Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 6, 1949 Adams County, Ritzville, WA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ ==================================================================== This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 6, 1949 Dr. Kirkham Dies; Prominent Alumni SPOKANE - One of Ritzville high school's most prominent alumni, Dr. Virgil R. Kirkham, 55, well-known economic geologist, died in Spokane recently. Funeral services were conducted there. Born in Newton, Ill., in 1894, and graduated from Ritzville in 1912, Dr. Kirkham rose to become a university professor, a consulting engineer for leading oil companies and one of the largest independent oil operators in the state of Michigan. Dr. Kirkham was married to the former Miss Ruby Bauer, daughter of the late Jacob Bauer and Mrs. Bauer. Mrs. Kirkham survives her husband, as do several nieces and nephews in Ritzville and Seattle and other relatives. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 13, 1949 Zimmerman, Former Resident, Is Dead Mrs. W. H. Kreager and Mrs. Jacob B. Shafer were called to Spokane Monday, Oct. 4, by the sudden death of their brother, Gustave D. Zimmerman. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman were former residents of Ritzville. They had worked in the Daveney store for many years. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 20, 1949 Stores Close As Funeral Is Held for Russ Lightel A large number of Ritzville business firms were closed for 45 minutes Tuesday afternoon as funeral services were conducted at Trinity Methodist church for one of the town's best-known businessmen and civic leaders - Russell Byron Lightel. Lightel, a service station operator here for nearly 20 years and president of the chamber of commerce in 1945, died from a heart attack about noon last Friday. His unexpected passing shocked the entire community. Born in Ohio, Lightel had come to Ritzville from Quincy, Wash. He took over the Standard Tire and Service Station at Division and Railroad avenue on the death of his father, Bert, and had operated it ever since. He was 50 years old and a member of the Oddfellows, Eagles and Methodist church. Survivors include his wife, Millie, a son, Richar, and a daughter, Sally Patricia, at the home; his mother, Mrs. Della Lightel of Ritzville; and an uncle, Emery Lightel of Quincy. The Rev. Clifford Knight conducted the services. Burial was at Ritzville Memorial cemetery with Danekas and Duncan funeral home in charge of arrangements. Funeral Is Held For Mrs. Wyrick Funeral services for Mrs. Alta Frazier Wyrick, 77, who died Friday at her home in Ritzville, were conducted Monday at Trinity Methodist church with the Rev. Clifford Knight officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Wyrick was born near Zanesville, Ohio, on Aug. 21, 1872. Her family moved to Kansas when she was five, settling near Independence. There she attended normal school and taught for several years in Kansas and Montana. In May, 1914, she was married to E. H. Wyrick and lived for three years in the Paha area before moving to Ritzville. She was a member of the Methodist church and the Woman's Society of Christian Service. Survivors include her husband in Ritzville and two step-daughters, Mrs. Helen Setters of Winona, and Mrs. Charlotte Schelf of Ritzville; a sister, Elizabeth Frazier of Independence; two cousins, Mrs. Maude Dana and Clyde Frazier of Coffeyville, Kan., and eight grandchildren. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 27, 1949 Funeral Conducted for Othello Woman Jeannine Latham of Othello died Saturday in Ritzville General hospital. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Methodist church in Lind with the Rev. W. H. Ritchey officiating. Burial was in the Lind cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Frank Inslee of Seattle and Florence Shucks of California and one son, Frank McGowan, of California. Funeral Services Held Here for Mrs. Frank York Funeral services for Mrs. Frank York, who died Friday night at the Sprague hospital, were held Monday afternoon in the chapel of the Danekas and Duncan funeral home with the Rev. Raymond F. Griffith officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Emma Cauble York was born on Aug. 12, 1864, at Salem, Ore. She was the fourth daughter in a family of eight girls and one boy. She lived at Salem and taught school there until 1905. On Jan. 10, 1906, she was married to Frank York. Their home at York coulee in Adams county came to be known as one of the "show places" of Adams county. They raised many different types of plants, and it is reported that the couple even imported seed from the Valley of the Nile in Egypt. Mr. York died in 1936 and Mrs. York spent her remaining years with her many friends in the Ritzville area. She is survived by her niece, Mrs. Henry Bergdorf of Priest River, Idaho, and other relatives in the east. Washtucna Native Dies In Berkeley WASHTUCNA - Word was received of the death of J. Morris Booth at his home in Berkeley, Calif., Oct. 16, of a heart attack. He was a brother-in-law of Mrs. J. H. Gill of Waitsburg, former Washtucna resident. Mr. Booth was born and raised in Washtucna. Her served as assistant cashier in the Washtucna bank for more than 20 years. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Booth, who were among the first settlers of Washtucna. Benge Railroad Man Dies Here Funeral services for Antonio Sacchetti, Benge railroad worker, who died of a heart attack in Benge Monday, will be held Friday morning at St. Agnes Catholic church in Ritzville with the Rev. C. M. DePiere officiating. Rosary was to be said this Thursday evening in the chapel of the Danekas and Duncan funeral home. Interment will be in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mr. Sacchetti came from Italy in 1905 and was naturalized in 1931. He had lived in the Benge community for five years. Survivors include a son, Mike, in Benge, and other relatives in the east. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 3, 1949 Beale Rites Set In Walla Walla WASHTUCNA - Funeral services for William David Beale, 77, were scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at St. Patrick's Catholic church in Walla Walla, with burial in the family plot at the Catholic cemetery there. Mr. Beale, well-known former Washtucna resident, died Saturday at his home in Walla Walla after a lingering illness. Survivors include his wife, Mary, at the home; one brother, Samuel Beale, of Baxter Springs, Kansas; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Lamb in Oklahoma, and Mrs. Grace Murphy of Hutchinson, Kansas. Beale was born May 6, 1872, at Springfield, Ill. Former visitor In Washtucna Is Dead WASHTUCNA - Word came of the death of D. H. Gleason, former resident of Milton, Ore., Friday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. M. Hall, in Portland. Mr. Gleason had visited here when his daughter, Mrs. Hall and family resided in Washtucna. Funeral services were held Tuesday at Milton at the Aventist church. Interment was in the I.O.O.F. cemetery at Milton. Losson Funeral Set for This Thursday Funeral services for Henry Losson, who died Tuesday in Ritzvile General hospital, were scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in the Danekas and Duncan funeral home parlor with the IOOF lodge in charge. Burial will be at Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Losson suffered a heart attack Monday in his small cabin behind Henry Leisle's residence and was rushed to the hospital. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 10, 1949 Funeral Held For WWP Man SPOKANE - T. E. Holsey, 64, Big Bend division manager for the Washington Water Power company died recently at a Spokane hospital. The funeral services were held last Thursday. Mr. Holsey, a veteran of 37 years with WWP, had been Big Bend division manager since 1935. He was a frequent business visitor in Ritzville. Funeral Is Held for Mrs. Miller Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Anna Margaret Miller, who died Friday in a Spokane hospital. Born in Russia, Mrs. Miller had come to the United States in 1905, and had lived in Ritzville for about 11 years. She was a member of the Philadelphia Congregational church and the Ladies' Aid of the same church. The rites were held at the Philadelphia Congregational church with the Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiating. Danekas and Duncan funeral home were in charge of arrangements. Survivors include the husband, Alex, at the home; two daughters, Mrs. Elmer Lehl of Brighton, Colo., and Mrs. Freda Hemziker of Pocatello, Ida.; three sons, Emanuel Achziger of Ft. Lupton, Colo., Howard Achziger of Loveland, Colo., and Fred Achziger of Denver. Also a brother, John Lesser, of Portland; two stepsons, Henry Miller and Pete Miller, both of Ritzville; and four stepdaughters, Mrs. Anna Miller of Ritzville, Mrs. Paul Cunningham of Seattle, Mrs. James Webb of Ritzville, and Mrs. Emma LaBelle of Spokane. Mrs. Krehbiel Funeral Is Held LIND - Funeral services were held last week for Mrs. Augusta Wolf Krehbiel, long-time Lind resident, in the Lutheran church with the Rev. Roland Wittrock officiating. Burial was in Lind cemetery. Mrs. Krehbiel was born Jan. 25, 1880, in a South Russia valley called Berlin. She and her brother, Ed, came to the United States with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wahl - Mrs. Wahl was a sister - in 1903, settling in Adams county. In June, 1904, she was married to Christian Krehbiel of Lind. They lived on his homestead until about 1917l when they moved to town. Christian died in November of 1936. She was survived by a son, Christian, Jr., (Whitey), and his two children, Jeffrey and Sally. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Schwerin Funeral Held Last Monday Funeral services for Fred A. Schwerin, 50, fatally injured in an automobile crash last Thursday, were held Oct. 31 in the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel with the Rev. Peter Ruder officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Schwerin, a lifelong resident of this area, was survived by a daughter, Florence Esther Schwerin, of Spokane, and seven cousins, Charles Schwerin, Ritzville; Paul Schwerin, Kettle Falls, Wash.; Fred Schwerin, Spokane; Mrs. Freda Van Buren, Ritzville; Mrs. Lizzie Arlt, Ritzville; Mrs. Anna Eckhardt, Ritzville; and Mrs. Clara Luiten, Spokane. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 17, 1949 Henry Hilzer Funeral Held Here Monday Funeral services for Mr. Henry Hilzer, who died Friday at his home in Ritzville, were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Lutheran church with the Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiating. Burial was in the Lutheran cemetery. Born in Russia, Mr. Hilzer had come to Ritzville 39 years ago and had lived here the remainer of his life. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Katherine M., at the home; two daughters, Mrs. Emma Kosek of Tacoma, and Mrs. Florence Johnson of Oregon City, Ore.; and six sons, George, Jake, Victor, Lawrence, Theodore and Benjamin, all of Ritzville. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 24, 1949 Funeral Friday for Archdeacon Coffin Archdeacon Alexander Coffin, who served St. Mark's Episcopal church in Ritzville for 25 years, died in Spokane Tuesday morning. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Cathedral of St. John in Spokane. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 1, 1949 Funeral Is Held for Carl Kiehn ODESSA - Funeral services were held in Odessa last week for Carl Kiehn, 49, born in Ritzville and a lifelong resident of the Odessa area. The Rev. E. J. Eslinger officiated at the services in the United Congregational church. Burial was in the Odessa cemetery, with the Strate funeral home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Kiehn died at a Spokane hospital 13 days after his admission. He had been dividing his time during recent months between his home and the hospital, where he was receiving treatments. Born in Ritzville on March 29, 1900, Mr. Kiehn was raised in the Batum area of Adams county. He was married to Miss Pauline Cook in 1921. Originally employed at the Odessa Trading company plant at Batu, he came to Odessa in 1933 where he was yard foreman for the trading company at the time of his death. Survivors include his widow; three daughters, Miss Evelyn Kiehn, Mrs. Leland Boyk and Mrs. Albert Haase; a sister, Mrs. Dan Borgen, Ritzville; two brothers, Edward and Jacob, and two grandchildren. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 8, 1949 Irvin Baumann Funeral Is Held Funeral services for Irvin D. Baumann, 36, who died in Seattle Saturday, were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Trinity Methodist church in Ritzville with the Rev. Clifford Knight officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Baumann, was born in Ritzville and had lived here all his life, was in Seattle receiving treatments for a heart condition at the time of his death. He had served four years in the navy, from 1934 to 1938, and was engaged in the contracting business with his brother, Lloyd, also of Ritzville. He was a member of the Teamsters union and of the Methodist church. Survivors include his widow, Lillian; four children, Catherine, James, Thomas and Margaret; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Baumann; his brother, Lloyd, and two sisters, Mrs. Shirley West of St. John and Mrs. Carole Walenta of Seattle. Except for the sisters, all the survivors live in the Ritzville area. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Former Ritzville Man Is Struck by Car, Killed SPOKANE - Henry J. Ratz, 57, for many years a pharmacist in Ritzville, was killed in Spokane last Wednesday when he was struck by a car shortly after alighting from a City Lines bus. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Smith funeral home with the Rev. Thomas C. McQueen officiating. Burial was at the Riverside Park cemetery. Ratz was employed by the Emerson Drug co. in Ritzville for many years. At the time of his death he was a pharmacist in Spokane. Ratz's widow, Louise, is a daughter of Mrs. Jacob Bauer and the late Jacob Bauer. Mr. Ratz was a brother-in-law of both Martin and Harold Bauer of Ritzville. Mrs. Ratz operates Louise's Blouse Bar in the Zukor building in Spokane. Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Carleton L. Dillingham of Seattle, and Mrs. Keith L. Reckard of Spokane; a son, Robert H. Ratz of Honolulu; and four grandchildren. Ratz was a member of the Northwest Mining association. Funeral Is Held for Mrs. Miller Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Miller, 88, who died at her home last Wednesday, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Zion Congregational church with the Rev. Peter Ruder officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Miller, born in Kolb, Russia, came to the United States and to the Ritzville area 37 years ago and had lived here the remainder of her life. She was survived by a son, Adam, a daughter, Mrs. John Rosenoff; a brother, Henry Minch of Wapato; three grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren. All the survivors excpet Mr. Minch live in Ritzville. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 15, 1949 Funeral Is Held for Schoessler Funeral services for Jacob Schoessler, 43-year-old rancher and a lifelong resident of the Ritzville area, were held Monday afternoon at the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel with the Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mr. Schoessler was found dead last Thursday in an automobile on a road between Lamont and his ranch home near Lamont. Mr. A. W. Mitchell of Colfax, Whitman county health officer who investigated the death for the coroner's office, certified that Schoessler's death was a suicide. A shotgun was found with the body. Schoessler, a single man, was a veteran of World War II. He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Con Kramer of Corvallis, Ore.; Mrs. Katherine Waldeman of Portland; and Mrs. Martha Slattery of Everett. Funeral Rites Held for Jacob Dewald Funeral services for Jacob G. Dewald, 79, retired Ritzville farmer, were held Tuesday afternoon in the chapel of the Danekas and Duncan funeral home with the Rev. Clifford Knight officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Dewald was born in Russia and came to the Ritzvile area 59 years ago. He was a member of the Methodist church. He died Saturday in the Ritzville hospital. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Clara Barberow of Spokane, and Mrs. Edna Becker of Seattle, and a son, Milton of Ritzville. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 22, 1949 Baby Is Killed In Auto Crash On Highway 11 The holiday season in Ritzville was marred last Wednesday afternoon when Stefen Duane French, 3-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack French, was instantly killed in a head-on auto collison seven miles east of Sprague. The family came to Ritzville three months ago from Spokane. French is employed as a mechanic at Burkhart Pontiac. Spokane county state highway patrolmen said the French family was driving toward Spokane when a southbound car driven by Charles F. Croyle, 53, of Spokane abruptly pulled out to pass a diesel truck and trailer outfil and rammed head-on into the French car. French, 23, suffered head cuts. Mrs. French received bruises and a broken foot. Their 2-1/2-year-old daughter, Linda, was bruised in the accident and Croyle received chest and mouth injuries. Mr. and Mrs. French and Linda were rushed to the Sprague hospital. The body was taken to the Danekas and Duncan funeral home in Ritzville. French was driving a 1941 Ford. Ex-Lind Resident Dies Dec. 14 Dr. John C. Dilman, former resident of Lind, died in Ellensburg Dec. 14 and was buried last Saturday in the Ellensburg cemetery. The Rev. G. A. Sydow of Good Hope Lutheran church conducted funeral services. Dr. Dilman had lived with Mr. and Mrs. William Conrath in Lind, and moved with them to Ellensburg in 1941. He was 84 years old. Rites Held For Former Adams County Official LIND - Funeral services for Leroy G. Weston, a former Adams county assessor, were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Lind Methodist church with the Rev. W. H. Ritchey officiating. Burial was in the Lind cemetery. Weston, who died last Thursday at the age of 83, came to Adams county in 1905, settling on a farm 12 miles southeast of Lind. He lived there until 1922 when he became assessor of Adams county, a position he held for the next eight years. Weston then moved to Eugene, Ore., where he lived for 10 years before returning to Lind. He had been born in Lapeer county, Michigan, in 1866, and was a member of the Lind IOOF lodge at the time of his death. His survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Minnie Burns of Kingston, Mich., Mrs. Ethel Ogle of Edwardsburg, Mich., Mrs. May Billington of Lind, and Mrs. Charity Dietrich of Mondoivi, Wash., and four sons, Albert of Lind, Leo of Eureka, Calif., Earl of Spokane, and Maurice of Mondovi. Mr. Weston also was survived by 21 grandchildren and 18 great- grandcihldren. His wife preceded him in death by 31 years. Hazen and Jaeger funeral home of Spokane had charge of arrangements. Lind Oddfellows conducted the graveside services. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 29, 1949 Funeral Is Held for Mrs. Hayden Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Hayden, 70, who died at the home of her step-son, Ray Hayden, last Friday in Ritzville, were held Tuesday afternoon in the chapel of the Danekas and Duncan funeral home. The Rev. Clifford Knight officiated. Cremation followed in Spokane. Mrs. Hayden and her husband, John M., lived in Cabri, Sask., in Canada, but were spending the winter with Mr. and Mrs. Hayden. Survivors also include two other step-sons, Fred Hayden of Orange, Calif., and Earl Hayden of Canada, and two step-daughters, Winnie Munro of Calgary, Alberta, and Sister M. Anthony of Orange, Calif. Rites Conducted for French Baby Final rites for three-month-old Steffen Duane French, killed in an automobile crash last Wednesday, were held Saturday afternoon at the Methodist church in Bridgeport. Burial was in the Bridgeport cemetery. The baby was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack French of Ritzville, who were injured in the crash which occurred seven miles east of Sprague. Steffen's sister, Lynda, two and one-half years old, also received injuries. The baby's survivors also include the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Morris of Monse, Wash., and Mr. and Mrs. Richard French of Patteros, Wash. French is employed as a mechanic at Burkhart Pontiac.