Sammlung 00/MS.378 - Peter T. Neufeld Papers

<em>Mennonite Weekly Review</em> obituary:

Peter T. Neufeld, son of Rev. Abraham P. and Helena Toews Neufeld, was born on a farm near Inman, Kan., on June 20, 1893.

He accepted Christ as his Savior in his youth, and was baptized upon confession of faith by his grandfather, Elder Heinrich Toews, on Aug. 20, 1911, and was accepted as a member of the Bethel Mennonite church, where he remained a faithful member until his death.

On June 20, 1917, he married Lena Wiens. To this union were born five children, four sons and one daughter. It was a happy marriage. They celebrated the silver wedding with all the children present, and were only short two and a half years of the golden anniversary when he died.

Father received his elementary education at the West Eagle school, and later went to Bethel Academy and received a diploma in 1915. The time he spent at Bethel helped to shape and enrich his life. In 1926 he attended McPherson College.

During his school years at Bethel, he was member of a debating team and a member of a winning tennis team. He would ride bicycle from the farm southwest of Inman to the college at Newton.

He kept young in spirit as he taught school and later worked with youth of the church. At the time of his death he was writing Christmas letters to the 1-W and VS boys away from home.

Leaving Bethel, he entered the teaching profession for 16 years. Especially meaningful for him were the three years of teaching in the Hoffnungsau Academy.

In the fall of 1917, after the U. S. entry into the war, he started his seventh year of teaching. But he was caught in the draft, and had to leave Sept. 20 for camp. Being a conscientious objector to war, he with others of like belief went through many tests and trials, but God helped them through the difficulties. After almost a year in army camps, they were furloughed to do farm work. He was allowed to return home Dec. 15, 1918. This experience affected his later ministry in the church, and he always encouraged others to take a stand against war.

About two months after his return from camp he was elected to the ministry in the Bethel Church. For some ten years he was busy as father, teacher, and preacher. After having taught for 16 years he started farming, and also did carpentry work, all the while devoting himself to the ministry of the Gospel. One summer term he spent studying at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

On Oct. 18, 1936 he was ordained as elder of the church, succeeding Elder Klaas Kroeker, and continued in that work till early in 1960, when he turned over the leadership to Rev. P. A. Wedel. He greatly appreciated the program the church had for him on the 40th anniversary of his entering the ministry.

He served the church at a critical time, when the change was made from the German to the English language, from an unpaid to a paid ministry, and when the decision was reached to join the General Conference. His greatest concern during this time of change was the unity of the Bethel church.

During his ministry he performed many marriages and baptisms, and preached at many places. He served on the Home Mission Committee of the Western District Conference for a number of years, part of the time as chairman.

Father spent much time in church work, and prayed continuously for the welfare of the church, which was very dear to him. One of his greatest joys was his Wednesday night Bible class.

He kept abreast of church and conference activities by regularly attending conferences. Wider interests took him to Arizona for special services among the Hopi Indians, to Gulfport, Miss. for Voluntary Service, and elsewhere.

He was concerned for the welfare of his children and grandchildren, and prayed much for them. It was hard for our parents to bid farewell to Elmer and family when they left for Africa. Still it was a real joy for them to see their children go into peace witness and mission work.

Father was in general good health most of his life. He entered into eternal rest on Dec. 21, 1964, after suffering a heart attack 27 hours before. He reached the age of 71 years, six months, and one day.

He leaves to mourn his sudden passing: His deeply bereaved wife Lena; their children, Adolf and wife Wanda, and Herbert and wife Lilly Ann, all of Inman; Elmer and wife LaVera of Leopoldville, Congo; Helen and husband Vern Jantz of Liberal, Kan.; Robert of Wichita and his fiance Rosalie Bartel; and 13 grandchildren. Brothers who survive are Henry of Enid, Okla.; Abraham, Jacob, and Frank, all of Inman; Isaac of Buhler; and one sister, Mrs. J. T. Pauls of Inman. His parents and brother John preceded him in death. — The Family.