CHRISTOPHER CUSTER

Aged father passes over. Death of Christopher Custer, Saturday, at his home in Tice.

Died, at his home in Tice, Saturday evening December 15, 1906, Mr. Custer, aged 71 years 9 months and 8 days. Funeral services were held at the house, Monday forenoon, conducted by Rev Theo F Kreuger, assisted by Rev Bowman, both of this city. Interment followed at Rose Hill.

Mr. Custer was born in Germany March 7, 1835. He came to this country in 1863. The ocean voyage consumed three months and three weeks, several died on the voyage including the mother of the deceased, whose body was buried in the ocean. He was married in 1863. His life was passed mostly in this county excepting a short residence in Nebraska. For the past 30 years, Mr. Custer was a great sufferer from asthma. For the last two weeks he was confined to his bed.

He leaves surviving him, his widow and five children. Mrs. Mary Turner of Tice and four stalwart young men, Chas F, William J, Luther and Henry Custer. Two other children have passed on beyond.

Mr. Custer was highly respected and has left his children the priceless legacy of an honored name and unblemished character.

PETERSBURG OBSERVOR January 26, 1917

Hannah Custer was born August 28, 1836, in Mecklenburg, Germany where she passed her early life. In 1863 (sic 1862) she left the land of her birth and came to Menard county where she was married the same year (sic 1863) to Christopher Custer, who preceded her to eternal rest December 13, 1906. Seven children were born to this union of whom two have died.

For the last ten years she has been a great sufferer but was able to be about her work much of the time and an attendant upon the services of St Paul�s church, of which she was a member, whenever she could.

Last Christmas she met with an accident and, although loving hands and medical skill did all that was possible, she fell asleep on Tuesday January 16, 1917 at the ripe age of 80 years, 4 months and 18 days.

She is survived by five children; Mrs. Mary Turner, Tice, Charles Custer, Petersburg, William Custer, El Reno, Luther Custer, Bloomington and Henry Custer, Decatur.

The funeral services were held at St Paul�s church, Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Theo F Kreuger. Interment at Rose Hill.

LUTHER CUSTER DIES IN BLOOMINGTON

Former local man dies following long illness; burial to be here Friday morning.

Luther Custer, for many years a resident of this city, died at his home in Bloomington Tuesday afternoon July 20, at the age of sixty two years. Mr. Custer had been in declining health for several months, and his death was not unexpected.

Funeral services are to be held at the residence in Bloomington at 1:30 Thursday and the remains will come to Petersburg that afternoon via Alton railroad, and will be take to the Thompson & Harms Funeral Home, where services are to be held at 10:30 Friday morning, with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Mr Custer was the son of Christian and Hannah Custer and was born on December 11, 1874 at Tice Station, east of Petersburg. He grew to manhood in the community in which he was born and was married here to Gertrude Morris, who preceded him in death three years ago.

A number of years ago, Mr. Custer engaged in the grocery business in this city, in partnership with his brother-in-law, E E. Morris. About twenty five years ago, he sold his interest in the business to Mr. Morris and went of Bloomington where he spent the rest of his life.

One daughter, as well as his wife, preceded him in death. Surviving are one daughter, Miss Lorraine at home, one sister, Mrs. John Turner of Tice, and two brothers, Charles F Custer of this city and Henry Custer of California. Another brother, Will Custer died a few years (sic 1 year) ago.

Petersburg Observor MAY 25, 1934

Mrs. Gertrude Morris Custer, wife of Luther Custer of Bloomington, died at a hospital in that city Saturday night, May 19, after a long illness, at the age of fifty three years.

Mrs. Custer was born here on November 27, 1880 the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J F Morris, and was married here on June 5, 1902 to Luther Custer. About eighteen years ago, they moved to Bloomington where she spent the rest of her life.

Surviving are her husband, one daughter, Miss Lorraine, a teacher in the Bloomington schools, and one brother, Earl Morris. One daughter, Dorothy, preceded her mother in death. Mrs. Custer was a member of the Methodist Church and of the Royal Neighbors.

Funeral services were held in Bloomington Monday afternoon and short services were held at the Matz-Colton home here at 10:30 Tuesday morning, conducted by Rev Young of Bloomington and Rev C B Wagner. Burial was in Rose Hill.

Petersburg Observer, September 28, 1945

Charles F Custer, a resident of this community throughout most of his seventy-two years of life, died at his home in this city at 9 o�clock Wednesday morning, after an illness of three years. It had been known for some time that his condition was such that he had not long to live, but his last illness was of short duration. His sons, Raymond of WaKeeny, KS and Carl of Cincinnati, were summoned and Raymond arrived here Tuesday night before his father�s death, while Carl arrived in the afternoon following.

Mr. Custer was born in the Tice, community on July 19, 1867, the son of Christopher and Hannah Custer, and spent most of his life here. He was married on November 27, 1890 in Marion, KS to Miss Emma Snyder, and they lived there for six years, then came to Petersburg.

For a number of years Mr. Custer was custodian of the Court House and then went from that place to the high school where he was head janitor for many years, until ill health forced his retirement. During his many years there, he made friends by the hundreds among the young people of the community, and they remained his friends until his death. Friendly, kindly considerate, he was a man who made friends easily, and kept them; and his place in the community will be difficult to fill.

Surviving are his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Anna Knowles of Jacksonville, Mrs. Hazel Tomlin of Petersburg and Mrs. Zelda Stone of Indian Point; two sons, Raymond of WaKenney, KS and Carl of Cincinnati; one sister, Mrs. Mary Turner of Tice, one brother (sic three), Henry Custer of Murcid (sic Merced), CA; eight grandchildren, and other relatives and a great many friends.

Funeral services are to be held at the residence at 2 o�clock Friday afternoon, conducted by rev Ross W Bracewell, pastor of the Methodist Church, and burial will be in Rose Hill with the following men serving as pall bearers: Ross A Nance, Powell Juhl, R S Rule, Henry Menichetti, Dr F O Conover and Leslie Greene.