Ervin F. Harms

Published courtesy of the Cordell Beacon

© Cordell Beacon

Ervin F. Harms was born April 5, 1939 in Newton, Kansas to Ferdinand and Anna Klaassen Harms and died July 19, 2002 at his home in Cordell having reached the age of 63 years, three months and 14 days.

He received Christ as his Savior in his youth and was baptized on June 1, 1952 in the Herold Mennonite Church near Bessie where he was an active member at the time of his death.

His early childhood was spent on the farm near Cordell. He attended Flynn School through the third grade and then went to Cordell Schools the rest of his elementary years. In the fall of 1954 he entered Corn Bible Academy, where he sang in a men's quartet and also in the choir. He often helped with the farm work after school. He finished high school at Oklahoma Bible Academy, where he met Myrna Pekrul. They were married on June 25, 1960 in Goltry on one of the hottest days of the year.

They began their life on the farm near Cordell and with the exception of a short time away, lived there for most of their marriage. To this union three children were born, David in 1961, Kaylin in 1963 and Danny in 1967. They also opened their home to foster children, some staying a short time as babies, others staying longer and becoming like part of the family.

A dark valley came on October 27, 1982 when Myrna was tragically killed in a car accident. However, God's provision was evident to the entire family when a mutual friend introduced Ervin to Marilyn Rempel of Meade, KS in 1983. They were married on January 21, 1984 and God blessed Ervin and Marilyn with 18 and a half years of married happiness, living on the farm and serving in the Herold Church.

Although trying other jobs, he always loved to farm. Though his health limited him, the farm was his great joy. He especially enjoyed working with cattle and when farming was no longer a profitable business, he decided to drive a cattle truck full time.

Truck driving was truly a team effort, with Marilyn sharing the driving. They loved seeing different parts of the country and often met with family members and friends for coffee when they were in their vicinity.

Ervin always enjoyed two-cylinder tractors and going to tractor shows. In 1997 he bought an old D-John Deere and completely restored it back to its original condition. The tractor had first belonged to an uncle of his and so it was a special event to have it back in the family.

Ervin's love for the Lord was foundational to his life and influenced everything he did. His heart ached for the lost and reached out to them by taking foster children into his home and sacrificed much to support the ministry in Kyrgyzstan as well as many other places. He took a special interest in prophecy and anticipated Christ's return and his faithfulness to God served as an encouragement to many people that he knew.

Ervin loved his three children and eight grandchildren passionately. David, Kaylin and Danny were the pride of his life as he watched them grow into adults with varied gifts, abilities and interests. His house has often been a place of happy chaos with grandchildren running around and playing.

A year ago, Ervin began a battle he was determined to win. He struggled through two heart surgeries and even last month, still wanted to get back in the truck he loved so much. But at the end, his weak heart could sustain him no longer and he passed on to his heavenly home surrounded by his wife and children on Friday afternoon. Although he will be missed, we all rejoice that he is now released from his suffering and is whole and well in glory.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his children. David and his wife Pam of Corn; Kaylin and husband Ted Offutt of Osh, Kyrgyzstan; Danny and his wife Beth of Cordell. Grandchildren, Austin, Darren and Corey Harms, Connor, Kylie and Noah Offutt and Ethan and Trevor Harms. Also surving him are his father-in- law, Orval Pekrul and wife Marie of Goltry, OK and many brothers and sisters- in-law and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Naomi, who died in infancy, and his wife Myrna.

The family has requested that, if anyone would like to make a memorial donation in Ervin's name, checks be written to the Herold Mennonite Church and designated either for the ministry in Kyrgyzstan or for Corn Bible Academy.

Services under the direction of Jack Loftiss Funeral Home, Cordell, OK.