February 10, 2022
Howard Christian Birky, 81, passed away Sunday, February 6,
2022, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas.
Howard was born to Harvey Christian and Prudence (Habegger)
Birky on January 27, 1941, in Goshen, Indiana. His sister, Grace (Birky)
Busenitz, was his only sibling, born three years earlier. Howard?s childhood
years were spent living in Illinois and Indiana, and then Florida and Alabama
where his parents served with the Children?s Bible Mission. During these years,
Howard realized his need for forgiveness of sin and trusted Jesus as his
Savior.
Howard attended high school at Ben Lippen, a Christian
boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina, and graduated from Bethany
Christian High School, Goshen, Indiana, in 1959. Howard attended Goshen College
for three years and then transferred to Grace University, Omaha, Nebraska,
graduating with a B.A. degree in 1965. Howard and Anna Beth (Unruh) were
married June 25, 1966, in Hesston, Kansas. Immediately they entered Mennonite
Voluntary Service where they served 18 months in Marlboro, Alberta, Canada,
supporting the local church program in a Metis Indian village and were active
in community development. After completing their voluntary service assignment
in Corpus Christi, Texas, they studied at the Spanish language school in
Edinburg, Texas, and assumed leadership responsibilities in a Spanish mission
church in Premont, Texas. During this time, their daughter Mary was born. In
early 1973, Howard entered training with Provident Bookstore
In early 1973, Howard entered training with Provident
Bookstore in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for seven months, and their daughter
Elisabeth was born. Howard worked at Provident Bookstore in Goshen, Indiana, and
later as a graphic arts buyer at Scripture Press in Wheaton, Illinois, an
organization producing Christian curriculum materials. During this time, Sara,
Hannah, and John joined the family.
In the early 1980?s, Howard and Anna Beth moved to central
Kansas to be closer to relatives. The Birky family lived in Hesston, Kansas,
for six years. Howard taught two years at the Newton Bible Christian School,
and then worked at King Construction and later AGCO, from which he retired in
2010. During his early retirement, he had several surgeries. He recovered to
the extent that he could still do outdoor work, which he enjoyed so much.
Howard?s dream to have ?a place in the country? came true when the family
purchased and moved into the Unruh family home place near Goessel. He
thoroughly enjoyed working outside on the three acres. He has left his imprint
on the home place, lived in for more than 33 years. Howard enjoyed other
interests as well, encouraging and
Howard enjoyed other interests as well, encouraging and facilitating
men?s ministry activities in the churches attended. He also thoroughly enjoyed
serving as a board member of Goessel?s Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural
Museum for a number of years. Howard was faithful to his family, his church,
and his Lord Jesus. Preceding Howard in death were his parents, Harvey and
Preceding Howard in death were his parents, Harvey and
Prudence Birky; sister, Grace Busenitz; and brothers-in-law, Bob and Jim Unruh.
Howard is survived by his wife Anna Beth of Goessel; five children and their
spouses: Mary (Mark) Collier of Omaha, Nebraska; Liz (Chad) Peters of Lincoln,
Nebraska; Sara (Ted) Tucker of Dayton, Tennessee; Hannah (Mike) Kroeker of
LeRoy, Minnesota; and John (Lisa) Birky of the Middle East; 16 grandchildren;
brother-in-law, William Busenitz, Potwin, Kansas; and sister-in-law, Karen
Unruh, Hesston, Kansas.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m., Saturday,
February 12, at the Goessel Church, Goessel, Kansas. Family will greet friends
from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 11, at Miller-Ott Funeral Home,
Goessel. Memorial contributions may be made to Bible Memory Ministries or
Goessel Heritage Museum, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 96,
Goessel, Kansas 67053.