OBITUARY OF JOHN W

John W. Harder, son of John Harder Jr. and Marie Classen Harder was born December 1, 1906, near Whitewater, Kansas, and departed this life early Tuesday morning March 3, 1942.He spent the days of his youth in the parental home.He was baptized upon his confession of faith in 1924 and united with the Emmaus Church near Whitewater, Kansas of which he was a faithful member until his death.

On May 21, 1931 he was united into the bonds of holy matrimony with his now deeply bereaved wife, Margaret Claassen.God blessed this union with 4 healthy children who were the joy and hope of the parents.

About 18 months ago it was discovered that he was suffering from cancer.From then on he was growing gradually weaker.For some time last fall it seemed as if the dread disease was checked, but only for a brief period.After New Year’s he submitted for the third time to X-ray treatments.These treatments weakened him considerably.He did not suffer any extreme pain but his appetite was poor and consequently he was failing in strength and vitality, until the dread discovery was made that the disease has affected the lungs.From then on he was rapidly failing.In our estimation he left us altogether to soon, but Gods ways are not our ways.We are grateful unto God however that his sufferings were not so severe toward the end.We are further more grateful for the kind and loving care he received while in the hospital the last days of his life.

One evening he remarked that at times seemingly his faith and his confidence in his saviour was as weak, but we rejoice to know that his faith held out to the end.The saviour who redeemed him also kept him safe.He claimed however that the Bible verses that were quoted to him by the sisters and by kind friends were so strengthening and uplifting.

The last Sunday of his life, the day before his death he had much company.He told us later in the evening that he was deeply moved because six of his friends at various times that day quoted the same verse to him.Romans 8:28; ‘And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God to them that are the called according to his purpose.’And the sister who conducted the evening devotion with him had also chosen that verse.Furthermore, this same verse was their wedding text.

What a leading of the spirit of God.The sufferer then remarked that evening how extremely sad it was for those who have no hope of eternal life.

He leaves to mourn his death his deeply bereaved wife, 2 sons, 2 daughters, the parents on both sides, one brother, one sister, one sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law, and many relatives and friends.God makes no mistake, we worshipful submit to his will.

He will be a father to the widow and the fatherless.

The words of the song, "What a friend we have in Jesus" are very appropriate at this time.

Words of comfort were spoken in the home of Rev. B.W. Harder, uncle of the deceased and in the church by Rev. Theodore Roth and by the pastor Rev. J.C. Kaufman.