BODE, William, Rev. 1875-1941

BODE, HERRINGA

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/30/2012 at 14:52:10

Rev. W. Bode Died at Clara City

Funeral Services Held at the Bunde Church, Saturday

Funeral services for Dr. Wm. Bode were conducted Saturday afternoon at one o'clock at the Bunde Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. William Terpsma of Prinsburg, officiating. Other ministers present were: Rev. Richard A. Rozeboom, of Crookston; Peter Dahm, of Olivia; Rev. A. Bliek of Chandler; Rev. J. Paauw of Holland; Rev. Cornelius Abbas of Mountain Lake; Rev. Roseboom of Roseland; Rev. J. H. Rubingh of Pipestone; H. Vander Klay of Hancock; Rev. Donald Houseman of Raymond; and Rev. M. Weeldreyer of Clara City.

The messages of the afternoon were given by the Rev. A. Bliek and Rev. Wm. Terpsma. The entire service was one of Faith and Joy in the Lord. Dr. William Bode maintained throughout his hours of illness and parting a firm trust in Jesus Christ, his Saviour. There was a ringing challenge to the audience to dedicate their lives to the Lord and keep their lamps shining for the advancement of God's kingdom. Thus, though hearts were heavy there was present a joy in the Lord.

The Rev. A. Bliek gave a comforting message from Psalm 16:11--"In My presence is fulness of joy. In Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

The Rev. Terpsma gave tribute to the testimonial life and service of Dr. Bode in the Text found in John 5:35--"He was the Lamp that burneth and shineth and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in His light."

A word of comfort and tribute was given by the Rev. Abbas; Rev. Weeldreyer and Rev. Rozeboom brought a message from the Reformed denomination and from their congregations. Other ministers who took part in the services were the Rev. Rubingh, Rev. Rozeboom, Rev. Damn, Rev. Houseman and Rev. Paauw.

Pallbearers were the present consistory members: Messrs. H. H. Meyer, N. Fokken, U. Brouwer, K. A. Brouwer, P. Ammerman, E. Gerdes, E. Zimmer and H. Schwitters.

Obituary

Dr. W. Bode, pastor of the Bunde Christian Reformed Church, after a lingering illness of seven months, was called into the presence of His Lord, Wednesday morning. He was born Sept. 7, 1875, in Muskegon, Michigan and died October 22, 1941, reaching the age of 66 years.

He was graduated from Penn College in 1898. Later he took graduate work in Philadelphia and the University of Chicago, where he received his A. M., D. B., and S. T. D. He wrote a book entitled, "Job" for his D. D. degree.

He was ordained to the ministry by his father, the Rev. Cornelius Bode, at Woden, Iowa, October 5, 1902. He served his Master faithfully for thirty-nine years. Twenty-five years he served the congregations of Woden, Burton Heights, Lincoln Center, and Bunde. He founded an academy, college, and seminary at Grundy Center, Iowa, and for fourteen years served as president of Grundy College.

October 7, 1903 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Herringa of East Saugatuck, Michigan. This union was blessed with five children: Clarence, Julius, both of Clara City, and three daughters, who died in infancy.

Dr. Bode was a living testimony of the Christ, whom he adored, a most devoted husband and loving father. He had an earnest desire to promote Christian education among the young people of the west and gave his life and means to accomplish this. He had a warm heart for missions and encouraged missionaries from his denomination and others. He served as Home missionary during his pastorate at Lincoln Center, and did all in his power to bring glad tidings to those living without the church.

He served the Bunde Congregation for eleven years. During his pastorate the present beautiful sanctuary was erected. He was privileged to preach in this church a half year.

On March 26, Dr. Bode was stricken with coronary thrombosis and ten days later with a cerebral embolism. For a time it seemed that he would recover, but gradually he became more seriously ill as the days went by. The last days of his life were spent in prayer and praise to God, and as it seemed often permitted to get a glimpse of the glories of heaven. He often spoke a desire to preach a farewell sermon to the Bunde congregation, but added if not, "Tell them to remember the sermon preached the Sunday before I was taken sick." Hebrews 7:25--"Wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God, through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for us."

He leaves to mourn the bereaved widow and two sons Clarence and Julius; his aged mother, past one hundred years, Mrs. C. Bode of Austinville; three brothers; John of Kesley, Richard of Austinville, and Henry of Kalamazoo, Michigan; two sisters, Mrs. Peter Limburg and Mrs. John Arends of Alexander, Iowa.

--Ackley World Journal (Ackley, Iowa), 6 November 1941