Butler county Missouri, obit12.txt Newspaper obituary extractions Submitted by Sherry Link Daily American Republican Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO - Mon. Evening Oct. 28, 1935 Front Page MRS/ KENNEDY VETERAN LOCAL TEACHER, DIES One of Best Known of Pioneer Families Passes at the Age Of 74 - Lived Here 52 Years. FUNERAL SERVICES TO BE HELD TUESDSAY Mrs. Kennedy Gave Up Her School Work in 1923 When New Building Was Erected. Mrs. W. H. Kennedy, veteran teacher and home-maker of Poplar Bluff, and loved by thousands of school children who got a part of their early training in her class room in the old Benton school, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. K. Flanery, on North Main street at 4 a.m. Sunday. Mrs. Kennedy had been in failing health for some time. She would have been 75 years old on December 18. Mrs. Kennedy was born in McDougal county, Illinois. In 1932 she and Mr. Kennedy, who is one of the pioneer business men of the city, celebrated their golden wedding date. He retired from active commercial life a few years ago. Mrs. Kennedy had resided in Poplar Bluff fifty-two years. Teaching Record. Starting as a teacher in the city schools immediately after arrival in this city, Mrs. Kennedy continued her work in the class rooms of the old Benton school until the time that building was declared unsafe and was replaced by the beautiful new building which was named in honor of the two pioneer teachers, Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Hattie Williamson. The old building was abandoned in 1922, giving her a total of 41 years as teacher in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Kennedy was a member of the Monday Literary Club and the P. E. O. She was a member of the Christian church since that organization was founded here. Wrote of Her Life Some four or five years ago Mrs. Kennedy responded to the request of Judge D. B. Deem, county historian, for an article on her life. The interesting discourse is reprinted today through courtesy of Judge Deem, and contains many facts and fancies in the life of the prominent woman. Surviving are the husband and the following sons and daughter: George E. Thomason, Poplar Bluff; Mrs. B. K. Flanery, Poplar Bluff, and Ted Kennedy, Cleveland, Ohio. Six grandchildren, one great grandchild, a sister, Mrs. Frank Howland of St. Louis and two brothers, Larkin Utley, St. Louis, and Noble Utley, Mt. Vernon, Ill., also survive. The body was taken to the Frank parlors and prepared for burial. It was returned to the home of Dr. Flanery at noon today and services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Christian church with the Rev. J. L. Wilkinson in charge. The pall bearers will be Grover Dalton, Harry Ruth, Dr. C. C. Coleman, George Hearne, Fay D. Bacon, and Clarence O'Neal. Burial will be in the City Cemtery. ----------------------- 'Daily American Republican', Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO - Tues.. Evening Oct. 29, 1935, pg 5: MRS. KENNEDY Hundreds of Poplar Bluffians, many of whom obtained their early school training in her classes, paid final tribute to the memory of Mrs. W. H. Kennedy here this afternoon. Funeral services were conducted at the Christian Church at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. J. L. Wilkinson officiating. Interment was in City Cemtery, Frank service. Mrs. Kennedy, who served as a member of the public school facility for 41 years, died early Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. K. Flanery. She was nearly 75 years old, having lived in Poplar Bluff more than half a century. Her husband, one of the best known photographers and artist with a camera in Southeast Missouri, survives. He retired a few years ago. Surviving are three children; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one sister and two brothers. ------------------ Daily American Republican Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO -Mon. Evening June 29, 1936 Front Page W. H. KENNEDY DIES AT AGE OF 78 YEARS Veteran Photographer Fell And Suffered Injuries At His Home Recently, FUNERAL RITES WILL BE TUESDSAY His Wife Died Last October One of Best Known Couples In The City Walter H. Kennedy, 78-year-old resident of Poplar Bluff and one of the pioneer business men in this city, died Saturday night at 10 o'clock after suffering injuries in a fall at his home several days before. Mr. Kennedy received a fractured hip in the fall, and this, according to doctors, contributed to complications which resulted in his death. Funeral services will be held at the First Christian church at 3 p.m. Tuesday, where a little less than a year ago last rites were held for Mrs. Kennedy, one of the first school teachers in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Kennedy died October 27, 1935. For nearly half a century the name of Kennedy was synonymous with photography in Poplar Bluff. He was the first photographer to locate here, having first established his business in a tent. He had one of the most valuable collections of photographs, which in themselves told a picture story of the history of Poplar Bluff and its citizens, until a fire a few years ago destroyed the studio which he had previously owned. Had Retired. Mr. Kennedy retired from active business life some eight years ago to spend his autumn years with his wife and other relatives. He had always been associated with activities to improve the city and this district and was active during most of his life in lodge and church work. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy were married at Vienna, Ill, in 1882. A few months later, on November 5, 1882, they came to Poplar Bluff to make their home. In October 1932, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Walter Howe Kennedy, the eighth of nine children of Mrs. and Mrs. David Woods Kennedy, was born in Cavan, Ireland, August 24, 1857. The same year the Poplar Bluffian was born, his father came to America for one year before bringing his family. During his residence in Poplar Bluff, Mr. Kennedy served on the city council, was instrumental in forming the first Republican organization in Butler county and had been a Republican party worker all his life. Relatives. Surviving are three children, T. O. Kennedy of Cleveland, Mrs. B. K. Flanery of Poplar Bluff, and George Thomason of Poplar Bluff. A brother, Edmond Kennedy, lives at Anthony, Kan., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Harlowe, lives at Springfield, Mo. Several nieces and nephews live in London. The body was taken to the Frank Chapel, prepared for burial, and will be returned to the Flanery home on Main street at Fifth at 8 p.m. today where it will remain until time for the funeral tomorrow. The Rev. J. L. Wilkinson, pastor of the Christian church, will be assisted by the Rev. Geo. O. Nichols of the Presbyterian church in conducting the services. The pallbears will be C. E. O'Neal, K. C. Johnson, H. I. Ruth, Edgar Hammons, Dr. C. B. Coleman and G. W. Berryman. ------------- 'Daily American Republican', Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO - Wed. Evening July 1, 1936, pg 5: Walter H. KENNEDY Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon for Walter H. Kennedy, veteran Poplar Bluffian who died Saturday night. A large number of friends of the well known man attended the funeral, held at the First Christian Church with the Rev. J. L. Wilkinson and the Rev. Geo. O. Nichols, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, in charge. Burial in City Cemetery. ------------------------ Daily American Republican Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO - Sat. Mar 17, 1955 pg 2: Mrs. G. Henson, Former Harviell Resident, Dies Mrs. Gertrude Henson, 77, died yesterday morning in St. Louis. She had been ill for the past several years and had lived in St. Louis for the past nine years. Formerly of Harviell, she was the widow of the late W. T. Henson, who preceded her in death in 1945. One son, Homer Scobey, and one daughter, Mrs. Gladys Mitchell, both of St. Louis, survive. The body will be returned here Saturday morning and funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the Greer Croy and Fitch Funeral Chapel. The Rev. W. R. Simpson will officiate and burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. ------- Daily American Republican Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO - Wed., Dec. 19, 1979 pg 24: Gladys Ann Henson BROSELEY -- Gladys Ann Henson, 74-year-old housewife of Rout 2, Broseley, died Tuesday at Poplar Bluff Hospital. She was in ill health for seven months. Mrs. Henson was born Feb. 12, 1905, in Butler County. On May 3, 1921, she was married to Walter Henson in Poplar Bluff. He died April 30, 1973. She was a member of Brown's Chapel General Baptist Church. Surviving are four sons, Walter Henson Jr. and Edward Henson, both of Broseley, Billy Joe Henson of Effingham, Ill., and John Henson of Jefferson City; three daughters, Zona Austin and Arta Faye, both of Broseley, and Mary Lou Hill of St. Louis; two sisters, Opal Nance of Poplar Bluff and Nora Smith of Florissant; 14 grand-children and nine great-grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at White's Funeral Chapel at Fisk. The Rev. Gene Langhoffer will officiate, with burial in Brown's Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 6 this evening at White's.