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Isaac Block
Isaac Block passed away Sept. 12. He was born Feb. 2, 1935 in Mullingar, Sask. He was baptized in September 1951. He married Alvina Jantzen June 21, 1957 and moved to Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula. He was chaplain at Bethesda Home in Vineland, Ont. until 1973, was lead pastor of Vineland MB Church 1973-1981, taught at MB Bible College 1981-92 and was lead pastor of Sargent Ave. Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, 1992-95. He served as chair of the Canadian MB Conference Board of Faith and Life. He was a lifelong student, publishing some of his academic work. He had chronic lymphatic leukemia since 1981 and was on dialysis since 1992. He continued to lead an active life, spending time with his children and grandchildren, travelling, curling, golfing, writing and participating in his church community. He is remembered as a loving, encouraging, devoted husband and an interested, involved father. He was thoughtful in his words and careful in his actions, had a keen sense of right and wrong, maintained strong relationships through differences and had a cheerful disposition. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Alvina; sons Wendell and Kevin; daughters Yvonne and Kathy; and 7 grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 28 in Sargent Ave. Mennonite Church, with Edwin Epp and Sig Polle ministering.
Elsie Ida Block
Elsie Ida Block passed away July 27. She was born Apr. 14, 1934 to Henry and Anna Seib in Lipton, Sask. A family altar with Scripture reading and prayer was very important. When she was 9, the family moved to Ontario. They attended Virgil MB Church in the morning and a church in Niagara Falls Sunday evenings. During an evangelistic service, she accepted the Lord. Her dad bought an old piano, and she taught herself to play. After high school, she worked at Kimberly-Clark in Niagara Falls. She attended Canadian Bible College in Regina 2 years. On June 18, 1955, she married Peter Block, whom she met through the Moments of Blessing Quartet and Radio Broadcast. She was a “stay at home” mom, then enjoyed being church secretary for Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, until she and Peter retired in 1987. They then spent much of their summers doing office work and maintenance at Camp Crossroads. She became ill in 1988, later diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. In 1991, Peter died in an accident. She complained little and strove to stay independent, but in her last months became a paraplegic and was diagnosed with cancer. Predeceased by Peter, 1 sister and 1 brother, she is mourned by daughters Donna, Nancy and Lisa; and 2 sisters. The memorial service was July 31 in Grantham MB Church, with John Wiebe ministering.
Emma Priebe
Emma Priebe passed away July 7. She was born Aug. 8, 1908 to John and Mary Buller at Dalton, S.D. In 1910 the family moved to a homestead near Ernfold, Sask. A school was built, and people took turns having church in their homes. When Gnadenau MB Church was built 9 miles away, they attended whenever weather permitted. She accepted Jesus at an early age. She was baptized June 14, 1928 and joined the MB Church. She attended Herbert Bible School one winter and worked in the Bible school kitchen for several more years. After her mother died, she stayed home to help her dad. When he remarried, she moved to Herbert. She married Pete Priebe June 6, 1948. They moved to the farm but built a house in Herbert in 1954. Pete died March 8, 1970. She moved to Herbert Manor in 1998. Predeceased by Pete, stepson Alden, 1 brother and 3 sisters, she is mourned by children Hilda Weetman of Swift Current, Sask., Eleanor Peterson of Penticton, B.C., Gunda Peta of Lethbridge, Alta., Cecil of Herbert, Lorne of Calgary and Marlin of Maple Ridge, B.C.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was July 10 in Herbert MB Church, with Corny Braun and Bob Hicks ministering.
Abraham Driediger
Abraham Driediger passed away July 7. He came to Canada with his family in 1923. They moved to Guernsey, Sask., then to Watrous, Sask. He was the oldest of 7 children. At Rosthern Bible School, he met Bertha Epp. He joined the Air Force in 1939. He married Bertha; daughter Lee-Ann was born in 1945. After the war, he was a mechanic in Watrous. In 1955, Bertha and Lee-Ann moved to St. Catharines, Ont. while Abe finished high school at Briercrest. In 1956, he rejoined Bertha and Lee-Ann and attended teacher’s college in St. Catharines. He had a successful career as a teacher, including 5 years as principal in one school. While teaching, he earned a B.A. and a Master’s degree. He made a surprisingly rapid recovery from a severe heart attack in 1974. He retired in 1981 and enjoyed retired life to the fullest. He loved to tinker, invent and fix things. He is mourned by Bertha and many other people. The funeral was July 11 in George Darte Funeral Home, St. Catharines, with Waldo Pauls ministering.
Abram Thiessen
Abram Thiessen passed away Oct. 22. He was born Feb. 4, 1914 to Abraham and Maria Thiessen in Gnadenheim, Russia. The family immigrated to New Hamburg, Ont. in 1926, moving to a farm near Port Rowan, Ont. in 1928. He accepted Christ, was baptized in summer 1937 and joined the MB Church, remaining a member all his life. He enjoyed singing in the male choir. In 1941 he married Helena Unger of Hespeler, Ont. They worked on a fruit farm in Port Dalhousie, Ont. for the summer; then he worked in a woolen mill in Hespeler for 18 months. In April 1943, they bought a farm in Port Rowan. The beginning was hard, but times got easier. He was a good provider, willingly went without to put his family’s needs first. He retired from farming in 1974, but they remained in the farmhouse. He and Helena travelled across Canada several times to visit family and friends. Helena died in 1993. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1996, broke his hip in 1997, but was able to return home till his passing. Predeceased by Helena, 3 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by children Eleanor Dieterlie of Kitchener, Ont., Margaret Janzen of Waldheim, Sask., Bill of Port Rowan, Anne Hawton of Kitchener, Linda Mepham of Waterloo, Ont., Pauline of Simcoe, Ont. and Don of Kitchener; 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandsons; and 1 sister. The funeral was Oct. 28 in Port Rowan MB Church, with Sandy Young, Ralph Teigrob and Tim Thiessen ministering.
Eva Abrahams
Eva Abrahams passed away Oct. 25. She was born Nov. 25, 1926 to Isaac and Mary Krahn near Winkler, Man. When she was 12, her mother died, leaving 2 children. Her father remarried; 4 more children were born. At 19 she moved to St. Catharines, Ont. She married Henry Abrahams. She is remembered as a devoted mother who loved her children unconditionally, took time to listen, showed much patience and was filled with laughter. She was an avid reader and a great cook. Prov. 22:6 was close to her heart. Predeceased by 1 brother and 1 sister, she is mourned by Henry; children Ruth Welch, Barb Allan, Esther Jullyan, Ken, Marlene Lardner, Andrew and Ron; 10 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Oct. 29 in Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, with John Wiebe ministering.
Timothy Dale Wiebe
Timothy Dale Wiebe passed away July 18. He was born Feb. 3, 1957 and was adopted by Abe and Gilda Wiebe at 11 months. He was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and acquired diabetes at age 6. He grew up in Surrey, B.C. with siblings Dianne, Debbie and Paul. He was baptized July 24, 1983 in Kennedy Heights MB Church, Delta, B.C. His favourite verse was John 3:16. He gave bear hugs to friends, regularly offering to buy them coffee, asking to join them on outings or doing something for them. He enjoyed biking, bowling, walking his dog, riding buses, working on puzzles and playing table games. He worked in the kitchen at Minter Gardens, at the YMCA, at various workshops, at recycling plants and with Meals on Wheels. His independence grew after he moved to Rosedale, B.C. in the 1970s to live in MCC’s Cedars home. He collected signatures and met with the mayor to get a bus line going in Rosedale. He lived his last 4 years with Cliff and Debbie Holloway and family in Abbotsford, B.C. He and Cliff often prayed together. He regularly visited his mother in Surrey. The funeral was July 24 at Kennedy Heights MB Church, with Cliff Holloway officiating.
Evangeline Neuschwander
Evangeline Neuschwander passed away Nov. 11. She was born Sept. 28, 1916 to Gerhard and Sara Matthies in the Caucasus, Ukraine. The family immigrated to Gnadental, Man. in 1924. In 1926 her mother died. Her father married a widow with 2 daughters. In 1929 the family moved to Vineland, Ont. She had to go to work early in her teens to help support the family. After her father was hospitalized, she took responsibilities for the family, then in Virgil, Ont. In September 1937 she was baptized and joined Beamsville MB Church. She graduated from Winkler Bible School in 1944. She joined MCC in 1945, serving as matron of refugee centres in London, England and Roverstein, Netherlands, before going to Paraguay and Argentina. She married MCC worker Vernon Neuschwander in 1950. They returned to his farm in Oregon in 1951 and in 1959 moved to Elkhart, Ind., where Vernon worked in the printing department of Missions & Charities of the Mennonite Church. Wherever they moved, she served faithfully in Sunday school, DVBS and singing groups. In 1977 they moved to Greencroft Retirement Center in Goshen, Ind. Vernon died in September 1992. She married Paul McBrier in 1994. He died in 1998. She had a gift of hospitality and was a blessing to many. Predeceased by both husbands, son Marvin in 1955, and 1 brother, she is mourned by son John of Pennsylvania; 1 granddaughter; 1 sister and 2 stepsisters. The funeral was Nov. 16 in the Greencroft Center.
Elisabeth Bueckert
Elisabeth Bueckert passed away Oct. 26. She was born Jan. 20 1917 to Heinrich and Helena Pankratz in Kronsfeld, Chortitza, Ukraine. When she was 5, her mother died. Her father married Sara Redekop. Elisabeth was 5th of 7 children. When she was 12, her parents and the 3 youngest children were sent to Siberia. Older brother Heinrich brought the 3 back to Schoeneberg, where she lived with her older married sisters and worked on the collective farm. In 1937 she married Abram Bueckert; he was arrested and disappeared the same year. In September 1937 son Abram was born. During the German occupation 1941-43, she accepted the Lord, remaining true to Him till death. In 1943 she was baptized and joined the MB church. She and Abram fled to Germany and in 1947 immigrated to Paraguay, living in Menno, Fernheim and, in 1950, Neuland colonies. The times were very hard. In 1971 they joined relatives in Canada. She worked in Mennonite Home for the Aged in Vineland, Ont. until retirement. She lived in an apartment next to Scott St. MB Church in St. Catharines, Ont. 1977-99, then moved into Tabor Manor. She is mourned by son Abram; 3 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; and 1 sister.
Jacob Warkentin
Jacob Warkentin passed away Oct. 6. He was born Sept. 10, 1914 to Peter and Judith Warkentin in Silberfeldt, Sask. Brought up in a Christian home, he became a Christian, was baptized and joined Waldheim (Sask.) MB Church Aug. 24th, 1930. He attended Saskatoon Normal School and taught at Springfield School 1 year. He married Irma Dyck June 29, 1941. He taught in Marion School District 5 years and New Home School District 8 years, interrupted by a year in B.C., where he taught at MEI. He earned a B.Ed. and B.A., taught at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon until retiring in 1977, then sold real estate for 10 years. He served as Sunday school superintendent, moderator, treasurer and deacon in various churches. He was active in the development of Redberry Bible Camp and Berini Court, and at Primrose Chateau. He never spent a night in hospital until a heart attack at 83. After a stroke in November 2001, he resumed travel until another stroke Sept. 11, 2002. He is remembered for his energy, enjoyment of life and principled leadership. Predeceased by Irma, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by children Joan Antonio of Victoria, B.C., Eileen Anderson of West Vancouver, Ian of Toronto and Julie of Toronto; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers.
Helen Dueck
Helen Dueck passed away Oct. 29. She was born Sept. 15, 1908 to Jacob and Eva Reimer in Grunthal, Man. The family moved to a farm near Dunelm, Sask. in spring 1910. She was interested in the Christian faith and accepted Jesus at 26. She was eager to learn more and attended Herbert Bible School. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school; sewed clothing for relatives’ children; and worked in a bakery in Swift Current, Sask. and as a seamstress at Swift Current Hospital. In 1968 she married Jacob Dueck. They farmed near Lucky Lake, Sask. until retirement. In December 1985 they moved to Swift Current and joined Bridgeway Community Church. They moved to Herbert (Sask.) Heritage Manor in May 1998 and later to Herbert Nursing Home. The funeral was Nov. 2 in Bridgeway Community Church, with Cliff Janzen ministering.
Cornie K. Epp
Cornie K. Epp passed away Nov. 1. He was born Jan. 23, 1912 to Kornelius K. and Anna Epp in Gruenfeld, Russia. The family immigrated to Herbert, Sask. in 1923, moving to a farm near Swift Current, Sask. in 1924. He decided to follow Jesus in early youth, was baptized and joined the MB Church, remaining a faithful lifelong member. He left school at 15 to work on the farm. He later worked for other farmers, learning farming skills and the ethic of hard work. In 1935 he married Mary Koehn. They started to farm near Swift Current. They were tough years; he worked hard to provide for his family. He read Scripture and prayed with his family, and lived a life of faithfulness and commitment. He took time to fish with his boys and friends, visit his brother and sister, and camp with the children and grandchildren. He was a board member of Bode School Board, Bode Telephone Company, the board of trustees of Swift Current MB Church, the Credit Union, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, the Association for the Mentally Retarded, and the Southwest Home for the Handicapped. In the last several years, he was frustrated as his strength steadily waned, but he accepted his situation and expressed gratitude to others. He is remembered as kind, loving, patient, gentle and generous. Predeceased by daughter Marian in 2000, 5 sisters and 2 brothers, he is mourned by Mary; sons Jack of Swift Current and Ken of Sherwood Park, Alta.; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 4 in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Cliff Janzen ministering.
Roy Martens
Roy Martens passed away Nov. 1 of a stroke in Regina. He was born May 25, 1921 in Main Centre, Sask., the 4th son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Martens. He accepted Jesus at meetings with missionary F.J. Wiens in Main Centre MB Church. At 12, he felt called to be a missionary in India. He attended Briercrest Bible College. In the summers, he served with Canadian Sunday School Mission. He married Adelina Janz in 1943. They served God together in Kelfield, Sask. for 2 years. He attended MB Bible College in Winnipeg for 2 years. They arrived in India Jan. 19, 1948; he served the Lord in India for 25 years, then as a representative of TEAM mission in western Canada for 8 years. For the last 11 years, he suffered with Parkinson’s.
Hubert Ivan Meredith
Ivan Meredith passed away Oct. 14. He was born June 21, 1911 to Hubert Wellington Meredith and Hattie Cowle in Orono, Ont. His childhood was spent on farms across Ontario. He started working on other farms at 14, drove transport trucks at Dunbarton at 16, peddled milk in Toronto with a horse and buggy, returned to St. Catharines in his early 20s to work on farms, and apprenticed as a die sinker at Hayes Steel at 26. He and first wife Dorothy had a daughter Dianne in 1941. His work took him to Erie, Pa. in 1952 and to Alcoa in Cleveland 2 years later. He was baptized Apr. 9, 1959 in Ohio. In 1962 he became an active Mason. After retiring around 1976, he became groundskeeper at Travellers Woods Campground. In the early 1980s he and second wife Georgie moved to Manitoulin Island. In 1995 he married Dorothy Johnston. They enjoyed travelling, bowling, puzzles, crosswords, biking, woodworking and gardening. He is remembered as an honest, reliable man who lived by the motto: “Remember who you are.” Predeceased by second wife Georgie, daughter Dianne and 3 brothers, he is mourned by Dorothy; 2 sisters; 6 grandchildren; great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. The memorial service was Oct. 18 in Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, with Bob Enns ministering.
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Last modified February 20, 2003.
© 2003 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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