OBITS: April 1926 Obituaries, Blakesburg Excelsior, Wapello County, Iowa Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Wapello County, Iowa Please visit the Wapello County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/wapello/ ________________________________________________________ Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Martha Richards Microfilm from State Historical Society of Iowa Blakesburg (Wapello co, IA) Excelsior Newspaper, Jan 1, 1925 (missing issues Aug 6, 13;) Oct 8, 1925-Dec 25, 1930 Microfilm from State Historical Society of Iowa Thurs Apr 1 1926 GRANDMA DEAN Sarah Elizabeth, only daughter of Garrett and Lucinda SEALS, was born in Taizell, Tenn. July 26, 1857, departed this life in Unionville, Iowa, March 24, 1926 at the age of 68 years, 7 months and 28 days. She was united in marriage with E. A. DEAN March 15, 1875. To this union one child, a daughter, Blanche was born. On Sept. 17, 1901, the daughter passed away leaving three sons, Raymond NYE of California, Harry E. of Keytesville, Mo., and Lester of Wichita, Kansas. Mrs. DEAN was converted in early life and united with the M. E. church and remained a true and devout Christian till God called her home. She was also a charter member of the Order of Eastern Stars (Carmel Chapter) and was ready at all times to exemplify the work of the Order, which will always be proud to have had her as one of its members. Besides the three grandsons and several nephews and neices (sic) she leaves a great host of friends to mourn her going. appropriate services were held at the M. E. church Friday at 11:00 a.m., Rev. J. E. WARD, her pastor officiating assisted by Rev. EATON of the Baptist church. Interment in the Unionville Cemetery. At the close of the services at the church the Order of Eastern Stars rendered their beautiful Ritual service. FRED LEFFLER Frederick LEFFLER was born November 23, 1894, near Blakesburg, died March 15, 1926, in Ottumwa, aged 31 years, 3 months and 20 days. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Wm. LEFFLER of Blakesburg and three brothers, William of Selma, Harry of Ottumwa and Walter at home. Those preceeding him in death are his father, Wm. LEFFLER, one brother, John, two sisters, Mary and Lulu. Henry’s whereabouts are unknown. The remains were buried at the Jay cemetery, Rev. Chas L. ELLIS conducting a short service at the grave. Thurs April 15, 1926 Mrs. Elvera KURTZ Mrs. Elvera KURTZ, wife of N. F. KURTZ, died last Friday afternoon, at her home in Ottumwa at the age of 53 years. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James GROOMS, residing in Christiansburg (sic). Besides her parents she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Della HALL of Iowa City and Mrs. B. A. HAND of Ottumwa and a brother, Newton GROOMS of Bidwell. Burial took place in the Christianburg (sic) cemetery Sunday afternoon. Rev. ELLIS having charge of the service at Christiansburg. Roy DYE Roy DYE, a prominent and very popular young man, son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi DYE, residing southeast of Blakesburg, was instantly killed by being struck by a train on the elevated railway in Chicago last Saturday night. He was rushed to a hospital and we understand died before he reached there. Roy was about thirty-five years of age and has lived in Chicago for the past six years. The body was brought home for burial. Monday’s Chicago Tribune tells of the accident in the following: "Roy DYE, 35 years old, 1804 West Adams street, was killed Saturday when he was struck by a Metropolitan elevated train on a grade crossing at Des Plaines avenues in Forest Park. According to the police report, DYE walked under a lowered crossing gate. He was a driver for the Bowman Dairy Company." (see also obit published April 22, 1926) Mrs. Emmaline ROSS Mrs. Emmaline MILLARD ROSS died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. L. GRINSTEAD in Ottumwa last Friday evening at the age of 63 years. She was the widow of Sanford ROSS, who died about twenty years ago. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel MILLARD, deceased, who lived three miles east of Blakesburg. She is survived by the following children: Mrs. GRINSTEAD, Ottumwa, Mrs. Bert DIXSON of Rock Island; Mrs. L. J. GOSS, Covina, Cal., Mrs. Bert BROOKS, route 2, Ottumwa; Fred of Bladensburg and Ora Ottumwa. Also six sisters: Mrs. Virgil ROSS, Ottumwa; Mrs. Ella ARMSTRONG, Redland, Col., Mrs. Amanda CONNOR, Chattanooga, Okla; Mrs. Ellis ANGEL, Blakesburg; Mrs. Wm. LUNDY, Long Beach, Cal.; Mrs. Frank NOLAND, Blakesburg; and six brothers--John MILLARD, Patridge, Kansas; Henry of Redland, Col.; Noah of Long Beach, Cal., George, Lewis and Clem of Ottumwa. The deceased spent the greater portion of her life near Blakesburg but of late years has resided in Ottumwa with her daughter. Funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at the Willard Street Methodist church in Ottumwa, in charge by Rev. A. D. McCLURE. Burial was at the Brooks cemetery. Ruby Hazel ARIE Ruby Hazel ARIE was born in Wapello county, Iowa, southwest of Ottumwa, March 10, 1907, and passed away at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo H. ARIE, April 7, 1926, at the age of 19 years and 27 days. She leaves to mourn, her parents, three sisters, Frances and Faye at home, Mrs. Merle CANTERBURY of East Moline, Ill,; and one brother, Alvin at home. Ruby was always a cheerful girl in school and at home. She was always a lover of home, seldom leaving for even a brief stay and it is there she will be greatly missed and her death keenely (sic) felt. Funeral service was held at the Baptist church in Blakesburg April 9, 1926, interment being made in the Blakesburg cemetery. Six girl associates were honorary pall bearers: Regina YOCHUM, Edna SCHWARTZ, Gladys HANDCOMER, Ruth BRIGHT, Ruth and Sigrid PARSONS. the acting pall bearers were Wm. SCHWARTZ, John MAHASKA, Fay BRIGHT, Harold and Jesse PHILLIPS and Wilbur SHIELDS. Funeral service was held at the Baptist church by Rev. Chas. L. ELLIS in the presence of a large circle of friends. Friends extend sympathy to the bereaved family. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Merle CANTERBURY of East Moline, Ill., James DAVIS and son, Lloyd of Blakesburg, Mrs. PARKER and family, Clarence PARKER and family, Mabel DOWNER and Mrs. RANDALL of Ottumwa, Mrs. SCHWARTZ of Highland Center, Mrs. MILLS of Fairfield, Iowa. CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank all friends and neighbors for their kindness shown to us during our recent bereavement in the death of our loving daughter and sister, Ruby and also for the many floral offereings. Thurs, April 22, 1926 Lauren Erastus ROSE Lauren Erastus ROSE was born September 3, 1846, in Jefferson county, Iowa, departed this life April 11, 1926 aged 79 years 7 months and 2 days. He came to Wapello county when nine years of age and has made this his home since then. He was united in marriage with Zerelda J. WILSON November, 1866 and to this union were born five children, four of whom survive him; namely, Harry, Elmer and Mrs. Minnie SMITH of Blakesburg and Mrs. Bertha BACHMAN of La Junta, Colo., fifteen grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his wife and daughter Cora. Mr. ROSE had been a member of the I.O.O.F lodge for fifty-one years, having joined that order at Chillicothe and was a charter member and first Noble Grand of the Blakesburg lodge. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Tuesday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by Rev. Chas. L. Ellis. The members of the I.O.O.F. having charge of the ceremonies at the grave. The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the city cemetery. REUBEN GUNNERSON Reuben GUNNERSON, 21 years old, a prominent young farmer of the Munterville vicinity, was found dead in the field near his home Wednesday evening by his father, Alfred GUNNERSON. The young man had been driving a tractor, pulling two plows, and every indication was that he had fallen or been thrown from the tractor and the sod cutter had passed over him, cutting him severely about the throat and head. He is survived by his wife and baby boy, also his parents, brother Carl of Sargent, Neb., and two sisters, Mrs. Seth CARLSON of Blakesburg and Mrs. Elmer HAINES of Chillicothe. (from census of Munterville cemetery: GUNNARSON, Reuben E.; 1905-1926 and GUNNARSON, Alfred 1864-1942. There is also a GUNNARSON, Vercel E, son of R. E. and Mary B, February 20????--October 22, 1926) LEROY DYE Leroy DYE, eldest son of Levi and Elnora DYE, was born in Davis county, Iowa, near Ash Grove, September 23, 1893 and departed this life at his home in Chicago Saturday evening, April 10, 1926; at the age of 32 years 6 months and 18 days. Roy was accidentally killed when he was struck by a Metropolitan elevated train on a grade crossing at Des Plaines Avenue while journeying to see friends at the Veterans hospital. He was made a Mason in Ashlan lodge No. 308 Chicago in December 1924, he was also affiliated with the I.O.O.F. Carnation lodge No. 933 Chicago. He leaves to sorrow his devoted parents, three brothers, Herman and Austin of Drakeville and Earnest of Oak park, Ill, his grandfather, Geo. S. HOWK of Blakesburg, also other relatives and numerous friends. Mr. DYE was a splendid young man, honest, industrious and admired by his acquaintances; his sudden and untimely going brings great sorrow to his home surrounding community. Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the Hopewell Baptist church conducted by Rev. I. W. CHILDS of the Finley Avenue church of Ottumwa. Interment in the Hopewell cemetery. Thurs April 29, 1926 Mrs. S. F. CHIDESTER died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Susie D. LOYER in Cedar Falls, Friday morning, April 16th, after a short illness. Mrs. CHIDESTER had spent the winter at the home of her daughter in Cedar Falls and was expecting to return to her home northwest of Blakesburg this spring. She was one of the pioneer ladies of this community, held in high esteem by her acquaintances and the announcement of her death brought sadness to her relatives and friends. The following is the obituary: The death of Mrs. Celestia Louvinna CHIDESTER occurred Friday morning, April 16, 1926, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Susie D. LOYER in Cedar Falls. The body was brought to Albia and funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m., Sunday at Bethel church, Rev. J. H. HAMPSHIRE officiating. A quartet from Avery sang a number of songs, and interment was beside the husband in the Bethel cemetery. Celestia Louvinna STEVENSON was born in Monroe county, March 8, 1851. Here she spent her childhood days. On June 21, 1866, she was united in marriage to Samuel Floyd CHIDESTER and to this union were born five children, Isan T of Ottumwa, George S. of Albia, Susie D. LOYER of Cedar Falls, Laura D. DEMING of Grinnell, and Louvinna, who with the father preceded her in death. Mrs. CHIDESTER was for a number of years a member of the Christian church at Blakesburg.