John Clarence Wedel

John Clarence Wedel was born on February 7, 1917 at Meade County, Kansas to Simon and Susie Koehn Wedel. He peacefully slipped away May 15, 2016 at his home in Oakwood Manor at Brooksville, Mississippi. He entered his eternal rest on Sunday, the day of rest, the day of the week he loved best. He breathed his last while his Sunday School class was in session. He was ninety-nine years old.
Dad was the oldest of four children. He received his education at Folsom School, a one room school house a mile walk from his home. Dad gave his heart to the Lord at seventeen years and was baptized by Hiram Minninger May 7, 1934, at Copleand, Kansas. The Lord and the church were precious to Dad. Even before his conversion, his influence on his parents was critical during the time of their decision to become part of the Holdeman faith and he was faithful to his end.
He had a remarkable revelation he should marry Esther Nichols and he did so on March 13, 1938. They enjoyed their life together for sixty-five years. Even in the last days of his life he referred to her as his “sweetheart.” Three sons and one daughter were welcomed into their home. They raised their family in western Kansas and provided well for them on the farm. He was a lifetime farmer.
Dad was called to the deaconry by his congregation at Copeland, Kansas, and was ordained by Frank Wenger February 1, 1955. After serving for several years in this office, he was ordained to the ministry December 21, 1961 by Dave Penner. He diligently and lovingly filled this office over forty years.
In 1966, Dad and Mom moved to Macon, Mississippi. It was a venture of faith for them to make the moved to pastor this small, new congregation. In 1974, he led the way as the northern segment of the rapidly growing church community began a new congregational at Brooksville. They especially enjoyed short terms as missionaries at Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, and as non-resident pastor at Detroit, Texas.
The Lord was special to Dad. He lived his faith to the core, leaving each of us the legacy of a positive knowledge of the way of salvation. He was a big man, and he walked straight and tall even into his old age. His impressive bigness was not in his stature, but in his heart of caring deeply for his family and all those he ministered to.
The congregation remembers him as an old-time expository style preacher. He often told experiences arising from his love of nature. In addressing his congregation he called them “my dear people.” He said expressively, “Life is real!” and “The Gospel is personal.” Many remember his best gift was his sensitive was of individual counseling.
Dad spent his last six years at Oakwood Manor in Brooksville. Even as his mental acuity began a sharp decline, he remained interesting and entertaining. The family deeply appreciates that the “Oakwood angels” responded with so much love and care. We are glad his daughter, Jane, was able to be there with him as his soul took its flight.
A grandson has referred to his death as the “passing of the torch.” Those that remain to bear the torch are three sons: Errol and wife Darlene, Phoenix, Arizona; Merle and wife Sharon, Bradley, Arkansas; Eldon and wife, Marlene, and one daughter, Jane and husband Stanley Giesbrecht of Brooksville, Mississippi. Those left behind include eleven grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren and one great-great grandson who had his second birthday the day his great-great grandfather died. A brother, Gene and his wife, Tillie of Montezuma, Kansas survive also.
His ship was welcomed into harbor by his parents, his wife Esther, one daughter-in-law Mae, one granddaughter, Robin, one brother, Lacy and one sister, Lorena.
Funeral services will be held May 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Brooksville Mennonite Church, Brooksville, Mississippi, with Ministers Gladwin Koehn, Kendall Jost, and DeVonne Miller officiating. Interment follows in Brooksville Mennonite CemeteryMemorials may be made to Oakwood Manor, P. O. Box 325, Brooksville, MS 39739. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, Mississippi is entrusted with arrangements


Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is entrusted with arrangements. www.cockrellfuneralhome.com