Obituary Collection of Don Parsons: Pokyp@aol.com

 

E W HARREL

     Elmer Walter Harrel, son of Fulton Ewing and Mary Ellen Harrel, was born at Tennis Point, Mo, January 30, 1881 and passed away April 14, 1952 at the University hospital in Iowa City, where he had gone for surgery.  He was 71 years, 2 months, and 16 days at the time of his death.

     He passed away just 11 months to the day, after his brother, Asel had died.  He was the last of four children.  The parents, brother, and sisters preceded him in death.

     When a small boy his parents moved to a farm near Hamburg, Iowa.  He attended school in the Grange Hall community.  On July 1, 1903 he was married to Sylvia Bell Loft House, and a son, Paul, was born to this union.  She passed away in 1912.  He remarried August 16, 1915 to Jennie B Carson of Fairfax, Mo.  To this union was born a daughter, Thelma.

     Mr. Harrel united with the Methodist church at Hamburg, when a young man, and transferred his membership to the United Presbyterian church in Coin.  He started to work for the Burlington railroad in 1903, as a section foreman.  They lived at Northboro, for a number of years, and then transferred to Fairfax, Mo, where they lived till he was retired in 1940, due to ill health.  He received at the time of retirement a 40 year service pin.  The family then moved to Coin, where they now make their home.

     Elmer is survived by his wife, Jennie, a son, Paul, of Coin and the daughter, Mrs Dean (Thelma) Grubb of Tarkio, Mo; four grandsons, Jimmie, Melvin, Georgie and David, besides a host of relatives and friends, by whom he will be greatly missed.

(Clarinda  HERALD-JOURNAL, Monday, May 26, 1952)    

 

E E BECK

     Elmer Ellsworth Beck, youngest son of Lewis and Eliza Beck, was born in Atchison county, Mo, Aug 9, 1970, and died May 3, 1952 at the age of 81 years, 8 months and 24 days.  He spent his entire life within 3 miles of where he was born, except for one year spent in Oregon.

     He followed the profession of farming and merchandising.  In 1898 he was married to Cora M McMillin, establishing their home four miles south of Blanchard in the Eureka school neighborhood.  His wife preceded him in death March 3, 1926.

     To this union eight children were born, four dying in infancy, those surviving are:  Mrs Lulu Smith, Blanchard; William L Beck, Burlington Junction, Mo; Ben E Beck, Oceanside, Calif; and Mrs Dorothy Rhodes, Cumberland, Iowa.

     Mr Beck was a member of the Oddfellows Lodge as long as it was active in this community.  Mr Beck was very active on the streets of his home town until sickness in October forced him to retire.

     Other survivors are a sister, Mrs Della Braman of Blanchard, two granddaughters, Charlene Beck Edwards, Spokane, Wash, and Nancy Rhodes of Cumberland, Ia, and one great granddaughter, Kay Watkins, Burlington Junction, Mo, and many nieces and nephews.

     Mr Beck's son, Ben and his wife, came from California a few weeks ago, so did not return for the funeral.  All the rest of the family, many other relatives and friends, attended the funeral services, Monday, May 5.

(Clarinda HERALD-JOURNAL, Monday, May 26, 1952)