Muscatine County Iowa Obituaries

Mrs. Louise Sickman Daetweiler, 87, 510 E. Sixth St., died at 3:15 a.m. Sunday at Muscatine General Hospital of complications following an extended illness.

A daughter of Nicklaus and Lonesa Hofemeister Wilhelme, she was born Sept. 25, 1881 at Muscatine County.  She had lived here most of her life except for a few years spent on the west coast.  September 25, 1908 Louise Wilhelme married Lewis Sickman.  He died Sept. 20, 1924.  she later married Kasper Daetweiler, Jan. 16 1929.  He died Jan. 13, 1941.

Mrs. Daetwiler was a member of the Methodist Free church in which she was an ordained minister for many years.  She later transferred to the Cranston United Brethern church.  She had also served as a Japanese home missionary.

Survivors are two daughters.  Bessie Sickman and Mrs. Everett (Violet) Chapman, both of Muscatine.  Preceding her in death are both husbands: three sons, four sisters: four brothers and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ralph J. Wittich Funeral home.  Rev. Lester Eis will officiate.  Burial will be at Krell cemetery.

Muscatine Journal  Monday October 7, 1968
Contributed by Eleanor McCleary

WILTON, Iowa -- Services for Edna E. Dall, Wilton, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, Wilton. Visitation is 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.

Mrs. Dall died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2001, at Simpson Memorial Home, West Liberty.   Bentley Funeral Homes Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Edna Fick was born May 22, 1902, in Muscatine County. She married Henry Dall in 1926 in Davenport. He died in 1990.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Wilton, or Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church. Survivors include daughters, Ruby Rathjen, Tipton, and Janice Marks, Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Regennitter, Durant.

Quad Cities Times 21 Aug 2001

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Daugherty, 210 1/2 E. 2nd St., will be held at 1 :30 p.m. Wednesday at the Riley Funeral home Burial will be in Greenwood cemetery.

Mrs. Daugherty, 90, died at 7:32 a. m. Monday at Riverview Heights nursing home following a short illness.

She was born May 20, 1882 at Loving, Kans., the daughter of Daniel and Susan Acy Hayes and had  lived in Muscatine most of her life.

She was married to Isaac Essex and Charles Daughtery, both preceding her in death.

The only survivors are two grandchildren, three great grandchildren, twin daughters in-aw, Mrs. O. J.  Essex, San Jose Calif., and Mrs. Ray Daughtery, Davenport and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death in addition to her two husbands, were three sons and two daughters.

Muscatine Iowa Journal June 13, 1972 page 11.
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Services are planned 2 p.m. Saturday at the Geo. M. Wittich Funeral Home for George B. Davidson 92 of 107 Bryan avenue, who died at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Bridges Nursing Home following an eight week illness.  Burial will be at the Illinois City Cemetery.

Mr. Davidson was born Dec. 15, 1862 at Fairport, the son of Jesse and Permelia Reeves Davidson.  He was married to Roxanna C. Cunningham on Aug. 26, 1888.  Mr. Davidson had resided here the past 17 years and was a member of the First Evangellical United Brethren church.  He was formerly engaged in farming.  He had made his home with a daughter, Mrs. Rudolph Stender prior to going to the nursing home.

Surviving are four sons, George L. and Lyle M. Davidson of Muscatine, Wesley F. Davidson of Buffalo Prairie township, Illinois, and Manford A. Davidson of Rock Island Illinois, four daughters Mrs. Lloyd Mosley of Drury Township, Illinois, Mrs. Effie Johnson of Dexter Michigan, Mrs. Rudolph Stender of Muscatine, and Mrs. Kenneth Canarr of Letts Iowa, 26 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren.

Preceded him in death were his wife, 3 daughters, 3 sisters and one brother.

Muscatine Journal Thursday June 2, 1953
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Serving as flower attendants were Mrs. James King, Mrs. Stanley Werner, Mrs. Alvin Plett and Miss Patricia Davidson.  Pallbearers included James King, Stanley Werner, Alvin Plett, Glen Simpson, James Thomas and Robert Kelley.
Burial was at the Illinois City Cemetery.

Source: Muscatine Iowa Journal : Monday June 6, 1953
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Notes:
He was in the 1900 Buffala Prairie Township, Rock Island County Illinois Census; Page 211 enumerated 20 June 1900;
George Davidson Farmer 37 born Dec. 1862 in IL, both parents born Ohio, Roxanna wife 30 born Sept. 1869 in IL, father born IL, mother born OH, married 11 years and she had 6 children and 6 living, Fannie daughter 10 born Oct. 1899 in IL, Elsie daughter 8 born Aug. 1891, in IL, George L. son 6 born Sept. 1893 in IL, Wesley son 4 born Jan. 1896 in IL, Permelia daughter 3 born May 1897 in IL, Effie daughter 9 months born Aug. 1899 in IL, Jesse Davidson father widow 79 born Mar. 1821 in Ohio father born OH, mother born PA.
Ref; 62 Wedding Anniversary 26 Aug. 1950, said they moved to Muscatine Iowa in 1918.

Funeral services for George L. Davidson, 76, of 1610 First Ave., Muscatine, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the George M. Wittich Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery.  Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion, VFW and World War I Barracks.

Mr. Davidson died at 11:53 a.m. Thursday at Veteran's Hospital, Iowa City after a two months illness.

Born Sept. 27, 1893 in Rock Island county, son of George B. and Roxanna Cunningham Davidson, he had lived here 25 years.

George Davidson married the former Mae Courtney.  He was a veteran of World War I.

Survivors are one son, Clyde Davidson; two brothers, Manford A. of Rock Island and Lyle M. of Muscatine; three sisters, Mrs. Effie Johnson of Dezter, Mich., Mrs. Rudolph (Dora) Stender of Muscatine, and Mrs. Kenneth (Mabel) Canarr of Letts.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, four sisters and one brother.

From Muscatine, IA, Journal, June 1970
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch
Note: He died June 18, 1970.

Word has been received of the death of Mrs. Jessie Davidson of Illinois City, which occurred yesterday, senility being the cause of demise.  Mrs. Davidson had attained the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, and has been a resident of Rock Island county most all her life.  Two daughters and one son mourn her going off.  Mrs. S. Terry, Mrs. Elby Hahn, and Geo. Davidson.  The funeral is appointed to take place to-morrow at eleven o'clock from the Illinois City M. E. church.

Muscatine Iowa Journal: Tuesday Oct. 30, 1900.
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Laura Davidson a well known young woman of Muscatine county, passed away at the family home at Nichols this
morning.  Death was due to typhoid fever, from which she had been suffering for almost four weeks.

Laura Davidson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Davidson of Nichols, was born in Illinois City November 1, 1904,
attaining the age of 16 years.  She had lived in the Nichols community for a number of years and enjoyed a wide circle of friends.

To survive she leaves her parents, and ten brothers and sisters, one brother Lyle her twin.  The other brothers and sisters are Fannie of Muscatine, Mrs. Elsie Simpson, Wesley and Manford Davidson of Illinois, Mrs. Art Walker of this city: Effie and Leonard Davidson of Nichols, Dora and Mabel Davidson at home.

Although funeral plans are still incomplete it is announced services will be held from the church at Illinois City at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon.

Muscatine Journal; died Dec. 28, 1920
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Lyle M. Davidson, 88, formerly of Muscatine, died Wednesday Aug. 25, 1993 at Elk Horn, Iowa.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ralph J. Wittich Funeral Home. The Rev. Paul Ostrem of Zion Lutheran Churchwill officiate. Pallbearers will be John Shetler, J. L. Renfro, Royce Hyink, Neil Hyink,  Dean Schmoldt and Bill Greenwald. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where a memorial has been established.

Mr. Davidson was born Nov. 1, 1904, a son of George and Roxanne Cunningham Davidson.

He first married Lillian Smith and later married Helen Schmoldt Lewis on Sept. 3, 1963, in Toledo, Ohio.
He retired from Huttig Manufacturing Company.
He moved to the Salem, Lutheran Home Elk Horn in August of 1989.

Survivors include his wife Helen; a daughter, Eileen and Eldon Flater of Santa Rosa, Calif., a stepdaughter Dorthy Lewis Volkens and Don of Shelby, Iowa; three grandchildren, five  great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren, and one  step-great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 12 brothers and sisters including his twin sister Laura.

Muscatine, IA, Journal, Aug. 1993
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

The William Courtney family of Port Louisa is in dire straits.  The oldest daughter, Mrs. George Davidson, just died of tuberculosis.  The mother and older daughters, Lena, 13, and Grace, 14, have been taken to Oakdale Sanitarium.  The four younger children have been taken to the state orphanage at Davenport.

Muscatine Journal Oct. 7, 1998     Our Yesterdays 75 years prior to this date
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 P.M., Wednesday at the Geo. M. Wittich funeral home for Mrs. Roxanna C. Davidson 83 who died at 6:40 P.M. Sunday at her home, 107 Bryan avenue, following an extended illness.  Burial will be at the Illinois City cemetery.

The daughter of George M. and Elizabeth Hagen Cunnigham, she was born Sept. 28, 1870, at Illinois City.  She had been a resident here for 16 years.  Her marriage to George B. Davidson took place Aug. 26, 188? at Fairport.  She was of Methodist faith.

Survivors include her husband; four sons, George L. and Lyle A. Davidson of Muscatine, Wesley F. Davidson of Buffalo Prairie Illinois, and Manford A. Davidson of Rock Island Illinois, four daughters Mrs. Lloyd Mosley of Drury Illinois, Mrs. Effie Johnson of Dexter Michigan, Mrs. Rudolph Stender of Muscatine and Mrs. Kenneth Canarr of Letts Iowa, one brother Martin Cunningham of Muscatine, 26 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, three daughters and several brothers and sisters.

Muscatine Journal: Monday Dec. 28, 1953.
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Services are planned at 2 p. m. Sunday at the Geo. M. Wittich Funeral Home for Wesley F. Davidson, 63, who died suddenly of a heart ailment at 5:20 p. m. Thursday at his home, rural route 1, Illinois City.  Burial will be at the Buffalo Prairie cemetery.  Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post No. 27 of Muscatine.

The son of George B. and Roxanna Cunningham Davidson, he was born Jan. 23, 1896, at Illinois City.  His marriage to Iona Vanatta took place Dec. 3, 1934, at Rockford, Illinois.

He was a life resident of the Illinois City community, he had farmed there the past 20 years.  He served overseas with the
AEF in World War 1, participating in the Argonne and St. Mihiel offenses.  Mr. Davidson was employed by the Barry
Manufacturing Company, and the Henderson garage in Muscatine for several years and was in partnership in the
Davidson-Orr garage for a number of years.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Moose Lodge.

Survivors include his wife, a foster daughter Mrs. Wendell Haney, Rock Island; three brothers G. Leonard and Lyle M. Davidson of Muscatine, and Manford A. Davidson of Rock Island; four sisters Mrs. Lloyd Mosley, Mrs. Rudolph Stender and Mrs. Kenneth Canarr, Muscatine, and Mrs. Samuel Johnson of Dexter, Michigan.

His parents and three sisters preceded him in death.

Muscatine Journal: Feb. 13, 1959
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

WILTON, Iowa -- Services for Clement J. "Jake" Davies, Wilton, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church, Wilton. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton, with Masonic services conducted by Paul Drumm and the Wilton Masonic Lodge 167. Visitation is 2-7 p.m. Sunday at Bentley Funeral Homes, Wilton.

Mr. Davies died Thursday, April 6, 2000, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City.
He owned and operated Jake's Supermarket, Wilton, for 53 years. He retired in 1997.

He was born Oct. 14, 1913, in Cotter, to Walter and Elizabeth (Thomas) Davis. He married Louise Redman on July 27, 1936, in Rockford, Ill. She died Dec. 22, 1975.

Jake was a member of the United Methodist Church, Wilton; Wilton Masonic Lodge 167 A.F. & A.M.; Davenport Consistory; and Kaaba Shrine. He was a founding member of Wilton Chamber of Commerce and Wilton Industrial Development.

He was a member of Quiet Birdmen, Moline Hanger, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association and Iowa Grocers Association. He was a life member of Muscatine Elks Lodge. He was a former board member of Oakdale Cemetery Association and a former member of Wilton Fire Department and Wilton Lions Club. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved to fly, listen to gospel music, and above all, he loved Wilton Junction.

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, Wilton.

Survivors include a daughter, Judy (Mrs. Robert) Herr, Iowa City; sons, Jerry (his wife Nancy) Davies, Wilton, and Dave Davies and (his friend Bonnie Daufeldt), Wilton; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Howard Davis, Columbus City; and a special friend, Mary Ford, Wilton. He also was preceded by his parents, a brother in infancy and a sister in infancy.

Quad Cities Times 08 Apr 2000

Glen L. Davis, a retired Johnson County Precinct No. 2 constable and owner of Davis Hay & Feed Store in Joshua, died Friday at a Cleburne hospital. He was 80.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Calvary Chapel Baptist Church in Cleburne, where he was a member. Burial will be in Greenacres Cemetery.

Mr. Davis was born in Columbus Junction, Iowa, and lived in Cleburne for 13 years.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the building fund of Calvary Chapel Baptist Church, 3219 N. Main, Cleburne 76031.

Survivors: Wife, Dorothy Davis of Cleburne; two sons, Nick Davis of Weatherford and Rick Davis of Midlothian; sister, Dorothy Caringella of Iowa; and seven grandchildren.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram Page: 37 Date: August 01, 1993

MUSCATINE, Iowa -- Services for James C. Davis, of Muscatine, will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, Muscatine. Burial will be in Muscatine Memorial Park. Visitation is 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mr. Davis died Thursday, Dec. 31, 1998, at Muscatine General Hospital. He had worked for 29 years at GPC.
Mr. Davis was born March 13, 1948, in Muscatine.

Survivors include daughters, Kristine Breckenridge, Panama City, Fla., Amanda Davis, Davenport, and Jennifer Anderson, Tipton; and his mother, June Davis, Muscatine.

Davenport Newspaper Jan 1999

Wilton --- Funeral rites for Henry Harvey Davis, 59, veteran of World War No. 1, who ended his life at home in north Wilton Thursday afternoon, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Griffith Funeral home, where the body is remaining. The Rev. J. M. Newgard, pastor of the Grace Evangelical and Reformed church will be in charge. Burial will be in the Monmouth, Ill., cemetery, with the Wilton post No. 584, American Legion, in charge.

Mr. Davis, the son of William E. and Mary Conglon Davis, was born at Edgerton, Mo., on March 2, 1889. He married Pearl Brown on Jan. 23, 1918 at Rock Island. The couple had resided here for the past eight years. Mr. Davis was a retired machinist and a member of the Wilton post of the American Legion.

Surviving are his wife; two brothers, Grover C. Davis of Wilton and Edward T. Davis of Rock Island and one sister, Mrs. Nora Russell of Peoria, Ill. His parents, three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

Muscatine Journal June 11, 1948 page 14
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

Failing health for about a year resulted in death for James Robert Davis on Thursday of last week at the home of his sister, Mrs. Henry Paul, Rochester. He was 68 years and 11 months old at the time of his death.

Funeral services were conducted from the Rochester church on Sunday at 2 o’clock with Rev. A. W. Strauh officiating and internment was in the Rochester cemetery.

James Robert Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Nancy Martin Davis was born January 28, 1870, at Carthage, Illinois.
He was united in marriage with Rebeca Dorthy in 1901 at Carthage, Illinois. To this union was born one son Frank Davis,
who died in infancy. Mr. Davis was preceded in death b y his father and mother, two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by two sisters Mrs. Henry Paul, who has cared tenderly for him for the past years and Mrs. Henry Repplinger, Hamilton, Ill., and a number of nieces and nephews.

Source and Date Unknown

Services for Julian H. Davis, 79, were held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home.
The Rev. Don Campbell officiated. Mrs. Richard Dilts was the organist.
Pallbearers were Vernon Franklin, Maynard Fisher, Ed Moomey, Albert Weeks, Leonard Thompson and Kenneth Wiley.
Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery where military rites were conducted by the By the American Legion, VFW and World War I Barracks.
Mr. Davis died Tuesday at Muscatine General Hospital.

Muscatine Journal Friday Oct. 1, 1982 page 13
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

Services for Marian Davis, 45, Montpelier, were held at 1:30 this afternoon at the Fairbanks-Lamb Chapel.  Rev. Walter Vesterfelt officiated. Merrill Womach was the organist and vocalist.  Pallbearers were Donald Ferkel, Donald Dusenberry, James Marshall, Daniel Almandinger, Michael Almandinger and Jerry Dewitt.  Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Marian Davis was born Feb. 7, 1933, in Ilasco. Mo., the daughter of Floyd and Sarah Cozad Almandinger.  Her marriage to Charles Davis took place July 3, 1948, in Hannibal Mo.

Survivors include her husband; three sons, Steven of Davenport, Donald of Montpelier and Paul, at home; two daughters, Mrs. Wayne (Julia) Stuart of Muscatine Debra Davis, at home; six grandchildren; one brother, Millard Almandinger of Montpelier; tow sisters, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Marshall and Mrs. Donald (Donna) Dusenberry, both of Montpelier.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Mrs. Davis died suddenly Saturday  morning at Mercy Hospital, Davenport.

Muscatine Journal Dec. 26, 1978
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh
She is related to me.

Funeral services for George E. Dawson were held at the Presbyterian Church last Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. H A Kossalk, pastor of the church officiated at the church services while members of the Polaski lodge 107 took charge of the services at the grave in Oakdale Cemetery. The Pallbearers were MJ Mcdermott, Andrew Oveson, Sidney Bullington B E Boot, George Whitmer and JM Chamberlin.

Mr Dawson was 51 years of age at the time of his death. He had spent practically his entire life in Wilton having moved recently to Davenport. His health had been failing for the past year. Surviving are his widow and two sons, his mother, one sister and two brothers.

Wilton Advocate 22 Jan 1925

Harry Richmond Dawson, our departed brother was courageous in life and faithful even unto death.  On September 2, 1919 at Childress, Texas, he met with a terrible accident, which later proved fatal.

For five long, trying months he lay in a hospital at Ft. Worth, Texas. On June 3, 1920 he went to Rochester, Minn., where on the 14th day of June he underwent a most serious operation and it was hoped would be successful. He was later brought to the home of his mother, Mrs. Dawson in Wilton. Rev. H A Kasaack Presbyterian Church in charge.

Wilton Advocate newspaper

News was received from Wilton this afternoon of the death of John Dawson a long time resident of that town, and an old soldier.
He had been employed as a section hand on the railroad for a number of years.
He is survived by three children.
He was a member of the G.A.R. and the funeral will be conducted by that organization next Sunday afternoon, members of the Shelby Norman Post are invited to attend.

Muscatine Evening Journal Muscatine, Iowa Friday Dec. 9, 1898:
note went by Jasper-buried Oakdale Cemetery Wilton

Wilton-Services for Lisle Leonard Dawson, 72,  Wilton , longtime owner of the Star Drug Store who died Wednesday morning will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 at the Gill Memorial Home. Rev. G. W. Ukena will officiate, and burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton. Visitation is after 1 pm today. Masonic rites will be held at 7 pm. Friday by the Wilton Lodge No. 167, AF &AM of which he was a member, at the United Presbyterian Church, Wilton.

He lived most of his life in Wilton.

He married Grace Clegg Oct. 29, 1925 at Clinton. He was a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association, the Iowa Pharmaceutical Association, and the Wilton Fire Department. he was a registered pharmacist. Survivors include a son L. Lee,
Wilton, a brother Bruce in Brandon, Fl., and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Muscatine Paper date not provided

WILTON, Iowa -- Services for Lyle L. Dawson, Wilton, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, Wilton. Services will include Masonic services by Lodge 167, Wilton. Visitation is 9 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.

Mr. Dawson died Sunday, April 1, 2001, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City.

He was a pharmacist and owned and operated Star Drug, Wilton, for 51 years. He retired in 1992.

He was born Feb. 2, 1929, in Rock Island. He married Barbara Hann in 1954 in Greene.  He had served in the Marine Corps.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilton Fire Department and Wilton Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; sons, Larry, Overland Park, Kan., and Dan, Atalissa; and five grandchildren.

Quad Cities Times 03 Apr 2001

Mrs. Sarah Jane Dawson, whose long life was closely associated with memories of Abraham Lincoln, died at the age of 101 at 11pm Sunday in the home of her son in law and daughter Mr and Mrs John H. Rouse, 2210 Ripley Street.

Mrs Dawson who reigned as one of Davenport's oldest residents was even older that Iowa's statehood when she passed away quietly in the home where she spent her last years. Her health had remained relatively good well past her 101st birthday on Feb. 12 of 1947, illness struck two weeks ago. The body is at Hill and Frederick’s mortuary awaiting funeral rites at 3pm Wednesday in Griffith chapel, Wilton Junction.

 The only resident of Davenport known to be older than Mrs Dawson is Mrs Melissa Jennings, living in the Vale Apartments, who will be 103 May 21. Mrs Dawson's birthday was the same as Lincoln's, and her favorite topic of conversation during her declining years was of the occasion when she attended one of the famous Lincoln Douglas Debates. She was familiar and friendly with many passers by on Ripley street as she waved greetings from her favorite spot behind the front windows of the Rouse home.

A resident of Wilton Junction most of her life, Mrs Dawson was the last charter member of Purity Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in the community. She also retained her membership in the Presbyterian Church and the Woman's Relief Corps in Wilton Junction.

Born in Sabina, Ohio, she moved to Wilton Junction with her parents, Francis and Martha Ann McElroy, when she was 10 years old and lived there until she came to Davenport in 1905. She was married to Jasper Dawson, Muscatine, in 1865. Her husband served with the Second Iowa Cavalry during the Civil War and died in 1898. Besides her one daughter, Mrs. Rouse, survivors include eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. Four sons and three brothers preceeded her in death.

Unknown Davenport Newspaper

Mr. William P. Dawson, 58, of Norwalk, California, formerly for West Liberty died Tuesday, December 8, 1998, at Kaiser Permenete Hospital in Bell Flower, California, following a short illness.  Memorial services were held Sunday, December 20, at the Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty. Burial of the cremains will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, West Liberty.

Mr. Dawson was born July 23, 1940, in Iowa City, the son of Thomas Dawson and Rose Gingerich. He was a graduate of West Liberty High School in 1958. He had served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era and was a member of the American Legion for 30 years. He had been employed as a breadman for Sunbeam and worked for Wilson Meat Packing Plant in Cedar Rapids. Most recently he worked for the USDA as an inspector, working in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and in the Samoa Islands. He had worked the last several years as an import inspector in Los Angeles.

Survivors include a son Michael (wife, Wendy) Dawson of Glendale, California; a step-son Chris (wife, Stephanie) Jeffrey of Iowa City; brothers, Steve (wife, Karen) Dawson of Iowa City, Tom (wife, Carol) Dawson of Newberg, Indiana, Jim (wife, Peggy) Gingerich of Keota; and a sister, Barb (husband, Bill) Riggin of Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents and an aunt and uncle.

 West Liberty Index Dec 24 1998

Survivors include six brothers, Leslie, of Grandview; Earl, Elmus and Fred, of Muscatine; Stephen, of Madison, Wisc.; and Glen of Kansas City; one sister who resides at Clinton, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters. Funeral arrangements are indefinite.
 
Muscatine Journal Saturday August 17, 1946 page 3
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

He was born Oct. 20, 1885, at Rock Island County, Ill., the son of Melzer and Margaret Thompson Day. He had been a Muscatine resident most of his life.

He married Rosa Ann Smith in April, 1914 at Rock Island, Ill. Following her death he married Ora Alice Forbes in March, 1960, at Rock Island, Ill. She also preceded him in death.

He is survived by five sons, Lloyd of Quincy, Ill., Melvin of Des Moines, and Ivan, Kenneth, and Michael of Muscatine; five daughters Mrs. Kenneth (Ruth) Schnedler, Mrs. Roy (Laura) Adams, Mrs. Clifford (Marjorie) Herlein, Miss Marie Hall, all of Muscatine, and Mrs. John (Velma) McKillip of Davenport; three brothers, Elmus and Earl Day of Muscatine, and Glen Day of Kansas City, Mo.; 34 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Besides both wives he was preceded in death by his parents, one son in infancy, four brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 p.m. today at the George M. Wittich Funeral Home.  Rev. L.A. Stumme officiated.  Burial was at the Island cemetery.
 
Muscatine Journal Tuesday January 3, 1967 page 18
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

Lloyd Earl Day, 73, died Monday, May 13, 1991 at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Ill.  Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Ducker-Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy.  Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery in Quincy.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Day was born Oct. 20, 1917, in Muscatine, a son of Fred and Rosa Smith Day.  He married June Volger on Sept. 15, 1940.

Survivors include two sons, Jerry and Ronald; two daughters....
(rest of obit cut off page)

Source:  Muscatine Journal 14 May 1991 p. 4A
Contributed by the webmaster (no further info-not related)

Died--At Bloomington, on the 12th inst. Lucius Sidney, infant son of Irad C and  Z.M. Day. Aged 10 months and 12 days.

Davenport Gazette Davenport Scott IA Thurs., Sep 23, 1841
Contributed by Elaine Rathmann of Scott Co IAGenWeb Project

Melvin "Bud" Day 71, of Des Moines, died Thursday, April 21, 1994, at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Epworth United Methodist  Church, 412 Euclid Ave. in Des Moines.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hamilton Funeral Home. 605 Lyon St. in Des Moines.

Mr. Day was born Sept. 21, 1922, in Muscatine, the son of Fred and Rosa Smith Day. He married Edna Hoffman in 1963.

He served as field lineman in the Army Signal Corps in the European Theater of World War II.
He was an electrician and an air refrigeration technician in the Des Moines area until his retirement in 1985.

Survivors include his wife, Edna; two sons, Clifford of Davenport, and Raymond of Adel; four sisters, Marie Hall of Woodburn, Ore., and Ruth Schnedler, Laura Adams and Mrs. Clifford (Marjorie) Herlien, all of Muscatine; three brothers, Ivan Day, Kenneth day and Michael Day, all of Muscatine.   He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brother.

Muscatine Journal Friday April 22, 1994 page 5A
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

Mrs. Day was born April 18, 1890 near Aledo, Ill., a daughter of Andrew and Effie Hammond Smith. Most of her life had been spent in this community. She was married to Fred Asa Day April 17, 1914 at Rock Island.

Surviving are her husband; five sons, Lloyd Day of Quincy, Melvin Day of Des Moines, Ivan Day and Kenneth  Day of Muscatine, and Michael Day, at home; five daughters, Mrs. Kenneth Schnedler,  Mrs. Roy Adams, Mrs. Clifford Herlein, Mrs. Marie Hall and Mrs. John McKillip, all of Muscatine; a brother, Fred Smith of Muscatine; 26 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, a son in infancy and a granddaughter.

The body is remaining at the funeral home pending services.
 
Muscatine Journal Tuesday September 15, 1959 page 10
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

FORT WORTH - F.M. "Pete" Dean, a retired ranch foreman for Hilltop Hereford Farms, died Thursday at a Fort Worth hospital.
Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was a member. Burial will be in Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight at Robertson Mueller Harper-Eighth Avenue.

Mr. Dean was born in Nichols, Iowa, and lived in Fort Worth for more than 20 years.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or to a charity of choice.

Survivors: Wife, Wilma Schulz Dean of Fort Worth; brother, Howard Dean of Winterset, Iowa; and two sisters, Dorothy Lowe of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mary Lauer of Lehigh, Iowa.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram p26 : January 14, 1994

 Dr. Harry M. Dean, age 93, is dead at Davenport. He was a Civil war surgeon. His son is Dr. Lee Wallace Dean, formerly dean of the S.U. I. college of medicine, now head of the Washington university's medical college of St. Louis

20 yrs ago today column Iowa City Press Citizen 06 Jan 1950
(this if this was 20 yrs before it would have been Jan 1930--S.U.I. stood for State University of Iowa)

Helen M. Dearing, 89, formerly of 507 W. 2nd St., died Saturday at the Mesa Christian Home in Meza, Ariz.Services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Melcher Mortuary, 43 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa. Burial will be at Mesa.

The former Helen Rauch was born March 29, 1899 in Muscatine, a daughter of Gustav and Catherine Kink Rauch. She first married Byron Layton and later was married to Lee Dearing

She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine. She had worked as a legal secretary for attorney Robert Jackson for many years.

Survivors include a sister, Elsa Bain of Muscatine; and several nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her both husbands, three brothers and two sisters.

Muscatine Journal
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

Joaquin De Alejandro, 74, of Muscatine, died Monday, Oct 2, 2000 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Graveside services and burial were at 11:30 am Wednesday, Oct 4, at Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery. The Rev. John Gallagher officiated.

Visitors was from 4-8 pm Tuesday at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home.  A memorial has been established for the Joaquin De Alejandro Memorial Fund.

Joaquin De Alejandro was born July 25, 1926 at Tampico, Mexico. He lived in Texas until April of this year when he moved to Muscatine.

Survivors include his wife, Guadalupe Martinez of Wapello, Iowa; three sons, Raul De Alejandro and wife Margarita of Wapello, Jose Luis De Alejandro of Pennsylvania and Joaquin De Alejandro of Texas; a daughter Ramiro (Alicia) Castillo of Muscatine; 19 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lilia De Alejandro of Mexico.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Maria De Alejandro, and one son, Ricardo De Alejandro.

Wapello Republican, October 5, 2000.
Contributed by Nancy Wagner
Note: I am not related to Mr. De Alejandro and have no further information.

On the morning of the 11th inst., the dead body of a man with his throat cut was found in Inland township, Cedar county, by a woman who was hunting her cow.

The Tipton Democrat says:" Subsequent investigation showed it to be the body of one Mr. Dee, of Linn county, of this State.  It is supposed that he cut his own throat with a pen knife on last Sunday, as he was found not far from where he staid (sic) on Saturday night.  We learn that there was $26 in money found on his person.  Deceased had a daughter and brother-in-law residing near where the awful deed was done.  Rumor states that he had some financial trouble in Muscatine where he had just been trying to effect a settlement."

Burlington Hawk Eye 24 May 1859

Henry Delacossit,  editor of the Dubuque, IA, Northwest, died on the 8th inst., at Iowa City.  He had formerly been editor of the Muscatine, IA Enquirer which he started in 1848.  He returned in 1853.  He learned the printing trade in Missouri, although we believe he was a native of Virginia.  Recently he left his farm in Dubuque and went with his eldest son in Iowa City, then intending to go to Texas.  He was a native of Mercer Co, PA (sic).  His uncle offered to train him as a physician, but he declined, as a youth.  He was aged about 30 years at the time of his death. (Rock Islander, Wednesday, 18 Feb 1857)

Hawkeye Heritage, Fall 1978, Vol XIII #4, abstracted by Janet K. Pease of Arvada Colorado 

Jess L. DeLap, 73, 713 E. 5th St., died at 1:30 a.m. today at Muscatine General Hospital.Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Fairbanks-Lamb Chapel. Rev. Stanley Woeste will officiate and burial will be Greenwood cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Born Oct. 12, 1899 at Lowell, Iowa, Jess DeLap was the of Jess and Nettie Phillips DeLap.   He married Erna Schauland May 28, 1924 at Muscatine. He was a retired railroad employee and steam engineer.

Surviving are his wife, a son, Robert DeLap, Pulaski, Va.; a daughter, Mrs. Bernard (Marilyn) Dora, Muscatine; two granddaughters he raised, Mrs. Dave Kruse and Mrs. Roy Tallman, Muscatine; three sisters, Mrs. Winifred Robison, Mrs. Alene Smith, and Mrs. Dorothy Edwards, Muscatine;  eight other grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Muscatine Journal Saturday November 4, 1972 page 12
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

George W. Deming, the aged and respected citizen who has lived on his farm, originally the Wm. Miller place, two miles northwest of here since moving here from Durant several years ago, shot himself through the right temple with a revolver at 6:30 yesterday morning and died instantly.  His wife's and his own poor health are thought to have affected his mental  faculties, for he has frequently had periods of great depression, though for a day or two previous to his death he had been unusually cheerful.

Mrs. Deming has been in Iowa City for treatment since last week, and yesterday morning when the shot was fired Mr. Deming was alone in his room, having arisen and dressed and then laid on the bed again.  His son Will was just coming in from his morning work, and hearing the explosion, asked the girl in the house what it was.  Both concluded that it must have been only some noise made at the stove and paid not further attention for some minutes, when Will went to his father's room and made the shocking discovery.  Neighbors were at once summoned but all too late, for the bullet had accomplished its fatal work instantly.

Mr. Deming was a man well advanced in years, exceptionally honest and worthy, and his tragic death will cause profound regret with all who knew him.  He is survived by his wife, a married daughter, two grown sons, Charles (married) and William, and a younger child all of whom have our sincerest sympathy.  Mrs. Pingrey, who recently moved here from Durant, is, we learn, also a sister of Mr. Deming's, and must now be most critically affected by the shock, since she has been very low with heart disease for some time.

West Liberty Index 5 Mar 1896
Contributed by Alson Deming Braley, great-grandson.
Note:  The "girl in the house" was Mary Hitchcock, 11 years old, the daughter of Mrs. Deming [his 3rd wife, Caroline H. (Rogers-Hitchcock) Deming] and her 1st husband, Clark Hitchcock.  Mrs. (Darius) Pingrey (Emily Cornelia Deming) died on March 6, 1896, the day after the publication of this obituary.  Caroline Deming survived her illness and continued to live on the farm until 1904 when she sold it and moved to California. In 1906 she moved to Kansas City, MO, where her son Edmund lived. She died there in 1907.

DEMING. -- At the home west of town on Thursday, Jan. 7th, 1892 of La Grippe, Laura, wife of George Deming in her forty-ninth year.    The funeral was held at the Christian church on Saturday, Mr. J. H. Wright officiating, from whom we secured the following notes:

Sometimes the sun seems to go down when it is but noon or at best but half way between zenith and horizon.  So has our sister, unexpectedly to us, gone to her rest.  Sometimes the summer or autumnal sky, with no portent of coming storm, suddenly changes and the sunlight is veiled in mists or the wintry chill comes upon us.  Not always can we read the signs of the sky; much less the hidden mysteries of life and death.  When I last greeted our sister there was the light of hope and promise of possible recovery, but ere long the clouds lowered, and the pale visitor called her from us.  From my childhood I had idealized a noble womanhood as seen in maiden, wife or mother.  With all her imperfections she is God's last, best gift to man.  Today we are called on to bid farewell to one who in the days of maidenhood long and faithfully ministered to an invalid mother, even to the impairing of health.  As a wife, she accepted on the very portal of her married life, the care of a babe whose dying mother 18 months before, had committed to a sorely bereft husband.  For years she patiently and faithfully discharged the duties thus assumed.  Four sons did she bear, one of whom had gone before her, and the three remain.  As a wife she was a virtuous woman, and a crown to her husband.

Laura Deming was born at Fairfield, Iowa, June 19th, 1843.  September 7, 1862, she was married to Geo. W. Deming, and died Jan. 7th, 1892.  For some years she was a member of the Congregational church but for may she has been an earnest, active, devoted member of the Christian church in whose fellowship she passed from the life to that above.  Rest from thy labors.  Rest.

West Liberty Index 14 Jan 1892
Contributed by Alson Deming Braley, great-grandson.
Note: Laura Minerva Cole's mother died 1856 on a visit to Moline, IL, when Laura was 13.  She probably cared for her grandmother, Sarah (Swan) Hitchcock, before her death in 1866.  Laura married George Deming whose 1st wife had died Jan. 3, 1861, 5 days after the birth of their daughter.  Laura married George knowing that he had an infant daughter.

STOCKTON, Iowa -- Services for Mary B. "Bonnie" Deney, Stockton, will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, Wilton. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. today at Bentley Funeral Homes, Wilton. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.  Mrs. Deney died Saturday, April 1, 2000, at her home.

Mary Head was born Nov. 19, 1930, in Confidence. She married William Deney in 1949 in Chariton. A memorial fund has been established. Survivors include her husband, William, Stockton; a daughter, Tami Sampson, Minneapolis; a son, Craig, Tipton; six granddaughters; and a great-grandson.

Quad Cities Times 03 Apr 2000

Services are being arranged at the George M. Wittich funeral home for Frank James Denham, 76, of 516 East Fourth Street, who was found dead at his home Monday night.

Officers were summoned to the Denham home Monday evening after neighbors became alarmed at not seeing him about the premises.
It was estimated by Dr.I. H. Odell, Muscatine county coroner, that he had been dead since Sunday .  No inquest is planned, Dr. Odell said.

Mr. Denham was born at Muscatine Aug. 1879, being a son of James and Lillian Fisher Denham and had been employed as a button worker.

Surviving are a daughter , Mrs. William Barber of Tacoma, Washington, two brothers , Roy and Ben  Denham, both of York, Neb,, and a sister Mrs. Nellie McGrew of Rock Iskland, Ill.

Source: Muscatine Journal  Nov 29, 1955
Contributed by: Collene Harker
Additional information: Nellie Denham married Harvey Fulmer, John Welsh, McGill other siblings ; Cora Edith Fisher, (Phillips-Blake) Adia, Phoehe, Benjamine, Florence, Roy

Mr. Irwin W. Devore, 42, died Wednesday at his home,  5376 Lake Barton Drive.

He came to Orlando four years ago from Muscatine, Iowa, his birthplace.  Mr. DeVore was a veteran of World War II and wa a member of the Methodist Church, the Moose lodge, the Eagles, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Muscatine.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Vesta Irene DeVore; two stepsons, Glen Miner, Hattiesburg, Miss., and David Miner, Orlando; his mother, Florence A. DeVore, Muscatine, and a brother, Ivan DeVore, New Giarus, Wis.

Fairchild Funeral Home is in charge.

Born in Muscatine, Iowa, Mr. DeVore moved to Orlando four years ago from Muscatine; a veteran of World War II.  Mr. Devore was a member of the Methodist Church, Moose Lodge, Eagles, Legion and VWF, all of Muscatine.  Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Vesta I. DeVore motther Mrs. Florence A. DeVore, Muscatine; two stepsons, Glen Miner, Hattiesburg, Miss., David Miner of Orlando; and one brother Ivan DeVore, New Giarus, Wis.  Fairchild Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Orlando Sentinel-Star, Orlando FL, Date not known--died 26 Aug 1957
Contributed by Susie Martin-Rott
Irwin (everyone called him Friday) was my uncle.  He used to track hurricanes and notify people on his ham radio set. (Things weren't like today--there was no "Weather Channel).  My brother is still a ham operator and I have the globe and atlas Friday used in his storm tracking days. I was a very little girl when he died, but I remember him well for one trick he pulled on me.  We were eating at their house and Friday took a fork and jabbed it into his leg---I was bawling bloody murder until he showed me that it was an ARTIFICIAL leg and any damage that was going to be done to his leg had been done so long before the fork got there.  He was married to my father's sister Vesta.

Funeral services for 17-year-old Matthew Brown DeVore of Conesville were held at 10am Wednesday, September 27, 2000 at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. Burial was at the Conesville Cemetery, Conesville.

Visitation was held from 4 to 8 pm Tuesday at the Stacy-Lewis Funeral Home with the family present.
Matt died late Friday evening as the result of a camping accident.

A memorial has been established at the funeral home.

Matthew Brown DeVore was born September 17, 1983, in Iowa City to Thomas and Melanie Morris DeVore. He was a junior at Columbus Community High School where he participated in track. His first love was fishing and hunting. Matt also loved racing cars at the CJ Raceway.

Survivors include his parents, his uncles Jerry Morris and his wife Karol of Muscatine, Don Morris and his wife Della of Peoria, AZ, Alan Morris and his wife Chris, Peoria, AZ, and his aunt Norma Whitlock and her husband Monte of Solon; uncles Marvin Morgan and his wife Sharon of Davaenport, Erwin Morgan and his wife Darla of Chariton; Bill DeVore and his wife Elaine of Columbus Junction; and his aunt, Janet Novy and her husband Boone of Kalona.

Matt was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and an uncle, Larry Morgan.

Wapello Republican, September 28, 2000
Contributed by Susie Martin-Rott
Note: this was also submitted by Nancy Wagner who is not related.

Matthew Brown DeVore, 17, of Conesville was found dead Saturday after apparently being overcome by propane fumes on a camping trip with his friend, Robert James "R.J." Staats, 17, of rural Columbus Junction.

Matthew was pronounced dead on the scene by the Louisa County medical examiner Tibor Fulop of Wapello.
R.J. was recovering from carbon monoxide poisoning at the University Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

The boys were camping Friday night at Indian Slough recreation area northwest of Wapello and had planned to go duck hunting Saturday.

R.J.'s father, Rod, found the boys Saturday about 6 pm when they did not return from duck hunting.  Both of the young men attended Columbus Junction Community High School where counselors have been made available for as long as needed.

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of propane conbustion.  It displaces oxygen and asphysiates victims.  Death can occur within minutes of exposure, depending on the rate of absorption into the body.

The odorless chemical produces some symptoms that are similar to common illnesses - headaches, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and nausea - so the effect might not be recognized until it is too late.

Morning Sun News-Herald.September 28, 2000
Contributed by Susie Martin-Rott

MUSCATINE -- Anna V. Dieckman, 62, died Wednesday, July 10, 1996, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, at the Ralph J. Wittich Funeral Home.  Pallbearers will be Roger Slutts, Walley Shoppa, Rick Oetting, and Melvin Dieckmann.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery.

Mrs. Dieckmann was born Oct. 10, 1933, in Muscatine, a daughter of Lyle and Marie Keim Cunningham.

She was a member of the Sweetland United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Roger Roth and Melvin Dieckmann, both of Muscatine; five daughters, Leona Rogers and Pam Slovack, both of Muscatine, Melodie Bogrund of Minnesota and Julie K. Timmerman and Anna Dieckman, both of Davenport; eight grandchildren, her mother, Marie Hughes of Waterford, Mich.; two brothers Gary Hughes of Waterford, and Wayne Cunningham of Jasper, Ark.; and one sister, Kathie Conner of Jacksonville, Fla.

From Muscatine IA, Journal July 12, 1996
Research Source June Welsch
Debbie Cunningham gave me June Brewer Welsch this obit.

MUSCATINE, Iowa Harry Dieckman Jr., 69, of Muscatine, died Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000, at Unity Hospital.
There will be no public service or visitation.

Mr. Dieckmann was born March 29, 1931, in Muscatine, the son of Harry Dieckmann Sr. and Leona Kulp Dieckmann. He married Anna Viola Cunningham in Tipton. She died in 1996.

He worked as a molder at Russelloly Foundry in Durant for 35 years.

Survivors include a son, Melvin Dieckmann of Muscatine; four daughters, Kathy Woodward of Illinois,  Julie Timmerman of Mount Pleasant, Anna Dieckman of Davenport, and Leona Oetting of Muscatine;  nine grandchildren; a great-grandson; and two brothers, Wayne and Donald Dieckman, both of  Muscatine.

Muscatine, IA, Journal, Sept. 11, 2000
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p. m. from the Ralph Wittich Funeral Home for Miss Helen E. Dietrich, 44, lifelong resident of Muscatine, who died Friday at 1:25 p. m. in her home, 109 West Sixth street.  Death followed a six months illness and was due to complications.

Dr. Henry C. Schneider, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will officiate at the services, and burial will be
in Greenwood cemetery.  The body is at the funeral home.

Miss Dietrich was born Jan. 14, 1898 at Muscatine, the daughter of Louise Eis Dietrich and August J. Dietrich.  After graduating from Muscatine high school, she taught in the rural schools for several years, and later entered the employ of the Roach and Musser Co., where she was in charge of the order department in the company office.  Miss Dietrich was a member of the First Presbyterian church and was active in the choir of which she was a member for many years.

Her mother Mrs. Louise Dietrich, of Muscatine survives; her father and a sister, Mrs. M. M. Hays, having preceded in death.

Muscatine Iowa Journal April 4, 1942
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Louise Eis Dietrich, 71, died at her home at 109 West Sixth street, at 6 a.m. today after an illness of several years.

The daughter of John Eis and Eliza Eis, she was born on Dec. 24, 1871, in Muscatine county, and lived here her entire life.  She was married to August Dietrich.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian church.

Surviving are four brothers Fred Eis, Muscatine, Ben Eis, West Des Moines, and William and Frank Eis, Eldon, Ia., and a sister Mrs. Sarah Lowry, Davenport.  She was preceded in death by her husband and two daughters, Mrs. M. M. Hays and Mrs. Helen Dietrich.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Ralph J. Wittich Funeral Home, with Dr. H. C. Schneider in charge.  Burial will be in Greenwood cemetery.

The body is at the funeral home.

Taken from the Muscatine, IA, Journal Sept. 24, 1943 page 10;
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch
Note from June Brewer Welsch the Mrs. Helen Dietrich should be Miss. Helen Dietrich.

From Thursday's Daily.----- The news that a man had shot himself in the office of B. H. Eversmeyer & Co., on Iowa avenue, created quite an excitement at about 7:40 o'clock last evening and the customary crowd soon gathered in front of the place. They had to content themselves with what they could hear, as only a few were admitted to view the ghastly scene.

The unfortunate proved to be William Dietrich, of Nichols, who for some years conducted a hotel and saloon in that place, until enjoined several months since.

The remains were removed to Wittich's undertaking room and an inquest held this morning by Coroner Austin before a jury composed of W. H. Foster, J. H. Eversmeyer and J. W. Richards. From the testimony submitted the following facts were learned.

Mr. Dietrich had called at Eversmeyer & Co's. office and being tired had stretched himself out on the lounge in the back office.
Henry Wintermeyer, a carpenter, came in about half-past-seven to see Mr. D. about some building he was intending to do in Nichols. John Eversmeyer went into the back office and told Mr. D. that "the man he wanted to see was there." Mr. D. asked them to go away and not bother him. Mr. E. then asked Wintermeyer to stay in the office while he went home, and he would come back soon. A few minutes after John had gone Mr. D. called to Wintermeyer and asked for something to drink. Mr. W. told him he would get him some liquor and started after it. On his return, while in the back yard, he heard a shot but did not know where it came from. On entering the room he found Mr. D. lying on the floor in front of the lounge. Thinking that he was sick and had rolled off the lounge, he lifted and turned him partly over when he discovered that he was all bloody and that there was a revolver under him. There was no light in the rooms except from the street. He then noticed powder smoke in the room. E. E. Davidson happened in just at this time to see Mr. Eversmeyer on business. He immediately started for a Doctor and met Coroner Austin just outside the door on his way to the post office. The coroner sent for a policeman and light and then went in to examine the victim, finding him breathing slightly, soon ceasing entirely. The ball was from a 38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolver and had entered his head just in front of the right ear.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect "that Wm. Dietrich came to his death by a pistol shot wound and that same was self-inflicted with suicidal intent." Why the deceased committed the rash act will never be known. He had been engaged in more or less litigation of late years, a case in connection with the injunction existing against him being on the docket for the present term of court.

Mental aberration may have been caused by worry over his business troubles. He owned a valuable farm six miles west of Nichols, a fine residence in town and was considered well-to-do. He was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and three or four children. The intimation made in another paper that domestic infelicity had something to do with his untimely taking off does great injustice to his wife, who is an estimable woman, formerly Miss Shannon, a school teacher of Goshen township. She was a faithful and dutiful wife, and about the only difference she had with her husband was the earnest expression of her desire that he would not engage in the saloon business.

The body was taken in charge by his relatives this morning who left with it on the train for Nichols, where the interment will take place.

Muscatine Journal , Friday, September 18, 1891
Submitted by: Charlene Hixon

DIGNEY, John Joseph

RIVERSIDE--John Joseph Digney, 70, of Riverside, died this morning at his home after an illness of several months with cancer.

He was born at Muscatine January 5, 1879, the son of Patrick and Bridget Lynch Digney.  After living much of his life in Muscatine, Mr. Digney moved to Riverside. He was a member of St Mary's church.

In 1906 he was married to Edna Thompson at Nichols.

He is survived by his widow; a son, Edard of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and three daughters, Irene, at home; Mrs. Mildred Hammann, Muscatine, and Mrs. Wilfred Brogla, of Iowa city.  Also surviving are two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services are pending.  The body will be at the Sorden and Adams funeral home after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Iowa City Press Citizen 03 Dec 1951

RIVERSIDE--Funeral services for John Joseph Digney, 70, who died Monday, have been set for 9 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's church here.

Burial will be at St Mary's cemetery in Muscatine.  The rosary will be recited at Sorden and Adams funeral home at Riverside at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Iowa City Press Citizen 04 Dec 1951

DIPPLE, Lydia F. Truesdale

Mrs. Lydia F. Dipple, 73, Fairport, died early this morning at her home.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home.  The Rev. Robert Beck pastor of the Ziegler Memorial Lutheran Church, New Era, will officiate.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and until service time Wednesday.

The daughter of Pallie and Nuffie Brewer Creamer Truesdale, she was born 5 April 1909 in Fairport.  She was a life resident of the Fairport area.

Her marriage to Wilbur Dipple took place Sept. 29, 1928, in Muscatine.

Survivors include her husband; three sons, Louis and Larry both of Muscatine, and Wilbur Jr. of Montpelier; two daughters, Mrs. Mary McDonald of Fairport and Mrs. James (Iona) Irwin of Muscatine; 23 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and four brothers, Oddie Truesdale and Alfred Creamer, both of Fairport and Frank and George Creamer, both of Muscatine.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, one sister, four brothers, one grandchild and a great grandchild.

Taken from the Muscatine, IA, Journal Apr 4, 1983 page 2a
Contributed by June Brewer Welsch

Services for Wilbur Henry Dipple, 76, Fairport, were held today at 10 a.m. at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home.  The Rev. James Fowler of Ziegler Memorial Lutheran Church, New Era, officiated.

Mr. Dipple was born Jan. 30, 1908, at Montpelier, Iowa a son of Henry and Mary Saltau Dipple.  He was a life resident of this community.  On Sept. 29, 1928, he married Lydia Truesdale in Muscatine.  He had been a mechanic at Dahl Motors of Davenport Iowa for 44 years.

He is survived by three sons, Louis and Larry Dipple both of Muscatine; and Wilbur Dipple Jr. Montpelier; two daughters, Mrs. James (Iona) Irwin Muscatine and Mrs. Mary McDonald of Fairport; two brothers, Donald Dipple, Muscatine County and Edwin Dipple Blue Grass, two sisters, Margery McBride Blue Grass, and Helen Dierdorff of Moscow Iowa; 23 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1983, one daughter, one grandchild, two great-grandchildren, one sister and one brother.

Taken from the Muscatine IA Journal Nov. 26, 1984
Research Source June Welsch
Ref; m/cer d/cer;

COLUMBUS JCT--- Funeral services were held today at the United Presbyterian church in Rodman, for Donald (Doc) Diveney, 60, who died Sunday at Veterans Hospital, Iowa City.

Rev. Lawrence Johnson officiated. Music was by Mrs. David Fehr and Mrs. James Schmidt.  Pallbearers were James Diveney Milton
Diveney, Jr., Patrick Diveney, Michael Diveney, Eugene Alderson and William Alderson.

Burial was in the West Bend Cemetery. The Stacy-Lewis Funeral Home here and the Schellhammer Funeral Home in West Bend
were in charge of the arrangements.

Muscatine Journal Wednesday April 30, 1975
Contributed by Carolyn Hidlebaugh

The child died at the Grau hospital at 6:30 p.m.Saturday after an illness of three weeks.

Barbara Elaine was born in Muscatine on Sept. 25, 1944, the daughter of Kenneth and Rennah Strouse Doak, and was a member of the First Evangelical United Brethren church.

Surviving are the parents, one brother, LeRoy, and a sister, Caroline, both at home; the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Strouse and Henry Doak, all of Muscatine.

paper not listed died 21 Feb 1948
contributed by her sister Peggy

He was born in Rock Island county, Ill., on May 31, 1803, the son of Wiley and Elizabeth Gregg Doty, and had made Muscatine his home for 11 years.

Surviving is one brother, N. E. Doty; Davenport.  Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister.

The body is at the Fairbanks Home for Funerals where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. David M. Funk pastor of the Grace Lutheran church.  Interment, will be in Greenwood cemetery.

Taken from the Muscatine IA, Journal, Monday Jan. 27, 1947;
Contributed by  June Welsch
Note from June Brewer Welsch he died 26 Jan. 1947

TIPTON--John F. Dougherty, 66, of this community, died Friday at the Thurston nursing home.  He was born at Menlo, Iowa, on October 24, 1884.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. at the Sheets funeral home in Tipton with the Rev. Taylor Guthrie, West Branch, officiating.  Burial will be in the Pedee cemetery at Rochester.

Iowa City Press Citizen 01 Sep 1951

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. - Kay Don Douglass, 70, formerly of Muscatine, died Feb. 5, 2001, at his home.
The body was cremated and the ashes scattered over the ocean per his wishes.

Mr. Douglass was born on June 26, 1930, in Conesville, the son of Archie and Velma Toland Douglass.
He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in engineering.
He had previously worked for Stanley Consultants here in Muscatine.
He resided in Washington for the past 10 years.

Survivors include a son, Kris Douglass of Florida, and one sister, Ruthetta Douglas of Muscatine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Webb Douglass and Dee Douglass; and one sister, Anita Douglass.

Muscatine Journal April 05, 2001

Michael Doyle, aged 48 years and 1 month. Deceased had been afflictd with heart disease for some time and his sudden death was therefore not wholly unexpected. He was born in Canada, but came to Tipton when only 4 years of age. He married Miss Bridget Cady in June 1871. He was the father of seven children, six of whom survive him.

The funeral was held at the Catholic Church Sunday afternoon, with many more in attendance than could find room.
Rev. Giglinger, of Davenport, conducted the solemn service and a long line of carriages followed the remains to their last resting place in the Catholic Cemetery SW of town.

Mrs. Doyle and family wish to thank the friends and neighbors for their kind assistance and sympathy in
their time of sorrow.

Source: not given
Contributed by Margaret D Fellows

WILTON, Iowa -- Jacob W.H. Duffe, Wilton, died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at Simpson Memorial Home, West Liberty.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Grace United Church of Christ, Wilton. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Monday at Bentley Funeral Homes, Wilton. A Masonic service will be conducted there at 6 p.m. Additional visitation will be one hour before the service Tuesday at the church.

Mr. Duffe owned and operated Duffe Drug Store, Wilton, for 40 years. He retired in 1971.
He was born Jan. 3, 1906, in Moscow. He married Jessie Bennett in 1930 in Clinton. He (sic) died in 1991.
Memorials may be made to the church or the New Wilton Library.
Survivors include a daughter, Carol LaCrosse, Wilton; four grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Quad Cities Times 09 Dec 2001

WILTON, Iowa -- Services for Julia Duffe, Muscatine, formerly of Wilton, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Wilton. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Bentley Funeral Homes, Wilton. Mrs. Duffe died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, at Lutheran Homes, Muscatine. She was employed 16 years as a licensed practical nurse at Wilton Care Center. Julia Hidalgo was born Aug. 8, 1923, in Neosha Falls, Kan. She married Clarence Duffe in 1939 in San Diego. Memorials may be made to the church. Survivors include her husband, Clarence; daughters, Kimberly Andresen, Ankeny, and Nora Steinbrech, Iowa City; sons, Edward, Hattiesburg, Miss., and Thomas, Georgetown, Texas; and four grandchildren.

Quad cities Times 12 Feb 2003 

MOSCOW, Iowa -- Roy H. Duffe, Moscow, died Friday, March 7, 2003, at Lutheran Homes, Muscatine.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.
Visitation is 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Wilton Masonic Lodge 167 A.F. & A.M. will conduct services there at 6 p.m.

Mr. Duffe farmed north of Moscow until 1980. He was born May 13, 1910, in Moscow. He married Hannah Tuttle in 1931 in Wilton. She died in 1984.

Memorials may be made to Grace United Church of Christ and Wilton First Responders.

Survivors include a daughter, Janet Marolf, Moscow; son, Melvin, Lincoln, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; sisters, Irene Barclay and Hazel Schroeder, both of Wilton, Elnora Showalter, Clarence, and Leona Hagge, Durant; and brother, Ralph, Moscow.

Quad Cities Times 08 Mar 2003

Verne J. Duffy, 91, 1200 Wisconsin St., died Saturday morning at his home.  There is no visitation or service.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. M. Wittich Funeral Home.

Mr. Duffy was born Oct. 23, 1896 at Kingston, Iowa, a son of John and Grace Gibbs Duffy.
Survivors include four brothers, William, Forrest, Carl and Tom all of Burlington; and two sisters, Helen Carmichael of California and Wineford Wilson of West Burlington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Source:  Muscatine Journal 29 Feb 1988 p 4A
Contributed by webmaster (I am not related--this man's obituary was on the same page as that of my father)

Fred Duncan, 76, father of Elsie Duncan of Dawn, died at his home near Brimson, Thursday evening.  He had been in ill health since last November.

Mr. Duncan moved to Grundy County in 1928 from Richmond, Mo. where he had been a coal miner until that time.  He resided there until 1945 when he moved to Lewistown, returning to Grundy County in 1960.

He is survived by two sons, Ivan Duncan of the home,; Mr. Duncan of Dawn; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Shields, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mrs. Laura Peterson, Folson, Calif., 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and a half brother, Ivan Stebbins, Muscatine, Iowa.

The body is at the Davis-Blackmore Funeral Home in Trenton where funeral arrangements are pending.

Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Chillicothe MO 27 Mar 1965

Keithsburg - Mrs. Frank Duncan, 81, died Tuesday at her home in Brownsville, Texas. The daughter of O. E. and Clara Rippey Newell, she was born in March 1886 at Keithsburg. She graduated from Keithsburg high school in 1905.
The former Maude Newell, she married Frank Duncan in 1908 at Keithsburg. He survives. One daughter, Miss Dorothy Duncan also survives. She was preceded in death by a sister.
Funeral services will be held in Brownsville.

Muscatine Journal : Thursday, Feb. 23, 1967
Contributed by  Marcia Fiedler

Mrs. Leo Dunham, resident of Muscatine practically her entire life, died at 10:30 o'clock this morning at her home, 207 Bridgeman street. She was 27 years old. She is survived by her husband and a day old child.

Mrs. Dunham, formerly Miss Edith Stein, was born March 9, 1894 in Muscatine. She was married March 9, 1916.

A step-son, Richard; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stein; three sisters, Mrs. Hattie Watts and Miss Gertrude Stein of Nevada Ia, and Miss Amanda Stein, of Muscatine, and one brother, Edward Stein, of this city...(rest is missing)

Muscatine Journal  February 22, 1922
Contributed by Susan Martin-Rott
Note I am not related to this person and have no other information. The obit was on the same page with that of my great great grandfather.  I do not have the entire obituary, but you can probably obtain it from the Musser Library where I  made the copy of my gg grandfather's obit.  While all of  this one was not on the copy, it did give her birth, death and marriage dates, maiden name and that her child was only one day old, plus  some family members so perhaps it will help someone.

Services were to be held today at 3 p.m. at the George M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home for Gertrude M. Dunker,  117 W. Third St.
The Rev. Ophilis McCoy of Pine Bluff Church officiated with burial in the Drury-Reynolds Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were George Dunker, Clayton Dunker, Paul Danner, Clyde Gabriel, Lloyd Walker and Marvin Zybarth.
Organist was Pat Dilts and vocalist was Ray Nyenhuis.

Mrs. Dunker was born April 19, 1896, the daughter of Lee and Laura Howard Walker in Rock Island County, Illinois.  She had been a life-long resident of the area prior to 1956 when she moved to Muscatine.

On December 29, 1915 her marriage to Elmer Dunker took place in Muscatine.

She had been a member of the Pine Bluff United Methodist Church and of Gold Star Mothers of America.
Memorials may be left to Drury-Reynolds Cemetery or Pine Bluff Church.

Mrs. Dunker is survived by one daughter, Velma Whitney; two grandchildren, three great grand-children and two great great grandchildren and one sister Clella Weirsheuser, Muscatine.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, one brother, two sisters and three great grandchildren.

Taken from the Muscatine IA, Journal,  May 8, 1989
Contributed by  June Welsch

Goldie B. Dunker, 86, of 11619, 321st. St. W., Muscatine, died Wednesday at Muscatine General Hospital.

Services will be Saturday, Sept. 22, 1990, at 10:30 a.m. at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home.  The Rev. Daniel Schoepf of the Calvary Baptist Church will officiate.  Vocalist will be Ray Nyenhuis.  Burial will be at the Drury-Reynolds Cemetery; Drury-Reynolds, Ill.  Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 21, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Drury-Reynolds Cemetery.

Mrs. Dunker was born Sept. 22, 1903, at Andalusia, Ill., a daughter of Alexander Hamilton and Mattie May Stockrod Bird.  She had lived her entire life in Drury Township.

Her marriage to Nelson L. Dunker took place Nov. 8, 1924, in Muscatine.

Survivors include one son, Clayton Dunker, of Muscatine; two daughters, Mrs. David (Nadine) Seal, and Mrs. LaMoyne (Gloria) Hucke, both of Muscatine; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Ira Bird, of Calumus, N.Y.

She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 22, 1986, her parents and one sister.
She was a member of the Pine Bluff Methodist Church and was a homemaker.

Taken from Muscatine IA, Journal, Sept. 20, 1990;
Research Source June Welsch
Note: mother's maiden name was Stickrod not Stockrod.

Nelson L. Dunker, 97, 11619 32st St. West, died Monday at Moline Lutheran Hospice Unit, Moline Lutheran Hospital.

Services are Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home.  The Rev. John Carlson will officiate.  Pallbearers are Harvey Vance, Howard Ziegenhorn, Paul Danner, John Merritt, Larry Becker and Charles Thomas.  Burial will be in the Drury-Reynolds Cemetery.  Visitation is Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Thursday until time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Moline Lutheran Hospital Hospice Unit.

Mr. Dunker was born Sept. 16, 1889 in Drury Township, Ill., a son of John and Mary Catherine Lore Dunker.  He was a life resident of Drury Township.  On Nov. 8, 1924 he married Goldie B. Bird in Muscatine.  He was a member of the Pine Bluff Methodist Church and was an Army veteran of World War I.  He had worked at Lock and Dam 16 for 20 years, retiring in 1970.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Clayton Dunker, Muscatine; two daughters, Nadine Einfeldt, Illinois; and Mrs. Lemoyne (Gloria) Hucke, Muscatine; six grandchildren; six great grand-children and three sisters, Ella Ziegenhorn, Muscatine; Mildred Danner, Illinois City; and Minnie Ziegenhorn, Saxton, Mo.  He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

Taken from the Muscatine, IA, Journal Sept. 23, 1986;
Research Source June Welsch

     The dead are:
     Gus Dusenberry, 46
     Lydia Dusenberry, his wife, 44
     Charles Dusenberry, their son, 12
     Clifford Dusenberry, their son, 6
     Iona Dusenberry, their daughter, 3

Only Mrs. Dusenberry's body has been recovered.

Four others who were in the launch were rescued barely in time to escape drowning.  They were the Misses Mabel and Fern Dusenberry, aged 20 and 19, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Dusenberry, and Howard Hartzfeldt of Rock Island, a civil engineer in the government service.

The Dusenberry family had started from Fairport to Long Island, where a fish fry was to be held on the Henry Snyder farm.  They made the trip in a launch owned by Snyder and driven by Art Snyder, a son.  The boat was not overloaded, as it could carry 20 passengers, rivermen said.

The tragedy is believed to have occurred at a point about 150 yards from the Illinois shore, almost directly across from the government biological station.  No one witnessed it from the shore and none of the survivors was able last evening to tell in detail how it happened.  The water was very rough, whipped into big waves by a high wind, but the launch was making nice progress, they said, when an unusually large wave rolled it over, throwing all nine occupants into the stream.

Had they met no further disaster, most of the victims probably would have been saved, for the men succeeded in getting the women and children back to the boat, and they were clinging to it when a second wave rolled the boat over again, throwing them off and carrying away the five victims.
Snyder and Hartzfeld were able to get the girls back into the boat which was half swamped, and steadied it, one on either side.

Gus Dusenberry was last seen trying to save the baby, Iona, with a life preserver.  It was hoped for a while that he might save himself and the baby, but this hope was soon abandoned.

Snyder, Hartzfeldt and Mabel and Fern Dusenberry were rescued by Henry Snyder and Glen Brewer, who were at Snyder's home on Long Island and heard their cries.  Henry Snyder and Brewer hurried to the rescue in two boats, and took the four young people off of the swamped boat just as it was beginning to sink under their weight.  Henry Snyder found the body of Mrs. Dusenberry, and the survivors and the body were taken to the Illinois shore.

Help was summoned from Fairport and the pulmotor was rushed from Muscatine, with Fr. A.J. Oliver, in hope that Mrs. Dusenberry's life might be saved.  She either was dead when taken out of the river, or died shortly afterwards, and the efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

Coroner John Mayberry of Rock Island was summoned and held a brief inquest, in which a verdict of accidental drowning was returned.  Coroner Mayberry is keeping in touch with the search for the four other bodies, and will hold inquests when they are found.

Mabel Dusenberry was nearly drowned by the water which swept over her, and was violently ill most of the morning.  Her condition was still critical today.  She and her sister, Fern, returned to Fairport with the body of their mother yesterday evening, making the trip by land down to the high bridge and up the Iowa side of the river.

Strenuous efforts were made yesterday morning to recover the bodies of Mr. Dusenberry and the children, but they had not been found last evening.  The work was dangerous and was abandoned in the afternoon because the water was so rough.  It was resumed in the evening as soon as the waves calmed slightly.

Many rowboats and gas launches joined in the search for the bodies, which was watched from the shore by virtually every inhabitant of Fairport, and by many Muscatine people who drove to the scene.

Dragging for the bodies was continued today, in a systematic manner, two launches towing a 600-foot drag line, with hooks at two-foot intervals, up and down the river.  No more bodies had been found at noon, however.

Sunday's Drowning is the first of the season in Muscatine and is the heaviest toll the river has taken at one time here in many years.  It came near wiping out the entire Dusenberry family, for Floyd, a brother was the only member who did not make the trip.

No plans have been made for Mrs. Dusenberry's funeral, in the hope that other bodies will be found and buried with hers.  Her body is at the family home in Fairport.

Mr. and Mrs. Dusenberry were among the best known residents of Fairport and the surrounding territory, and their death was a shock throughout the section of the county.  Mr. Dusenberry had been a mail carrier for more than 14 years.  He was born near Fairport and spent his entire life there.  Besides his children Mabel, Fern and Floyd, he is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Lavina Dusenberry, who lives in Sweetland township, three and one-half miles north of Fairport, and three sisters, Mrs. Minnie Howard, Mrs. Lilly Truvetten, and Mrs. Cora Sedam, all of Andalusia, Ill.

Mrs. Dusenberry was born in Lansing, IA.  She is survived by a sister Mrs. Michael O'Brien of Hazel Green , Wisconsin. and two brothers, Charles Snyder of Dubuque and Henry Snyder of Fairport.

Twenty-five dollars reward for the recovery of each of the bodies was offered today through a fund raised by residents of Fairport.  The fund now totals $100 and more would be raised, it was believed.

Muscatine Journal May 4, 1925
Lydia was the first recovered, August Dusenberry the next day. They were buried at Greenwood Cemetery on   07 May 1925.  Son Clifford was recovered May 12th and buried May 14 at Greenwood; Charles Dusenberry was not recovered until 22 Jun 1925 and was laid to rest at Greenwood.  The body of infant Iona was never recovered but a memorial marker was placed in Greenwood for her next to that of her brother Clifford.

Floating on the Mississippi river approximately 10 miles below the scene of the tragedy in which five members of the Gus Dusenberry family lost their lives at Fairport May 3, the body of Charles Dusenberry, 12, was recovered near the Muscatine water works and lighting plant, two miles below the city, about 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

Elmer and Casper Kallenberger, 1801 Oregon street, fishermen, found the body just above the bouy which marks the river channel a short distance up the river from the water works.

The body is the fourth to be recovered as the result of the tragedy in which Mr. and Mrs. Gus Dusenberry, their sons, Charles, 12, and Clifford, 6, and their daughter Iona, 3, lost their lives when a gasoline launch in which they were riding was swamped by rough water.

The body of little Iona Dusenberry is still missing.  The last of the tragedy victims whose body was recovered prior to the finding of the body Tuesday, was 6 year old Clifford, found May 12, nine miles below Muscatine and seven miles below the spot where Charles' body was recovered.  Mrs. Dusenberry was taken from the water immediately after the tragedy and an attempt made to revive her, but with no success.  Her husband's body was found next day.

Sand on the clothing of the body recovered Tuesday indicates that it had been at the bottom of the river since the tragedy. A twenty five dollar reward offered by Fairport residents for each of the bodies recovered will go to the Kallenbergers.

Dr. W. S. Norton, county coroner, who, with Sheriff Ed Sander, was summoned when the body was found said he would hold no inquest.  Members of the Dusenberry family came here from Fairport last night and identified the body.

The body was taken to the Meyers Funeral Home, from which funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. _______ of New Era in charge.  Burial will be made in Greenwood Cemetery.

Muscatine Journal 25 Jun 1925

MONTPELIER, Iowa--- Donald E. Dusenberry, 62, Montpelier, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Unity Hospital in Muscatine.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home in Muscatine. The Rev. Dennis Meador Sr. will officiate. Pallbearers are Larry Farless, Dick Peck, Gerald Rinnert, Dwight Schroeder, Jim Bloom and Larry Brasch. Music will be provided by Carol Hetzler and Dennis Meador Jr.

The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport. A memorial has been established in his memory. A luncheon will follow at the Montpelier Fire Station.

He was born Jan. 31, 1939, in Illinois City, Ill., the son of Raymond and Alberta Dusenberry. He married Donna C. Almandinger
April 18, 1959, in Muscatine.

He enjoyed restoring antique cars and trucks, dancing, watching television and visiting with friends and family.

He was a member of the Montpelier Fire Dept. and had received a plaque for 20 years of service as a volunteer fire-fighter.

He drove a semi truck for John Deere for a few years, had farmed for a while, drove a milk truck and was most recently a self-employed dump truck driver.

He is survived by his wife Donna of Montpelier; three sons, Donald F. Dusenberry, Kevin Dusenberry and his wife Melinda, and Jeff Dusenberry, all of Montpelier, one daughter, Mindy Strong, and her husband Noah of Montpelier; six grandchildren, David Dusenberry, Gerald Dusenberry, Zachary Strong, Stephanie strong, Athena Strong, and Garrett Dusenberry; his mother Alberta Dusenberry of Fairport; six brothers, Charles and his wife Barbara of Muscatine, DeWayne and his wife Jacque of Moscow, Larry of Wilton, Glenn and his wife Vicki of Moscow, Keith and his wife Charlene of Muscatine and Kenny of Muscatine; four sisters, Karen Bails and her husband John of Cedar Rapids, Evelyn DeVore and her husband Kevin of Muscatine, Sharon Dusenberry of Muscatine and Peggy Plowman of Muscatine.  He was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Merle, and one sister, Joyce.

Muscatine Journal Saturday Dec. 15, 2001
Submitted by Carolyn Hidlebaugh
He is related to me.

Noah Dusenberry, a resident of Muscatine county for forty years, died following an illness of seven years, at his home in Sweetland township, at 12:10 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.  He had attained the age of 64 years, 8 months, and 10 days.
Mr. Dusenberry was born in Illinois, September 22, 1855.  He came to Muscatine county about forty years ago, and married Miss Rachel Everett, of Sweetland township.  Six children were born to this union, all of whom are living.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. John Hubble of Muscatine and Miss Hallie Dusenberry residing at home, four sons, Oscar and Oren Dusenberry residing on farms in Muscatine county, and Ira and Noah Dusenberry residing at home.  One brother, Paul Dusenberry of Illinois City, two sisters, Mrs. Charles Edwards of Rock Island and Mrs. Adeline Everett of near Moscow, thirteen grand children and one great grandchild also survive.

Funeral services will be held from the home, at 2 P.M. Sunday.  The Rev. Mr. Taylor of Cedar Rapids, will officiate.  Burial will be made in the cemetery near Moscow.

Muscatine Journal:  Thursday, June 3, 1920, page 7
Note: Noah Dusenberry was originally buried at Krell Cemetery near New Era.  On 15 Oct 1940, his wife Rachel Louise Everett Dusenberry had Noah and their two sons, Leslie A. and Lawrence E.  removed from Krell and reburied at Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine.

She was born June 13, 1894, at Andalusia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Steckman.  She was married to Mr. Dusenberry at Rock Island in 1914.  She was a member of the Andalusia Baptist church, in which she was an active worker.

Surviving are her parents and husband, of Muscatine; three daughters, Edith, Ethel and Lola, all at home; three sisters, Mrs. Anna Martin, of Andalusia; Mrs. Grace McGinnis, and Mrs. Leota Drahos, of Muscatine; three brothers, Wilbur, Harvey and Elmer Steckman, all of Muscatine.

The body has been taken to the Fairbanks Home for Funerals, where services will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday by the Rev. William Slack, of the Musserville Methodist Episcopal church.  The body will then be taken to Andalusia, where services will be conducted by Mr. Slack at the First Baptist church at 1:30.  Burial will be at Andalusia.

Muscatine Iowa Journal, Monday Dec. 14, 1931 page 10;
Contributed by June Welsch

Mrs. Lydia Clista (sic) Dutro, 75, died at her home, 517 East Eighth street shortly before noon today after an illness with infirmities due to advanced age.

Mrs Dutro was born July 4, 1854. She married James Dutro and he preceded her in death. She had made her home here for the past seven years. She was a member of the United Brethren church.

Surviving are the following children; Samuel, Arthur of Idaho, Clarence Elmer of Eldon, Ia; Martin Ulysses and Mrs. G. L. Zirkle, both of Muscatine, Mrs. T.C. Hanson of Marengo, Ia, and James K. Dutro of Muscatine. Two brothers, Richard Woodward of Ohio (sic) and Frank Atkinson (sic) of Muscatine, also survive.

The body is at the Fairbanks Home for Funerals and announcement of services will be made later.

Source: Muscatine Journal  27 Mar 1930
Contributed by Susie Martin-Rott
Corrections as follows: Correct spelling should be CALISTA;  Richard Woodward, her father, did not live in OH but was visiting a daughter at time of his sister's death; her brother Frank's last name was not Atkinson, it was Woodward.  He did not reside in Muscatine, he resided in Atkinson IL (Henry Co)

A brother, Frank Woodward of Muscatine (sic) and a daughter, Mrs. Lomax Chapman of Muscatine, survive in addition to those mentioned Thursday.

Muscatine Journal,  Muscatine IA Fri, 28 Mar 1930
Contributed by Susie Martin-Rott
Note: they never DID get things quite right on this one in the Journal.  It should also be noted that at a later date, the bodies of Lydia Calista Woodward Dutro and her husband, James Stephen Dutro, were removed from their Brooklyn Iowa burial location and re-interred at Muscatine Memorial Park.

William Austin Dwinell, 74, died Tuesday at Jewish Hospital.

He was a native of Columbus Junction, Iowa, a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service, a retired boiler operations supervisor for Jefferson County Public Works, and a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

He was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church, Okolona Masonic Lodge 853, 32nd Degree K.C.C.H. Louisville Scottish Rite and P.V.M., Lodge of Perfection, P.H.P. King Solomon 5, P.I.M. Louisville Council 4, R & S Masters, P.G.R.P. Grand Court in Kentucky, Order of Amaranth, Royal Order of Scotland, Veterans of Foreign Wars Okolona Post 8639 and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's executive committee.

Survivors: his wife, the former Lillie Evelyn Ford; a son, William Edwin Dwinell of Boca Raton, Fla.; a daughter, Barbara Jean Ellis of New Albany, Ind.; two sisters, Margaret Elizabeth Linville of Rockaway Beach, Mo., and Kathryn Louise Morrison of Columbus Junction; and four grandchildren.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday, Arch L. Heady Okolona Funeral Home, 8519 Preston Highway. Entombment: Evergreen Mausoleum. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday.
Memorial gifts: Louisville Scottish Rite for Foundation Children's Clinic, or Kentuckiana Children's Foundation Georgetown Place.

Source: The Courier-Journal Louisville, KY. 4B : April 28, 1993

Source:  Hawkeye Heritage, issue not recorded (article entitled "Iowa Related Deaths Reported in the Moline Review-Dispatch, Rock Island IL 1889) , abstracted by Janet K. Pease of Arvada Colorado

Died at his home in Wilton, at the age of 66 years, of dropsy of the heart, Daniel Dwyer, a long time and honored resident of this county, answered the final summons yesterday.  Deceased was born in Thurless, County Tipparary, Ireland, coming to New York when 12 years old.

In 1865 he emigrated to Iowa, taking a farm in Wilton township, where he spent his life until six months ago, when he moved to the town of Wilton.

A wife, three sons and four daughters survive him, the sons being William, of Kansas; Daniel, Jr., of Gilman, Iowa; D. J., of Wilton; and the daughters Mrs. J. T. Moynahan, Misses Birdie and Anna, of Wilton, and Mrs. J. P. Ryan, of Muscatine.  Mr. Dwyer was highly respected by all who knew him, and his demise will be regretted by his many friends and acquaintances.  The funeral services will take
place tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock at St. Mary's church, in Wilton, of which deceased was a member.

Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, Iowa  19 April 1895
Contributed by: Howard Bowers

The funeral of William Dwyer, whose sad death  occurred at his home in Wilton township, Friday night, was held yesterday from St. Mary's church, at that place, and was well attended, the last rites being conducted by Rev. Kirkpatrick.  The cause of his death was brain abscess, brought on by a severe attack of the grippe from which he had suffered two weeks.

He was a brother-in-law of L. J. Horan and James P. Ryan of this city.  Mr. Dwyer was born in Schenectady, N. Y., and during infancy he was brought by his parents to Muscatine in 1860,  they subsequently taking up their residence on a farm four miles southeast of Wilton.  Here he grew to manhood, and on February 12th, 1881, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Horan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Horan, of this place.

After several years' residence in Wilton township, the young couple moved to Gardner, Kan., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a decade, returning to Iowa two years ago and only recently  from the western part of the State, to move on the old homestead place.

The deceased was in his 39th year and the eldest son of the late Daniel Dwyer, one of the most prominent farmers of Wilton Township. He is survived by his wife and four sons, the latter ranging in age from 6 to 15 years.

Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, Iowa : 08 March 1897
Contributed by: Howard Bowers

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Last updated: 17 Mar 2004