SLACK OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri
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SLACK, Alfred 1848 - 1928

Judge Alfred Slack Found Dead In Bed - Judge Alfred Slack was found dead in his 
bed by his wife about 6:30 last Saturday morning. They have been spending the 
winter with their daughter, Mrs. Press Stephens, in Clinton. Mrs. Slack had gone 
downstairs to get breakfast, when she went back to call her husband. When he did 
not answer, she summoned the other members of the family, who found he was 
dead. They called the doctor, who said, from all evidence, his spirit had gone into 
eternity some time during the night. Mr. Slack had been in fairly good health, and 
had attended each day's session of Circuit Court the past few weeks, in fact, he 
attended the day before his death. He was born at Linneus, Mo., May 2 1848. Later 
moved, with his parents to Pettis county. He was united in marriage to Miss 
Louisa Allen, March 15, 1880, southeast of Windsor. Soon after they moved to 
Calhoun, which had been his home since, except the time they lived with their 
daughter, in Clinton. Three children were given to this union. A daughter died 
when a tiny girl. Their son, Trevey, died eight years ago. The one daughter, Mrs. W. 
P. Stephens, is left to comfort the bereaved mother and the one little 
granddaughter, Louise Stephens. Mr. Slack also leaves two brothers, Henry Slack, 
Calhoun, and Judge Tom Slack, northwest of Clinton, and two sisters - Mrs. Kate 
Ford, of Calhoun, and Mrs. Nannie Smith, of Webb City, Mo. Deceased served Henry 
county as judge for two successive terms a number of years ago, and was Justice 
of the Peace in Clinton at the time of his death. He was a carpenter by trade, but 
had always served his community as police judge or justice of the peace, being a 
just and fair man. He was a staunch Democrat and was much interested in the 
coming presidential candidates and campaign. He had been a devout member of the 
Baptist church for many years. His body was taken to the Calhoun Baptist church, 
where Rev. J. R. Blythe, of Clinton, conducted the funeral Sunday afternoon. 
Interment in Calhoun cemetery.


SLACK, Alice EVANS 1863 - 1940

Mrs. Thomas Slack Dies - Death Claims Wife of Prominent Henry Countian Just 16 
Days After His Passing: Death, that visited the Thomas Slack home two miles 
northwest of Clinton, June 19, taking the life of that well known Henry County 
citizen, Judge Thomas Slack, crossed the portal of his daughter's home Friday, 
July 5th, at 7:50 p.m., to claim Mrs. Slack, his beloved wife, who was critically 
ill at the time of her husband's death. Mrs. Slack had been taken immediately 
after Mr. Slack's funeral to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Emmett Arnold, five 
miles east of Clinton, where the gangrene condition that had caused a paralysis 
of her entire left side, brought on by an infection in her left foot, grew steadily 
worse. Mrs. Slack, who had not slept for days preceding the death of her husband, 
did not give up until a week before her own death, when she became bedfast, and 
despite tender, gentle care, realized the end was near. Alice Evans was born 
March 6, 1863, in Cooper County, Mo., on the Frank Sands farm that was their old 
home place. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Evans, who moved four 
years later to Henry County. As a child she walked the two miles to and from 
George School and added to the responsibility of her schooling was often the care 
of her mother, who was an invalid from heart trouble 23 years. April 14, 1885, on 
a rare spring day, Miss Evans became the wife of Thomas Slack, the late Rev. 
Uncle Billy Lawler performing the ceremony that united these two prominent old 
families. They began their life together on the Ross farm, in a three-room house 
where Mr. Slack had previously lived and enthusiastically united their efforts to 
building up their farm. To their union two daughters were born, one of whom, Mrs. 
Arnold, survives, with her son, the only grandchild, Edgar. On Mrs. Slack's 
birthday, March 6, 1906, they moved to the home where Mr. Slack died, which was 
on an 80-acre tract on the much used country road, two miles northwest of 
Clinton that later became Highway 35. Mrs. Slack was a true helpmeet, a 
beautiful housekeeper, meticulous and tidy; a capable needle woman; an expert 
with chickens and turkeys; an enthusiastic gardener whose green fingers 
encouraged the finest vegetables even during the most difficult seasons. Her 
garden, east of the house and by the side of the road, was a source of pleasure 
and encouragement to all passers-by on the highway. Mrs. Slack the last of her 
family was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, being converted 
when they lived near the Bronaugh neighborhood. She and Mr. Slack helped build 
the old Knoles Chapel on land bought from Jesse Knoles. Later they became 
members of the Field's Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church and of late years 
enjoyed coming to the Clinton Presbyterian Church for services.


SLACK, Caroline HUMPHRIES 1821 - 1906

Clinton MO, Jan 6 1906 - Mrs. James Slack Dies - Caroline Humphries was born in 
Hudson county, Kentucky in 1821; her parents died in her infancy and she came to 
Missouri with her grandmother and settled in Chariton county. In 1838, she 
married James C. Slack of Boone county; located in Linn county; had four girls and 
five boys, four sons and two daughters now surviving her. She joined the Baptist 
church when 18 and was always willing to lend a helping hand in time of need or 
trouble. She lived to see all her children grown to man and womanhood, the first 
death being a son who died in the Confederate army in Springfield, Mo. in 1862. In 
1867, death took for its victim her oldest daughter, Mrs. M. E. Bentley; in 1872, 
death entered her home and took her kind husband and loving father and ten years 
later she was called upon to witness the death of another daughter, Mrs. L. A. 
Whitley, thus leaving the six children - J. J. Slack of Tulsa, I. T.; Henry and Alfred 
in Calhoun; Thos. G., six miles in the country; youngest daughter, Mrs. W. B. Ford, 
three miles south of Windsor; Mrs. Nannie Lucas of Webb City, with whom she 
made her home. She fell November 9 and was injured, suffering intensely for 
seven weeks. During her affliction, she realized her departure was at hand, after 
more than four-score years filled with gentleness and goodness. Burial in 
Calhoun cemetery.


SLACK, Earl Vest n/a - 1994

Earl Vest Slack, a retired Army colonel who was decorated with five Bronze 
Stars and two Army Commendation medals, died Thursday at Johns Hopkins 
Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. He was 81. Colonel Slack servied in the 
Army from 1941 to 1964 and then worked at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he 
retired in 1988. born in Calhoun, he made his home in Aberdeen with his wife of 
52 years, Cecilia Doyle Slack. He was a member of the Retired Officers 
Association and St. Joan of Arc Church in Aberdeen. In addition to his wife, he is 
survived by a son, James D. Slack of Miami, Fl.; a brother, Henry F. Slack of 
Calhoun; a sister, Helen S. Stewart of Kansas City; and two grandchildren. A 
daughter, Sue Ellen Slack, died in 1968. A memorial mass was celebrated Monday 
at Ashley in Havre De Grace, Md., by the Rev. Joseph C. Martin. Burial with 
military honors was private. Arrangements were by the Tarring-Cargo Funeral 
Home in Aberdeen.


SLACK, Henry 1843 - 1936

Squire Henry Slack, Calhoun's oldest and most widely known citizen died Tuesday 
morning, April 7, at the ripe old age of 93 years. He passed away at the home of 
his son, James E. Slack where he and his wife had been living since January. 
Judge Slack was of a pioneer family, his father, James Slack, came from 
Kentucky in an early day and settled in Linn County, where Henry Slack was born, 
January 5 1843. Mr. Slack went to Calhoun in 1867 and established himself in a 
grocery business, after farming for several years. He was twice married, first to 
Miss Martha Carter, leaving two sons, of whom one survives him at the age of 
near 79. The son is James E. Slack of near Calhoun at whose home he passed away. 
One brother, Thomas Slack, lives in Clinton. One son, George Vest Slack, passed 
away two years ago, and two weeks ago his only sister, Mrs. Kate Ford, of 
Windsor, was buried at Calhoun. Judge Slack served his community as justice of 
the peace for more than half a century and was engaged in the insurance business 
40 years. Since his earlier years he had been a member of the Masonic lodge, 
being secretary of the Calhoun lodge for many years. The funeral service was held 
at the Calhoun Baptist church at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday, April 8, conducted by 
Rev. R. I. Clemings. Burial was in the cemetery at Calhoun.


SLACK, Henry Finks 1910 - 1995

Henry F. Slack, 84, Calhoun, died Friday, January 20, 1995, at the Westwood 
Nursing Home in Clinton. He was born September 2, 1910, near Calhoun, the son of 
James Earl Slack and Edna Emma Finks Slack. On August 29, 1937, in Clinton, at 
the First Baptist Church, he married Marjorie L. Hostin, who survives of the home. 
He was a retired dairy farmer. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, 
Calhoun, a past board member of the Calhoun School District, and a past board 
member of the Farmers Elevator, Clinton. He was a devoted husband and loving 
father and grandfather. He loved his home and enjoyed having his family and 
friends around him. He endured his long illness with patience, never indulging in 
self-pity or remorse. He enjoyed his chosen profession of dairy farming, raising 
livestock and raising good crops. A thing of beauty, to him, was a large field of 
corn with straight rows and a pasture of good cattle grazing nearby. In addition 
to his wife, he is survived by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Gerald H. and 
Melva Slack, Richmond; Keith Slack and Wallace L. (Wally) Slack, both of Calhoun; 
a sister, Helen E. Stewart, Kansas City; two grandchildren who were his pride and 
joy, Jenny Dunaway and Shannon Slack; a great-granddaughter, Krista, and 
numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patty 
Lorraine; three brothers, Lyman, Earl and Walter; and two sisters, Irene and 
Marjorie. Funeral services were held January 22, 2:30 p.m. at the Calhoun Baptist 
Church with Dr. Doyle Sager officiating and Rev. Ray Fagg assisting. Laura M. 
Fetters accompanied Kevin Gnuschke, Henry Moore, David Young and Bruce Hadley 
as they sang How Great Thou Art and When the Roll is Called Up Younder. 
Pallbearers were Derrel Warner, Marvin Warner, Ward Slack, Charlie Slack, Gary 
Hostin, and Dave Quandt. Honorary pallbearers were Floyd Jones, Billy Jones, 
Gordon Mills, Pete Hasen, Harold Mills, Tony Mills, Joe Burkhart, Noel Bradley, Joe 
Richardson and Russel McKnight. Burial was in the Calhoun Cemetery, Calhoun.


SLACK, John J. 1839 - 1924

Oldest And Tallest Elk Dies - Tulsa, Ok., Feb 21 - John J. Slack, 88, said to have 
been the oldest and tallest member of the Elks lodge in the United States, died at 
the home of his son, J. Slack, here today. Mr. Slack was six feet six inches in 
height. The remains of the deceased passed through Clinton Friday for burial at 
his old home in Calhoun. A suitable obituary will appear later.


SLACK, Thomas G. 1855 - 1940

Judge Thos. Slack Dies - Well Known Farmer, was Judge of the County Court From 
North District 1920-22: Thomas Slack, well known and influential resident of 
Henry County, where he had lived since a lad of 11, rich in years and benevolence 
of spirit, died at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 1940, at his home for many years 
two miles west Clinton on Highway 35. Mr. Slack, who was in his 85th year, had 
been in failing health some years and the end came gradually, as day by day he 
loosened his hold on life. Thomas Slack was born in Linn County, Missouri, April 
11, 1855, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Slack, who came to Henry County to make 
their home in 1866. Early schooled to a love of the land and in knowledge of how 
to bring forth the richest harvests from his acres, he spent his life farming. He 
was also reared a staunch democrat and was a member of the Fields Creek 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. April 14, 1885, Miss Alice Evans, daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Evans, also well known Henry Countians, became his wife, the 
55th anniversary of which this fine couple celebrated this year. Together they 
met life's problems, the better day and the worse, first in the three room farm 
house, where he had previously lived and since 1906 at the present farm with its 
adjacent stretch of timber, building it into a model, modern farm. A man of 
resolute convictions, simple tastes, he followed an even pathway through life, 
leaving a firm Christian influence among all with whom he came in contact. From 
1920 to 1922 he served his party and fellow citizens as Judge of the County 
Court from the north district, fulfilling his duty well and with conscientious 
exactness. His family life was close knit and congenial, their one daughter, Mrs. 
Emmett Arnold, who with his widow, survives, being devoted and comforting 
throughout the years. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Frank L. Rearick at 
the Consalus & Peck Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The body was laid to rest 
in Englewood. Messrs. Herbert Arnold, Oscar Brann, Frank Chancellor, Fred Rice, 
Marvin Thompson and Geo. Keck were pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were: 
Messrs. W. H. Fryling, J. C. Birkinbine, Fred Keck, James Collins, Wm. Ward, Walter 
Henry, Will Russell, Albert Allen, M. K. Bronaugh, Roy Terrill.


SLACK, Thomas Jefferson 1915 - 1992

T. J. Slack, 77, Holden, passed away Monday, November 16, 1992 at Western 
Missouri Medical Center, Warrensburg. He was born January 3, 1915 near Chapel 
Hill, the son of Thomas Jefferson and Mary Josephine (Smith) Slack. He lived in 
the Holden vicinity all of his life. On April 6, 1940 he married Adelia Snow in 
Belton. Mr. Slack was a farmer. From 1940 until 1942 he worked at the Lake City 
Army Ammunition Plant. He leaves his wife, Adelia of the home; one son, Thomas 
Osborne Slack, Holden; four daughters, Mary Ellen Hamlin, Centerview, Nancy Lee 
Lawson and Norma Jean Jones, both of Holden, and Shirley Faye Shaw, 
Centerview; three sisters, Inis Davis, Oak Grove, Pearl Kephart, and Alene Jones, 
both of Holden; 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in 
death by three sisters, Lucy Kephart, Viva Jones, and Gladys Slack, and one 
brother, Bud Slack. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 1992 
at Ben Cast & Son-Wood Funeral Home, Holden, with Rev. Dennis Chestnut 
officiating. Pallbearers were Don Kephart, Gary Jones, Doyle Davis, K. O. Kephart, 
Kenneth Snow, Bob Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Davis, Ronnie Kephart, 
Jerry Snow, Jack Jones, Jerry Kephart. Burial was in Cobb Cemetery, Odessa.


SLACK, Trevy 1890 - 1919

Trevy Slack is Dead - He died at a Sanitarium near Denver, Colo., October 30, with 
tuberculosis. About two years ago, when in apparent good health he developed 
hemorrhages when writing ads for a large advertising firm in Dallas, Texas. At 
that time his mother and other relatives were summoned to his bedside but he 
got better and come home for several months. During that time he still wrote ads 
for his firm part of the time and they did everything possible for him, as they 
realized he was a young man with a brilliant future in the advertising world. He 
was sent to new Mexico, then to El Paso, Texas and then to LaJunta, Colo., to get 
the full benefit of the climate. He had been at LaJunta for a number of months, 
but just two weeks previous to his death, they decided to move him to a 
sanitarium near Denver, Colo. He had written to his folks here after being moved 
there and told what a beautiful place he was in and how he enjoyed his 
surroundings and how good they were to him, but now he is in a more Beautiful 
City, where there is no pain. He was born in Calhoun 29 years ago last April 2nd. 
There he lived until he was about 15 years of age. He had developed into young 
manhood quickly and was very ambitious and secured an advertising position on 
the road about this time. He continued this for a number of years, studying the 
best way to get goods before the public and induce them to buy. As he grew a 
little older he quickly advanced into publicity director taking charge of the work 
in different towns, where they introduced goods and specialties. This work 
enabled him to get in touch with the American public and realized what would 
best reach them, so when he took up advertising writing he was a success from 
the start, his ads attracting the attention of every client his firm had and each 
requesting his services for the next time as he put the right pep into his copy, 
and they were more than mechanical. If he had been spared a few years longer, no 
doubt, he would have stood at the top of ad. writers in America. When he as a 
small lad he was converted and united with the M. E. Church, south, at Calhoun, 
Mo. He was a faithful and consecrated member and a devoted follower of his 
Master. During all his travels he always retained his purity of heart and mind, 
bringing better thoughts and better ambitions to those with whom he came in 
contact. The people of Calhoun, the place of his nativity loved him, and when they 
found that he had contracted this dread disease, they at once responded in every 
way to help prolong his stay. They helped in a material way as well as writing 
letters of comfort and good cheer to let him know, all at home were with him in 
spirit and anxious to do everything to help him. He leaves his parents, Judge A. 
Slack and wife, of Calhoun, and one sister, Mrs. W. P. Stephens, of Clinton.

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