Woodford County

Obituaries

End Comes Suddenly to Mrs. D. C. Wagner
Stricken with Apoplexy at 11 A.M. Friday and Died During night
Funeral Held Tuesday Afternoon, Probably the Largest Ever Held in Metamora
Burial in Oakwood

Stricken with apoplexy at 11 o’clock last Friday morning while engaged in her usual household duties, Mrs. D. C. Wagner passed away at 1:30 Saturday morning at her home in Worth township.

Perhaps no couple was so generally known over Woodford county, or for that matter over this part of the state, as Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Wagner. The couple were ever seen together and in recent years they traveled much, visiting relatives or attending funerals of deceased relatives, or friends. They never missed attending the funeral of a friend when health or weather permitted. Loyal to friends in life, they sacrificed to show their friendship in death. Always considerate and pleasant, their home was famed for its hospitality. In view of these well know qualities it is not strange that when the twain was sundered by death the whole community mourns, mourns for the loss of a beloved lady and in sympathy for a bereft husband and children. Mrs. Wagner was honored in her home as few wives and mothers are honored and surely no one was more deserving, as all who know her attest.

Mary E. Sharp was born on the farm on which she died, on April 4, 1846. She was the daughter of John and Phoebe Sharp. Her father took up a claim from the government about the year 1833 and set about making a home in what was then a wilderness, with wild animals abounding and Indians not far away. Prior to coming here he is credited with having started the first mill in Peoria. The daughter grew to womanhood on the farm and on June 5, 1866, was united in marriage with Daniel C. Wagner. With the exception of one year, when she and her husband were located on another farm, deceased had spent all her life on her father’s farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were blessed with nine children, now living. These are Mrs. A. M. Mason, Mrs. J. O. Malone, Mrs. John McDermott of Metamora; Mrs. L. P. Hockenbury of Washington, Mrs. Henry Zundel of Chicago, J. A. and F. W. of Metamora, Albert M. of Peoria and Lawrence of Bellwood, Neb. These with the husband and many grandchildren and several great grandchildren survive.

On June 5, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Wagner celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a great family reunion at their home. There are few families with as large a relationship. The relatives attending, with the friends who called on this occasion numbered 300.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning. The body was brought from the family home to the Metamora Christian Union church at 10 o’clock. The services were in charge of Rev. Val Strubhar of Washington and Rev. Eldred Cleave, pastor of the local church. Seven young Ladies, grandchildren of the deceased were flower bearers and the offerings of flowers were beautiful and numerous. The Misses Wilma Isch and Edith Moulton and Messrs. Lester and Walter Smith sang the musical service. Rev. Cleave offered prayer and Rev. Strubhar delivered a beautiful eulogy upon the life and character of the deceased. The funeral was the largest it is believed ever held in Metamora, the streets for many blocks around the church being lined with cars. Relatives and friends were present from many states and the local attendance was quite large. The overflow at the church was larger than the attendance within, seats being place outside the building beneath the open windows. At the close of the service the body was laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery.
 

Submitted by Kris Murray
 

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FIELDEN L. WARD DIES IN EL PASO, AGED 86

Fielden Luther Ward, 86, died at 1:40 a. m. Sunday at his home in El Paso after an extended illness.

Services were held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at the Otto – Vincent Memorial home, El Paso. Burial was in Graceland cemetery, Fairbury.

He was born Dec. 10, 1858, in Kentucky, a son of Basil and Martha Wallace Ward. He married Martha Bennett, Oct. 9, 1881, in Kentucky. They lived for several years at Fairbury.

Mr. Ward is survived by four daughters, and two sons, Mrs. Lula Van Camp, Morris, Ia.; Mrs. Lillian May, Bertha Ward, Mrs. Gladys Kemp, all of El Paso; Fielden, Detroit, Mich.; Frank ….

NOTE: This is only a partial obituary

Date of Death: May 20, 1945

 

Submitted by Kathleen
 

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Obituary of Charles Harry Warner


Name: Charles Harry WARNER

Date of birth: 25 Dec 1854

Place of birth: Woodford Co., IL

Date of death: 15 Jan 1935

Place of death: North Eighth St., Plattsmouth, Cass Co., NE

Parents names: Calvin & Mary Ann Clark Warner (obit says Nancy-not correct)

Spouses name: Barbara Ellen Wiles Warner

Date of marriage: 12 Dec 1879

Occupation: Farming

Affiliations: United Brethren Church

Children: Altia G., Mildred M., Frederick M., Mary Elizabeth, Emily, George Wallace, Nellie, Helen, Catherine, & Donald C.

Preceded in death by: son Frederick M., & dau. Catherine; 2 sisters- Sarah & Matilda (sisters names not in obit)

Survivors: wife Barbara Warner; one son, George Wallace Warner; 6 dau. Mrs. Altia Warga; Mrs. Mildred Howard; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Terryberry; Mrs. Emily Wetenkamp; Mrs. Nellie Hutchison; Miss Helen Warner. 3 brothers, William of Alvo; Frank of Lincoln; & Rev. George Warner of Miami, Florida.

Nothing listed in obit abt. burial, but he is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Plattsmouth Nebraska

 

Submitted by Kris Murray
 

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MRS. CORA WARNER DIES

Body to Illinois After Rites Here Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Cora Blanche Warner, 41, died at 6:10 o'clock Saturday morning at her home at 26 North Magdalen Street after a long illness. The body will be sent over the Santa Fe to Peoria, ILL, for burial, funeral services being conducted from the Johnson Chapel at 3 o'clock, with the Rev. Grady Timmons officiating.

Only the husband, H.G. Warner, survives. Mrs. Warner was a ward of the late Mrs. Clarissa Frarey.

Date of death: 14 Jan 1933 in San Angelo, TX
 

Submitted by Kris Murray
 

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G.W. WARNER, 85, BORN IN WOODFORD, IS DEAD

George W. Warner, native of Woodford county, for many years a teacher, minister, and newspaper publisher in Mackinaw, who died Tuesday of last week at the home of his daughter in Miami, Fla., was laid to rest under Masonic auspices at Mackinaw Friday.
Deceased was born at old Versailles, Woodford county, July 29, 1850, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Warner. He was a farmer until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Reed of Deer Creek, Jan.12, 1873, and then taught school for 25 years. He was also publisher of the local newspaper at Macinaw for some years and several times was a prohibition candidate for congressman.

His wife died in 1929 and he is survived by his daughter, Miss Mildred Warner of Miami, Fla., a son, Charles Warner of Almyra, Ark., and two brothers Frank of Omaha, Neb., and William of Alvo, Neb.

Date of death: 17 Sep 1935
 

Submitted by Kris Murray
Peoria, IL
 

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HANLEY WARNER DIES AT AGE 80

Formerly Clerk For M.& St. L.

Funeral services for Hanley G. Warner, 80, former railroad clerk, will be held at the Wilton Mortuary chapel at 1:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. Mr. Warner died yesterday at the home of his son, John L. Warner, R.R. No. 5, Peoria, where he had lived for 18 years.

Mr. Warner was a former clerk for the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad, last working in 1922. He was born in Secor, ILL, July 22, 1859, the son of John L. and Syrena Potter Warner. He was married in Secor February 6, 1882, to Miss Nellie R. Bariga, who died in Peoria in 1922. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks.

Surviving besides his son are one sister, Mrs. Emily Hart of Bloomington, ILL, and one grandaughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Winn of Peoria.

Friends may call at the mortuary this afternoon and tonight.

Date of death: 19 Feb 1940
 

Submitted by Kris Murray
Peoria, IL
 

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El Paso, March 5 (1924)

Jacob Warner, 86 year old resident of this place, died at his home Tuesday morning at 4:40 o'clock. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home. He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Fanny Barker, Chicago, and Mrs. W. B. Hill, East Peoria, and a sister, Mrs. Charles Stowell, El Paso.

Submitted by Kris Murray
Peoria, IL
 

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LINFORD WARNER, PIONEER OF SECOR, SUCCUMBS AT 88

El Paso, ILL, Dec.4

Funeral services for Linford Warner, aged 88 years, pioneer of Secor and Woodford County, who died Sunday night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Hart, Bloomington, were held at 11 o'clock yesterday morning at the Secor Methodist Church. Burial was in the Secor Cemetery.

Mr. Warner was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and one of the oldest residents of the county.

Surviving are two children, Hanley Warner of Peoria and Mrs. John Hart of Bloomington; a sister, Mrs. Charles Stowell, and a brother, Jacob Warner, both of El Paso.

Date of death: 1 Dec 1919
 

Note: Linford's full name was John Linford Warner

Submitted by Kris Murray
Peoria, IL
 

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LONG TIME EL PASO RESIDENT PASSES AWAY IN STATE HOSPITAL LAST THURSDAY

Mrs. Mary E. Warner, aged 85 years, died in the Peoria State Hospital at 5:00 o'clock last Thursday morning. She had been a patient in the institution since last June. The remains were brought to El Paso to the Ficken mortuary where they remained until Sunday afternoon when they were taken to the Evangelical church where funeral services were held at 2:00 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. H.E. Grimme. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.

Mary E. Cable, daughter of Tobias and Sarah Cable, was born near Johnstown, PA September 25, 1847. When she was 8 years old she came with her parents to Bloomington and three years later they moved to near El Paso where they lived six years, going from here to Livingston County and locating near Pontiac. Their stay there was short as the father died three months later on the day his son came home from the war, June 20, 1865. Ten months later, the mother died and this son went to live with a brother, while the subject of this sketch came to ElPaso to make her home with a sister.

In 1867 Miss Cable was married to A.H. Paul, an old schoolmate who had served more than four years in the Civil war. They lived on a farm near Bloomington until 1872 when they moved to Furnas county Neb., but remained there only two years because the grasshoppers devoured all their crops. They then moved to Allerton, IA where they lived on a farm until 1887, when the husband was found dead in the barnyard by his wife. One child was born to this union, but died in infancy. Four years after the death of her husband, the deceased was married to Rev. John Jellison who lived but six years. Three years later the widow married Jacob Warner who also preceded her in death on March 4, 1924. Deceased was an Aunt of George Cable of this city, the latter's father, the late D.S. Cable, being a brother of Mrs. Warner's.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. L.O. Crusius, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Crusius, Miss Dorothy Crusius, Rev. and Mrs. B. Crites, Bloomington, Mrs. Millie Maxwell, Pontiac, Mr. and Mrs. George Tracy, Streator, Charles Tracy, Miss Mary Lucas, Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Peters and child, Hinsdale, Mrs. Hattie Hill and son Robert, East Peoria, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Biebes, Chicago?, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Daly, Arrowsmith, Hazel Homer?, and Ralph Cable, ?.

Date of death: 6 Apr 1933

Submitted by: Kris Murray, Peoria, IL
 

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Nellie Bariga Warner

Mrs. Nellie Warner, wife of Hanley Warner, a former resident of this city, died at her home in Peoria Tuesday morning. The funeral was held from Calvary Presbyterian Church Friday afternoon at 2:30. Hanley Warner is the nephew of Jacob Warner of this city (El Paso). The deceased is survived by her husband, one son, and one grandchild.
 

Date of death: 1922
 

Submitted by Kris Murray
 

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29 March 1946

Mrs. Ida Warneke, 87, of Benson, Succumbs

Mrs. Ida Warneke [Warnkes], 87, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Louis Buttemeier [Buettemeier] at Benson, Wednesday at 1:45 a.m.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Buettemeier home, and at 2 p.m. at St Peter's Lutheran church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

She is survived by three sons, Will, Benson; Ed, Eureka, and Henry, Palmer, Ia., three daughters, Mrs. Buettemeier and Mrs. Margaret Schoup [Shoup], Benson, and Mrs. Serena [Rena] Johnson, Eureka; 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; one sister, two brothers, three stepsisters and two stepbrothers.
 

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M. A. Warnkes, 84, died at his home in Benson, Tuesday morning at 2:40 o'clock, with infirmities incident to old age. He had been going down rather rapidly for the past nine weeks.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 1:00 o'clock at St Peter's Lutheran church, conducted by Rev J. J. Haberaecker. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The pall bearers are to be: W. H. Brubaker, Henry Moritz, Jacob H. Schroeder, Elleck Woltzen, H. R. Heiken and Edd Woltzen.

Menne A. Warnkes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew [Andreas] Warnkes, was born at Walle, Germany [Ostfriesland], November 16, 1854, and at the time of his passing on October 25, 1938, was aged 83 years, 11 months and 9 days. He emigrated to America with his parents when 12 years of age, the family first settling in Linn township and then in Clayton township.

He was married to Miss Ida Flohr November 10, 1880, and to this union were born seven children, six of whom, with the wife survive: Mrs. Emma Buettemeier, of Toluca, William Warnkes of Benson, Mrs. Margaret Shoup of Secor, Mrs. Rena Johnson of Eureka, Edward Warnkes of Benson, and Henry Warnkes of Manson, Iowa. He also leaves twenty grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Minnie Aden of Fairbury, Neb.

Mr. and Mrs. Warnkes first went to housekeeping on a farm in Clayton township, but in 1899 moved to their own place in Linn township. Here they resided until 28 years ago, when they moved into Benson and retired. Mr. Warnkes was a school director when he lived in the Clayton Center district and also served in the same capacity after moving to the Logan school district in Linn township. For many years he was secretary for St Peter's Lutheran church, of which he was a devoted member. In the passing of Mr. Warnkes, Benson and community has lost a high-type substantial citizen.

***

Metamora Herald (Woodford Co, Illinois) 28 October 1938

M.A. [Menne Andreas] Warnkes Dies at Benson Home, Aged 83

M.A. Warnkes, 83, died at his home at Benson at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday following an illness of nine weeks.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 1:30 p.m. at St Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church with the pastor, the Rev J. J. Haberaecker, officiating. Burial will be in the cemetery of St Peter's church.

Mr. Warnkes was born Nov. 16, 1854, at Walle, Germany [Ostfriesland], the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew [Andreas] Warnkes. At the age of 12 he came to this country and had resided in the Benson community since that time. On Nov. 10, 1880, he married Miss Ida Flohr at the parsonage of St Peter's church.

Surviving are his widow, six children, William of Benson, Henry of Manson, Ia., Edward of Benson, Mrs. Louis [Emma] Buettemeier of Toluca, Mrs. Jasper [Rena] Johnson of Eureka, and Mrs. [William] Margaret Shoup of Secor; 20 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Minnie Aden of Fairbury, Neb.

Mr. Warnkes was a member of St Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church and had spent 72 years in the vicinity of Benson.

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His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Toluca, with the Rev. Tim Barber officiating. Burial will follow in Pattonsburg-Moss Cemetery, rural Toluca. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the memorial home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Toluca Ambulance fund or the Washburn Ambulance fund.

He was born March 3, 1915, in rural Benson to Edward and Sena Johnson Warnkes. He married Velda Kolb on Nov. 9, 1947, near Benson. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, RoJean (Dale) Coleson of Varna and Lois (Randy) Noll of Toluca; one son, Lorin (Charlene) Warnkes of Washburn; one sister, Mabel (Alfred) Kettwich of Minonk; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a wife and two daughters in 1946; and one sister.

Norman and his wife, Velda, lived and farmed in the Pattonsburg-LaRose area for 58 years. He was of the Lutheran faith.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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WEGSTEIN, 64, DIES at WASHBURN HOME

Mrs. Elsie Gingrich Wegstein, 64, wife of Joseph Wegstein, died at 2:30 p. m. Friday at her home in Washburn following an illness of several months.

She was married to Mr. Wegstein Jan. 6, 1920 in Washburn. He survives along with two sons, Joseph H. of Urbana and John at home, and one brother, Arthur Gingrich of Washburn.

She was a member of the Washburn Methodist church and a member and past president of the American Legion auxiliary, unit 661, of Washburn.

Funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Sunday at the Methodist church in Washburn and burial was in Linn – Mt. Vernon cemetery. Friends were received at the Rickett funeral home after 3 p. m. Saturday.

Mrs. Wegstein was a daughter of John Gingrich of Washburn, and old – time Metamoran. In the days when her aunt and cousin, Mrs. Green and Mrs. Jos. I. Knoblauch were living here she was a frequent visitor at the Dr. Knoblauch home.


Date of Death: May 19, 1950
 

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

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El Paso (PNS) - Mrs. Mary Whitmer, 50, Quincy, formerly of El Paso, died unexpectedly at her home in Quincy Sunday night.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Quincy. Burial will be at Quincy.

Mrs. Whitmer was born March 9, 1916 at La Porte, Ind., a daughter of Melvin and Lillie Robbins, She was married to Walter Donald Whitmer.

Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Ellen Cook [should be Koch], Quincy; a son, Robert, Ewing, MO; her father, El Paso; two brothers, Robert and Eugene, El Paso; five sisters, Mrs. Hazel Kaiser, Three Oaks, Mich.; Mrs. Alice Huhnke and Mrs. Hilda Baker, both of Walkerton, Ind.; Mrs. Gladys Blair and Miss Ruth Robbins, both of El Paso; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, a brother and a sister.

Photo and obituary donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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C. W. Whorral

Words below the picture: Papa, Uncle, Charlie

He was the Presbyterian minister at Washburn, IL.
 

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Miss Williams Rites Sunday

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El Paso - Services for Miss Reba L. Williams, 78, formerly of El Paso, who died Thursday at Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington, will be at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Vincent Memorial Home, El Paso.

Rev. G. A. Morehead will officiate and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends may call at the memorial home 6 to 9 tonight.

Active in the American Legion Auxiliary 50 years, Miss Williams was an official delegate to a caucus that organized the statewide auxiliary in 1920.

She read the call to order of the first American Legion Auxiliary state department convention in 1921 in Decatur and was state financial secretary two years. Miss Williams was president of the El Paso chapter and the 17th District director of the auxiliary in 1927.

She was a cashier at State Farm Fire Insurance Co. in Bloomington from 1928 until her retirement in 1966, and was a member of the Christian Church.

She was born in LaMarr, Mo., Nov. 6, 1892, a daughter of Abraham S. and Maria Crowl Williams.

Surviving are one brother, Ivan of El Paso, and two sisters, Mrs Ramona Blair of Peoria and Mrs. Carrie Gioldi of Planada, Calif.

One brother preceded her in death.

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Our beloved son and brother Eric R. Winters, age 37 of Germantown Hills, passed away at 7pm Tuesday March 4, 2008 at Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke.

He was born on April 13, 1970 to Gus and Norma Bergia Winters in Peoria, Illinois.

Surviving are his parents along with his sister Debbie of Germantown Hills, and brother Chris of Peoria; and his children Devon and Trevor Winters of Edwards California. He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and brother Tommy.

He was a carpenter for Mike Jones of Germantown Hills; last working February 16, of 2008. He was of the Catholic faith; he made TEC #125 on his 16th birthday and was on a TEC team later.

Eric grew up in Germantown Hills and attended Germantown grade and middle schools. He then attended Metamora high for 3 years and graduated from Spalding Institute in 1989. In grade school he was active in Boy Scouts, he loved to sing and act, and was Winnie the Pooh in a Walt Disney Review. At Spalding he played Fagan in Oliver. After high school he lived in Biloxi MS, Knob Noster, Mo, Warrensburg, Mo; and Germany before moving back to Peoria in April of 2006. Eric had numerous jobs and was a jack of all trades. He was very intelligent and mastered skills in many areas of expertise. He loved to read and loved to cook, and could create delicious gourmet meals. The one great love of his life was singing in his own rock group "Abandon" while he was in Warrensburg, MO. Eric impressed a lot of people with his outgoing and charismatic personality, but he was also a very sensitive and caring person who will be greatly missed by his family, and Annie.

A funeral mass will be held at 10am Saturday March 8, 2008 at St. Mary's of Lourdes Catholic Church in rural Metamora with Fr. Neri Greskoviak officiating. Burial will follow his services at St. Mary's of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Mary's of Lourdes Catholic church or to Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke.

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Albert J. Woltzen, one of Roanoke township's prominent farmers for many years, passed away at the home of his daughter at Benson, Ill., Friday evening about 10 o'clock. He had been poorly for some time, and the family members have been at his bedside for some days, as the end only seemed but a question of time. The end came peacefully. Deceased was born on January 8, 1836, at Aurich, Ostfriesland, Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1851, landing at New Orleans, La. Two months were required to make the voyage. Mr. Woltzen then came up the Mississippi river to Peoria. The family lived on a farm near Peoria for five years.

On March 4, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie B. Saathoff and they moved to Roanoke township. His wife died January 14, 1911. Since her death he has made his home with his daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Moritz, at Benson.

During Mr. Woltzen's residence in this township he served in the capacity of supervisor for several years. He also served in public office in connection with school work. He was a very diligent worker and through his toll and saving accumulated considerable farm land which has now passed to the children. He has been a member of the Lutheran church of Linn township and at Benson for many years.

The family members are: John of this township; Mrs. William Manninga, deceased; Mrs. Hallie Oltman of Hoxey, Kan.; Albert of this township; Mrs. Katie Oltman of Eureka; Alex of Benson; Heye of this township; Mrs. George Hendricks of Greene township; Mrs Jacob Schroeder of Greene township; Edward of this township and Mrs. Harm Tjaden of Linn township.

The funeral was held from the residence Monday afternoon, thence to the St Peter's Lutheran church in Linn township. Services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Haferman in German and by Rev. Seibert in English. Burial was made at the church cemetery. There are fifty grandchildren living and twenty-six great-grandchildren.

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Obituary No. 2:

Newspaper source unknown

Albert J. Woltzen Dies Friday Night
Passes Away at Daughter's Home at Benson, Aged More Than 86 Years
Is Former Roanoke Resident
Born in Germany, He Comes to America at Age of 16 Years, Residing in This Country 65 Years

Albert J. Woltzen, for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the vicinity of Benson and Roanoke, died at Benson on last Friday night at 10 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D. G. Moritz, aged 86 years, 3 months and 27 days. He had been sick for eight days, mainly due to the infirmities of age, but before that had been about in good health. Ten years ago he had a sick spell, when he was afflicted for about a year.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at St Peter's church two miles west of Benson and burial took place at the church cemetery there.

The services were conducted by Rev Fred Seifert, who spoke in English, and by Rev J. Hafferman, who spoke in the German language.

Those who acted as pallbearers were the five sons and D. G. Moritz. Among those from out of town who attended the funeral were A.G. Jacobs and daughter, Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Jacobs and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Saathoff, of Pontiac; Adolph Woltzen, of Washburn; Jurgen Harms, of Minonk; Mrs. Ede E. Woltzen, Harm and John E. Woltzen, Mr. and Mrs. Albert DeWilde, Mr. and Mrs. W. Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Klumpe, of Roanoke.

Albert J. Woltzen was born at Riepe, Ostfriesland, Germany, on Jan. 8, 1836, coming to America with his parents at the age of 16 years. The trip was made in a sailboat, requiring eight weeks, and they landed at New Orleans, La. They came to St Louis and then to Peoria, where they lived on a farm east of that city for five years.

On March 4, 1862, the deceased was married to Miss Tenna (should be Fenna) B. Saathoff and the young couple moved at once on a farm in Roanoke township, in this county. They lived there until 1910, when they went to Benson to (next four words are illegible) and where the wife died on January 14, 1911. Since that time Mr. Woltzen had made his home with his daughter there, Mrs. D. G. Moritz.

Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Woltzen, of who one is dead, Mrs. Cassie Manninga passing away in 1912. Those who survive are John, Albert, Heye and Edward Woltzen and Mrs. John J. Moritz, of Roanoke; E. A. Woltzen, Mrs. George Hinrichs, Mrs. Jacob Schroeder, Mrs. D. G. Mortiz and Mrs. Harm Tjaden, of Benson; Mrs. Hallie Oltman, of Hoxie, Kan., and Mrs. Kate Oltman, of Eureka. There also survive one brother, S. J. Woltzen, of Benson, fifty grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren.

The deceased came to Roanoke in its pioneer days and saw the country develop from raw prairie to beautiful farms. He was public spirited, taking an active part in public affairs, on the board of supervisors for several years, was on the building committee when the present courthouse was built and was treasurer of St Peter's Lutheran church for forty years. There are but few lived blessed with such fulfillment of an average man's destiny as featured the life of Albert J. Woltzen.

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The living are: John H. Woltzen, Castle Rock, Colo.; Mrs. Chas Faust, Mrs. Minnie Schultz, of Peoria, and Mrs. Etta Leinweber, of Benson. There are thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. The husband passed away Feb. 20, 1909.

Mrs. Woltzen had been a resident of Benson for 51 years. She was a kind mother and good friend, always ready to help in time of need. She did practical nursing for a number of years and was a faithful helper at all times and a good faithful member of St John's Catholic church. Mrs. Woltzen was taken ill on March 23, with kidney trouble and complications. She was taken to Peoria hospital where she remained four weeks and was then brought home somewhat improved and taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Louis Leinweber, where she passed away on Wednesday, June 24th, at 11:10 o'clock, having suffered a great deal, although everything was done that loving hearts and kind hands could do and ease her sufferings. She will be greatly missed by countless friends, besides the sorrowing relatives. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 9:30 from the house and taken to St John's church. Interment will take place in Benson cemetery.
 

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Roanoke - Bernard "Ben" Woltzen, 92, of Maple Lawn Homes, Eureka, formerly of Roanoke, died at 3:25 a.m. yesterday (Dec. 24, 1986) at Eureka Hospital, where he was admitted Tuesday.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Remmert Funeral Home, Roanoke, the Rev. Joseph Bleakley officiating. Burial will be in St Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Benson.

He was born March 6, 1894, in Roanoke, a son of John and Anna Gastman Woltzen.

Survivors include a brother, John, Metamora, and three sisters, Lena De Freese, Anna Oltman, and Mary Oltman, all of Benson.

A brother and a sister preceded him in death.

Mr. Woltzen worked on Roanoke Township's roads for a number of years. He was a mechanic at the Johnson Buick garage in Roanoke and operated a lawn mower repair service in Roanoke before retiring.

He was an Army veteran of World War I, serving as a combat infantryman in a number of battles in France.

He was a member of the Roanoke American Legion Post 463, and served for a number of years on the Roanoke Township Cemetery Board.
 

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Eilert H. Woltzen

September 6, 1906-November 1, 1910

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Ellick E. Woltzen, 85, of the Benson community, died at St. James hospital, Pontiac, at 9:15 o'clock last Friday morning, Feb. 19. Mr. Woltzen suffered a fractured hip four weeks ago and death was due to that and the infirmities of old age.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Tallyn-Folkers Memorial Home in this city, with the Rev. Clarence Gess, pastor of the Benson and Minonk Lutheran churches, officiating. Burial was in the Benson cemetery. Pallbearers were Albert Woltzen, Bart Woltzen, Melvin Woltzen, Ambrose Paris, Bruce Tallyn and Robert Witte.

Mr. Woltzen was born in Greene township on March 26, 1868, a son of Ede and Geska Saathoff Woltzen. He received his education in the rural schools and was engaged in farming in the Benson community until his retirement.

He was united in marriage with Talena Folkers at the St Peter's Lutheran church on Feb. 24, 1891. She passed away in 1926.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Sena Heineke of Benson; by two step-sisters, Mrs. Fannie Brown and Mrs. Marie Klumpp, both of Roanoke; and there are four grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Mr. Woltzen was a member of St Paul's Lutheran church at Benson.

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From the German language newspaper, The Ostfriesische
Nachrichten, published in Breda, IA. The following obituary
appeared in the February 20, 1911 edition. Rev. Kenneth De Wall translated it.

FENNA B. WOLTZEN

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With a sad and heavy heart we bring the news to our friends
and relatives that the Lord over life and death has taken
from our side my dear wife and our good mother, grandmother
and great grandmother, Fenna B. Woltzen (Saathoff).

She was born on March 10, 1843, at Catharinenfeld, near
Aurich, in Ostfriesland. She died on January 14, 1911 near
Benson, Illinois. She reached the age of 67 years, 8 months
and 1 day.

She is survived by her husband, 13 children, 6 grandchildren
and 7 great grandchildren.

Her burial took place on the 18th with many in attendance at
the St. Peter's Cemetery. Pastor T.M. Ficken led the
funeral service.

The sorrowing relatives bring this notice.

Albert Woltzen, children and grandchildren.

Benson, Illinois

**********

[note: Family papers have her name as Bernhardina (Fenna)
Saathoff Woltzen and her birth date as 5 May 1843]

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Obituary No. 2

Obituary from an untitled newspaper clipping. My ancestor, Bernhardina (Fenna) Albers Saathoff Woltzen, was born 10 May 1843 in Katharinenfeld bei Aurich, Ostfriesland and died 14 January 1911 in Clayton Twp, Woodford Co, Illinois.

A Pioneer Called

Mrs. Albert J. Woltzen, aged 67 years, died her home in Benson Saturday night, the 14th inst., at 11 o'clock, after a few days illness of pneumonia. Owing to her advanced age it was hard to give her the right medical aid. The family realized that the case was serious and might prove fatal. Late Saturday afternoon all the children were notified to hasten to her bedside. She gradually failed till eleven o'clock when the end came. Mr. and Mrs. Woltzen had, six weeks before, moved to Benson, where they intended to live and enjoy life at leisure. Sickness came, interfered and cut short their plans.

Fenna B. Saathoff was born, May, 10th, 1843 in Ostfriesland, Germany. She came to America with her parents in 1857 and settled in Woodford county. In 1862 she was united in marriage to Albert J. Woltzen.

In the demise of Mrs. Woltzen, Woodford county loses one of its oldest citizens, as she settled within its bounds 53 years ago. They landed at New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria. Gradually they moved eastward until they reached Roanoke. They lived near here for over half a century.

Mrs. Woltzen was survived by her husband and twelve children, seven daughters:

Mrs. Hallie Altman, Hokey, Kan.
Mrs. H. Altman, of Olio township
Mrs. Geo. Hendricks, of Green township
Mrs. Jacob Schroder, Green township
Mrs. Jacob Moritz, Clayton township
Mrs. John Moritz of Green township
Mrs. Wm. Manninga
Mrs. Harm Tjaden, Linn township.

And five sons, John, Albert, Hye, Alex and Edward, all of this localis. There are also 46 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held from the residence in Benson, Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment was made at the Lutheran cemetery in Linn township.

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Lena Elizabeth Woltzen died at her home near Roanoke, Monday afternoon, aged 63 years, 6 months and 22 days. She had been an invalid for the last seven years. She was born May 20, 1869, in Greene township, Illinois, and was married Feb. 9, 1888, to Albert Woltzen of Roanoke. He survives with the following children: Albert, Lowpoint; Henry, Roanoke; John, Gridley; Mrs. Bertha Yunge, Benson; Mrs. Fannie Moore, Brookston, Ind., and Miss Jessie at home. Also surviving are three brothers: Halley Oltman of Kansas; John and Henry, of Greene township. There are 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mrs. Woltzen was a member of the St Peter's Lutheran church of Benson, where services will be conducted Friday afternoon, with burial in Benson cemetery.

Note: Laenia Elizabeth Oltman(s) Woltzen was a daughter of Heinrich and Gesche Meils Oltman(s). She is buried in Clayton Twp Cemetery near Benson.
 

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Mrs. Henry Woltzen Passes at Roanoke

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Mrs. Lena Woltzen, 68, died at 4:30 o'clock, Friday afternoon at her home, north of Roanoke. She had been ill for a week.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the residence, and from St Peter's Lutheran church of Linn township. Burial was in the church cemetery.

She was born Engeline Warnke, on Nov. 21, 1882, in Clayton township, a daughter of John and Rebekah Cordes Warnke. She was united in marriage with Henry Woltzen, Jr., on Nov. 6, 1912.

He survives with a daughter, Miss Irene Woltzen, and one son, Ernest Woltzen, both at home. She is also survived by three brothers, John Warnke of Minonk, and Edward and Bernd Warnke, both of Washburn.

She was a member of St Peter's Lutheran church of Linn township since April 3, 1898.

***

Mrs. Henry Woltzen Funeral

At the funeral services for Mrs. Henry Woltzen, March 26, the Rev J. H. Prange of St Peter's Lutheran church, Linn township, officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Melvin Wessel, Everett Hill, Kenneth Pelz, Billy Kull, Leroy Woltzen, Gordon D. Woltzen, Herbert Younge and Bernard Wagner, all nephews. Flower bearers were Mrs. Mabel Wessel, Mrs. Leona Hill, Mrs. Bernadine Pelz, Mrs. Evelyn Kull, Mrs. Esther Pfister, Mrs. Vera Seggerman, Mrs. Margaret Woltzen and Mrs. Elizabeth Pfister, all nieces. Among those attending from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. William Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wagner of Wolcott, Ind.

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Services were Dec. 4, 2003, at United Methodist Church, West Union, the Rev. James King and the Rev. Roger White officiated.

Burial: West Union Cemetery, West Union. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Hawkeye, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors: his wife, Alyce; three sons, Michael, Darryl and Richard, all of West Union; his mother, Hazel Woltzen, Minonk; two brothers, Duane, Port Washington, Wis., and James, of Illinois; and a sister, Carol Nelson, Sun City West, Ariz.
 

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Benson Citizen Dies After Long Sickness - Gerhard Wragge, Old Time Citizen, Passes Away Sunday Morning

Gerhard Wragge, for many years a well-known and beloved citizen of Benson and vicinity, passed away at this home in Benson Sunday morning at 9:30 o'clock. He had been sick since last March and since that time he had gradually become weaker, although he suffered no pain at any time during his long sickness.

Services were conducted at St Peter's Lutheran church yesterday afternoon, with the pastor, Rev O. H. Behrens, officiating. Burial was in the Lutheran cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Gommels, Meint Fischer, George Haase, U. B. Gastmann, E. A. Woltzen and William Kolb.

Gerhard Wragge was born near the city of Oldenburg, Germany, on June 20, 1851. As a boy of 16 years, he came to America and had since lived in and near Benson. In 1879 he was married to Miss Gesche Mennen and the young couple settled in Linn township. They had been residents of Benson the past 20 years.

With his wife there survive five children; Mrs. Kate Flohr, who lives in Minnesota, and Mrs. Ella Tjaden, William Wragge, Mrs. Anna Moritz and Mrs. Maggie Reiner, all of the vicinity of Benson and Roanoke. There are 26 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Mr. Wragge was a man of sterling character and was beloved and honored by the entire community.
 

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