Christophel. ­ Allen B., son of Jacob and Anna Christophel, was born near Wakarusa, Ind., July 31, 1892; died July 20, 1932; aged 39 y. 11 m. 19 d. For a number of years he suffered with neuritis, but the last few months apparently had shown some improvement. On the morning of his death he performed some of the routine work about the home and afterward took water to the field for the harvest hands. While waiting for one of the men who had not yet arrived, Allen decided to help shock oats until he came. He had set up only a few shocks of grain when he was stricken with heart failure and death followed almost immediately. Bro. Christophel was converted during a series of meetings held by Bro. S. G. Shetler in the early part of 1912 and in the spring of the same year he united with the Mennonite Church and the Yellow Creek congregation. He took his place in the work of the Church wherever called, and in the year 1916 he went to work in the publishing House at Scottdale, Pa., which position he held until he was called to camp during the World War. While there he was one of those who stood for the principle of nonresistance and suffered imprisonment for his faith. After the war he returned to Scottsdale and served there several more years. In March, 1924, the Yellow Creek congregation called him to the work of the ministry, which position he faithfully filled until his death. He preached his last sermon at the Emma Church bear Topeka on Sunday evening, July 17. Text, Jno. 5: 39. At the age of 19 he began teaching in the public schools of his home community, which profession he followed, with the exception of 5 years, until his death. His summers were spent either on the farm or in school in preparation for his chosen profession. All his teaching was in the township of his birth. He leaves his parents, 1 brother, 1 sister, 1 nephew, 2 nieces, and a host of friends. The Church has lost a loving minister who had her welfare at heart; the community, one who was interested in them; the schools, a teacher of sterling worth and character; the young people, one who was vitally interested in their welfare socially, morally, and spiritually. About 1300 people gathered at the Yellow Creek Church on July 22 where the funeral services were conducted by Jonas Loucks, S. C. Yoder, and D. A. Yoder. Text, I Cor. 15: 54-58. An overflow meeting was held in the church near by in charge of C. A. Shank and Oscar Hostetler. May God comfort the bereft friends and raise up one to preach the Gospel in his stead.

Transcriber's note: Jno. was the abbreviation used in the original obituary.

Transcribed by Marcia Bickel, Kansas.

Gospel Herlad Vol. XXV No. 18 August 4, 1932 pgs. 383,384