Frank Geyer obituary, George Geyer interview

Received from Vernon Capps:

- Copied from newspaper clipping of his death notice March 30, 1938

FRANK GEYER; Born April 16, 1862 at Johannisberg (Johnsberg) Germany and died in Wellman, Keokuk County, Iowa, March 29, 1938. ( A Tuesday )

The only son of Vitis and Mary (Fruiend) Geyer, and a sister Elizabeth. At age of five years his mother died (1867) and his father remarried and five sons from this next marriage. Religion was Catholic and then Methodist.

Sailed to America, September 23, 1876 and landed in New York City, New York on October 6, 1876 where he stayed for six months working in a brush factory in the day time, and attending school at night.

Came to Kalona, Iowa with his Uncle Joseph Fruiend in Richmond, Iowa. Lived in and near Wellman, Iowa, except for five years near Pipe Stone, Minnesota ( Area- Five miles South of Pipe Stone; then six and one-half miles north) years 1899 to 1904.

Funeral Services was held at the Methodist Church in Wellman, Iowa. Conducted by Rev. Hann, Thursday afternoon at 2:00 O'clock, March 31, 1938. Interment at Bunker hill Cemetery, and later reburied in Wellman, Iowa in 1951.

- George Geyer told this story to Elloise and Vernon Capps while visiting them in South San Francisco, California. Oct, 1967.

Frank Geyer as a child carried wood for fires while living with is Uncle. He worked as a shoe repairman in New York. He learned the trade in Germany. He came to Richmond, Iowa with a Cousin Frankie Fruiend who stayed with the Deweys. Frankie had a sister who married Joe Dewey. He worked with a man on the Prairie there called Custard. He then came into Wellman area and stayed with the Bulls family. In the Bulls family were; Dave, Al, Dan, Grant and a sister named Sis. Frank Geyer was a catholic, but left that faith in Richmond, Iowa.

Frank Geyer had a big farm, 200 acres and raised good gardens. Before they planted gardens or trees on their farm, they used to go to the Griffiths to get their fruits and vegetables. When George and John were little, they remember that their Mother would let the neighbors help themselves for free to the gardens and fruits that they raised and took care of.

Typewritten notes from Vernon Capps

More Geyer Obituaries

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Grace Geyer

Mrs. Grace E. Geyer, 71, of 1003 E. 3rd Street, Washington, died Sunday, August 26 at the Shenk Nursing Home in Wellman, where she had been a patient a short time.

Born December 30, 1901, near Thornburg, she was the daughter of William J. and Jane Moore McGimpsey.

She married F. Grant Geyer May 14, 1919.

She was a member of the Washington United Methodist Church.

Surviving are six sons, Harlan M. of Mission Hills, Calif., Calvin of Iowa City, Larry of Florida, LaVerne E. and Floyd of Washington; four daughters, Mrs. John (Doris) Allard of Brighton, Mrs. Bernie (Dorothy) Biddle of Richland, Wash., Mrs. Adger (Niva) Nix of Chamblee, Ga., and Frances Jean of Washington; 25 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; and five sisters, Mrs. Rachel Stringfellow of Oskaloosa, Mrs. John (Margaret) Geyer of What Cheer, Mrs. Catherine Schifflet of Deep River, Mrs. Eva Moore of Oskaloosa, and Mrs. Hugh (Ruth) Frazier of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on September 19, 1951, a daughter Lois and a son Max.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 29 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in Washington with Rev. J. Roland Crandall officiating.

Mrs. T. R. Phillips was organist with Mrs. Kay Stewart, soloist.

Bearers of the casket were John Allard, Jay Allard, Calvin Geyer Jr., Richard Geyer, Wayne Geyer and Kenneth Geyer.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery.

[Handwritten at bottom: "1973"]

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[Handwritten at top: “1983”]

Margaret Geyer

Margaret Geyer, 89 of What Cheer died Monday, Nov. 14 at home.

She was born April 29, 1894 in Keokuk County, the daughter of William and Jane Moore McGimpsey.

She was married to John W. Geyer February 19, 1919 in Keswick. He preceded her in death in August of 1983.

She had lived in What Cheer since 1963. Prior to that she lived in Thornburg.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of What Cheer, a member of the UMW of What Cheer, a Past Matron of the Order of the Friendly Garden Club, past secretary of the Royal Neighbors of America, and the secretary for 45 years of the Sixteen Cemetery of Thornburg.

She is survived by three sons, W. Kenneth Geyer of Albia, Dr. Keith A. Geyer of Alta and John W. Geyer of West Bloomfield, Mich.; two daughters, Harriette Riddle of Wellman, and Mrs. Vernon (Elloise) Capps of South San Francisco, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Hugh (Ruth) Frazier of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Eva Moore of Oskaloosa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a great-grandson, six sisters, and two brothers.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m., at the Harden Funeral Chapel at What Cheer with Rev. Duane Ferguson officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Riddle, James Riddle, Jeffrey Adler, Richard Kading, John Geyer III and Curtis Geyer.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

[Handwritten at end: “on Friday November 18, 1983]

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John W. Geyer

John W. Geyer, 83, of What Cheer died Saturday, Aug. 6 at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Born at Wellman December 5, 1899, he was the son of Frank and Lucinda Griffith Geyer.

He was a retired farmer and also had worked for the Pamco of Oskaloosa for 1[?] Years. He had lived in What Cheer since 1953 and prior to that in Thornburg.

He was married to Margaret McGimpsey February 19, 1919 in Keswick.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of What Cheer and was a past president of the What Cheer Lions Club. He was also a former member of the Thornburg School Board. He was the treasurer of the Universe Lodge 242 A.F. and A.M., a past master of the Perfect Union Lodge 277 at Thornburg, a member El Khir Shrine in Cedar Rapids, a member of the Cedar Rapids Consistory, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge in What Cheer.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Elloise Capps, of South San Francisco, Calif., and Mrs. Harriette Riddle of Wellman; three sons, W. Kenneth Geyer of Albia, Dr. Keith A. Geyer of Alta, John W. Geyer of West Bloomfield, Mich., 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother, Wilbur Geyer of Wellman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m., at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Emery Wallace officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Riddle, James Riddle, Jeffrey Adler, Richard Koding, John Geyer III, Curtis Geyer.

Honorary bearers of the casket were Ronald Galbraith, Alex Henry, Kenneth McFarlan and Bill Tancer.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery in Thornburg.

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Wilbur G. Geyer, 86, dies

WELLMAN – Wilbur G. Geyer, 86, died June 24, 1993, at Parkview Manor, Wellman, after a long illness.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Wellman, with the Rev. Beth Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Wellman
Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday at the Powell Funeral Home, Wellman. A memorial fund has been established with the First Baptist Church, Wellman, and the Wellman Ambulance fund drive.

Wilbur Geyer was born Sept. 1, 1906, near Wellman, to Frank and Lucinda (Griffith) Geyer. He attended Bunker Hill School. He married Edna Webster Jan. 25, 1928, at the Methodist parsonage, Iowa City. He farmed in the Wellman and Oxford communities before moving to Wellman in 1959. He was employed by Powell Furniture and Bringman Grocery and worked as a custodian and bus driver for the Mid-Prairie School District. He also operated a feed grinder for several years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Wellman, and a former IOOF
member.

Survivors include his wife, Edna; three sons, Richard Geyer, Iowa City, Wayne Geyer, Oxford, and Raymond Geyer, Oxford; one daughter, Donna Mae Wenell, St. Paul, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one
great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and one great-grandchild.

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[Handwritten to side of obituary: “Tuesday, March 16”]

George E. Guyer [should be “Geyer”]

WHAT CHEER – George E. Guyer, 79, former resident of What Cheer, died Tuesday, at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo.

He was born Nov. 4, 1891 near Wellman, the son of Frank and Lucinda E. Griffith Guyer. He married Jennie Ann Moore June 15, 1915 at Webster. She preceded in death along with one son.

He worked for many years with the Iowa State Highway Commission.

Surviving are one son, Frank of St. Joseph, Mo.; one daughter, Mrs. Beatrice Hummel of Council Bluffs; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and one brother, Wilbur Guyer of Wellman.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, at Harden Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Edward A. Schalle officiating. Burial will be in Sixteen Cemetery.

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[Handwritten at top: “March 16, 1971”]

Local Deaths
George E. Geyer

George E. Geyer, 79, was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon after becoming ill at the home of his son, Frankie C. Geyer, 2611 Renick street. The elder Mr. Geyer had been residing with his son lately.
Mr. Geyer retired about nine years ago as an Iowa State Highway Commission foreman, stationed at Marshalltown, Iowa. He formerly resided in What Cheer,
Iowa.

Additional survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Beatrice E. Hummel, Council Bluffs, Iowa; two brothers, John Geyer, What Cheers, and Wilbur Geyer, Wellman, Iowa; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

The body is at the Herdin [should be “Hardin”] mortuary in What Cheer.

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[Handwritten at top: “1967”]

Life Story of Jennie May Geyer

Mrs. Jennie May Geyer, 69, of Independence, died Tuesday, January
31.

Born March 5, 1897 in Webster [“Webster” is crossed out and handwritten above is “Millersburg”], she was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Winegarden Moore. She married George E. Geyer June 16, 1915.

Surviving are her husband, George; one daughter Mrs. Beatrice E. Hummel of Council Bluffs; one son, Frank C. Geyer of St. Joseph, Mo; nine grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Lola Wyant of Marengo and Mrs. Ethel Seaton of Deep River; and three brothers, Ivan and Raymond Moore of What Cheer and Menzo Moore of Keswick.

Services were held Friday, February 3 at 2 p.m. at the [clipping cut off
here]

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Frankie C. Geyer
1924-1997

Frankie C. Geyer, 73, St. Joseph, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997, at a St. Joseph hospital.

Born May 26, 1924 in Omaha, Neb., he was raised in Scranton, Iowa, where he graduated from Scranton High School. Mr. Geyer was a 1948 graduate of Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, where he later taught social science and coached football, baseball and basketball.

He began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller in 1952. He served at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Topeka, Kan.
and Des Moines, Iowa.

Mr. Geyer came to St. Joseph in 1965, and retired as Assistant Tower Chief and Controller.

During World War II he served as an instructor pilot for the B-24 Liberator
Bomber in the Army Air Corp.

He was a member of Huffman United Methodist Church, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Liberal Air Museum, Liberal, Kan.

On July 30, 1944 he married Kathryn E. Crouch in Liberal, Kan., she survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Geyer, by a brother, George Junior Geyer, and a sister, Beatrice Hummel.

Additional survivors: a son, Mark T. Geyer of Marietta, Ga.; two daughters, Sandra E. Goff, San Diego, and Melody A. Crowder, Salina, Kan.; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Services: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer-Fleeman Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where the family will receive friends from 7 to [?]:30 p.m. Tuesday. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home.

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LaVerne E. Geyer II, 20, of Cromwell, Ind., formerly of Washington, died Wednesday morning in Parkview Hospital at Fort Wayne, Ind., of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident Aug. 17 near Fort Wayne. He was a student at Fort
Wayne.

Survivors include a daughter, Alex of Cromwell; his parents, LaVerne and Jane of Washington; two sisters, Debra Morrison of Homestead and Barbara Curtis of Wyman; a brother, Jerry Groom of Cromwell; and his grandfathers, Robert Richardson of Lebanon, Ore., and Ben Adams of Wyman.

Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Jones’, where friends may call after 9 a.m. today and where the family will greet friends from 8 to 8:30 tonight. Burial:
Sixteen Cemetery, north of What Cheer. A memorial fund has been established.

Finally, Wayne Geyer, son of Wilbur and Edna Geyer, passed away recently on March 20, 2007. His obituary can be found on the Peterseim Funeral Home Obituary page and a news article, Oxford Man Found Dead, can be find on the Iowa City Press-Citizen website.

Moore Obituaries

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Thursday, August 15, 1991

Raymond Moore

Raymond Wilbur Moore, 79, of What Cheer, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

He was born September 25, 1911 near Webster, the son of Charles G. and Elizabeth Winegarden Moore.

He was united in marriage to Mildred Gorsh December 4, 1933. She died December 16, 1966. He married Blanche DeReus October 23, 1969 in Oskaloosa.

He had attended School in Webster. He farmed for over 50 years in Iowa, Poweshiek and Keokuk Counties. He also worked at the What Cheer Pottery Plant and was a car salesman.

He is survived by his wife, Blanche of What Cheer; two sons, Franklin of Texas, Edward of Marshalltown; one daughter, Janice Henley of Cedar Rapids; one step-son, Terry DeReus of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one step-daughter Sherill Hupfeld of Dysart; five grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; one brother, Menzo Moore of Keswick and two sisters Lola Wyant of Marengo and Ethel Seaton of Deep River.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mildred; five brothers, David, Claude, Guy, Dewey and Ivan; and three sisters, Gale Moore, Jennie Geyer and Edith Parks.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Dean McPherson and Rev. Charlie Bywaters officiating.

Music was by Marlene Clubb, organist and Virginia Striegel, soloist.

Bearers of the casket were Barry ?int, Neil Nilles, Lee Willhour, Richard Dalziel, Donald Sterrett and ??rrol Walters.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Memorials may be made to What Cheer Rescue Unit and or the What Cheer United Methodist Church.

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[handwritten next to title: „1951“]

James H. Moore Dies in Des Moines

Funeral for James H. Moore was in Des Moines Thursday. He died Dec. 17 in Des Moines.

Mr Moore was born Aug. 18, 1873, on the Moore farm near Thornburg. He was the son of James and Rachel Moore and grew to manhood near Thornburg.

His wife Mamie, his parents, a sister, Jane McGimpsey, and a brother, John C. Moore, preceded him in death.

Surviving are a son Glen of Burbank, Calif., and a daughter, Mrs. Grace Kimati in Hawaii, a brother George C. Moore of Des Moines, and sister, Mrs Catherine Dusenberry of Tucson, Ariz.

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[handwritten next to title: „1999“]

Dallas Oster

Dallas Oster, 89, of Sigourney, died Jan. 8, at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

She was born Dec. 17, 1909, in Dallas County to John and Nettie Meredith Moore. She married Leslie Oster on Sept. 14, 1932, in Thornburg. He died May 6, 1995.

She was graduated from Thornburg High School in 1926. She and her husband farmed in the Webster-Keswick area until they purchased Sigourney Laundromat in 1965, she was a member of Sigourney United Methodist Church and the Church Women’s Circle.

She is survived by three daughters, Betty Miller of Fairfield, Lind Wallerstedt of Arlington, Texas, and Judy Davisson of Waterford, Mich., seven grandchildren, a great grandchild, a sister, Dorothy Christenson of Tucson, Ariz., and a brother, David Moore of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Esther Howe, two brothers, Harold and Wayne Moore, and two sisters, Vesta Haus and Mildred Moore.

The service was Jan. 11 at Sigourney United Methodist Church, the Rev. Danny Lemon officiated. Burial will be in Sorden Cemetery near Keswick.

Pallbearers were Mark Miller, Doug Cutts, Darren Haus and Kenneth Capps.

------------------------

Dorothy Moore

Dorothy F. Moore, 90, of Rockford, Ill., formerly of Gibson, died Dec. 9, at the Swedish American Hospital in Rockford.

She was born June 1, 1909, in Kansas City, Kan., to John and Doxie Ford Butterfield. She married Carl L. Moore in Montezuma on March 25, 1933.

She was reared in Montezuma and was graduated from Montezuma High School in 1927. She attended Cedar Falls and William Penn in Oskaloosa and taught
school in Gibson and Tri-County for 29 years. She was a member of the Gibson Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer and elder for many years. She moved to Rockford in 1991.

She is survived by her husband of Rockford; a daughter, Karlene Kitchen of Rockford; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jack; a great granddaughter; a sister, Doxie McCrellias; and a brother, Harold Butterfield.

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[Handwritten next to name: “1999”]

Dorothy Moore

Dorothy F. Moore, 90, of Rockford, Ill., formerly of Gibson, died Dec. 9, at the Swedish American Hospital in Rockford.

She was born June 1, 1909, in Kansas City, Kan., to John and Doxie Ford Butterfield. She married Carl L. Moore in Montezuma on March 25, 1933.

She was reared in Montezuma and was graduated from Montezuma High School in 1927. She attended Cedar Falls and William Penn in Oskaloosa and taught school in Gibson and Tri-County for 29 years. She was a member of the Gibson Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer and elder for many years. She moved to Rockford in 1991.

She is survived by her husband of Rockford; a daughter, Karlene Kitchen of Rockford; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a con, Jack; a great granddaughter; a sister, Doxie McCrellias; and a brother, Harold Butterfield.

The service was Monday at Gibson Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Kenneth Arendsen and Matthew Kitchen officiating. Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Harden Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

-----------------------

Bertha Ogden

Bertha Arlene Ogden, 96, of What Cheer, died Monday, Sept. 27, 1993 in Iowa City at the Mercy Hospital.

She was born August 2, 1897 near Springdale, the daughter of John and Mynettie Phelps Moore.

She was united in marriage to Hurley Ogden. He preceded her in death April 1, 1958.

She attended High School in Grinnell and was a homemaker all her life. She was a member of the What Cheer United Methodist Church; the Esther Circle; a 50 year member of P.E.O. Chapter Y; past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Thornburg; and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of What Cheer, and a former member of the Garden Club.

She is survived by a daughter and her husband: Doris Marie and Russell Crane of Tucson, Ariz.; a son and his wife: W. Dean and Julia Ogden of What Cheer; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one grandson, Paul Ogden; one great-grandson, Matthew; two brothers: Sherman Moore, Forrest Moore; five sisters: Ida Moore, Anna Middlekauff, Raye Wilcox; Hazel Dersch; Elizabeth Bender; two half-brothers and a half-sister.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, 1993 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Vince Homan of the What Cheer United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Memorials may be made to the What Cheer United Methodist Church.

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Eva Moore

OSKALOOSA -- Eva Moore, 84, of Oskaloosa died Feb. 21, 1990, at Pleasant Park Nursing Home in Oskaloosa.

She was born May 9, 1905 in Thornburg to William and Jane Moore McGimpsey. She married A. Dewey Moore on Dec. 2, 1926. He died April 19, 1961.

She farmed with her husband for many years in the Deep River area. After his death, she moved to Oskaloosa, where she worked as a housekeeper at Mahaska County Hospital until retiring.

She is survived by a sister, Ruth Frazier of Denver, Colo.

She was preceded in death by two brothers and seven sisters.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Newman Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa, the Rev. David Holmes officiating.

Burial will be in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Lucinda Griffith Geyer Obituary

Here is the obituary of my 2nd great grandmother, Lucinda Ellen (Griffith) Geyer. She was the daughter of John White Griffith and Priscilla Longwell. She married Franciscus "Frank" Geyer on 22 December 1888. They had 6 sons, Francis Grant Geyer (my great grandfather), Leonard Lawrence Geyer, George Everett Geyer, John Walter Geyer, Wilbur G. Geyer, and Harold Wayne Geyer. The obituaries of Frank and Francis Grant can be found in this previous post.

Funeral Services Held At Wellman Today for Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, 81

Wellman - Funeral services for Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, 81, lifelong resident of the Wellman vicinity, were held at 2 p.m. today at the Methodist church.

The Rev. D.C. Bissinger officiated with burial at Wellman cemetery. Powell funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Geyer was born October 16, 1869, near Wellman and died Tuesday at Washington, Iowa following a long illness.

She was married to Frank Geyer in 1888. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by three sons, George Geyer, Boone, John Geyer, Thornburg, and Wilbur Geyer, Oxford, a brother Grant Griffith, Wellman, and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wagamon, Wellman.

Source: "Funeral Services Held At Wellman Today for Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, 81," Iowa City Press Citizen 4 Oct 1951, page 15.

McGimpsey Obituaries/Clippings

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Lorene McGimpsey

Lorene E. McGimpsey, 78, of Thornburg, died Sunday, April 22, 1990, at the Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa.

She was born September 5, 1911, near Thornburg, the daughter of Roy and Grace Stafford Edmundson.

She was united in marriage to Art McGimpsey in January of 1930. He died in October of 1985.

She graduated from Thornburg High School in 1929. She was Postmaster for 21 years at the Thornburg Post Office. She was a member of the Thornburg United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. D. Jim (Greta Lou) Moore of Thornburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Leroy Edmundson of Keswick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Doris Davis.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 25 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Dean McPherson officiating.

Music was by Janet Arendt.

Bearers of the casket were Van Moore, Ace Moore, Ron Denison, Ray Gasperi, Gerald Denison and Lloyd Little.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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40 Years Ago
April 7, 1938

Mrs. Jane McGimpsey died at Thornburg yesterday afternoon. She had been visiting in the Grace McCracken home and suffered a stroke early Friday morning.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "1985"]

Charles Arthur McGimpsey

Charles Arthur “Art” McGimpsey, 74, of Thornburg died Saturday, Oct. 12, at the University Hospitals in Iowa City.

He was born March 23, 1911, in Thornburg, the son of Henry A. and Jennie Reasner McGimpsey.

He married Lorene E. Edmundson January 5, 1930, in What Cheer.

He was a lifelong Thornburg resident. He farmed for several years and later was the custodian of the Thornburg High School. Later, he was the custodian for the Tri-County Community Schools. He retired in 1975.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Thornburg.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. D. Jim (Greta Lou) Moore of Thornburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Harold (Isabelle) Godwin, of Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant sister.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 14, at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Ron L. Clayton officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Ace Moore, Van Moore, Ron Denison, Ray Gasperi, Steve Thomann and Duane McBeth.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "1968"]

Former Thornburg Resident Slain in Langley, Oklahoma

Martin H. (Bill) McGimpsey, 58, of Vinita, Oklahoma, an aide at the Eastern State Hospital in Langley, Oklahoma; was shot and killed August 2. His alleged assailant was taken into custody on a charge of murder.

Sheriff R. W. Green placed Dale Eugene Branstetter, 38, a former patient of the hospital, in jail a few hours after the shooting following his arrest at his home northeast of Pryor, Oklahoma.

The sheriff alerted the Mayes County sheriff’s office immediately after the slaying and Branstetter was picked up at his home eight miles from Pryor. He did not resist arrest, officers said.

Sheriff Green said that Branstetter had an almost new .22 Magnum double-barrel pistol in his possession at the time the arrest was made.

McGimpsey had been employed at the state hospital 3 years. He formerly owned and operated McGimpsey Cafe and Bait Shop in Langley.

Martin McGimpsey was born February 13, 1910 in Thornburg. His survivors include his wife Oma, three daughters, Mrs Carol Ann Harris, Wichita, Kansas, Mrs Lois Brown and Mrs Willa Rose Merriott, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two sons, Martin D. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and William at home; six sisters, Mrs Catherine Shifflet, Deep River, Mrs Ruth Fraiser, Des Moines, Mrs Grace Geyer, Washington, Iowa, Mrs Rachel Bone and Mrs Eva Moore both of Oskaloosa and Mrs Maggie Geyer, What Cheer; and two grandchildren. One sister Mrs Bernice Baker preceded him in death.

Mr McGimpsey was a member of the First Christian church of Langley Oklahoma. Masonic funeral services were conducted there.

Mrs Catherine Shifflet of Deep River and Mrs Ruth Fraiser of Des Moines flew to Vinita, Oklahoma to attend the funeral service of their brother, Martin McGimpsey. Mrs Grace Geyer and her family of Washington drove down.

Oldaker Obituaries

The following obituaries are from newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the obituaries. The Oldakers are related to me by marriage. Burl Oldaker was married to Hazel (McGimpsey) Bone and his brother Charles Henry Oldaker was married to Hazel's sister Mary Jane McGimpsey. Hazel and Mary Jane's sister Grace (McGimpsey) Geyer was my great grandmother.

-- Vada Oldaker --

Vada Oldaker, 83, of Sigourney, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1993, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

She was born June 12, 1909 near Deep River to Henry and Lela Butcher Wadsworth.

She attended School in Deep River.

She married William LeRoy Oldaker June 5, 1926 in Thornburg.

She lived in Deep River, and moved to Sigourney in 1966. She was a member of the Sigourney Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by one son, Ronald of Marion; two daughters, Mildred Dobbins of Des Moines and Wilma Boatman of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a brother, Marvin Wadsworth of Des Moines; and a sister, Zelma Treanor of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy February 14, 1993; two sons, Donald and LeRoy; four brothers, Everett, Kenneth, Raymond and Melvin; and a sister, Ada Fish.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at the Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney, with Rev. Kate Morgan officiating.

Burial was at the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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Donna Oldaker

Donna M. “Toddy” Oldaker, 71, of 130 S. Adella died at 3:24 p.m., Aug. 28, 1988, at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

She was born April 9, 1917, in Ottumwa to Bert R. and Marguerite May Bray Mace. She married Burl Oldaker July 3, 1968.

She is survived by her husband; four daughters, Shirley Chory of Baltimore, Md., Dixie McConnell and Vicki McConnell of Cedar Rapids, and Bonnie McNeal of Ottumwa; two sons, Jerry Phillips of Jacksonville, Fla., and Steve Phillips of Ottumwa; a stepson, Vernon Oldaker of Wickenburg, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty McDavitt of Ottumwa.

The service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Reece Funeral Home, the Rev. George King of Evangelistic Foursquare Church officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pallbearers will be Dwight, Ervin and Kevin McConnell, Bill and Cliff McNeal, and Guy Ruzicka.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "BORN 1865 = 6-24-1937"]

William Oldaker, 71, died at his home early yesterday morning as the result of a stroke.

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Burl Oldaker

Burl Oldaker, 94, of 130 S. Adella died at 4:55 p.m. Oct. 31, 1988, at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born July 29, 1894, near North English to William George and Annie B. McArtor Oldaker. He had been a resident of Keswick, Wellman and Batavia before moving to Ottumwa in 1968. He was a member of Kilwinning Masonic Lodge 198 in Batavia and had been the mayor of Batavia. He had owned and operated a coal mine in Selma and had been a postal carrier and was a retired railroad employee. He also had been a security guard for Philco Ford in Fairfield. He married Winnie Carmichael in 1914; she died in 1919. He married Hazel Bone; she died in 1951. He then married Donna Phillips July 3, 1968; she died Aug. 28, 1988.

He is survived by a son Vernon H. of Wickenburg, Ariz.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four stepdaughters, Shirley Chory of Baltimore, Md., Dixie McConnell and Vicki McConnell of Cedar Rapids, Bonnie McNeal of Ottumwa; two stepsons, Jerry Phillips of Jacksonville, Fla. and Steve Phillips of Ottumwa; 14 step-grandchildren, eight stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters, Alma Axmear and LaVanda Bonnator of Keswick, and Edna Hartman of Ottumwa; and a brother, William LeRoy of Sigourney. He was preceded in death by a son, Starlin, who died in 1941.

The body has been cremated. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Shaul Cemetery, the Rev. George King of the Evangelistic Foursquare Church officiating.

A memorial has been established.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Charles Oldaker

Charles William Oldaker, 82, passed away April 25. He had been living with his son in Callahan, Fla. He was born near Thornburg to Charles Henry and Mary McGimpsey Oldaker.

His formative years were spent in Keswick, Thornburg and Delta. After graduating from Delta High School in 1940 he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Air Corps. He was most proud of graduating from the Air Corps Pilot School in June 1945 and for serving in the U.S. Air Force. He achieved the rank of Captain with a total of 22 1/2 years service. Later he worked for the Federal Aviation Agency as an air traffic controller before retiring with 20 1/2 years of service.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Rose whom he married in August 1951 in Arlington, Va. who passed away in October 1978.

Survivors include two sons Charles O. of Ulysses, Kan. And William S. and wife Kathy, three sisters Florence Pakis of Burgess, Va., Kathleen Rhody of Phoenix, Ariz., and Winnifred Carrigan of Burgess, Va.; two grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Christian First Assembly of God Church in Callahan, Fla. He was cremated and his ashes were joined with those of his wife.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "JUNE 1980"; appeared in the What Cheer Patriot Chronicle]

Charles Henry Oldaker

Charles Henry Oldaker, 82, of Park View Manor, Wellman, died Wednesday, May 24. He was formerly of Oskaloosa.

He was born March 23, 1898 at Wellman, the son of William George and Annie Bell McArtor Oldaker.

He attended Keswick High School. He was a member of Eagles Lodge in Oskaloosa and was employed by Pella Rolscreen until he retired. The last 14 years he had resided at Park View Manor at Wellman.

He married Mary Jane McGimpsey October 20, 1918 at the Methodist Parsonage in Keswick. She preceded him in death June 23, 1963.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Nicholas (Florence I.) Pakis of Silver Springs, Md., Mrs. Francis (Kathleen) Rhody of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Neil (Winnifred) Carrigan of Bowie, Md.; a son, Charles W. Oldaker of Pierre, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Alma Axmear and Mr. LaVanda Bonnater, both of Keswick and Mrs. Edna Hartman of Ottumwa; and three brothers, Burl of Ottumwa, Roy of Sigourney and Lloyd of Oskaloosa.

Preceding him in death besides his parents and wife were two brothers, Warren and Loren and two sisters, Lottie Oldaker and Edith Just.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m., at Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney with Rev. Warren James of the What Cheer Baptist Church officiating.
Music was by Mrs. Harry Landers, organist.

Bearers of the casket were Donald Oldaker, Ronald Oldaker, Rayford Oldaker, Raymond Axmear, Dale Axmear and Jim Moore.

Burial was at Sixteen Cemetery.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "OLDAKER 1993"]

Gerald Bonnater

Gerald Duane Bonnater, 59, died Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

He was born September 10, 1934 on a farm near Webster, the son of Roy Charles and LaVonda M. Oldaker Bonnater.

The family moved to a farm near Keswick. In 1985 they moved into Keswick where they lived until May of 1991 when Jerry and his mother moved to Ankeny. They were residents of Sunnyview Care Center in Ankeny.

Jerry suffered from Downs Syndrome.

Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Albert (Gladys) Taghon of Keswick and Mrs. Robert (Phyllis) Goldman of Ankeny; eight nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 at Powell Funeral Home in North English with Pastor Don Ridenour officiating.

Music was by organist, Marlene Clubb and soloist Lois Axmear.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Goldman, William Schumacher, Allan Taghon, Dan Taghon, LaVerne Fry and William Augustine.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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Roy Oldaker

Roy Oldaker, 91, of Sigourney died Sunday, Feb. 14, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

He was born March 2, 1901, near North English to William George and Annabelle McCarter Oldaker.

He married Vada Wodsworth June 5, 1926, in Thornburg.

He attended School at Keswick. He worked as a farmer, at What Cheer Pottery Co., for Deep River Schools, Amana Refrigeration and at Memorial Hall in Sigourney until retiring in 1981. He came to Sigourney in 1966 and was a member of the Sigourney Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Ronald of Marion; two daughters, Mildred Dobbins of Des Moines and Wilma Botman of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Alma Axmear of Keswick and Edna Heartman of Ottumwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Donald and William; five brothers, Warren, Loren, Burl, Charley and Lloyd; and three sisters, Edith Just, Lottie Oldaker and Lavinella Bonnater.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney with Rev. Kate Morgan officiating.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near What Cheer.

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And to finish it out, two more from the Newspaper Collection at Ancestry.com:

Mrs. Anna Oldaker Dies at What Cheer

Wellman--Mrs. Anna Oldaker, 80, died at her home in What Cheer Friday.

She was the daughter of Charles and Marie McArtor and was born in Iowa City. She was married to William G. Oldaker October 7, 1890. He preceded her in death in 1937.

Eleven children were born to them, nine of whom are living, Loren of Olds, Burl of Batavia, Alma A. Mead of Keswick, Charles of Oskaloosa, Lavanda Bonnater of Keswick, Roy of Deep River, Edna Castle of Ottumwa, Edith of What Cheer and Lloyd of Oskaloosa, also two sisters, Mrs. Mary Hall and Mrs. Minnie Lamercox of Wellman, and one brother Burl of North English.

Source: "Mrs. Anna Oldaker Dies at What Cheer," Iowa City Press Citizen 29 Nov 1948, page 7; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 19 Feb 2007.

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6 NAVY FLYERS CRASH VICTIMS
Die In Two Accidents; Iowan Killed In One Crash

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Two navy plane crashes, one in a rain and windstorm, took the lives of six aviators, including one Iowan, from the air station here Wednesday.

Four flyers were killed at Bay Springs, Miss., when a 14-passenger, navel transport plane crashed while returning here from a routine flight to the Kansas City, Mo, naval reserve aviation base. More than 200 persons saw the big plane, buffeted by high winds, emerge from a heavy cloud and plunge to earth.

Among the victims the navy listed Aviation Machinist Mate Starlin R. Oldaker, 25, son of Burl Oldaker of Eldon, Iowa.

The other plane crashed on Santa Rosa peninsula near here.

Source: "6 Navy Flyers Crash Victims," Iowa City Press Citizen 25 Sept 1941, page 9; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 19 Feb 2007.

Poweshiek County, Iowa Obituaries

Stewart Library in Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa has an obituary database in the local history section of their website with scanned obituaries collected from local area newspapers dating back to 1871. Which newspaper the clipping comes from is unfortunately not always noted, but if you've got family that lived or died in Poweshiek County, it's a good place to search. Also in the local history section is the Friends of Stewart Library Oral History Project with over 20 interviews and an online collection of articles of historic interest.

One find in the database was the obituary of the husband of my great-grandaunt Eva Mae McGimpsey, Admiral Dewey Moore. Interestingly, he and Eva married on December 2, 1926 at his sister Jennie May (Moore) Geyer's home in Washington, Iowa. She was the wife of my great-granduncle George Everett Geyer. A. D. Moore's obituary can be found here.

Frank and Francis Grant Geyer Obituaries

Here are the obituaries for my great, great grandfather Frank Geyer (b. 16 Apr 1862 in Johannesburg, Germany, d. 29 Mar 1938 in Wellman, Iowa) and my great grandfather Francis Grant Geyer (b. 14 Jul 1897 in Wellman, Iowa, d. 19 Sep 1951 in Iowa City, Iowa).

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Frank Geyer Found Dead In Barnyard of Farm Home

Wellman -- Mr. Frank Geyer, 75, was found dead in the barnyard of his farm home, three and one-half miles northwest of Wellman, Tuesday afternoon. He had been in failing health for sometime and had been confined to his bed recently. Death is believed to have been caused by a heart attack. Mr. Geyer was born in Johnsburg, Germany, April 16, 1862, and came to Iowa with an uncle when 13 years old. He lived in the Washington Prairie community for several years and married Miss Lucinda Griffith December 22, 1888. The couple settled on the Wishard farm near Wellman where they lived until moving to their present home, with the exception of five years passed in Minnesota. Surviving are the widow; six sons, Messrs. Leonard and Grant Geyer of Wellman, Wilbur Geyer at home, George Geyer of Scranton, John Geyer of Thornburg and Howard Geyer of near Iowa City; 22 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. One sister and five half-brothers in Germany also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the Wellman Methodist Episcopal church. Burial will be in the Bunker Hill cemetery.

Source: "Wellman Man Dies Suddenly," Iowa City Press Citizen 30 Mar 1938, page 9, last column.

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Wellman - Francis Grant Geyer, 54, died Wednesday at University Hospital in Iowa City following a short illness. He was born July 4, 1897 in Washington county, the son of Frank and Lucinda Geyer. He was married to Grace McGimpsey, May 14 1919. He is survived by his widow, four daughters, Mrs. John Allard, Harman Village, Guam, Lois of Wellman, Niva, of Wellman, and WAC Pvt. Dorothy Geyer, of Ft. Lee, Va., and six sons, Harlan, Oceanside, Calif., Donald, Wellman, Calvin, Iowa City, Larry, Wellman, Laverne, Wellman and Francis. Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, and three brothers, George, Boone, John, of Thornburg, and Wilbur of Oxford. Service will be at the Methodist church in Wellman at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. D. C. Bissinger officiating. Burial will be near Thornburg. The body is at Powell funeral home in Wellman.

Source: "Francis Geyer, 54, Dies at U-Hospital After Short Illness," Iowa City Press Citizen 21 Sep 1951, page 11; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 14 October 2005.

Geyer Obituaries - Fairfax County, VA

Here are the obituaries of my father and paternal grandparents. I'd love to hear from you if you are related or were friends with any of them.

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Ila Iola Geyer

Ila Iola Geyer, 78, died at her home in Herndon, Va., Friday, March 13, 1992.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 19, at 1 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Herndon. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Mrs. Geyer was born June 11, 1913, in Plano, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel and Bessie Belle Bear. She graduated from Seymour (Iowa) High School and the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, with a degree in elementary education. Ila Bear Geyer taught at Union School, north of Wellman, from 1938 to 1940. She also married Harlan M. Geyer on June 11, 1945, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and moved to Herndon, Va., from Mission Hills, Calif.
Mrs. Geyer is survived by her husband of Herndon; a son, Harlan M. Geyer Jr., and his wife Unchalee of Herndon; a daughter, Cherie Ann Geyer of Laguna Hills, Calif.; three grandchildren, Christina, Christopher and Christian Geyer, all of Herndon; one sister, Holly Plaster of Gering, Neb.; four brothers, Austin Bear of Arizona, George Bear of New Jersey, Claude Bear of Plano, Iowa, and John Bear of Missouri.

From: Wellman Advance [Iowa]

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Harlan M. Geyer Jr.

Of Oak Hill, VA. On Friday, November 2, 2001 at Hospice of Arlington. Beloved husband of Unchalee Geyer; father of Christina Lynn Geyer of Durham, NC, Christopher Eugene and Christian Alan Geyer, both of Richmond, VA; son of Harlan M. Geyer of Reston, VA; brother of Cherie Ann Geyer of Aliso Viejo, CA. Mr. Geyer was a Marine Combat Veteran of Vietnam and awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Service will be held on Sunday, November 4 at 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden St, Herndon, VA. A graveside service will also be held at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium on Tuesday, November 20 at 1 p.m. (Please assemble at 12:30 p.m. at the Administration Building). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Hospice of Northern Virginia or the American Cancer Society.

From: The Washington Post 3 Nov 2001

Update: Thoughts on my dad

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GEYER, HARLAN MARTIN, SR. (Age 85)

Of Reston, VA, died on Friday, March 24, 2006 at Fair Oaks Hospital. He was born July 20, 1920 in the town of Wellman, IA to the late Francis Grant and Grace McGimpsey Geyer.

Harlan served 20 years in the US Marine Corps, attaining the rank of 1st Sergeant. As a member of the 2nd Marine Division, he took part in the Battle of Tarawa, one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific in World War II. He also served in the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

On June 11, 1945 he was joined in marriage to Ila I. Bear. After her passing in 1992, he was united in marriage to his second wife, Mary Gallagher Farley Bahlmann, who passed away in 2001. Harlan is survived by three brothers, Calvin, Larry and LaVerne; his sisters, Doris Allard, Dorothy Biddle and Niva Nix; his daughter, Cherie Geyer and his grandchildren, Christopher and Christian and Christina Geyer and her husband, Rainer Spang. Harlan also rejoiced in being a loving grandfather to Beth, Patsy, Scott and Chris Farley, grandchildren of his second wife. He was preceded in death by his son, Harlan M. Geyer, Jr.

Funeral services for HARLAN M. GEYER will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden St., Herndon, VA. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 11 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are welcome.

From: The Washington Post 29 Mar 2006

Update: Memorial webpage for my grandfather

Bear obituaries in Appanoose County, Iowa

These are transcribed from the book: Osee Johnson Knouf, comp., Soldiers Buried in Appanoose County, Iowa Before World War II and Some Obituaries of Early Settlers, (DAR, Illinois Society, 1976). I accessed it in the DAR library in Washington, D.C. The obituaries are typed, and include what appear to be many typos.

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Mary Jane Kirkland Bear

Mary Jane Kirkland, daughter of Hue and Nancy Kirkland was born in Wetzel county, West Virginia, April 17, 1853, and passed away June 5, 1939, at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 18 days. She is the last of a family of 11 children.
She came to Iowa with her parents at the age of 14 years. On February 17, 1880, she was united in marriage to Samuel R. Bear. She was the mother of six children. One daughter, Mrs. Ruby Wells, and her husband preceded her in death. She lived the greater part of her life in Appanoose county, Iowa.
She was converted and united with the Little Flock Baptist church in 1871. She lived a true and devoted life until the end. She has been in poor health for some time. She was making her home with her son, James A. Bear, at the time of her death. All was done that loving hands and medical science could do but to no avail. She was a loving mother, a good neighbor, and a kind friend. She is survived by 5 children: Della Squires, Seymour, Ia.,; S. L. Bear: James A. Bear; and A. A. Bear, of Plano, Iowa; and Mose W. Bear of Centerville, Iowa. 26 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday p.m. at the Little Flock church at 2 p.m. with the Rev. W. M. Cleeton of Seymour officiating. Burial was in the Little Flock cemetery.

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Adessa Jane Bear Wilson

Adesa Jane Bear, daughter of Mary and Samuel Bear, was born in Peoria, Ill., Nov. 24, 1849, and passed away at the home of her son Joseph in Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 5, 1940, at the age of 90 years, 2 months and 18 days.
Her parents came to this country when she was small and settled on a farm near Plano where they lived until their death.
In 1871 she was united in marriage with Perry C. Wilson. They lived on a farm a few years and then moved to East Wilson street of this city where they were living at the time of Mr. Wilson’s death in May, 1930. She has spent most of the last 10 years of her life at the home of her youngest son, Joseph, at Minneapolis.
She enjoyed good health until last Friday, when Joe’s wife noticed she was ill. She was put to bed at once and tenderly cared for until she passed away early Monday morning.
She was the oldest of her family and the last to pass away of six children. Mrs. Wílson was the mother of 11 children. Elizabeth, Frank and Grover preceded her in death.
She leaved to mourn their loss; three daughters – Mrs. C. L. Gray of this city, Mrs. Mary Myers of Phoenix, Ariz. and Mrs. Zella Hurd of California. Five sons – Joseph of Minneapolis, Minn., Oscar, Robert and John of this city and William of Cincinnati, Iowa; 21 grand children 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Mrs. Wilson was a woman of fine character and was loved and respected by a large number of friends. She loved her home and was a devoted and loving mother.
Funeral services were held from the Miller Funeral home Friday afternoon with H. E. Trimble officiating. Burial was in Oakland.

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Catherine Elizabeth Bear

Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Mary Rupely Bear, was born Feb. 7, 1858, and passed away at her home north of Plano, Feb. 17, 1939. She was united in marriage to Edwin Lyon, April 18, 1877. He preceded her in death April 18, 1921. She has spent her entire life in the community of Plano, where she was born, and 60 years at the home where she passed away.
Ten children were born to this union. Surviving are: Mrs. C.F. Kirkland, Los Angeles, Calif., Ira of Plano, Mrs. E. W. Wyrick of Centerville, Iowa, Nellie at home, C. Fred of Oklahoma City, Okla., Mrs. Walter Haines and Jay of Plano and Art of Yakama, Washington. Harry E. and Gertrude Mae preceded her in death. Twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive. Of a family of six, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Dessie Wilson of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Funeral services were held at the home with Rev. George W. Swan, Jr. officiating. She was laid to rest in the family cemetery.

Kirkland Obituaries in Wetzel County, WV

The following are all the Kirkland obituaries found in the book "Wetzel Co., WV Obituaries", published by Wetzel County Genealogical Society and compiled by Carol Rush Hassig and Elizabeth Estlack Mullett. They appear to have been cut from newspapers and pasted onto pages that were photocopied to make these volumes. I accessed this book in the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. I've left misspellings in and anything in brackets "[]" are my comments.

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J.F. Kirkland [Vol. 2, p. 52]
Obituary
April 28, 1930 [date handwritten]

Mr. J. F. Kirkland, son of Alexander and Eliza Jane Kirkland, departed this life April 28, 1930, aged 68 years, 11 months and 28 days. He was born May 3, 1861, near Wileyville, Wetzel County, where he lived until about seventeen years ago, when he moved to his late home located about five miles east of this city. He was one of Wetzel County’s most successful and prosperous farmers. He achieved success by faithful to[illeg.] coupled with attention to details and wise management.

December 25, 1895, he was united in marriage to Sarah Belle Briggs, daughter of the late Henry Briggs, who resided at Green Hill, Wetzel County. To this union were born four children, all of whom are graduates of Magnolia High School and highly respected citizens. Clark and Cline are with the Lemley-Bridgeman Company garage of this city. Dr. Matt is owner and manager of the Fulton Pharmacy, Wheeling, and Mrs. Eliza Kirkland Brown is a successful teacher of Fairmont. He is also survived by his widow; his aged mother, living at Maud, who has passed her ninety-third birthday; one grandson, Matt, Junior; three brothers and three sisters: Mrs. Samantha Moore, of this city; Mrs. G. W. Huff, of Maud; Mrs. Virginia McIntire, of Maud; Lockwood Kirkland, of Centerville, Iowa; Shriver Kirkland, of Clarksburg, and Elsworth Kirkland, of Maud.

Mrs. Kirkland, too, has shared with her husband the responsibilities and sacrifices that come to a farmer’s wife, incidental to the maintenance of a happy, comfortable, and hospitable home.

For a number of years Mr. Kirkland had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Along with his farm cares he found time to devote to the worship of his Creator. He was seldom absent either from Sunday school or the [article cut off at this point]

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KIRKLAND [Vol. 3, p. 29]

Ross C. Kirkland, 77, of Pine Grove, died at 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28, 1963, at the Wetzel County Hospital. Born in Wetzel County, Nov. 11, 1885, he was a son of Foster and Adaline Martin Kirkland. He was a retired employe of the Hope Natural Gas Co. and was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church of Pine Grove.. Survivors include his wife, Ethel Cosgray Kirkland; two sons, Hugh, of Canton, and Kenneth, of Pine Grove; a half-brother, Joseph Bland, of Pine Grove; and a granddaughter. Friends are being received at the Palmer Funeral Home in Pine Grove. Services will be held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) with the Rv. Albery O. Morrison officiating.. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, New Martinsville.

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KIRKLAND [Vol. 3, p. 30]

Ethel Kirkland, 79, of Pine Grove, died Wed., Nov. 5, at the Wetzel County Hospital. She was born in Wetzel County, June 16, 1890, daughter of John and Emma McAlister Cosgray. She was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Her husband, Ross C. Kirkland, preceded her in death in 1963. Surviving are two sons, Hugh of Canton, and Kenneth of Pine Grove; and one granddaughter. Friends were received at the Palmer Funeral Home, Pine Grove. Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Harshburger officiating. Interment in Greenlawn Memorial Park, New Martinsville.

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Sarah Kirkland [Vol. 3, p. 31]

Mrs. Sarah Belle Kirkland, 73, member of a well known family, died at her home on Little Creek last Sunday after she had suffered a heart attack.
She was a native of Wetzel County, having been born at Proctor Sept. 14, 1867. She was a daughter of Henry and Massa Brookover Briggs.

Mrs. Kirkland was a member of the First M. E. church and of the Mrs. D. N. Mangolg Sunday school class. She took an active part in Ladies’ Aid work.

Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. C. H. Huffman of New Martinsville; three sons, Clark and Cline Kirkland of New Martinsville, and Matt L. Kirkland of Wheeling; three sisters, Mrs. J. G. Guthrie and Grace Briggs, both of New Martinsville, and Mrs. W. E. McKnight of Charleston; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services for the deceased woman were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Wharton Funeral Home. Rev. S. B. Cunningham preached the funeral. Mrs. Kirkland was buried in the Northview cemetery.

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Pfc. Warren R. Huff’s [Vol. 4, p. 32]

The body of Pfc. Warren Robert Huff arrived in New Martinsville on Monday and was taken to the Wharton & Ellis Funeral home.

He was killed in action December 27, 1943 in the invasion of New Britain, Cape Gloucester, South Pacific.

He was attached to the First Marine Division, and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He enlisted in June, 1942 at Wheeling.

Pfc. Huff was born August 13, 1920 at Maud, W. Va., the son of Robert and Esta Kirkland Huff, who survive him, also surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Lucile Ball and Miss Maxine Huff, both of Washington, D. C. and Mrs. Sue Heinzman of Pittsburgh, and two brothers, Sgt. Norman Huff of the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Brookley Field, Mobile, Ala., and Raymond Huff at home.

Services were held in the chapel of the funeral home on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. H. A. Hopson of St. John’s Methodist church. Burial was in North View cemetery, with full military honors by Marne [Marine] Post No. 28, American Legion, New Martinsville.

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J. A. KIRKLAND [Vol. 4, p. 43]

James A. Kirkland, 70, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Amanda Jackson, of Wileyville, Wednesday morning at 3:00 o’clock. He was a member of the Wileyville Baptist Church.

Mr. Kirkland was born at Wileyville, September 8, 1871, the son of the late Joseph and Lucinda Furbee Kirkland.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Junie Richmond Kirkland, of Elm Grove; six sons, Joseph, of Missouri, and Roy, Charles, Frank, Alton and Bryan, of Elm Grove; two daughters, Mrs. Thelma Andrews and Mrs. Hattie Scyock, both of Elm Grove; three sisters, Mrs. Amanda Jackson and Mrs. Etta Blake, both of Wileyville, and Mrs. Olive Barr, of Pine Grove.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon from the Jackson home at Wileyville, in charge of Rev. James Webb. Interment in the Kirkland cemetery will be in charge of the Palmer Funeral Service, of Pine Grove. Apr. 1942 [date is handwritten]