John Bechtel (1923)

BECHTEL, HANEY, HODSON, KIRKPATRICK, LIND, STANLEY, THOMPSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/23/2010 at 14:27:51

Winterset Madisonian – December 13, 1923
Pg 11
Earlham

The funeral of John Bechtel was held from the Methodist church on Tuesday afternoon, with the pastor in charge of the service. Mr. Bechtel has been a familiar figure on our streets for many years, for he has been in many different kinds of business here and will be missed by all.

He leaves his wife and ten children to mourn the loss of husband and father. All of the children were able to attend the funeral, which, considering the number, was very unusual.
_________________________

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, December 6, 1923

Mr. John Bechtel, for twenty-five years a citizen of Earlham, passed away at about two o’clock Sunday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Lind in Stuart. Mr. Bechtel’s condition had improved considerably the middle of last week, but became complicated with pneumonia and his frail constitution became an easy victim of the double visitation of disease. He died as he often had expressed the wish he could die, passing out painlessly as he slept.

We of Earlham will miss this little figure of a man, with the extraordinary intellect. Looking at his life in retrospect, we can realize that one of the traits of his character which a man of broad interests, an inveterate reader and remarkably well posted on current events. Without achieving a niche in the hall of fame, we still imagine that John Bechtel got more out of life than most of his fellow men. He was a tireless worker, and his ambition never flagged. When the writer first met him he was the chief baker for the Bechtel restaurant and we were struck by his interest in the business, his industry in this humble occupation. Later he was to be found in the restaurant now occupied by Mrs. Raney, where he designed the oven which he later patented, and in more recent years, when his son John was proprietor of the old restaurant, he was at his post early every morning. Mr. Bechtel again entered the field of invention when he patented a type of fan, but his patents never brought him return or recognition. He was one of the vast body of inventors who feel the urge of creation, but fail to achieve greatness. Yet his life has made its impression, and Mr. Bechtel’s friends will long cherish the memory of his never failing friendliness and zeal for the improvement of his fellows. But best of all we will remember him for the quality mentioned, his essential vitality, which kept his interests alive to the latest political, scientific and religious developments of the day.

The first twenty-five years of Mr. Bechtel’s married life were devoted to the ministry of the United Brethren Church in Beatrice, Nebr. and other points in that state, and he attained a wide reputation as a speaker and for his religious accomplishments (some parts missing.)

Fourteen children were born to the union which came to its golden wedding anniversary the Sunday before Mr. Bechtel’s death. Ten of these children now survive, and all were present at the funeral Tuesday. These are Elmer, Mrs. Eva Haney, Mrs. Sarah Kirkpatrick, all of Earlham, Mrs. Bertha Thompson, of Sugden, Okla., Mrs. Lulu Thompson, of Earlham, Albert, of Earlham, Mrs. Clara Hodson, of Forest City, Iowa, John E., of Earlham, Emory of Earlham and Mrs. Elsie Lind, of Stuart. This splendid family of children is a fitting memorial to the life which is now absent.

Mr. Bechtel was an active member of the Masonic lodge, and his brothers of that Order formed his funeral escort at both Stuart and Earlham and conducted the ceremony at the grave. Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist Church Tuesday at two p.m., by the Pastor Rev. Ralph Eller, and interment was in the Earlham Cemetery. The following biography of the deceased was read at this service:

John Bechtel was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May 21, 1847. Died at the home of his daughter in Stuart, Iowa, December 2, 1923.

He was married to Dianna Jane Stanley, November 25, 1873. To this union were born 10 children, 6 girls and 4 boys, all of whom were present at the time of his death. His immediate family and a brother, Frank Bechtel, who is present at these services, survive him.

John Bechtel was one of the early settlers of Nebraska. He was converted when a young man and united with the United Brethren Church, in which he was a minister of the gospel for 25 years.
_________________________

Note: Burial was made in the Earlham cemetery.

Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen