Unknown newspaper - July, 1948

Ralph W. Lankford was born July 27, 1876, to Jesse R. and Mary J. Ritchey Lankford and passed out of this life July 26, 1948, one day before attending the age of seventy-two years. A cerebral hemorrhage Sunday, about 2:00 a.m., caused his death twenty-four hours later.

His brothers and sisters have gone on before, except Mrs. Katherine L. Glossop of Winchester, Mrs. Ed Lemon of Chambersburg, and Eli, now ill at Jefferson Barracks.

In 1906, he was married to Miss Laura I. Peter by Rev. C. W. Webb, and to this union were born three children, twins who died at birth and Flora Jane, now teaching in Pekin schools.

Mr. Lankford spent his life in Winchester, an industrious carpenter, laying by a competence for old age. His warm sympathies for folks in distress and impulsive generosities were innate qualities he kept hidden as weaknesses. He was always ready to help a friend, or to give a neighborly kindness. He seldom went to church, but the songs he hummed as he trudged to and from the work he loved were the old gospel hymns.

Who can measure the deeper feelings of man;
Or know the guide posts by which he ran his race
Through devious ways and paths to find his home at last!

Funeral services were held at the Cunningham Funeral Home, Wednesday afternoon, July 28, 1948, at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. F. V. Wright officiating. Selections were sung by Ercil Little and Mrs. Edward Haggard, accompanied by Mrs. Nora Bean. They sang "The Old Rugged Cross," and "In the Garden." The flowers were cared for by Mrs. Irene Christison, Miss Zelia Penton, Mrs. Hazel Bryant, Mrs. Emma Little, Mrs. Martha Penton and Mrs. J. J. Overton.

Interment was in the Winchester cemetery, the casket bearers being Wilbur Bryant, Wayne Christison, David Glossop, Eugene Glossop, Richard Overton and Ralph Ash.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. And Mrs. Ed Lemon, Chambersburg, Ill.; Ivan Penton, Louisville, Ky.; Miss Zelia Penton, Springfield; Claude Bryant, wife and son, Wilbur, Dupo, Ill.; Mr. And Mrs. Randolph Little, Eugene and David Glossop and wives, Jacksonville; Mrs. W. H. Damron, sons David and William, Basco; Mr. And Mrs. W. M. Richardson, Ft. Madison, Iowa; C. H. Cully, Canton; Mrs. Irene Christison and son, Wayne, White Hall.

Unknown newspaper - April, 1936

Dovie Kirkman, daughter of David and Martha A. Kirkman, was born in Winchester, Ill., Sept. 27, 1863. She was one of a family of nine children, William, James and Charles dying in infancy, Ellamay, Herbert and Elva, who lived to the age of maturity, and Harry D., Thos. P. of Winchester and Clara Belle, wife of L. H. Strang of Roodhouse, Ill., who survive her.

She united with the Christian church of Winchester, May 29, 1884, and has always retained her membership here, being a teacher of a Sunday school class for a number of years. She taught a private kindergarten school for quite a number of years and was much beloved by the large number of pupils who came under her care.

On November 9, 1903, she was married to John B. Lashmet and made a beautiful home for him and his three little orphan children, who were her own nieces and nephew. That fine gift of motherliness she possessed to such a high degree, had constant exercise through the years. When her own father died leaving a little family she readily became her mother's good right hand in bringing up her brothers and sisters. She was also an artist and dedicated that love of things beautiful to the building of the home and the development of the boys and girls who came within reach of her loving care. She extended this care to the third generation, to the grand nieces, Ellamay and Erlene, daughters of Dovie Lashmet Greiner, who died on Nov. 7, 1928.

Mrs. Lashmet's home was always in Winchester until the family moved to Roodhouse 13 years ago, where so many friends and neighbors also learned to appreciate her great worth.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, the children, Thos. E. Lashmet of Owensboro, Ky., Ellamay, wife of Edward Stanley of Chicago and the three grand nieces, Ellamay and Erlene Greiner who live with their father in Lansing, Mich., and Sue Stanley of Chicago, other beloved nephews and nieces, and a devoted daughter-in-law, Mrs. Thos. Lashmet.

A long life of usefulness is ended, a good wife, friend and steadfast christian has gone to her reward.

Brief funeral services were held at the Reeve funeral home in Roodhouse at 1:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, April 1, and then the remains were brought to Winchester for services in the Christian church at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Thos. Bass of Roodhouse officiating, assisted by Rev. R. L. Schwab. Music was furnished by Mrs. W. H. Kinison and Miss Martha Higgins, with Miss Ethel McClure as organist.

Interment was in the Winchester cemetery, the casket bearers being Paul Lashmet, Edwin Lashmet, Joseph Lashmet, Claude Jones, John Strang and David Kirkman. Among those who accompanied the funeral party were Mr. Lashmet, Thos. Lashmet and wife, Owensboro, Ky.; Mrs. Edward Stanley and baby, Chicago; Lloyd Greiner and two daughters, Lansing, Mich.; Mrs. L. H. Strang, daughter Lucille and son John Henry, White Hall; Ed Lashmet and wife, Manchester, besides many friends and neighbors from Roodhouse. Others in attendance at the funeral were Chas. Stahl and wife, Mechanicsburg, Ill., Felix Johnson and wife, Elkhart, Ill.; Mr. And Mrs. Geo. Ebey, Logansport, Ind.; Mrs. Minnie Jones, Springfield; Claude Jones and wife, Murrayville; Mrs. Herman Treus, Chicago; Chas. Wyatt, Mrs. Jessie Hayes, Mrs. Chas. Banes, Jacksonville; Mrs. Bertha Rutschke, White Hall.

Unknown newspaper - January, 1934

Miss Annie Belle Lewis, daughter of Isaac Henry and Mary Lewis, was born at Winchester, Ill., Sept. 16, 1871, and passed away at the home for soldiers' wives and daughters at Wilmington, Ill., Wednesday morning, Jan. 24, 1934, at the age of 62 years, four months and eight days.

She joined the M. E. church in 1896, under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Waterberry and lived a faithful, christian life. She was a patient sufferer with rheumatism for over 30 years.

Her mother preceded her in death, July 3, 1906, and her father, on April 11, 1913. A brother, David Lewis died in Omaha, Neb., Feb. 12, 1921, and her other brother, George, died at Minneapolis, Minn., about two years ago.

Farwell, dear friend, sweet they rest,
Weary with years and worn with pain.
Farwell, till in some happy place
We shall behold thy face again.
'Tis ours to miss thee, all our years,
And tender memories of thee keep;
Thine in the Lord to rest, for so,
He giveth his beloved sleep.

Funeral services were held at Ranner's funeral home Friday morning, Jan. 26, 1934, at 10 o'clock, Rev. J. Fred Melvin officiating. Mrs. S. G. Smith sang two selections, being accompanied by Mrs. Lois Eckman.

Interment was in the Winchester cemetery, the pall bearers being Ray King, Geo. Cohagan, Fritz Haskell, Chas. Tuke, Oscar Glossop and Guy Faul.

Unknown newspaper - May, 1936

Christian Munze was born in Lauffen, Wutemberg, Germany, May 21, 1856, and emigrated to this country at the age of 17 years. He learned his trade as a baker at Hartford, Connecticut, and was employed in several cities while in the East. He came to Winchester from Parkersburg, West Virginia, January 22, 1885, and established a bakery and grocery business in the building where he remained until his death--over fifty-one years. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Scheiffele March 13, 1886, at St. Louis, Mo. Five children were born to them: Mrs. Anna Silverman, Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Bertha Clader, St. Louis, Mo., Edward and Herman of Winchester, Ill., and Freda, who passed away in 1917. There are three grand children Ralph Clader, Jr., Donald Clader, and Maurice Silverman, Jr.

Mr. Munze was confirmed in the Lutheran church but since there was no church of that denomination here when he came, he attended the Presbyterian church and was always one of its most liberal contributors until the church closed. He was one of Winchester's most highly respected citizen, was public spirited, and was interested in anything that would benefit the town and community, always doing his part cheerfully. It has often been said of him that many families would have suffered from hunger had it not been for his kind heart and generosity. He loved his home and was devoted to his wife and children. Mr. Munze celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary March 13, and while his health had not been good for several months, he enjoyed the day and visited with friends who called. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and had he lived until June 11, would have received the 50-year jewel.

Mr. Munze was a loyal friend, always honest and upright in his business dealings with his fellowman. He will be greatly missed for it can be said of him, "He was a good man."

Funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church, Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 1936, at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. Wright officiating. Three selections were sung by Mrs. W. H. Kinison and Miss Martha Higgins, accompanied by Mrs. Nora Bean. The floral offerings were cared for by Mrs. Chas. Burdick, Mrs. Bertha Rutchke, Mrs. Earl Miner and Misses Mary Higgins, Bertha Miner and Clarice Phears.

The casket bearers were John Trihey, Geo. Metzger, Earl Miner, Ray Nelson, Jos. Montgomery and Guy Faul. The members of Pioneer Lodge, No. 70, I.O.O.F., attended the funeral in a body and had charge of the services at the Winchester cemetery.

Unknown newspaper - July, 1949

Minnie Alvina, second eldest daughter of John H. and Mary Lee Carlton, was born March 14, 1874, and passed away July 19, 1949, after an illness of five years.

She was united in marriage to Jas. Northcutt of Alsey, May 30, 1892. To this union, three children were born, James, Jr., Mary Lelia, and Robert Lee, all of Alsey.

She united with the First Baptist church of Winchester, March 17, 1901, and was baptized by Rev. W. H. Breach. After moving to her home near Alsey, she brought her membership to the Alsey Baptist church, Jan. 1, 1911, where it remained the rest of her life.

Besides her husband and three children, she is survived by five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, four brothers, William and Ora Carlton of Winchester, Robert Carlton of Alsey, and Jesse Carlton of Pittsfield, also a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held from the Alsey Baptist church, July 21, 1949, with the Rev. Garfield Rodgers officiating. The many floral tributes were cared for by Mrs. Olin Clark, Mrs. Helen Smith, Mrs. Mary Agnes Summers, and Mrs. Edna Brown, all nieces of the deceased.

The casket bearers were all nephews. They were George Homer, Orville, Lee, Floyd, and John Carlton. Interment was in the Winchester cemetery.

A good wife, a wonderful mother, and a fine neighbor--she will be missed by all who knew her. Her suffering is over. She is at rest.

Unknown newspaper - March, 1941

Miss Florence Sperry was born in Winchester, Ill., January 14, 1872, the youngest of five children of Samuel Sperry and Mary Frances Sperry. Miss Sperry passed away at the home of her sister, Mrs. Mary B. McKeene, Sunday, March 23, 1941 after a brief illness. Miss Sperry's death came very unexpectedly. Although she was apparently much improved, until Friday afternoon, when she became critically ill.

Miss Sperry was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert H. and Charles Sperry, and one sister, Maude Sperry. She is survived by the following relatives: Mrs. Mary B. McKeene, (widow of the late Judge J. A. McKeene), a sister-in-law, Mrs. Anna Sperry, (widow of the late Robert H. Sperry), a niece, Mrs. Arch Albert, and a great niece, Miss Anne Albert, of St. Louis, a nephew, Lieutenant Commander Edward R. Sperry, who is stationed in Panama canal zone, and a grand nephew, Robert Sperry.

Miss Sperry spent her entire life in Winchester and was a member of the Presbyterian church, where she was active in Sunday school department, teaching, assisting with young people's organizations in the church, and serving as organist. Miss Sperry was graduated from the Winchester High School, where she was a superior student. After graduation, she taught school for a short time, but she was forced to abandon this profession because of ill health.

She was of a quiet disposition, seeking little away from her home and friends. She had many virtues, the greatest of which was her loyalty. This was personified in her attitude toward her family, her church and her friends. Miss Sperry loved music and good literature, and spent most of her leisure time in reading. It was always her rule to speak kindly of anyone or to keep silent.

This life has closed just as new life is coming to the earth which has been her habitation, but may a new life begin for her in the "Great Somewhere," where she may be united with the loved ones gone before, who are waiting to welcome her to her eternal home.

Funeral services were conducted from her late home Tuesday afternoon, March 25, 1941, at two o'clock, Rev. F. V. Wright, pastor of the Baptist church officiating. Selections were sung by Mrs. W. H. Kinison and Miss Martha Higgins. The flowers were cared for by Miss Helen Smith, Mrs. Emma McDonnough, Mrs. Clyde North, Miss Helen Kinison and Mrs. Earl Nelson.

Interment was in the Winchester cemetery, the casket bearers being Harry Montgomery, S. G. Smith, H. B. Corrie, Earl Nelson, T. J. Dugan and Guy Faul.