37 obituary of Barry county people Copyright © 1998 by Debra Stadel Eddy. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. _____________________________________________________________________ JULIUS SHELLENBARGER [The "Lake Odessa Wave-Times," Thurs., June 2, 1938, 'Echoes of 25 Years Ago, Friday, June 6, 1913]--At a barn raising on the Julius Shellenbarger farm near Tamarac corners Wednesday, Frank Aldrich was hurt seriously and Will Gavit, James Beard and Lester VanBrocklin received minor bruises when the west "bent" fell to the barn floor. Mr. Aldrich was pinned down by the fallen timber. Henry Coulson, head carpenter, had gone to the house for a few minutes. ---------------------------- PIONEER RESIDENT PASSED AWAY SUN. Julius Shellenbarger Succumbs to a Long Illness. Leaves Five Sons and Two Daughters. Funeral Tuesday. After six months of illness, Julius Shellenbarger, a well known resident of Lake Odessa and vicinity, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mabel Roush, Sunday. Probably there was never a more familiar person about Lake Odessa for the period of an average lifetime than Julius Shellenbarger. He was known by everyone to his large family of children. In his later years he was devoted in his Christian faith. The funeral was held at the Tamarac church Tuesday afternoon with the Revs. F. W. Moxon and James Dalton officiating. The music, both vocal and instrumental, was by Mrs. Biskner. Burial was made in Lakeside cemetery. Obituary Julius Albert Shellenbarger, son of Aaron and Elizabeth Shellenbarger, passed away Sunday morning at the age of 84 years 11 months and 14 days, at the home of his daughter Mrs. Mabel Roush, after being bedfast for six months. He bore his suffering very patiently. He was born in Eaton county on August 27, 1855. He was married on February 20, 1878, in Woodland township, to Martha Curtiss, who died April 23, 1907. To this union eight children were born, Cyrus, Herbert, Oscar, Orville, Elmer and Mrs. Mabel Roush, all of Lake Odessa, and Mrs. Myra Bell of Charlotte. One daughter, Ruby, died at the age of 18 years in 1909. He also leaves two step-children, Herman and Hazel Hull, 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, four brothers namely, Andrew Shellenbarger of Grand Rapids, Linnus Shellenbarger of near Charlotte, Captain Shellenbarger of near Vermontville, and Bird Shellenbarger of Hastings, two sisters Mrs. Eva Hall of Pontiac and Mrs. Minnie Babcock of Holt. He was married to Mrs. Alice Hull in 1909 who survives him. He also leaves a large number of nieces and nephews and many friends who mourn his departure. He lived in this community most of his life excepting for three years which were spent in Hastings, Mich. He was one of the early pioneers cutting away the forest to build his humble little home. He was a member of the Tamarac church for many years always liberal in helping the cause of Chris and mindful of the needy. [Obituary from The Lake Odessa Wave-Times, Thursday, July 18, 1940] ELSIE (MYERS) MERRIAM Elsie A. Merriam was born in Woodland township, Barry Co., Michigan, Sept. 6, 1876 and died Sept. 22, 1915 aged 39 yrs and 16 days. She was married to Wallace H. Merriam December 23, 1902. Over twenty years ago she was converted under the labors of Rev. N. U. Miller, and a short time after her conversion she became a member of the United Brethren church, Tamarack class, Michigan Conference, where she remained a faithful member until her removal to Woodland Village a few years ago, when she with her husband united with the M. E. church, of which she remained a member until her death. She lived nearly all her life near her old home and birth place. She leaves a husband, an adopted babe, a mother, and a brother, with many relatives and a host of friends, whose loss will be keenly felt. Mrs. Merriam's illness dates back several years. About three years ago she was at Ann Arbor for special treatments. It took some months to recover from this operation, and her last illness proved that she had received only temporary relief. At that time cancer was suspected, but the final attack was not expected so soon. Her father--the late Hodge Myers--died of the same cause. Funeral was held Saturday from the M. E. church at 10 o'clock. Rev. L. B. Kenyon officiated. Interment in Lakeside cemetery. WALLACE MERRIAM [The Hastings Banner, Thurs., Feb. 6, 1913, Woodland Section] Wallace Merriam, our ice man began the filling of the ice house Tuesday and will rush business until a plentiful supply of ice is secured, which is cut from the clear, pure, spring water of Saddlebag lake. It is about ten inches thick and very clear. -------------------------------- VERMONTVILLE MAN DIES MONDAY [Feb. 6, 1956] Wallace J. Merriam, 84, a resident of Vermontville for 37 years, died Monday in Fort Wayne, Ind., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Theresa VanBlarcum. Mr. Merriam and his wife had gone to Fort Wayne last Fall to make their home. Surviving besides his wife, Orpha, and the daughter, are two sisters, Mrs. Clem Shepard, of Nashville, and Mrs. Mae Porter, of Kalamazoo; and one brother, Truman, of Nashville, and one granddaughter. Services were Wednesday from the Vermontville Methodist church with Rev. Marcius Taber officiating. Burial in Woodlawn cemetery. CLIMENA (DURKEE) SCHAIBLY [The Hastings Banner, Tues., Jan. 7, 1975, pg. 1, col. 5] CLIMENA D. SCHAIBLY Services for Climena D. Schaibly, 96, who died Sunday, December 29, at her home in Woodland after a long illness, were held at 1:30 Tuesday, December 31, at the Pickens Koops Chapel in Lake Odessa. Rev. George Speas officiated with burial in Fuller Cemetery. She was born March 23, 1878, in Woodland Township, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Myers) Durkee. She was a life long resident of that area. She married Henry Schaibly on November 20, 1901. He died April 11, 1945. She was a member of the Woodbury United Brethren Church and the WCTU. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Hildred Hesterly of Woodland; three sons, Hobard (sic) of Bradenton, Fla; Kennard of Edmore and George of Woodland; a sister, Mrs. Hercie Tewksbury of Hastings; 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 13 great great grandchildren. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the charity of their choice. HENRY J. SCHAIBLY [Scrapbook of Climena Schaibly, in possession of George Schaibly, Woodland] HENRY J. SCHAIBLY PROVES HIMSELF A REAL BENEFACTOR TO HIS CHURCH--PAID FOR CHURCH PIANO AND WIPES OUT DEBT ON PARSONAGE That the real old-time church sentiment and religious devotion still exists in the minds of men and women of the present time, and that such people are right in our midst, is an absolute fact. Many instances to prove this can be cited, but the most unusual and recent ones we think of are the cash donations made by Henry J. Schaibly a member of the Liberal U. B. Church of the village. Most of our readers will remember that a few years ago, when this church was confronted with the question of buying a new piano, Mr. Schaibly came forward with the necessary $200 in cash to make it possible. He gave it willingly and in the face of the fact that he had no such instrument in his own home. Again, a few weeks ago, when the Ladies Aid Society had succeeded in raising $100 to reduce the debt on their parsonage, in the same spirit and open-hearted way he put up $250 more to wipe out all the remaining debt! Now, Mr. Schaibly is not a wealthy man. While he has a good farm, he has no great amount of money in the bank and needs a better and more modern home for his family, and he does not yet own an automobile. He is really one of the hardest working men in the whole community, lives very simply, and scorns anything that savors of style, extravagance or luxury. Such being the case, it is all the more proof of his genuine sincerity and deep religious convictions. He very reluctantly gave us permission to mention his donations in any way whatever, and declares that if any praise is due for them, it should be given to the Lord, who has made it possible for him to give anything for the support of the church. ----------------------------------------------------- HENRY SCHAIBLY Woodland--Henry J. Schaibly, 78, of West Woodland died in his farm residence Wednesday morning. He was born in Carlton. Surviving are the wife, Climena; four sons, Hobart of Grand Rapids, Colon of Kalamazoo, Rev. Kennard of Hopkins and George of Woodland; a daughter, Mrs. Hildred Hesterly of Woodland; nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2.30 p.m. in the United Brethren church, Woodland. The body will lie in state from 1 p.m. until time of services. Burial will be in Fuller cemetery, Carlton. HARRY C. DECKER "Lake Odessa Wave-Times," Thurs., August 28, 1941 HARRY C. DECKER DIES Funeral services for Harry C. Decker, 59, of 1130 Eastern Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, were held at the residence Monday at 2 p.m. Mr. Decker was born near Lake Odessa, resided near Hastings until 14 years ago, when he went to Grand Rapids. Surviving are the widow Hercie; one son Murray; two sisters, Mrs. Stella Abbott of Lake Odessa and Mrs. Neil Sullivan of Ionia, a brother Fred Haight of Lake Odessa and one granddaughter Joan Decker. Burial was in Woodland cemetery. LEO E. TEWKSBURY Funeral services for Leo E. Tewksbury, 65, well-known Hastings real estate man, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Leonard Funeral home. The Rev. Russell Houseman, pastor of the First Baptist church of which he was a member, officiated and burial was in Oakwood cemetery, Allegan. Mr. Tewksbury died suddenly of a heart attack while driving his car north on Highway 611 in Orangeville township about 3.30 p.m. Wednesday of last week. Mr. Tewksbury had driven to Prairieville with Clayton Gaskill to show him some property. They were returning here when he was stricken. After the attack, Mr. Tewksbury grabbed his chest, drove off the side of the road at the Daniel Harnath farm and died. Mr. Daniel Clarke, M.D., said death was evidently due to a heart attack. Mr. Tewksbury was born in Barry county March 21, 1889, the son of Orville and Lenna (Norris) Tewksbury. He had been a resident of Hastings for the past 10 years. Prior to moving here he lived near Wayland and Shelbyville, and before that had lived in Grand Rapids where he was an employee of the Prudential Life Insurance company. He had attended the Middleville schools and had lived near and worked in Middleville and Caledonia for a number of years. Mr. Tewksbury's first wife, Vera, died in April, 1952. He later married the former Mrs. H. M. (Durkee) Decker. He was a member of the Rotary club. Mr. Tewksbury is survived by his wife, Hercie; two daughters, Mrs. Rex (Barbara) Orton of Allegan, and Mrs. Joseph (Jean) Gans, R.N., a captain in the Army Medical Corps station in France, and one grandchild. ---------------------------------- 'Lake Odessa Wave-Times," Thursday, February 23, 1939 ALFRED DEMARAY OF BERGLAND, MICHIGAN DIES John Demaray received a telegraph reporting the death of his brother, Alfred Demaray, 60, of Bergland, Michigan. He died in the Ironwood Hospital of pneumonia. He was born and spent his early manhood in Woodland Township. He is survived by his wife (formerly Jessie Dunham of Maple Grove), four sons and two daughters, three brothers, George of Ionia, Ed and John of Lake Odessa; three sisters, Mrs. Libbie Rush of Lake Odessa and Mrs. Herbert Calkins and Mrs. Hugh Myers of Hastings. [The Hastings Banner, Thurs., June 28, 1956, pg. 5, col. 1] FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MRS. YARGER FRIDAY AFTERNOON Services for Mrs. Minnie Lottie Yarger, 72, who died suddenly at her home at 312 E. Colfax Tuesday morning, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Leonard Funeral Home. The Rev. Leason Sharpe is to officiate and burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa. Mrs. Yarger was born July 29, 1883, in Maple Grove Township, the daughter of Calvin and Julia Ann (Frank) Demeray. She spent most of her life in this vicinity, and was a member of the Rebekah Lodge No. 52, the Women's Relief Corps and the Past Noble Grand Club. She was married to Frank Yarger on November 6, 1954. Her former husband, Hugh Myers, died Jan. 26, 1952. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Elsworth Myers and Loren Myers, both of R3 Hastings; a daughter, Mrs. Lyle (Arloa) Kurr, of Hastings; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a brother, John Demeray, of Lake Odessa; a sister, Mrs. William (Rose) Cartledge, of Delton; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Al (May) Mulks, of Jackson, and three stepsons, Glenn Yarger of Battle Creek and Vern & Roy, of Hastings. DANIEL E. WOODARD [The following obituary of his father, Daniel E. Woodard was found in Bull Scrapbook, Hastings Public Library, Hastings, MI] Daniel E. Woodard, was born May 3, 1848, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and died at his home in Hastings, Sept. 14, 1929, aged 80 yrs, - months and 11 days. He is survived by his wife and 9 children, Mrs. Etta Armstrong of Kalamazoo, Ora and Gaylord of Kalamazoo, Mrs. Myrtle Blakney, Mrs. Vera Beck and Clarence of Hastings, Mrs. Effie Darby of Nashville, Mrs. Clara Heath of Chicago, Mrs. Emma Wilson of Comstock, twenty-five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Woodard in early life moved with his family to Michigan and for some time has been a resident of Barry Co., with the last few years being in Hastings. He was converted and joined the Tamarac U.B. church many years ago and remained a faith-ful [the rest missing.] THOMAS D. BARRY [Obituary of Thomas D. Barry from The Hastings Banner, Thursday, December 28, 1939]--Thomas D. Barry, aged 63, a life-long resident of Carlton township, died at Pennock hospital Tuesday morning after an illness of two weeks. Surviving are the widow, Marie; three daughters, Mrs. Dolores Pickens of Lyons, Mrs. Ione Vogt and Miss Dorothea Barry, both of Portland; three sons, William of Flint, Dorrance of Ionia county, Frank at home, and a sister, Mrs. Eliza Wood of Coats Grove. The body was removed to the Leonard funeral home where the Rosary was said at 8:30 Wednesday evening. Funeral services were held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning at St. Rose church, and burial was in Calvary cemetery. WILL GAVIT ['Lake Odessa Wave-Times,' Thurs., June 15, 1939] Will Gavit Finds a Fox Den on his Farm Monday While working on a farm across the road from Lawhead Lake, which is about six miles southwest of Lake Odessa, Will Gavit on Monday located a fox den with at least six three or four month-old fox pups in it. The spot was littered up with pheasant and chicken feathers, which likely accounts for the apparent scarcity of pheasants on his place and the recent loss of several of Wesley Booher's chickens, Mr. Booher being his nearest neighbor. Will succeeded in getting within gunshot of the adult fox, but he didn't have a gun along. However, he is making plans for getting her later on, but expects in the next few days to get a gang together to clean out the den and put the pups in a cage for the summer. Mr. Gavit says that although he hasn't dug out a fox den in a good many years, he has dug out skunks and other like predators and doesn't think he will have much trouble in bagging this mess of varmints alive. [The Hastings Banner, Thurs., June 18, 1959, pg. 2, col. 1] FUNERAL SERVICES FOR WILLIAM GAVIT TO BE HELD TODAY William Gavit, 81, of Clearwater, Fla., a former Lake Odessa resident, who arrived last week to spend the summer at Jordan Lake, died at 9:45 PM Monday at Pennock Hospital, a short time after admittance following a stroke. He was born March 26, 1878, in Darke Co., OH, and spent most of his life in the Lake Odessa area before moving to Florida three years ago. He was a Spanish American War Veteran and a retired fur buyer. Surviving are his wife, the former Inez Myers, who he married in 1902; one son, Jesse, of Clearwater, Fla; one daughter, Mrs. Velma Davis, of Tampa, Fla; 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Funeral services are to be held this Thursday at 1:30 in the Pickens Chapel in Lake Odessa with interment in Lakeside Cemetery. EMOR (HASKELL) OVERSMITH OBITUARY [found in scrapbook made by Climena Schaibly, now in possession of George Schaibly of Woodland, MI] A Most Worthy Young Woman taken Away In the very Prime of Life Emor Haskell, daughter of Dennis and Betsy Haskell, was born Nov. 28, 1890 in Woodland township, Barry County, Michigan, and died April 3, 1919 aged twenty-eight years, four months and five days. She was united in marriage with Clark Oversmith Nov. 20, 1912. Two children were born to this union, Myrtle Emor, age five years and Lorren, age three years. At the age of -------- she was converted under the preaching of S. E. and S. A. Lane at the Tamarac United Brethren church of which she became a member. Her home for the past few years being in the Holmes M. E. church neighborhood. She became a worker there and at the time of her passing away she was president of the Ladies Aid Society and the teacher of a boys class in the Sunday School. Besides her husband and two children, she leaves her aged parents, and grandmother, a brother, Clay Haskell and many other relatives and friends. She died of pneumonia following an attack of influenza and because of this the funeral services were held at the home conducted by Rev. B. J. Youngs. Burial was in Lake Odessa cemetery. CLARK E. OVERSMITH [The Hastings Banner, Wed., Dec. 24, 1975, pg. 2, col. 3] Clark E. Oversmith, 89, of R1 Carlton Township, Freeport, died at 7:50 AM Saturday, December 20, at the Barry Medical Care Facility. Services were held at 1:30 PM Monday, December 22, at the Leonard Osgood Funeral Home. Rev. Sidney Short officiated and burial was in the Fuller cemetery. He was born in Maple Grove Township June 22, 1886, the son of Frank and Elizabeth Oversmith. He attended the Maple Grove school. He married Emmer Haskell of Lake Odessa. She died in 1919. On August 6, 1919, he married Ida Mae (Pettit) McCaulley. She died May 3, 1975. He farmed all his life in Woodland and Carlton Townships and worked for the Barry County Road Commission for many years, retiring in 1951. He also worked as a carpenter for many years. He was a patient at the Facility for the past 7 1/2 years. He was a past member of the Carlton Center Grange. Surviving are one son, Lorin Oversmith of Battle Creek; a daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Ellis of Battle Creek; one stepson, Harold McCaulley of Windsor, Ontario; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. A. H. Velma Rodham of Battle Creek and one brother, Austin Oversmith of San Bruno, Cal. CLAY HASKELL [The Hastings Banner, Wed., Aug. 23, 1922, pg. 8, col. 2] TAMARAC CORNERS We are very sorry to mention the Saturday death of one of the boys of our community, Clay Haskell. He passed away Sunday morning at 4:30, at the home of his parents after a lengthy illness. We all join in deepest sympathy with the bereaved wife, daughter, and aged parents. The funeral was held at the Tamarac church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. V.H. Beardsley officiating. Research: 1910 federal census, Town of Woodland, Barry Co., MI (109/110)--Haskell, Dennis, head, male, white, 61, married, 32 years, bp MI, father's bp Unknown, mother's bp NY, speaks English, farmer, general farm, owns mortgaged farm, schedule #90; Betsy, wife, female, white, 52, married, 32 years, 3 children born/2 living, bp MI, father's bp Ireland, mother's bp NY, speaks English, occupation none; Emer M., daughter, female, white, 19, single, bp MI, parents' bp MI, speaks English, servant, house; Clay H., son, male, white, 17, bp MI, parents' bp MI, speaks English, occupation none He married Della M. SAWDY, daughter of Edward A. SAWDY & Flora Isabell HOPKINS, Circa 1912 in Barry Co, MI. Born 10 Apr. 1895 in Woodland, Barry Co., MI. Died 16 Jul. 1933 in Carlton Twp., Barry Co., MI. Buried 20 Jul. 1933 in Lot 361-2, Lakeside Cem., Lake Odessa, MI. Religion United Brethren. Lake Odessa Wave-Times, Friday, March 11, 1921, Tamarac Section--"The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Haskell was buried Sunday afternoon. ----------------------------------- DELLA (SAWDY) HASKELL SHELLENBARGER TRAFFIC ACCIDENT TAKES LIFE OF WIFE AND MOTHER Mrs. Orval Shellenbarger was fatally injured and others less seriously late Saturday night when the wagon in which they were riding on M-43 was struck by a truck driven by Eldon Farrell of E. Woodland. Mr. Farrell, who was bringing a truck load of produce from Hastings where he is connected with a produce company, did not see the wagon on which Mr. and Mrs. Shellenbarger, their son Robert, and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lepley were riding. The truck struck the rear of the wagon, precipitating the occupants onto the pavement. Mrs. Shellenbarger being fatally injured, so that she died a short time later in Pennock hospital, and the others receiving severe cuts and bruises, but it is believed they will recover. Mrs. Shellenbarger was well known in this vicinity, and all regret the untimely accident which ended her life. The entire sympathy of the community rests with the family in this sudden and tragic passing of this wife and mother. Funeral services were held from the Woodland U.B. church Tuesday afternoon with interment at lake Odessa. Sympathy is also extended to Mr. Farrell, who, although unavoidable as the accident was, feels keenly his part in the catastrophe. We are sure that Mr. Farrell will be completely exonerated, Mr. Farrell aided the injured as much as possible, called the sheriff, giving his version of the accident, and in fact, did all that anyone in his position could do. Because of a difference of opinion regarding the light on the wagon, an inquest will be called for some time during the latter part of the week. [Obituary of Della Shellenbarger from Bull Scrapbook, Hastings Public Library, Hastings, MI] ------------------------------------------------ A COLLISION ON M-43 TAKES LIFE OF WOMAN Mrs. Orville Shellenbarger, Daughter-in-law of Julius Shellenbarger of Lake Odessa Mrs. Orville Shellenbarger, a daughter-in-law of Julius Shellenbarger of Lake Odessa, who was injured Saturday night in a collision, died Sunday morning at Pennock hospital, Hastings. Mr. and Mrs. Shellenbarger, their two children, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lepley, their neighbors, who had been to Hastings with the former's team and wagon, were returning to their home four miles north of Hastings. When within two miles of their home they were struck by a truck on M-43 driven by Eldon Farrell of Woodland, but who conducts a feed store at Hastings. All were returning to their homes when the accident occurred. It is stated that there was no light on the wagon and that coming over a hill the wagon was not seen until too late to avoid the collision. Mr. Shellenbarger was cut and bruised as were the children but Mr. and Mrs. Lepley were not seriously injured. Mrs. Shellenbarger was formerly Miss Della Sawdy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sawdy of Woodland, and had always lived in that locality. The funeral was held at the Woodland U. B. church, the pastor Rev. Verne Beardsley officiating. Burial was at Lakeside cemetery. [Obituary from The Lake Odessa Wave and--- The Lake Odessa Times, Thurs., July 20, 1933] VALENTA (CUNNINGHAM) KING MRS. VALENTA KING ILL ONLY FEW DAYS Dies of Pneumonia at Pennock Hospital. Leaves Husband and Three Children Another sad death is recorded when Mrs. Valenta Bell King of South Odessa passed away at Pennock hospital after only a few days illness of pneumonia. She leaves besides her husband a son nineteen years old and two young daughters. A true Christian mother is deeply mourned. OBITUARY Valenta Bell Cunningham King daughter of Edwin and Ianthia (sic) Cunningham was born in Woodland township, Barry County, Michigan, December 2, 1884 and departed this life at Pennock hospital, April 3, 1925. She was united in marriage to Charles Edward King, Feb. 22, 1905. To this union was born three children Dervill (sic) A., Velda L. and Wilma N. She was converted to her blessed Saviour in early life and joined the United Brethren church in 1907. She was a good wife and a loving mother, and leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, one son, two daughters, her mother, Mrs. Edwin Cunningham, a brother Ernest besides other relatives and friends. The funeral was held at the Tamarac church Monday, Rev. V. H. Beardsley preached and Rev. and Mrs. Beardsley sang. Burial was at Lake Side. [Obituary from The Lake Odessa Wave-Times, Lake Odessa, MI, Friday, April 17, 1925] CLEOPHAS DECAMP "Lake Odessa Wave-Times," Thursday, Dec. 21, 1939 OBITUARY OF CLEOPHAS DECAMP, who died Dec. 17, 1939. He was born in Jefferson Twp., Noble Co, IN and came with his parents to Michigan at nine years of age ... Left his widow, Susan Eudora DeCamp of Woodbury, three sons and their families, Robert of Nashville, Hugh of Imlay City, and Forrest of Woodbury, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services held at the home in Woodbury, Wednesday, December 20, burial in Lakeside cemetery. HAZEL (SMITH) ROBERTS MRS. FRANK ROBERTS DEAD. As per the suggestion of our North Woodland correspond, Mrs. Frank Roberts passed away this Thursday morning, following her attack of apoplexy Sunday evening. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the M.E. church in Lake Odessa. --------------------------- [The Hastings Banner, April 30, 1982, pg. 4, col. 5] HAZEL ROBERTS Mrs. Hazel Roberts, 87, of Ionia, formerly of Lake Odessa, died Friday, April 16, at Belding Christian Nursing Home after an extended illness. Services were held Monday at the Leddick Funeral Home in Ionia with burial in Lakeside Cemetery. Rev. Eldon Schram officiated. She was born Oct. 11, 1894 in Lake Odessa, the daughter of Herbert and Orilla (Cunningham) Smith. She married Frank Roberts in 1911 and they lived in Lake Odessa and Lansing until 1942 when they purchased their farm on Clarksville Road, where they lived until 1965 when they moved to Ionia. He died April 16, 1968. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. John (Geneva) Rizzi of Lansing and Mrs. Bernard (Bertha) Hansknecht of Ionia; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. FLORENCE (LEPARD) GILLILAND [The Hastings Banner, Wed., July 22, 1981, pg. 2, col. 2-3] MRS. FLORENCE L. GILLILAND Services for Mrs. Florence L. Gilliland, 95, of 901 Gordon Street, Lansing, who died Tuesday morning, July 28, at the Lansing General Hospital where she had been a patient for 3 days, will be held Thursday at 1:30 at the Pickens-Koops Chapel in Lake Odessa. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery. She was born Jan. 1, 1886, in Clarksville, the daughter of Oscar and Alice (Curtis) Lepard. She attended Pennock and Lake Odessa schools and married Orley Gilliland on Sept. 12, 1912, in Clarksville. He died on Dec. 12, 1948. They lived in the Clarksville, Woodland and Lake Odessa areas until 1944 when they moved to Lansing. She is a past member of the Lake Odessa Grange and the Central United Methodist church of Lake Odessa. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Tresse Newman of San Jose, Calif., two sons, Bernard of Otsego and Russell of Holt; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. ALTA LEONA CURTIS LEAK YOUNG MOTHER DIES SUDDENLY AT NIGHT Mrs. Leona Leak, Wife of Leon Leak, in Poor Health but Not Thought Dangerous The family and many friends of Mrs. Leona Curtis Leak were greatly surprised at her sudden death early Tuesday morning just after entering a room to look after her baby. Her husband, Leon, heard her call and went to assist her but she died of a heart attack before assistance could be summoned. Besides the husband she is survived by two small children, six months and two years old, and the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Curtis, who live at the edge of town. Mrs. Leak was a graduate of the Lake Odessa high school, class of 1926. She was a most capable woman. A few years ago she was an active member of the Lake Odessa Woman's club. Since living in her present home northeast of town she transferred her activities to the Tupper Lake Extension club. She was of a beautiful character and beloved by all who knew her. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Leak home, four miles northeast of here in Sebewa township and burial was in the Baptist cemetery near their home in Sebewa township. OBITUARY Alta Leona Curtis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Curtis, was born near Lake Odessa, March 13, 1908, and passed away at her home in Sebewa township, October 9, 1934, at the age of 26 years, six months and 26 days. She graduated from Lake Odessa high school with the class of 1926. She was united in marriage to Leon Leak of Sebewa, October 11, 1926. To this union were born a daughter, Mary Jane, two years of age, and a son Donald Leon, six months old. She was a devoted wife and mother and will be sadly missed from her home as well as in the neighborhood where she was a participant in the many social activities. She leaves to mourn their loss her husband and two infant children, her parents and two sisters, Mrs. Edward Peckins of Lyons, and Maxine at home; and many other relatives, besides a host of friends and neighbors. Research: Obituary from scrapbook of Eva Aungst Austin, now in possession of Debra Eddy, Charlotte, MI ORVILLE SHELLENBARGER [The Hastings Banner, Wed., July 11, 1973, pg. 23, col. 2] Services for Orville Shellenbarger, 79, of Ionia, a former Lake Odessa resident who died Saturday morning, July 7, at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, were to be held at 1:30 Tuesday at the Pickens-Koops Chapel, Lake Odessa, with Rev. Roy Houghton officiating with burial in Lakeside cemetery. He was born October 13, 1893, in Odessa Township, the son of Julius and Martha (Curtis) Shellenbarger. He was a life long resident of the Lake Odessa area. His wife, the former Della Haskill (sic), died 40 years ago. Surviving are a son, Robert of Chicago; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Richard (Alta) Sackett of Vermontville; 8 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Mabel Roush of Hastings and a brother, Cyrus of Tucson, Arizona. LEANNA DELONG BALCH [The Hastings Banner, Wed., 27 May 1925] SOUTH WOODLAND Friends in the community were saddened to hear of the death of LeAnna DeLong Balch, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen DeLong of Grand Ledge. Mrs. DeLong was formerly Nellie Meyers (sic) of this place. They have the sympathy of their friends here. Those from here who attended the funeral Friday afternoon at Grand Ledge were Mr. and Mrs. Torrence Townsend and Mrs. Harve Townsend and daughter. CHARLES HESTERLY [The Hastings Banner, Thurs., Dec. 17, 1964, pg. 8, col. 8] CHARLIE HESTERLY DIES SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME Funeral services for Charlie R. Hesterly, 67, were held Saturday at 1:30 at the Pickens Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa with interment in the Woodland Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Lowell Demos officiated. Mr. Hesterly, a retired farmer, died suddenly at his home at 189 W. Broadway, Woodland, about 11:30 Tuesday night, Dec. 8. He had been in ill health for several weeks. Born April 7, 1897 in Woodland Township, he was the son of James and Viola (Renfrow) Hesterly and had lived his entire life in that area. He married Hildred Schaibly of Woodland on June 19, 1921, and they moved to their home in Woodland from the farm eight years ago. Mr. Hesterly was a member of the Woodland United Brethren church. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Clifford (Virginia) Tousley of Lansing and Mrs. Eugene (Doris) Blair of Mulliken; four sons, Byron and Verdan of Woodland, Ronald of Hastings and Herbert of Okemos; 16 grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Walts of Hastings and a brother, Chester Hesterly, of rural Lake Odessa. Research: Obituary of John James Schaibly from scrapbook made by Climena Schaibly, now in possession of George Schaibly of Woodland, MI HOBART E. SCHAIBLY BRADENTON, FLORIDA--Hobart E. Schaibly of Bradenton, Florida passed away Sunday, January 26, 1992 at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton. Mr. Schaibly was born January 1, 1904 in Woodland, the son of Henry and Climena (Durkee) Schaibly. He graduated from the 10th grade at Woodland High School in 1919 and from Hastings High School in 192l. He attended Barry County Normal. Mr. Schaibly taught at the Friend School in Carlton Township and the Shores School in Castleton Township. He attended Davenport, McLaughlin College in Grand Rapids. Mr. Schaibly married Pearl Allerding on June 18, 1929. She preceded him in death on September 10, 1983. He then married Meryle Tripplet on May 1, 1985. Mr. Schaibly was a member of Wealthy Park Baptist Church of Grand Rapids. He also was past president of Michigan State Gideon Association. He worked for Interstate Motor Freight Company for many years. Mr. Schaibly is survived by his wife, Meryle; two brothers, Kennard of Edmore and George of Woodland; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Wealthy Park Baptist Church, Grand Rapids on Saturday, February l. Burial was in Graceland. Research: Obituary from "The Reminder", 4 Feb. 1992 (Hastings, MI) CLARA ELSIE SCHAIBLY Clara Elsie Schaibly, the youngest daughter of Henry and Climena Schaibly, was born May 26, 1905 and died Aug. 12, 1908, aged three years, 2 months and 17 days. She was loved and petted by friends, being always of a bright sunny disposition. Her short life has been like a ray of sunshine sent to brighten our path on the way from earth to Heaven. Funeral was held Friday forenoon, Rev. Isiah Rairigh officiating. Relatives from a distance were H. G. Schaibly from Cleveland, Miss Maude Lear of Grand Ledge and Mr. and Mrs. John Benedict of Hastings. [The Hastings Banner, 17 May 1972, pg. 16] DR. SCHAIBLY HAS FATAL ATTACK WHILE MAKING A RETIREMENT SPEECH Dr. Colon Lee Schaibly, 65, was speaking at a retirement dinner in his honor at Waukegan, Ill, Wed. evening May 10, when he suffered a heart attack. He was dead on arrival at St. Therese hospital in Waukegan. Dr. Schaibly was being honored after serving 16 years in the Waukegan schools when he suffered the fatal attack. Services were held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, in the Emmanuel Episcopal church in Hastings. Bishop Charles E. Bennison and Fr. Wayne C. Olmstead officiated and burial was in the Fuller cemetery. Mr. Schaibly was a member of the Christ Episcopal church. Mr. Schaibly, who was born in Woodland on February 6, 1907, the son of Henry and Climena (Durkey) (sic) Schaibly, married Grace Ingram of Carlton in 1935. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Climena Schaibly of Woodland and three brothers, Hobart of Grand Rapids, Kenneth (sic) of Edmore and George of Woodland. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Colon Lee Schaibly Scholarship Fund, in care of the Waukegan Public Schools. Mr. Schaibly graduated from Hastings High School in 1924 and from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in 1928. He received his master's in educational administration from the University of Michigan in 1930, followed with the doctor's of education from Michigan State University in 1956. Born in Woodland, Dr. Schaibly began his teaching career in St. Johns, after which he moved to Kalamazoo, where he became a school administrator. In 1956 he was named principal of the Waukegan (Ill) Township High School, a position which he held for three years until he was named Assistant Superintendent in charge of secondary education. Mr. Schaibly has been a member of several professional organizations during his career and has served as officer in several of them, including the presidency of the MEA in 1950, and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Education Association in 1954. He has also held positions in Illinois education organizations. He was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary education fraternity, and the Superintendents' Round Table of Northern Illinois. Research: Marriage announcement of Grace Ingram and Colon Schaibly from scrapbook made by Climena Schaibly, now in possession of George Schaibly of Woodland Newspaper articles about Colon Schaibly being appointed President of Michigan Education Association in 1949. Newspaper article about Colon Schaibly being awarded Doctor's Degree from MSU. [The Hastings Banner, Thurs., November 16, 1995] REV. KENNARD B. SCHAIBLY EDMORE - Reverend Kennard B. Schaibly, 83, of Edmore and formerly of Woodland, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 1995 at State College, Pennsylvania. He was born on March 29, 1912 in Woodland, the son of the late John Henry and Climena Dane Durkee Schaibly. He was married to Thelma I. South. He earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Michigan, a BA from Huntington College in Indiana and was an accredited minister with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He pastored churches in Alma, Casco and Chicora. He was a high school English teacher and administrator in the Michigan communities of Hopkins, Shepherd, Woodland and in Edmore for 18 years. He enjoyed accompanying youth instrumental performances for competition and concert. He retired from teaching in 1972 from the Montabella Community School. After retirement, he pastored for 10 years at the Millbrook United Methodist Church. From youth, he began playing the piano in church, and after retirement, continued as pianist and organist for services at the Edmore Church of God and most recently for Blanchard/Pine River United Methodist Church. He accompanied Bible School in Remus for 19 years. He was a member of Kilpatrick United Brethren in Christ Church, NEA, the Montabella Public Employees' Credit Union, and the Montabella Ministerial Association. Surviving are his wife, Thelma of State College; daughter Iva Dane Blood of State College, Pennsylvania; son, John Schaibly of San Diego, California; brother, George Schaibly of Woodland; six grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews of the Hesterly and Schaibly families. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 1995 at 3:00 pm at the Faith United Methodist Church in Edmore. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to your place of worship or the Montabella Ministerial Association Food Bank, Box 238, Edmore, MI 48829. ETHEL MAE DEMOND Ethel Mae Demond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Demond was born at Woodland, Barry County, Jan. 6, 1906 and departed this life March 8, 1925, age 19 yrs, 2 months and 2 days. She moved to Lansing with her parents in Sept. 1917, where she has since resided with the exception of one year spent in Grand Ledge. She was baptised and united with the First Baptist church at Grand Ledge where she was a faithful worker in church and Sunday school. She attended high school in Lansing and was a graduate from the Lansing Business University. On February 12, 1924, she was united in marriage to Clarence T. Wonnacott of Lansing. Besides her husband, her Father and Mother, she leaves two brothers and two sisters, and a host of friends and relatives to mourn their loss. Funeral services were held Mar. 11th at the Jarvis and Estes funeral home, conducted by Rev. Allured; interment in Deepdale Cemetery. Research: Obituary of Ethel Demond-Wonnacott from scrapbook made by Climena Schaibly, now in possession of George Schaibly of Woodland, MI. ----------------------------------------------------- Ellsworth L. Myers, 77, of 2150 E. State Rd., Hastings died Wednesday, April 4, at his residence. Services were held at l.30 Monday, April 9, at the Leonard Osgood and Wren Funeral Home. Rev. Sidney A. Short officiated and burial was in Hastings Township Cemetery. He was born in Woodland township on Sept. 4, 1901, the son of Hugh and Minnie (Demaray) Myers. He came to Hastings as a child and attended Hastings schools. He worked for the Michigan Central Railroad for a few years. He married Alice Newton on July 1, 1922. He worked for 44 years at the Viking Corporation, retiring in October of 1966. He is a former member of the Hastings Elks Lodge. Surviving are his wife, Alice of Hastings; one son, Max Myers of Hastings; two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Jean) Mosher of Beulah and Mrs. Erwin (Beverly) Knox of Muskegon; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great great grandchild and one sister, Mrs. Lyle (Arloa) Kurr of Riverside, California. Memorial contributions may be made to the Barry County Medical Care Facility. [The Hastings Banner, Monday, April 9, 1979, pg. 2] MRS. ELLSWORTH (ALICE M.) MYERS [The Hastings Banner, Wed., May 20, 1981, pg. 2, col. 4] Mrs. Ellsworth (Alice M.) Myers, age 82, formerly of 2150 E. State Road, died Tuesday, May 19, at the Barry County Medical Care Facility. Funeral services are pending at this time at the Leonard Osgood-Wren Funeral Home, Hastings. SUSAN DOREEN (BARRY) CRONK FREEPORT - Susan Doreen (Barry) Cronk, 71, of 5141 Jordan Road, Freeport, passed away Monday, August 10, 1992 at Leila Hospital, Battle Creek. Mrs. Cronk was born on June 27, 1921 in Kalkaska, the daughter of Emery and Zora Jane (Riley) Miller. She graduated from Kalkaska High School and was married to Frank Barry on March 8, 194l. He preceded her in death in January 1986. She was employed at the Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti during World War II and moved to the Woodland area in 1944. She was married to Frank Cronk on July 20, 1989 in Petoskey. She was a member of the Woodland United Methodist Church and the Blue Star Mothers. Mrs. Cronk is survived by her husband Frank; one daughter, Mrs. Fred (Gretchen) Slater of Woodland; one son, Thomas Barry of Clarksville; seven grandchildren; one step-daughter, Marguerite Cronk of Hastings; two step-sons, Martin Cronk of San Diego, California, Marinus Cronk of Hastings; five step-grandchildren; two brothers, Ivan Miller and Clesson Miller, both of Kalkaska. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Solomon and Andy Miller and one sister, Sarah Lippert. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 13, at the Koops Funeral Chapel, Lake Odessa with Reverend Carl Litchfield officiating. Burial was in Woodland Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Barry Community Hospice or the Lakewood Community Ambulance. Research: Obituary of Susan Doreen (Barry) Cronk, from The Lakewood News, 18 Aug. 1992 ----------------------------------------- [The Hastings Banner, Thurs., Aug. 24, 1967, pg. 5, col. 5] GENE BARRY, PAST AREA RESIDENT, BURIED FRIDAY Services for Gene Barry, 48, of Lansing, former Lake Odessa resident who died August 15 at a Lansing hospital, were held Friday at 1:00 at the Estes-Leadley Colonial Chapel, Lansing. Rev. M. Schuurman officiated with interment in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid. Mr. Barry had been a resident of Lansing for 10 years and was employed by the Reed-Noyce Co. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army in Africa and India on the Burma Road Expedition. Surviving are a wife, Barbara; a daughter Carol, at home and three other daughters, Mrs. Janet Claypool and Mrs. Janette Irwin of Hastings and Mrs. Bonnie Reid of South Carolina; two brothers, Frank of Woodland and William of Hastings; sisters, Mrs. Frederick Vogt of Charlotte, Mrs. Francis Peckins of Lyons and Mrs. John Carroll, rural Woodland; six grandchildren and two stepsons of Lansing. -------------------------------- [The Hastings Banner, Wed., Feb. 12, 1975, pg. 8, col. 3] JESSE A. GAVIT Services for Jesse A. Gavit, 71, a retired fur buyer and former resident of Lake Odessa and Grand Ledge, who was dead on arrival at the Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, FL, Friday night, February 7, were held Tuesday, February 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Pickens Koops Funeral Chapel, Lake Odessa. Rev. Gary Evans officiated and burial was in Lakeside cemetery. He was born in Barry County July 17, 1903, the son of William and Inez (Meyers) (sic) Gavit. He was a fur buyer from 1944-1956 while he lived in Lake Odessa and retired due to his health at the age of 57. He married Ethel M. Hansbarger April 19, 1924. They lived in Florida the past 15 years, spending several weeks in the summer in the local area. Surviving are his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Milbern (June) Harton of Grand Ledge; two grandchildren; a great grandchild, and a sister, Mrs. Velma Davis of Brandon, FL. ------------------------------- [Obituary from The Hastings Banner, Thursday, June 25, 1987] GRAND LEDGE--Ethel May Gavit, 83, of Grand Ledge died Sunday, June 21, 1987 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing. Mrs. Gavit was born Feb. 5, 1904 at Odessa Twp., Ionia County, the daughter of Harley and Jenny Hansbarger. She married Jesse Gavit. He died in 1975. She was an interior decorator, doing wallpapering and painting in thousands of Michigan homes. Surviving are one daughter, June Irene Tyler of Grand Ledge; one granddaughter, Shelly (sic) June Tyler of Lansing; one grandson, Jeffrey Lee Tyler of Houston, TX; two great-grandsons; three sisters, Mrs. John (Audrey) Barker of Belding; Gayla Burrows of Mesa, Ariz., Mrs. Lewis (Jenny) Tasker; one brother, Harley K. of Fla; one sister-in-law, Zelma Davis of Bradenton, FL, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services were held 1:30 p.m. Wed., June 24 at Koops Funeral Chapel, Lake Odessa with Rev. Phillip Brown officiating. Burial was at Lakeside Cemetery. LORIN A. OVERSMITH ["The Reminder," Hastings, 11 July 1995] BATTLE CREEK - Lorin A. Oversmith, 79, of Battle Creek, passed away on Friday, July 7, 1995 at Battle Creek Health System Community Site in Battle Creek. He was born on August 25, 1915 in Barry County, the son of the late Clarke E. and Emmer (Haskell) Oversmith. His mother died when he was three years old and he was raised by his father and stepmother, the late Mae Oversmith. He was a 1934 graduate of Hastings High School. Mr. Oversmith retired October 31, 1976 from the Kellogg Company where he worked 27 1/2 years. He was head machine operator in the packing department. He also had an automobile dealers license, and for several years operated Oversmith Motor Sales, first on Michigan Avenue, and then on Bedford Road. He was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church and a former deacon. He was a past counselor of United Commercial Travelers, Council #253 and auxiliary #161. He held a private pilots license and was a past president of the Field Flying Club, was a founding member of the Civil Air Patrol in Battle Creek, and was a member of the Kellogg Flying Club. His hobbies included flying, traveling, gardening and taking pictures. He was married to the former Emma F. Fruin on March 27, 1937 in Angola, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; stepmother; sister Myrtle Ellis; stepbrother, Harold McCaulley. Survivors include his wife; daughters, Marlyne Groves, Mary Ann Cook, Patricia Paul all of Battle Creek; son, Lorin C. Oversmith of Battle Creek; 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday July 11, 1995 at 3:00 pm at Farley-Estes Funeral Home with the Reverend Delmer B. Case officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Histiocytosis Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. [The Hastings Banner, Wed., March 22, 1978, pg. 2, col. 4] CLIFFORD TOUSLEY Clifford Tousley, a longtime resident of West Woodland and for a number of years a resident of Lansing died at Lansing General Hospital about 8 AM Sunday, March 19. Mr. Tousley, 61, had entered the hospital a week ago Monday, a biopsy was performed on Wednesday and he grew steadily worse and suffered a heart attack early Sunday morning. The Tousleys formerly lived in Carlton Center Road, where the Byron Hesterlys now live. When they left the farm here they moved to Lake Odessa and later to Lansing where they have since made their home. Mrs. Tousley was Virginia Hesterly, daughter of Mrs. Hildred Hesterly and the late Charles Hesterly, and a sister of Ronald and Herbert (sic) Hesterly of Hastings, Verdan Hesterly of Ionia, and Byron Hesterly of Woodland area. Also, surviving are 4 children, Mrs. Dale (Marcia) McClintock of Lansing, Mrs. Lynn (Brenda) Kroll of New Era, Michael of Eagle and Mitchell of Grand Rapids. Also, a brother, Russell of Florida and two sisters, Mrs. Verdan (June) Hesterly of Ionia and Mrs. Ralph (Leta) Sinclair of Sheridan. Services were scheduled for 2:30 PM Wednesday, March 22, at Faith Baptist Church, Lansing, and interment in Woodland Memorial Park. JOAN MARIE BARRY TWO YEAR OLD GIRL DROWNS IN CISTERN Tragedy visits home of Mr. & Mrs. Gene Barry Tragedy visited the home of Mr. & Mrs. Gene Barry who reside in Carlton township, near the Friend school last Friday afternoon when their daughter Joan Marie, aged 22 months was drowned in the cistern. Joan and her sister, Norma Jean, 3, were playing together in the yard. Norma went into the house and told her mother "Joan cistern." Mrs. Barry hurried out and finding the cover off the cistern and not being able to see the child hurried down the road to summon help. Ben Cole and Arthur Yarger hurried to the home and the former succeeded in removing the body from the cistern. Efforts to revive the child were of no avail. Coroner Dr. C. P. Lathrop and Sheriff Bera were called to the scene of the accident, in keeping with the law governing such deaths. It was stated that a cement lid which usually covered the cistern had been removed because it was necessary to draw out the water by means of a bucket and rope. In its place a piece of galvanized iron had been placed over the opening and a cream can put on top of it. However that afternoon Mr. Barry had removed the cream can taking it to town with him, and the child had been able to remove the metal covering. Surviving besides the parents and the three year old sister are twin sisters seven weeks old. --------------------------------- "Lake Odessa Wave-Times," Thursday, April 29, 1943 Joan Marie Barry, two-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Barry, was drowned Friday at the farm home of her parents in Carlton Township, when she fell into eight feet of water in a cistern. The child, who was playing with her three-year old sister, Jean, moved a sheet metal cover off the cistern and fell in. Her body was recovered a half hour later by neighbors, Benjamin Cole and Arthur Yager. The funeral was held at the Leonard Funeral home in Hastings, Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Barry is the former Rosalie Dillenbeck of Bippley District. The Barrys also have twin babies seven weeks old. dz