Henry Bestvater died Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at Bethesda Home, Goessel.
He was born July 23, 1926, to Abraham H. and Helena Franz Bestvater, rural Canton. Henry attended Goessel schools and Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, with his family. He was baptized on May 28, 1944. He worked on the family farm until his marriage to Virginia Jost, Hillsboro, on May 10, 1953. Henry and Virginia had two children, Kathy and Stan. The family transferred to First Mennonite Church in 1964 in order to more fully participate in church activities such as Wednesday night and Sunday evening services.
After their marriage, Henry's family settled in Newton, and he worked for Guerdon Industries, a mobile home factory. Later he worked for Bunting Magnetics. He took a great deal of pride in doing a job well done. Henry enjoyed working with his hands, either building things or fixing things. He and Virginia built three houses in Newton, and he was his own mechanic for his vehicles. His retirement job was working for a gas station. He enjoyed helping the elderly ladies who came to the station for full service treatment. He pumped the gas for them, checked their tires and oil, and cleaned all the windows in their cars.
Henry is survived by his wife, Virginia, and their children, Kathy and Stan. Other survivors are a sister, Mildred Riekenberg, Lincoln, and a brother-in-law, Harry Kasitz, Newton, plus numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Helena; brothers, Frank and John; sisters, Betty Andrews, Martha Promenschenkel, Christine Peters, Grace Kasitz, Mary Spencer and Unilda Moffatt; and a daughter-in-law, Teresa.
Graveside committal will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Gnadenau Cemetery, rural Hillsboro. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at First Mennonite Church in Newton, with Pastor Anita Kehr presiding. There will be no public visitation. Memorials can be given to HOPE Home Repair Inc., Newton, in care of Petersen's Funeral Home.
