Bodker obituaries, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Name, date of obit, date submitted, submitted for the USGenWeb archives by: Bodker, Albert J. 23 Jun 1944 Apr 2001 Carol Carvalho Bodker, Clara Kuhn 12 Oct 1956 Apr 2001 Carol Carvalho Bodker, John William May 1945 Apr 2001 Carol Carvalho Bodker, Joseph W. 20 Jun 1977 Apr 2001 Carol Carvalho Bodker, Ruby Schenk d. 14 Mar 1979 Apr 2001 Carol Carvalho Bodker, Sarah Caroline Bendix 12 & 14 Mar 1974 Apr 2001 Carol Carvalho Bodker, William H. 3 Nov 1922 Oct 2001 Carol Carvalho *************************************************************************** Obituary published in The Ponchatoula Enterprise on: 6/23/1944 BODKER, ALBERT J. Funeral services for Albert J. Bodker, former council member and real estate dealer, who died early Tuesday morning, were held Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock from the residence of his son-in-law, W. C. Hawkins. Mr. Bodker was born December15, 1889, the son of Mrs. W. H. Bodker and the late W. H. Bodker, and for many years took a prominent part in the civic affairs of Ponchatoula. He served on the town council for two or three terms. During later year he had been employed in shipyard work, but gave it up recently because of ill health. He leaves besides his mother, his wife, the former Sarah Bendix; two daughters; Mrs. W. C. Hawkins and Miss Adele Bodker, and two sons, Joseph W. of Ponchatoula and James F.(sic, should be E.) of the United States Army. The latter arriving home on furlough a few hours after his father's death. Also five grandchildren, and one brother, John W. Bodker of Ponchatoula. Burial was in Wetmore cemetery. *************************************************************************** Obituary published in The Ponchatoula Enterprise on: 10/12/1956 CLARA KUHN BODKER Funeral services for Mrs. Clara Kuhn Bodker, 90, who died at the home of her granddaughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Gaude, in Ponchatoula on October 9, were held from Thomas Funeral home on Thursday, October 11. Religious rites were conducted at St. Joseph's Catholic church by Father Wrobleski, O.P., and interment was at Ponchatoula cemetery. Mrs. Bodker was a native of Centralia, Ill. And had been a resident of Ponchatoula for the past 57 years. She was the forma Miss Clara Bining (sic should be Bina Clara) Kuhn and was married to the late William Henry Bodker in Illinois. She was the mother of the late Albert J. and John W. Bodker. She is survived (sic) three brothers, George Andrew and Dewey Kuhn of Centralia, Ill; 7 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and two great great grand- children. *************************************************************************** Note: Obit around May 1945. According to the Ponchatoula Historical Records, Vol. 1, by James M. Perrin, Bodker died 6 May 1945. JOHN WILLIAM BODKER Funeral services for John William Bodker were held Monday afternoon at four o'clock at St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Rev. Fr. Nuttall officiating, with burial in the Catholic cemetery. John W. Bodker was born in Centralia, Illinois, April 26, 1892 and came to Ponchatoula with his parents, Mrs. Clara Kuhn Bodker and the late W. H. Bodker, at the age of six years. In 1920 he was married to Miss Georgia Stein. He was in business for himself before the war when he went to work in the shipyards at New Orleans. His death came suddenly Sunday from a heart attack, which he suffered while working in the garden. He was ill but a very few minutes before the end came at 10:15 A. M. Besides his widow he is survived by two sons, W. H. Bodker, S1/c, in the Coast Guard; John L. Bodker in the Maritime service, and one daughter, Mrs. Lyman K. Gaude of New Orleans; his mother, Mrs. W. H. Bodker, and one grandson. His brother, Albert J. Bodker, preceded him in death on June 20, 1944. He was always a jolly good fellow and his good- natured character and hearty laugh will be missed by a large number of friends. *************************************************************************** Obituary published in The Hammond Daily Star on: 6/20/1977 BODKER, JOSEPH W. Ponchatoula - Religious services for Joseph W. Bodker, who died at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Seventh Ward General Hospital, were scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Presbyterian Church in Ponchatoula with burial in Wetmore Cemetery. He was 66, a native and resident of Ponchatoula. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rubye Schenck Bodker, Ponchatoula; one son, A.J. Bodker, Ponchatoula; one daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Dorothy Ann, Cissy) Furr, Baton Rouge; two sisters, Mrs. W. C. (Alberta) Hawkins, Ponchatoula and Mrs. Noble (Adele) Salter, Ponchatoula; one brother, J.E. Bodker; six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made to the Building fund of the Presbyterian Church, Ponchatoula. Harry McKneely and son funeral Home in Ponchatoula was in charge of the services. (Note: Seventh Ward General Hospital is now North Oaks Hospital.) *************************************************************************** Obit from private collection. Newspaper and date of obit publication is unknown. BODKER, RUBY SCHENK Ponchatoula - Services for Mrs. Ruby Schenk Bodker will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Ponchatoula. Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Jim Anderson. Visitation will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. today at Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula. She died Wednesday at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center. She was 69, a native of Springfield and a resident of Ponchatoula. Burial will be in Wetmore Cemetery. Survivors include a son, A.J. Bodker, Ponchatoula; a daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Dorothy "Sissie") Furr, Baton Rouge; a sister, Mrs. Hugh (Norma) Pendarvis, Hammond; two brothers, Lloyd Schenk, Springfield and Joe Schenk, Tiptonville, Tenn.; and six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Ponchatoula. Note: Ruby Schenk Bodker died March 14, 1979. *************************************************************************** Obituary The Enterprise, Ponchatoula, LA, March 14, 1974 BODKER, SARAH CAROLINE BENDIX Mrs. Bodker Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Bendix Bodker, 83, who died Monday, March 11, at Seventh Ward General Hospital, were held Wednesday from Harry McKneely and son Funeral Home to the Ponchatoula Presbyterian Church and were conducted by the Rev. James Anderson. Interment was in Wetmore Cemetery. A native of New Orleans and resident of Ponchatoula, Mrs. Bodker was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ponchatoula. She is survived by two sons, Joseph W. (Joe) Bodker and James E. (Buddy) Bodker; two daughters, Mrs. W. C. (Alberta) Hawkins and Mrs. R. N. (Adele) Salter, all of Ponchatoula; six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Obituary The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA March 12, 1974, I-16 BODKER, SARAH CAROLINE BENDIX BODKER Mrs. Sarah Bendix Bodker, on Monday March 11, 1974 at Seventh Ward General Hospital, Hammond, La., age 83 years, mother of Joseph (Joe) William Bodker, and James Edward (Buddy) Bodker, Mrs. W. C. (Alberta) Hawkins, and Mrs. R. N. (Adele) Salter, all of Ponchatoula, La., also survived by 6 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A native of New Orleans, La., and a resident of Ponchatoula, La. Relatives and friends of the family, are invited to attend the funeral. Services from the First Presbyterian Church, Ponchatoula, La., on Wednesday March 13, 1974 at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Reverend Jim Anderson. Interment Wetmore Cemetery. Visitation from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tuesday. The remains will lie in state at the church after 10 a.m. Wednesday. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. *************************************************************************** Obituary published in The Ponchatoula Enterprise on: 11/3/1922 BODKER, WILLIAM H. Death Suddenly Takes Mr. William H. Bodker (NOTE: Italicized words or words in parenthesis are reconstructed) Wednesday morning saw the passing of one of Ponchatoula's most loved and respected citizens. Mr. William H. Bodker, while demonstrating some real estate to a prospective buyer, fell dead at 10:30 o'clock, attacked by heart failure. Mr. Cortez, standing near him at the time, caught and supported him as he started to fall and carried him to his car, in which he was brought home immediately. Mr. Bodker's lamented death comes as a terrific blow to all his loved ones and friends, of whom he has (many). Kind and sympathetic (friends), during their bereavement (offered) Mr. Bodker's family (much) assistance and the kindest (sympathy). Internment was at the Catholic (cemetery) here and took place at 3:30 (PM), (the) following day. The large (congregation) was indicative of the (many) friends he had here and the (esteem) in which they held him. The Enterprise joins with the (friends) of Mr. Bodker and his (family) extending its heartfelt (sympathy) and condolences. It is our (desire in our) next issue we may be able to write at length upon Mr. Bodker's life. Friday, November 10, 1922 A Good Citizen is Gone About 24 years ago, a strong intelligent, friendly young man arrived in the town of Ponchatoula, LA who did represent one of the commission houses in Chicago, Ill. He soon gained the confidence and good will of the fruit and truck growers of Ponchatoula and vicinity, and did a good business. At the closing of the season he returned to his home in the west but came to Ponchatoula the following spring and took up the soliciting of fruits and vegetables. Being impressed with our sunny climate and good people, he decided to locate with us. And this was our friend Mr. William Henry Bodker. He bought some good land, built him a good home and, with his wife and two little boys, began fruit and truck growing. t is unnecessary for me to say he made a success; he showed us that grapes can be grown here profitably, making handsome profits out of his vinyards and built up one of the nicest farms in our community. After he had raised his family, he retired from active farming, selling his farm to good advantage and later embarked in the Real Estate business, making some splendid sales of homes and land in and adjacent to Ponchatoula. Mr. Bodker was suddenly taken out of this world on Nov. 1, 1922, and is sadly missed by all who knew him. No more can we see his smiling and happy countenance on our Streets. We humbly bow to the will of God, as earth's loss is Heaven's gain. We express our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Bodker the good wife and to his two sons and to his many friends. Very Respectfully. J. R. Abels CARD OF THANKS We desire to express our heartfelt thanks to our many friends for kindness shown to us at the sudden death of our dear husband and father, William H. Bodker; also thanks to Father Gonzales for services at home, church and grave; also to Rev. Comish and Hill for words of consolation and for the beautiful floral offerings sent. Mrs. W. H. Bodker A. J. Bodker and family J. W. Bodker and family. Transcribed 10/25/00 by M. B. Carvalho from the originals at Southeastern Louisiana University Library Archives. AN APPRECIATION When a prominent citizen like Mr. A. (sic, should be W.) H. Bodker is called away from us by death, the whole town realizes that a big gap has been made. Personally I miss him very much. He used to pass and repass our house constantly, sitting so easily and comfortably in his car, never passing without a friendly word, often a smile and a joke, but always so cheerful and healthy looking. Happy are those who go through life with a smile always on their face. It makes the other fellows feel cheerful and is contagious. So much is missed in life by those who are gloomy and crabbed. To be cheerful helps one to fight life's battle all the easier. We could ill fford to lose so prominent a citizen and successful business man. Yet we bow to one who "doeth all things right." Universal sympathy has been expressed to those who will miss him most in the family circle, in which I sincerely join. As a minister I have to add the words of our common Master, "What I say unto you, I say unto all; Watch, for in such an hour as ye think not The Son of Man cometh; be ready." F. B. Hill (Taken from The Enterprise, Ponchatoula, Tangipahoa Par., LA, November 3, 1922) ***************************************************************************