Obituary Jonas Holdeman: Hesston Gazette, Sept. 5, 1929.
Jonas Holdeman, son of David and Helena Holdeman was born in Elkart, Ind. Dec. 16, 1867 and died at the Bethel Hospital in Newton, Ks. Aug. 24, 1929 from injuries received the previous in runaway accident. He was 61 yrs., 8 months and 8 days. When six years old he with his parents moved to McPherson Co. where he lived until his death. In 1887, he was married to Sarah Overholt. They were blessed with two children, Isaiah and Ida, the former dying in infancy. After the joys and sorrows of life together for three years, his wife, died leaving him with two small children. In 1891 he was converted and united with Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in which he remained a faithful member until death. In 1892, he was married to Anna Blosser. To this union were born seven children, six of whom are now living. On August 17, 1928 his companion passed away just one year and one week prior to his death. On Friday afternoon, Aug. 23 "Uncle" Jonas, as he was familarily known, hitched his horse to a light buggy, which was his usual means of travel. When he was about to start home he subconsciously remarked to a neighbor, expressing his doubt as to getting home. Leaving town he was about to pass the schoolhouse when his horse became frightened and started to run away. As the horse turned north at the first crossroads two of the buggy wheels crushed, throwing him out and he struck the bank of the road with violent force, where he was soon picked up by passersby and immediately taken to a doctor's office for first aid then on home. During this time he was in a semi-conscious condition wondering what had taken place. Now discovering serious injuries to his back and head he was taken to the Bethel Hospital where the best physicans care and loving hands could not avail. He lived until Saturday morning at 6 o'clock when he quietly preached his last, never regaining full consciousness. He leaves to mourn seven children, Mrs. Noah Wiggers, Moundridge; Mrs. Dan Boeckner, Moundridge; Mrs. Pearle Oustott, Newton, Sarah of the home, Roy of Newton; Walter of Hesston and Ralph recently of Hawthorne Cal. sixteen grandchildren, six brothers, four sisters and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the Meridian Church where a concourse of friends gathered to pay the last tribute of respect to one who had so fauthfully served the community in various ways. Introduction to prayer was fittingly spoken by D.H. Dyck. of Hillsboro, and Em.M. Yost spoke from the text Psalms 23-4. A.G. Eaz of Inman spoke briefly in German. Internment was made in the cemetery near by. The pall bearers were the same ones who carried Mrs. Holdeman to her last resting place a year ago. They were Noah, Lee and Oliver Holdeman; Harry, Byron and Lester Blosser all nephews of the deceased.