OBIT: George Warren STOKE, 1916, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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GEORGE WARREN STOKE IS CALLED BY DEATH
Prominent Citizen, Churchman and Contractor Succumbs to Pneumonia

  George Warren Stoke, of the contracting firm of Stoke & Cassidy, and 
one of the city's most prominent churchmen and citizens, died at his 
home, 2020 Broad avenue, at 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon.  Double 
croupus pneumonia was the cause of death, after a serious illness for 
the past ten days.  The news of his demise spread rapidly and was 
received with sincere regret in all sections of the city.
  Mr. Stoke recently contracted a severe cold which developed into 
pneumonia.  His condition became rather serious a week ago but up to 
Friday he was apparently holding his own against the ravages of the 
disease.  On Saturday evening he took a turn for the worse and 
gradually grew weaker until the end.
  George Warren Stoke was the son of William and Margaret Wentz Stoke, 
and was born at Tyrone on November 13, 1860, being aged at the time of 
death 56 years, 1 month and 18 days.  The family removed to this city 
in 1870 and since then he had resided here.  He was recognized as one 
of the best lumber and mill men in this section of the state and was 
unquestionably one of the best builders.  He entered his working career 
at the age of 15 years in the mill of his father and had since 
continued following building.  He was his father's right hand man in 
the business in his latter years and when the elder Mr. Stoke sold his 
mill property to Elder & Cassidy the younger man remained with the firm 
as manager of the mill.  Four years ago the firm of Elder & Cassidy 
dissolved and Mr. Stoke took the senior member's place and since then 
the firm was most successful and prosperous.  He was also president of 
the Altoona Builders' Exchange and a director of the National Retail 
Lumbermen's association, a member of the Altoona Chamber of Commerce 
and a director of the Economy Building and Loan association and also 
the Union Building and Loan association.
  He was a member of the First Baptist church, having affiliated with 
that congregation some thirty-eight years ago.  He was one of its most 
prominent and active members and at the time of death was a member of 
the board of deacons, president of the board of trustees and chairman 
of the building committee that had in charge the erection of the 
handsome new church edifice on Seventeenth street.  He was a man of 
even temper and an unassuming and genial disposition, always ready to 
be of service to others.  He was most active in the service of the Lord 
and was regarded as one of the city's most earnest church workers.  He 
was regarded as one of the best mill men in the state and was 
thoroughly versed in all details of the building and contracting 
business.
  His home life was ideal, being a kind and devoted husband and father 
and devoted to his family and home.  His whole life was given to his 
home, his church and his business, and he enjoyed the esteem and 
respect of scores of friends both in the church, business and social 
world.  During his last illness he was given devoted and faithful care 
and attention by his wife and members of his family and the best of 
medical aid was called to assist in battling the disease that called 
him to the world beyond.
  Mr. Stoke was thrice married.  His first union was with Miss Bertha 
Shoemaker on August 23, 1882, the ceremony being performed by Rev. A. 
K. Bell.  After the death of his first wife he again married on October 
13, 1886, to Mill Tillie N. Laird, the ceremony being performed by Rev. 
A. K. Bell in this city.  The third union was with Miss Jane Laird on 
June 28, 1900 and the marriage was performed by the late Rev. Dr. J. S. 
James.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jane Laird Stoke, and these 
children, both to his second marriage: William Frank Stoke, Mrs. Rose 
Stoke Gathers, of Altoona, and Edgar Laird, Arthur Warren, Ida Grace 
and Bertha Mae, all at home.  A son, Alexander Stoke, preceded him to 
the grave on February 26, 1913.  He is also survived by his step-
mother, Mrs. Annie E. Stoke, of Mifflin, and these brothers and 
sisters: U. S. Grant Stoke, of Cleveland; Edwin A. Stoke, Hudson 
Heights, N.J.; Joseph Stoke, Altoona; Mrs. Sara E. Calvert, Altoona, 
and Mrs. Minnie Lotz, Altoona.
  The funeral arrangements have not been completed and will be 
announced later.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday Morning, January 1, 1917

Funeral Notices.

  Funeral services for the late G. Warren Stoke will be held tomorrow 
afternoon at 2 o'clock, with brief services at his late home, 2020 
Broad avenue, followed by services at the First Baptist temple at 2:30 
o'clock and burial at Oak Ridge cemetery.  Friends may view the remains 
this afternoon and evening and also on Thursday morning.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday Morning, January 3, 1917