercessory prayer. His intense interest in people, his concern for their best welfare made him friend and helper of many.

His genuine sincerity and unassuming manner won respect and confidence. He knew no class distinction but loved everyone, and in turn was equally loved and enjoyed by men of culture and learning and the illiterate. His unique gestures and mannerisms made him a most unforgettable character.

Many church groups, small and great, throughout the state welcomed him to their pulpits. His prayers blessed many a heart and service. His courageous, optimistic spirit was a benediction to many. But perhaps the widest and fullest measure of usefulness came from his earnest, intercessory prayer life. From local and personal interests his prayers reached world-wide dimensions. The community has lost a good man.

Concerning the individualism of the man, one might say that God had a special mold when He made Davy Zook and then He threw the mold away so that there would never be another man quite like him. His personality fitted to the proverb, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine," and he dispensed his medicine in liberal doses to his friends through the years. He could put a laugh into sacred things without being sacrilegious, though generally the laugh was in him or about him. There were no embarrassing silences in the conversation when in his company.

One could never visit in his home, especially in his later years, without catching the contagion of his perennial youthfulness. Any prejudices that might have been taken along, were either left on the porch or quietly dismissed a few minutes later because of his disarming naturalness.

The conversation was always about the spiritual; it was natural for him. He walked with his heart in heaven and his feet on earth and sometimes he couldn't keep his feet on earth. And when it was time to leave, he invariably would say. "Let us have prayer together."

His prayers were characteristic; they were earnest, they came from the depth of his soul, and were childlike in their simplicity. God never needed to guess what Davy desired. He prayed with his whole body. His "Amens" in public religious services also were an integral part of him and fitted him like a tailored garment.

He was a man of God.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 16, 1948. A short service was held at 1:45 p.m. at the Moody's Funeral Chapel for the immediate family, which was followed by services at the Pennsylvania Mennonite church at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Earl Buckwalter of Hesston and Rev. H. A. Kuhns, pastor of the Asbury Methodist church of Wichita, officiating. Rev. Kuhns, based his sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-9. A mixed quartet from Central College at McPherson had charge of the music.

Casket bearers were R. M. Zimmerman, J. M. Grove, Howard Umholtz, Elmer Hershberger, Howard Royer, A. J. Molzen, John Hamilton and Alvin Stahly. Interment was made in the family lot in the church cemetery.