Beckham County, OK - Obits: Michael A. Lanferman, 1918
28 August 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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LANFERMAN, MICHAEL A.
(26 Apr 1918, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
SOLDIER FUNERAL MONDAY.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamferman (sic), six miles northwest of Elk City, received a
telegram last week, that unless notified to the contrary, that the remains
of their son, Michael A. Lamferman, private in Co. I, 15th, would be
shipped on the 20th by American Express and would arrive in Elk City next
Friday, the 26th.
The funeral arrangements have been placed in charge of Grubitz & Son, who
had previously offered their services to the government for the burial of
all soldiers, and the body will be placed in their undertaking parlors
until next Monday, the 29th, when the funeral services will be held at the
Catholic church.
Michael Lamferman joined the army early in the spring of 1917, and was at
Tiensin, China, at the time of his death which occurred in August 1917.
Deceased was born November 29th, 1895 at Piqua, Kansas.  He was a most
excellent young man.
It is expected that several officers at Fort Sill, will be here to attend
the funeral and the young soldier will be buried with military honors.
(2 May 1918, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The funeral of Michael A. Lanferman was held Monday morning at the
Catholic church and was attended by a very large crowd, nearly one
thousand people being present to pay tribute to the first soldier from Elk
City who had given up his life while in service.
The body arrived Thursday, one day earlier than expected.  Several friends
of the family accompanied the remains to the undertaking parlors of
Grubitz & Son, where they remained until Monday morning.  The box was
sealed with orders that it must not be opened.  On the box was written
"MICHAEL A. LANFERMAN, Pvt. Co. E, 15th Inf.   Shipment on Govt. B-L and
transportation will be paid by the U. S. Government."
The Council of Defense ordered the box covered in white with a draping of
the national colors.  They also ordered a large flag made of flowers, the
red and white of carnations, the blue of Iris.  They also sent some lovely
white lilies, and placed with other flowers that had been sent.  Grubitz &
Son deserve much praise for their part in having all arrangements made so
perfectly.
The members of the Red Cross with their emblem on their breast, carrying
the flag of our country and the Red Cross banners, preceeded the auto
which carried the remains to the church.  This auto was decorated with
flags.
The pall bearers were: Jno. Forsyth, president of the Beckham Co. Council
of Defense, W. C. Thomas, Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Sam Williams,
chairman county W. S. S., C. B. Hanna, Walter W. Blackburn, and Jas.
O'Donnell.
The services at the church was what is known as the solemn requiem high
mass conducted by Father Isadore of Anadarko, Father Herenthals of Schidel
and Father Van Gastel of Hobart after which Father Isadore made an address
very fitting to the occasion speaking of the sacrifice the deceased had
made in offering his life's blood in this war for humanity and he said
that we should all sacrifice and join hands to save our country God wants
us to live purer lives and be united with the life of Jesus Christ and
urged all to prepare for death for as he said, "What is 100 years of
pleasure here if the soul is Calvary cemetery.
Father Geereart performed the last rites after which the procession was
again formed and a large concourse of people followed the remains to their
last resting place in St. Joseph's cemetery.
Michael A. Lanferman joined the army early in the spring of 1917.  The
last word received before his death by his parents was that he was in
Colorado.  He died at Chinwatao, China, Aug. 18th, 1917, by reason of
shock and internal hemmorhage (sic) into the brain superinduced by a
fracture of the base of the skull.  It is thought that he was riding
horseback and fell from horse.  His body was buried at Tiestain, China,
and remained there until disinterred to be shipped home.
The deceased was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Lanferman living
eight miles northeast of Elk City.  Besides his parents he leaves two
brothers, Eddie, who is now in the army in Florida, and John, who is at
home, also two sisters, Misses Mary and Tracy Lanferman.
While the writer was not acquainted with the deceased his friends speak
words of commendation for him and that he was a good soon and true friend.
 He was born at Piqua, Kan., Nov. 29, 1894 (sic); died August 18th, 1917,
and his age was 22 years, 3 months and 11 days.  At the age of eleven
years he moved to Oklahoma with his parents.
His early death has brought sorrow to many.
(23 Jan 1919, Thursday, Southwest Press, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
FIRST SOLDIER TO BE BURIED AT ELK CITY.
Elk City Monumental Co. Erected Monument Today Gratis.
Mr. Paul Jones and Son, Rufus, today placed a fine monument at the grave
of Michael A. Lanferman, the first soldier to be buried here since the
war.  Lanferman died at Tientsin, China, August 18, 1917.
As an honor to the first soldier buried here, Mr. Jones and father,
manager and owner of the Elk City Monumental Co., made no charge for the
monument or for their work.

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