Last Sunday the bells of death at the Klinger church rang out seriously and in admonition. Again, we laid a father of our church community in the chamber of the grave. He was one of the silent ones in the land who took God's word and the Savior to heart. Death took him away from his work. A stroke touched him, robbing him of consciousness and speech and laid him on his deathbed. God released him from his suffering on July 28 and took him to his heavenly home. Many of his acquaintances appeared to bid him farewell. The text for the homily was: Christ is my life, death is my gain. Christian Diercks was born on June 3, 1829 in Hannover. Soon thereafter he was taken into God's family by Holy Baptism. He was confirmed in his home town when he was 14 years old. He emigrated to America in 1847, living first in Cook Co., Illinois, where he married Wilhelmine Nagel in 1856. God blessed this marriage with 10 children, four sons and six daughters. One son and one daughter died as children. Father Diercks came with his family to Iowa in 1864, lived for a short time in Butler County, and then settled in Maxfield Township, where he stayed until his death. His wife preceded him in death 6 years ago. He leaves three sons, five daughters, and 27 grandchildren. He died at the advanced age of 76 years, 1 month, and 25 days. He rests in our church cemetery until the great resurrection morning. Then he will be with love and soul by the Lord forever. Blessed are those who die in the Lord.