John M. Hiebert, 82, of North Newton, died August 17, 2019. He was born Dec. 4, 1936, to John and Marie Hiebert in Mountain Lake, Minn. John was baptized and was a member of the Bethel Church in Mountain Lake.
Despite growing up without a father, who was killed before John was born, he was nurtured by a loving mother who influenced his interest in learning, art and music.
After high school graduation, he moved to North Newton, where he went to work at the Mennonite Press before enrolling at Bethel College that fall. He continued to work at the Mennonite Press for the next 50 years. In 1963, he took the position as art editor of The Mennonite, a position he held for 34 years.
While at Bethel College, he met Margaret Koehn, and John and Margaret married in 1958. At the time of marriage, John and Margaret became members of Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton.
Throughout his life, John had a great a love of music. While in college, he enjoyed singing in a small group. Later he sang in the church choir, regularly attended the Wichita Symphony and was a volunteer for 15 years at Chamber Music at the Barn.
Survivors include Margaret, wife of 61 years, and two children, Matthew Hiebert (wife, Laurie) and Kristen (husband, Mark Evans). There are four grandchildren, Rachel Evans, Daniel Evans, Lauren Hiebert and Kara Hiebert.
A Celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Bethel College Mennonite Church. Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Menno Hall, Kidron. Memorials are suggested for Bethel College Mennonite Church and Kidron Bethel Retirement Services.
