Jacob Gunden

GUNDEN, YODER, SMUCKER, BREWER, BOWSER, NEUHOUSER, CHRISTNER, RICHLAND, SWARTZENDRUBER

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 3/4/2007 at 20:38:25

Jacob Gunden 6/2/1932

Aged Suffered Died

Jacob Gunden who has been a patient sufferer for many years succumbed to his disease Thurs. May 19 and entered his eternal reward. Mr. Gunden was an unusual character judged from the viewpoint of patience, his hopefulness, and his kindly interest in his fellow man which prevailed in spite of his own troubles. He has been an intense sufferer at times for many years and was so badly crippled from his ailment that he had to walk with canes orf crutches for the pst 30 years when hew as able to walk at all. During that time he tried every known remedy in his vain effort to be restored to health and become able to again do a man’s work. But in spite of all the healing arts, and the unusually devoted care of his faithful wives he continued to grow worse until the fragile cord of life snapped. Last fall he was taken very much worse and for a period of several months it seemed he could not live but much to the glad surprise of his friends he rallied and became able to get up and be in his wheelchair, the greater part of the daytime. Several days before his death he again took worse and gradually declined until the end came. We do not know just what the persistent disease was that caused him much suffering but it affected him like a bad case of rheumatism causing pain and almost totally disabling him. During these long years so calculated to try his soul he was patient in his affliction and genuinely interested in the life about him striving to do his part in spite of his handicap. Just what it meant to a man so social and friendly by nature as Jacob Gunden to be cut off from life’s activities only those in a similar condition can understand. In these trying years of invalidism the devotion of his good wife has been most beautiful. And she did her utmost to give him physical and financial aid and spiritual comfort. In his death she is deprived not only of her life companion but her life work and in these said and lonely hours, she has the loving sympathy of everyone who knows her.

Jacob Gunden was not privileged to travel far or fast. Most of his life was lived within the compass of a few miles. And lived in the simple unostentatious manner that is the custom of the church whose faith he accepted in his youth but from his life has emanated and ever widening circle of influence for good. Although the sinner might freely be forgiven, wrongdoing was never condoned by his code. To live simply and righteously was the only way he knew or cared to live and now that he is gone, his good life shines all the brighter. “ Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord for their good works do follow them”.

The funeral service which was held at the Lower Deer Creek Church Sat at 10 am was attended by a large crowd of sorrowing friends. This service was conducted by the Revs John Y. Swartzendruber who read the scripture lesson, Edward Deiner who preached a sermon in English, and J. L. Hershberger in German. T. C. Kennedy of Wellman also gave a short talk adding his word of testimony to the life of the deceased with whom he frequently visited.

Burial was made in the Timber Cemetery. The following obit handed us for publication tells briefly of the important events in the life of the deceased buy those of us who knew Jake as he was affectionately called can read between the lines his many kindly acts which so endeared him to us.

Jacob Gunden was born in Trenton, Henry Co August 4, 1854 and died in Wellman Iowa May 19, 1932 age 74 y 9 m 15 d. He was united in marriage to Magdalena Yoder in Johnson County Iowa 11/6/1883 lived in matrimony 47 years 6 months and 13 days. No children were born to this union but three foster children were brought up in the home namely Edward Smucker, Leroy and Tillie Brewer now Mrs. Sam Bowser. He also leaves one brother Joseph Gunden of Pigeon, Michigan. One brother and four sisters preceded him. Namely John Gunden, Mrs. Fannie Neuhouser, Mrs. Chris Christner, and Mrs. Mart Richland, Mrs. Abe Swartzendruber, He also leaves eight grandchildren.