3 obituaries and 1 funeral leaflet; the Dana Hermes had a portrait

~~~1st obituary: Dana College Alumni publication, Winter, 1979, Blair, Nebraska

The Dana College community mourns the death on January 4 of one of its members. Dr. Melvin Boehr. Dr. Boehr, an associate professor of education, was a gentle man who cared deeply about his students, his colleagues and the College. In spite of illness during the past year, he continued to meet his classes and to participate in campus life. Survivors include his wife, Kay, of 1607 Lafayette, Blair; daughters Connie Buller ’69, Blair; Shari Navarrette, Omaha; and Donna, a Dana junior; and son Kenneth ’76, Manhattan, Kansas. Funeral services were held in Beatrice, Nebraska, on January 8, and memorial services on the campus January 10. The family has asked that memorials be divided equally among Dana, the Mennonite Central Committee (the relief service) and the General Conference of the Mennonite Church.

~~~2nd obituary: printed in The Hermes, Friday, February 9, Dana College, Blair, Nebraska Vol. LIX Issue VII; later reprinted in the Dana College Alumni Publication

Memorial speech for Dr. Boehr given by Prof. Weckmuller

Gerald Sughroue, assistant commissioner of education for the state of Nebraska asked me to convey to the Boehr family and to the faculty and staff of Dana College the sympathy of the state department of education. Mr. Sughroue said: “As vice chairman of the committee which draws up the approval guidelines for teacher education programs, Mel Boehr has done much to improve the education of the children of Nebraska.”

Dr. Bernard Matthies said: “you can’t be around a man like Mel Boehr very long before your life is affected by him.” And so has my life been influenced. Dr. Melvin Boehr was a master teacher. He seldom preached, but his life and his death were an eloquent witness by example.

One could point to many important lessons which Mel taught through example. I will select just two for this brief meditation.

1. It was not God’s intention that man should spend much of his time upon this earth concerned with the trivial.

The overwhelming portion of Mel’s time was spent dealing with serious, important matters: a deep love for and interest in children and their welfare, the missions of our churches, his beloved family and his own spiritual growth. I hope it is not an invasion of his privacy if I tell you that the picture I have of him in my mind above all others, is walking into his office and finding him reading the Bible. It was more often during this past year, but frequently during the years of good health. I doubt that Mel Boehr spent much time reading the National Enquirer or worrying about who would be selected to head the list of ten best dressed men or women. I do not mean to imply that Mel didn’t have fun. He had a great sense of humor and we will all miss his hearty, contagious laugh. He also, on occasion, indulged himself with an emotional outburst at a basketball or baseball game. But his main interests and concerns were on those matters which really count for something.

2. It is counterproductive to attempt to impose your standards upon others.

Mel’s standards of conduct for himself were as high as those of any man I have ever known. He quietly adhered to those standards without looking down on those of us with more hedonistic tendencies. His life stands as a quiet testimony which will have influence far beyond the influence of most who use a more flamboyant approach. I recall very well those tense days when the Viet Nam War controversy raged across the land. Mel and I stood on opposite sides of that issue. His compassionate, tolerant approach to me almost convinced me of the validity of his arguments. His feelings were strong, his influence was significant, his sell was soft.

There is a long list of other lessons which Mel taught well; his family could add many of which I know nothing about. Mel was a master teacher of truly important lessons of life. He was a master because when it came to love, compassion, honesty, faithfulness and a willingness to give of himself, he didn’t tell you all about it: he demonstrated it abundantly.

--by Dr. Weckmuller

3rd obituary—printed January, 1979, in Grant News, Grant, Nebraska

Note: these obituaries were lost until Dr. Boehr’s sister, Sarah Regier, gave them to the family upon her move to a retirement home. She lived in Grant, Nebraska.

Grant News

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Regier and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Regier of Grant and Mr. and Mrs. Dale Regier of Madrid attended the funeral services Jan. 8 of Mrs. Herman Regier’s brother, Melvin Boehr. Dr. Boehr, 59, was an instructor at Dana College in Blair, Ne., and died of cancer.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jantzen of Madrid kept Aaron and Matthew, children of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Regier, while their parents were gone.

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Regier left Jan. 1 to see their new grandson at the Craig King home near Zimmerdale, Ks. While there, they flew to Waukegan, Ill., on Jan. 4, to be with Sarah’s brother, Melvin. He passed away several hours before the Regiers arrived.

~~ Funeral Leaflet, Beatrice Mennonite Church, Beatrice, Nebraska

Dr. Melvin Boehr

Born Henderson, Nebraska January 5, 1920. Departed this life Waukegan, Illinois January 4, 1979, Age 58 Years, 11 Months, 29 Days.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself…that where I am, there ye may be also.”—John 14-2

Services: Beatrice Mennonite Church, Beatrice, Nebraska 10:30 A.M. January 8, 1989. Words of Comfort by Rev. Louis Goetz, Pastor, Beatrice Mennonite Church. Honorary Casket Bearers: Dr. Ray Weckmuller, Paul Claassen, Rev. Jim Metzger, Ernest Claassen, Henry Hirschler, Reuben Friesen. Casket Bearers: Elmiran Boehr, Arlin Hiebner, Stanley Boehr; David Andreas; Leon Regier; Mark Andreas

Organist: Mrs. Ella M. Wiebe. Singers: Miss Pearleen Jerman, Miss Virginia Jerman. Hymns: “He Who Would Be in God Confiding”; “My God and I”. Congregational Hymns: “How Great Thou Art”; “O Power Of Love”.

Interment: Mennonite Cemetery, R. R. Beatrice, Nebraska.

In charge of memorial: J. Carl Claassen and Arthur Claassen.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library, Blair, Nebraska.

~~~ FindaGrave Memorial # 110736079