View source for Wichert, Johann J. (1897-1983)

[[File:WichertJJ.JPG|300px|thumb|right|''From "Jubilaeum-Album der Konferenz "

der Mennoniten in Canada 1902-1952'']]     Johann J. Wichert (1 October 1897-12 November 1983) was born in [[Mariawohl (Molotschna Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Mariawohl]], [[Molotschna Mennonite Settlement (Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Molotschna colony]], [[Russia|Russia]], the son of Jacob and Maria Peters Wichert. He received his [[Elementary Education|elementary education]] in Mariawohl, [[Secondary Education|secondary education]] in Gnadenfeld, and teacher training in the University of [[Kharkov (Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine)|Kharkov]] in 1914. He taught in Mariawohl (1915-16) and in Rudnerweide (1917-22), where he was baptized by [[Nickel, David D. (1853-1940)|Elder David Nickel ]]in 1918.

Wichert emigrated to Waterloo, ON in 1925. He was ordained as minister 20 May 1928, and as elder 3 September 1944 (by [[Janzen, Jacob H. (1878-1950)|Jacob H. Janzen]]). He married Lydia Koop, 20 August 1944. Wichert served the [[Vineland United Mennonite Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland United Mennonite Church]], Vineland, ON as minister from 1927 and as elder (1944-66), where he remained active as a member till his death. He was an outstanding teacher, was active in conference committees, and, together with Lydia, served Mennonite immigrants in Europe under [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] in 1947.
= Bibliography =
Obituary by Nikolai N. Franzen and Lydia Wichert in <em class="gameo_bibliography">Der</em> <em class="gameo_bibliography">Bote</em> (7 December 1983): 1-2.

Giesbrecht, John and others. <em class="gameo_bibliography">50th Anniversary Highlights of the Vineland United Mennonite Church, 1936-1986. </em>Vineland, ON, 1986: 1-91.

Rempel, Johann G. <em class="gameo_bibliography">Fünfzig Jahre Konferenzbestrebungen, 1902-1952,</em> Part II. Steinbach, MB: Derksen Printers, 1952: 327.
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