NELLIE M. FREERKING

Nellie M. Freerking

Age: 83 years, 9 months, 15 days

NELLIE M. FREERKING

DOB: July 26, 1907
Indiana, USA

DOD: May 11, 1991

Parentage & birth family uncertain

 


Help PleaseI cannot tell you much about Nellie. We do not have her obituary. Below is what we do know:

Nellie married Alexander A Maass around 1928 after the death of Alexander’s first wife, Louisa Priess Maass, who died in 1919.

After Alexander A Maass’ death in 1955, Nellie married August Freerking  on April 18, 1956. August Freerking’s first wife, Lydia Maass, died Nov. 29, 1944.

August Freerking was the brother of Henry J. Freerking, who is interred in the mausoleum.

It has been mentioned that Nellie and Lydia Maass Freerking, the first wife of August Freerking, were cousins, but we cannot confirm that connection at this time.

If you can help us identify Nellie’s family, please let us know.


Nellie’s known family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Second Wife to: Alexander A. Maass
Alexander A Maass’s first wife is also in the mausoleum: Louise M (Priess) Maass
Brother-in-law: Henry Freerking
First husband’s (August Freerking) grandmother: Wilhelmina (Stradtman) Scheer Pralle

 

OLIVE M. MILEY

DR. M.R. MILEY & OLIVE M. & ALICE A. MILEY (800x525)

 Age: 74 years, 5 months, 8 days

OLIVE M. MILEY

DOB: January 17, 1915
Beecher, IL USA

DOD: June 25, 1989
Los Angeles, CA USA

Daughter of Dr. Michael Miley & Anna E. (Manz) Miley

Sister to: Alice A., Bernice E. (Albert A. Anderson Jr.), Mary E. and  Milton C. Miley


June 4, 1926 – Beecher Herald

1-scouting-for-girls-official-handbook-1926Girl Scout patrols one and two held a meeting at the home of Captain Myrick Wednesday evening at 7:30. The principal business transacted was the election of officers for the ensuing year. The new officers are listed below.

PATROL ONE

Secretary, Elizabeth Wehrley; treasurer, Florence Batterman; 1st lieutenant, Verna Adolph; patrol leader, Rosalind Hunte; Colorbearer, Rosabelle Boderius.

PATROL TWO

Secretary, Helen Batterman; treasurer, Florence Batterman, 1st lieutenant, Verna Adolph; patrol leader, Lorraine Schultz; Colorbearer, Olive Miley.

Instead of holding joint meetings as heretofore, the two patrols will now meet on alternate Fridays.

(Editor’s note: Olive was age 11)


Help Please

We do not have Olive’s obituary, but what we do know is:

Olive was born and raised in Beecher, IL

 

Attended Beecher High School three years

Olive Miley, Bloom High School 1930

 

Attended Bloom Township High School 1926-1930Olive Miley year book 1930

 

Olive Miley 1930 Bloom Township High School

Olive is in the middle row, 4th from the right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


In the 1930 census, she was living at home with Dr. Miley, Anna & Bernice, attending school, with no occupation.

University of Missouri, Olive Miley 1932

University of Missouri 1932 Read Hall

In 1932, she may have attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Read Hall. (unconfirmed; we can only find one reference to an Olive Miley and can’t confirm by a good photo)

On Jan. 29, 1939, Dr. Miley died, and Anna, Alice & Olive were at his bedside.

In the 1940 census, Olive is listed as living with Anna in Beecher, working as a laundry maid, National Park.

On Aug. 22, 1953, the Beecher Herald reported that “Miss Olive Miley of Chicago spent a few days recently with her mother, Mrs. Anna Miley, who has been ill.” (this would have been in Beecher)

On August 21, 1954, Olive’s mother, Anna Miley, died.

 

 


Cruise ship Evangeline

In May of 1955, Olive traveled to Miami and Havana, Cuba. It appears that Olive traveled alone.

In February of 1956, Olive traveled to Miami, FL, the Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico on a first class cruise. It appears that Olive traveled alone.

Trans Wold AirlinesIn May of 1957, Olive traveled to London, England via Trans World Airlines.

In May of 1958, Alice & Olive took a cruise together to Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

We do know that Olive eventually moved to California to live with her sister Alice.

Neither sister ever married


Olive’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Father & Mother: Dr. Michael Miley & Anna (Manz) Miley
Sister: Alice A. Miley
Sister & brother (twins): Mary E. & Milton C. Miley

NANCY GRAHAM FENSKE

NANCY GRAHAM FENSKE

Age: 25 years, 8 months, 21 days

NANCY GRAHAM FENSKE

DOB: December 17, 1951
Beecher, IL, USA

DOD: September 7, 1977
Austin, Travis County, TX, USA

Daughter of Arthur and Charlene (nee Saller) Graham

 

 

Sister to: Susan Kay (Ronald L. Clausing), Charles Arthur (Susan Unknown) Graham

Wife of John William “Jack” Fenske, married Aug. 9, 1976

 

 


We do not have an obituary for Nancy. If you can help us understand her life, please let us know.

We have pieced together some information about Nancy. Friends have told us that Nancy was a very intelligent, loving and caring person. She taught many of the Beecher children to swim in her parents’ in-ground swimming pool and was a synchronized swim instructor from 1970-1972 or 1973. At one time, she worked for a banjo company.

 

In the mid 1970’s, she found her way to Boulder, Colorado, where she met and married her husband Jack on August 9, 1976. Shortly after their marriage Jack and Nancy moved to Jack’s hometown area of Austin, Texas to be close to Jack’s family. Their happy marriage was suddenly cut short in less than a year when Nancy suffered a brain aneurysm and died at only 25 years of age. Nancy was brought back home to be buried alongside her family in the mausoleum.

 

 


Nancy’s other family members resting in the mausoleum are:
Mother & Father: Charlene (Saller) Graham & Arthur Graham
Maternal Grandparents: Herbert C. Saller & Dorothy (Bahlman) Saller
Great Grandparents: Charles H. Bahlman & Sophia “Minnie” (Schweer) Bahlman
2nd Great Uncle & Aunt: Henry Fred Bahlman & Emma (Wehmhoefer) Bahlman
2nd Great Aunt: Lena Caroline Bahlman
2nd Great uncle & Aunt: John H. Bahlman & Anna L. (Wehrmann) Bahlman
2nd Great Uncle: William F. Bahlman
1st cousins 2x removed: Lillian (Bahlman) Wegert  & Henry H. Wegert
1st cousins 2x removed: Lora (Bahlman) Hinze & Arthur A. Hinze
1st cousins 2x removed: Henry W. Bahlman & Marguerite (Toleson) Bahlman
1st cousin 2x removed: Carolyn M. Bahlman
1st cousin 2x removed: Donald W. Bahlman
1st cousins 2x removed: Ferne (Bahlman) Hildeman & William R. Hildeman

 

CLARA E. HAGER

CLARA E. HAGER

Age: 82 years, 11 months, 28 days

CLARA E. HAGER
(nee HORN)

DOB: December 30, 1888
Crete, IL USA

DOD: December 28, 1971
South Chicago Heights, IL USA
Suburban Convalescent Center

Daughter of Charles H. and Caroline/Lena (nee Kappmeyer) Horn

Sister to: Charles H. (Mae Howell), Walter L. (Lillian A. Bourg), Elsie (Robert D. Groenveld), Herbert Paul (wife unknown), Reinhold William, Loena, Arthur H. and Vernon R. (Helen M. Howland) Horn

Wife of Joseph A. Hager, married in 1918, the year her mother Caroline died
Mother to: Phyllis Hager Hensley(Joseph H.) Stewart


CLARA E. HAGER

Clara Hager obitFuneral services will be conducted Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Spindler-Koelling Crete chapel for Mrs. Clara E. Hager, 82 of Crete, who died Tuesday afternoon at the Suburban Convalescent Center, South Chicago Heights.

Mrs. Hager lived at 477 North Street in Crete.She was a lifelong resident of Crete, having been born there December 30, 1888. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Crete, the Ladies Aid of the church and the Crete Women’s club.

The Rev. A.T. Kretzman, pastor of Trinity, will officiate. Entombment will be in the Beecher Mausoleum. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Thursday and until time of the services on Friday.

Photo form a book "Crete Remembered" by Carol Triebold and Phyllis Monk

Photo form a book “Crete Remembered”
by Carol Triebold and Phyllis Monk

She is survived by her husband, Joseph; a daughter, Mrs. Phyllis Stewart of Gary, Ind.; a sister, Mrs. Elsie Groenveld of Joliet; a brother, Vernon R. Horn of Aurora; three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

 

 


Joseph Hager obit

Neither Clara’s nor Joseph’s obituaries tell us that Clara’s brothers Walter, Charles, Arthur, Reinhold & Vernon lived with Clara and Joseph from 1918 thru 1940.

Walter was married in 1921 and left the family home.

Clara’s mother died in 1918, the year Clara married Joseph, and Clara & Joseph took over the care of the family.

Clara’s sister Elsie was married in 1914

Clara’s father Charles, the son of the first mayor of Crete, was tragically killed in a train crash in 1905.


Because Clara’s headstone, along with a large portion of the Horn family compartment within the mausoleum, was destroyed by vandals in the mid 1980’s, we are in the process of trying to obtain white Colorado Yule Quarry “Lincoln Gold Vein” marble needed to replace the missing panels.

More damage to the Horn Family Compartment.

Due to the damage, we aren’t certain which crypts contain the remains of Caroline, Arthur & Clara

 


Clara’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Mother: Caroline “Lena” (Kappmeyer) Horn
Brother: Walter L. Horn
Brother: Reinhold W. Horn
Brother: Arthur H Horn
First Cousins 1x removed: Caroline “Carrie” L (Kappmeyer) Struve & Arthur Struve

According to newspaper accounts, Arthur Struve’s wife, Caroline Struve (nee Kappmeyer) and Clara Hager’s mother, Caroline “Lena” Horn (nee Kappmeyer) were first cousins.

ARTHUR H. HINZE

Arthur H. Horn

Age: 69 years, 9 days, 26 days

ARTHUR H. HORN

DOB: July 13, 1901
Crete, IL USA

DOD: MAY 9, 1971
Hot Springs , ARK USA
Baptist Medical Center

 

Son of Charles H. and Caroline F. (nee Kappmeyer) Horn

Brother to: Clara E. (Joseph A. Hager), Charles F.( Mae Howell), Walter L. (Lillian A. Bourg), Elsie (Robert D. Groeneveld), Herbert Paul, Reinhold W., Leona and Vernon R. (Helen M. Howland)  Horn


ARTHUR HORN DIES, FORMER RESIDENT

Arthur Horn DiesFuneral services were held Wednesday for former Crete resident Arthur H. Horn who died Sunday at Baptist Medical Center, Little Rock. He was born July 13, 1901 in Crete and lived most of his life here.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Spindler-Koelling Chapel in Crete, with the Rev. A.T. Kretzmann, of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Entombment was in the family mausoleum in Beecher.

Mr. Horn is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Clara Hager of Crete, and Mrs. Elsie Groeneveld of Joliet; and a brother Vernon R. Horn of Coffeyville, Kansas. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Charles F., Reinhold, Herbert and Walter.


This is the Damage to the Horn family compartment 1988-1994

With so much damage done to the Horn compartment, we are not certain which crypts contain the remains of Caroline, Clara and Arthur. If you can help, please contact us.


Arthur’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Mother: Caroline “Lena” (Kappmeyer) Horn
Sister: Clara E. (Horn) Hager
Brother: Walter L. Horn
Brother: Reinhold W. Horn
First Cousins 1x removed: Caroline “Carrie” L (Kappmeyer) Struve & Arthur Struve

ANNA L. KRUEGER

Anna L Krueger

Age: 82 years, 8 months, 9 days

ANNA L KRUEGER
(nee Wittrock)

DOB: October 13, 1884
St. Louis, MO USA
DOD: June 22, 1967

Daughter of Fred & Anna (Frimmel) Wittrock

We cannot confirm Anna’s parentage or family. The only information we’ve found are her parents’ names on her U.S. Social Security death claims index.

Help Please

 

We do not have Anna Krueger’s obituary, but this is what we know so far:

 

(Editor’s note:  Anna and her husband August moved into the home of Carl Vagt after the death of Mrs. Vagt in 1932 and lovingly took care of Mr. Vagt. The Vagt home was on Penfield Street in Beecher)

An excerpt from Mr. Vagt’s obituary describes his years after the passing of his wife, when he “tried pitifully to carry on alone, but the burden of many years making itself felt, he happily accepted the gracious offer of Mr. and Mrs. August Krueger to move in with him and take care of him. This arrangement proved a veritable blessing to Mr. Vagt, a blessing which he deeply appreciated and which flooded his declining years with the peace and quiet of a beautiful sunset. Being relieved of all cares and worries and surrounded by loving attention and care, he enjoyed life as never before and no doubt desired to have it continued.”


Anna’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Husband: August Krueger
Although no direct family connections: Carl Vagt & Maria (Unruh) Vagt

No other family members are with the Kruegers. August bought the two crypts in 1944.

LORA B. HINZE

Lora B Hinze

Age: 70 years, 5 months, 29 days

LORA B. HINZE
(nee BAHLMAN)

DOB: December 7, 1892
Eagle Lake, IL USA

DOD: June 5, 1963

Daughter of Henry F. and Emma (Wehmhoefer) Bahlman

Sister to: Lillian (Henry H. Wegert), Henry W. DDS (Marguerite Toleson), Carolyn M., Donald W. (Martha J. Mitchell) and Ferne (William R. Hildeman)

Wife of Arthur A. Hinze, married October 31, 1924

Mother of Lowell A. (Julia “Julie” Terry) Hinze

Grandmother to three grandsons: Mark W., Jeffrey A., Daniel T. Hinze, but she only got to meet two of them.


Help Please

We do not have a full obituary, only a short obit from the Chicago Tribune for Lora, so we can’t tell you much more about her life, if you can help please let us know.

 


NOVEMBER 13, 1924 – BEECHER HERALD – MATRIMONIAL

Bahlman-Hinze NatrimonialMiss Lora Bahlman of Beecher and Arthur A Hinze were quietly married, Friday evening October 31, 1924, at the home of Rev. J.G. Grace on West Fifteenth Street. They spent their honeymoon at Davenport, IA. Mrs. Hinze has been employed in the city clerk’s office for several years. The groom is chief clerk of the Zouri Drawn Metals company – Chicago Heights Star.Zouri Drawn Metals Co

 

 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Hinze are both well known and highly respected Beecher people, the bride being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Bahlman and the groom is the son of Dora Hinze Stade.


JUNE 6, 1963 – CHICAGO TRIBUNE – OBITUARY

Lora B Hinze obitLora B. Hinze, of Chicago Heights, beloved wife of the late Arthur, loving mother of Lowell of San Diego; fond sister of Ferne Hildeman of Chicago Heights and Dr. Henry Bahlman of Chicago Heights; grandmother of two. Resting at West End Funeral Home, 1340 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights after 4 p.m. Thursday. Services Friday, 1:30 p.m. Entombment Beecher cemetery.


Lora’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Husband: Arthur A. Hinze
Father & Mother Henry F. Bahlman & Emma (Wehmhoefer) Bahlman
Sister & Brother-in-law: Lillian (Bahlman) Wegert and Dr. Henry H. Wegert
Sister & Brother-in-law: Ferne (Bahlman) Hildeman & William R. Hildeman
Brother & Sister-in-law: Henry W. Bahlman, DDS & Marguerite (Toleson) Bahlman
Sister: Carolyn M. Bahlman
Brother: Donarld W. Bahlman
Aunt : Lena Bahlman
Uncle & Aunt:  John H. Bahlmann & Anna L. (Wehrmann) Bahlmann
Uncle: William F. Bahlmann
Uncle & Aunt: Charles H. Bahlman & Sophia “Minnie” (Schweer) Bahlman
Cousin: Dorothy (Bahlman) Saller & Herbert Saller
1st Cousin 1x removed: Baby Son Saller
1st Cousins 1x removed: Charlene M. (Saller) Graham & Arthur Graham
1st Cousins 2x removed: Nancy (Graham) Fenske
Husbands half brothers (Albert A. Hinze) wife: Mary E. (Jessen) Hinze

Other, more distant family include: Batterman, Bergmeier, Beseke, Bielfeldt, Bohl, Cloidt, Dunlap, Engleking, Fick, Freerking, Frobose, Guritz, Hack, Hager, Haltenhof , Heine, Heldt, Hoffman, Hoppensteadt, Horn, Hunte, Kaczynski, Kappe, Kilborn,  Kirchhoff,  Klocksieben, Koch, Langreder, Leder, Maass, Matthias, Mc Carty, Meyer, Monk, Niedert, Ohlendorf, Pansa, Peters, Pralle, Riley, Ristenpart, Rohe, Rust, Saller, Selk, Struve, Thielman, Vagt, Von Engeln, Wehmhoefer, Wiechen, Wilkening,

ALEXANDER A. MAASS

Alexander A. Maass

Age: 74 years, 5 months, 2 days

ALEXANDER AUGUST MAASS

DOB: September 28, 1880
Sumner Township,
Kankakee County, IL USA

DOD: March 2, 1955

Son of William and Emilie Auguste (nee Hamann) Maass

Brother to 12 siblings: Ida Emile Maass, Anna Friederick (William Hopner), Bertha Auguste (William Wilkin), Wilhelm Carl (Caroline Rasche), Amelia Friedericke, Albert Henry (Amanda B. Reaman), Otto Fred (Anna Lipke), Leona (Bernhardt Wilkin), Mathilda Augusta (Harry Keeney), Rudolph Henry, Benjamin Wilhelm (Minnie L. Fick) and Adeli Stevenson (Alvina Weigel) Maass

Husband of Louise Maria Magdalena Prusz, married November 12, 1903
Father to: Lila R. (Frank L. Hodges), Elmer (Marie unknown) and Clifford R. (Mary Elizabeth unknown) Maass

Alexander was also the husband of Nellie M. (maiden name unknown), married circa 1928.

Nellie also married August Freerking on April 18, 1956, after Alexander’s death.


Help Please

WE DO NOT HAVE ALEXANDER’S OBITUARY. IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE LET US KNOW

What we do know from the Census and Draft Registrations:

 

1900: Age 19, Single, Farm labor, Living at home with his family in Sumner, Kankakee, IL
1910: Age 28, Married to Louise, Farmer, Washington Township, IL
Sept. 12, 1918: Age 37, WW1 Draft Registration, Railroad checker, C & E I Railroad Co., East end of Chicago Heights
1920: Age 39, Widowed, Freight house checker, Chicago Heights, IL
1930, Age 49, Married to Nellie, Farm labor, Garner Township, IL
1940, Age 59, Married to Nellie, Farmer, Garner Township, IL
1942, Age 61, WWII Draft Registration, Farmer, Momence, Kankakee County, IL


Alexander’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

1st Wife: Louise (Priess) Maass
2nd Wife: Nellie M. Maass Freerking
2nd Wife’s (Nellie’s) brother-in-law: Henry J. Freerking

Other, more distant family include: Bahlman, Batterman, Bergmeier, Beseke, Bielfeldt, Bohl, Cloidt, Dunlap, Engleking,  Fenske, Fick, Fiene, Frobose, Graham, Guritz, Hack, Hager, Haltenhof , Heine, Heldt, Hildeman, Hinze, Hoffman, Hoppensteadt, Horn, Hunte, Kaczynski, Kappe, Kilborn,  Kirchhoff,  Klocksieben, Koch, Langreder, Leder, Matthias, Mc Carty, Meyer, Monk, Niedert, Ohlendorf, Pansa, Peters, Pralle, Riley, Ristenpart, Rohe, Rust, Saller, Selk, Struve, Thielman, Vagt, Von Engeln, Wegert, Wehmhoefer, Wiechen, Westphal, Wilkening,

 

CHARLOTTE WEHMHOEFER

Charlotte Wehmhoefer

age: 74 years, 8 days

CHARLOTTE “LOTTIE” WEHMHOEFER
(nee THIESFELD)

DOB: June 24, 1880
Peotone, IL USA

DOD: July 2, 1954
location unknown

 

Daughter of Dietrick and Sophia (nee Schneeweis) Thiesfeld

Help Please

Please help with Charlotte’s birth family.

I believe Charoltte’s father immigrated in 1864 with his first wife, Scharlotte (nee Campe), and they had the following children, to whom Charlotte was a half sister:

 

Half Sister to: Elisabeth, Dorothea, Henry L. (Mary Schroeder), Charlotte, Sophie Elinore (Nicholas Ulferts), Johann Heinrich, Melosine Dorothea (William H. Schroeder) and Friedrich Heinrich (Emma M. Voight) Thiesfeld.

Scharlotte (Campe) Thiesfeld died April 15, 1875 and is buried in the Peotone Cemetery.

Dietrick married his second wife, Sophia Maria Schneeweis, on September 27, 1878.

Wilhelmina "Minnie" (Thiesfeld) Pauling and her husband Albert W. Pauling Jan. 16, 1902 Monee, IL

Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Thiesfeld) Pauling and her husband Albert W. Pauling Jan. 16, 1902 Monee, IL

 

 

Sister to: Wilhelmina F. “Minnie” (Albert W. Pauling) Thiesfeld

 

 

 


Help Please

 

We do not have an obituary for Charlotte, but we know the following facts about her:

 

Wife of Edward John Wehmhoefer, married March 5, 1905 in St. Luke’s Church, Beecher, IL USA

Mother of Edwin D. Wehmhoefer, born October 25, 1905 in Beecher, IL USA

1910 census data: she was married to Edward, age 29, and listed as a housewife

1920 census data: She was 39 years old and caring for her husband Edward who had been very sick for 3 years. Edward died on November 18, 1920, the cause believed to have been cancer.

1927 brought the death of her son Edwin, who died October 11, 1927 in St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights, IL. “Kidney ailment/ Bright’s Disease” was listed as the cause.

1930 census data: We can’t find Charlotte in the 1930 census.

1940 census data: Charlotte was living at 7A Reed Street, Beecher, and listed as a Practical Nurse.


Charlotte’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:

Husband: Edward J. Wehmhoefer
Son: Edwin D. Wehmhoefer
Mother-in-law: Maria (Seegers or Siegert) Wehmhoefer Hoffmann
Brother & Sister-in-law: Henry C. Wehmhoefer & Augusta J. (Wehling) Wehmhoefer
Sister-in-law: Matilda “Tillie” (Wehmhoefer) Westpahl
Niece & Nephew: Ethel E. (Wehmhoefer) Hack & Arthur J. Hack

Other, more distant family include: Bahlman, Batterman, Bergmeier, Beseke, Bielfeldt, Bohl, Cloidt, Dunlap, Engleking,  Fenske, Fick, Fiene, Freerking, Frobose, Graham, Guritz, Hack, Hager, Haltenhof , Heine, Heldt, Hildeman, Hinze, Hoppensteadt, Horn, Hunte, Kaczynski, Kappe, Kilborn,  Kirchhoff,  Klocksieben, Koch, Langreder, Leder, Maass, Matthias, Mc Carty, Meyer, Monk, Niedert, Ohlendorf, Pansa, Peters, Pralle, Riley, Ristenpart, Rohe, Rust, Saller, Selk, Struve, Thielman, Vagt, Von Engeln, Wegert, Wiechen,  Wilkening.

 

 

 

JOHN H. GURITZ

JOHN H. GURITZ

Age: 76 years, 2 months, 16 days

JOHN H. GURITZ

DOB: June 20, 1876
Washington Township, IL, USA

DOD: September 5, 1952
Allegan, Michigan, USA
at home

Son of William and Engle Marie (Mary) Sophie (nee Schafer) 1839-1932 Guritz

Brother to eight siblings: Mary (Fred Foy), Sophie (Frank Rudolph), Louisa, Emma (Henry F. Haseman), Louis (Emma Wehrmann), Bertha (William Wilkening), George (Ella D. Lindermann) and Henry Guritz

Half brother to: Charles, William (Catherine Ziegler), Heinrich (Auguste Voshage), Friedericka (Fred Wehrmann Sr), August (Dorothea Ohlemkamp), Amelia (Peter H. Lorenzon), Christian (Emma T. Voshage), Caroline (Ernest Bermeier) and Peter Guritz.

Husband of Martha Maria Charlotte (Tatge), married Feb. 2, 1902, Northfield, IL USA
Martha died May 13, 1925

Father of “Harry” Harvey W. Guritz

John took in (an official marriage is not confirmed): Ella D. Lindemann Guritz and her children sometime after the death of her husband George Guritz, John’s younger brother who died September 18, 1926.

Adoptive father to his brother’s (George H. Guritz’s) children: Arthur (Alice R. Farster), Melvin ( Viola H.Christiansen), Anna (Earl Flick), Earl, Della (James B Dillenbeck) & George A (Jennie unknown) Guritz


JOHN GURITZ DIES AT HOME IN ALLEGAN

John Guritz Dies at HomeFuneral services for John Henry Guritz were held from the Gorden Funeral Residence on Monday evening after he died suddenly at his home on route 4, Allegan, Friday.

Tuesday morning the body was taken to Beecher, Ill., where services were held with interment at the St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery.

He is survived by one son, Harvey, of route 4, Allegan; 4 grandchildren; 3 sisters: Mrs. Mary Foy, of Ft. Ripley, Minn.; Mrs. Bertha Wilkening, of Beecher, Ill.; and Mrs. Sophia Rudolph of Hammond, Ind., and several nieces and nephews. He was born in Illinois 76 years ago.

(Editor’s note: John was not buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery as the article indicates, rather, he was interred in the Beecher Mausoleum)


FORMER RESIDENT BURIED IN MAUSOLEUM

John Guritz Former Resident BuriedJohn Guritz, a former resident of this community, passed away in Allegan, Michigan Friday morning, Sept. 5th. He was born and raised in this community and operated a farm east of Beecher for a number of years. He was born June 20, 1876, attaining the age of 76 years at the time of his passing.
One son, Harvey, of Allegan and four grandchildren survive. Other survivors are three sisters: Mrs. Mary Foy of Minnesota, Mrs. Sophia Rudolph of Crown Point and Mrs. Bertha Wilkening of Beecher.
Funeral services were held at Allegan, Michigan Monday evening. Committal services were held at the Beecher Mausoleum, Tuesday afternoon, at 2:00 o’clock. Rev. Edwin Otte, pastor of St. Luke’s Church, officiated.


HOLD RITES HERE

John Guritz Hold Rites HereCommittal services were held at the Beecher Mausoleum recently for John Guritz of Allegan Mich., a former Beecher resident who died in Allegan on September 5. He was born June 20, 1876 east of Beecher on a farm. He lived near the Beecher-Indiana state line for many years before moving to Michigan. He is survived by one son Harvey of Allegan, four grandchildren and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Foy of Minnesota, Mrs. Sophie Rudolph of Crown Point, Ind., and Mrs. Bertha Wilkening of Beecher.


Editor’s notes:

Immediately after marriage, John, Martha and their young son Harvey moved to Jackson, Minnesota and took up farming there. By 1912, they moved back to the Beecher area, Hanover, Lake County, Indiana and bought yet another farm.

In 1925, his beloved wife Martha died following an operation at St. James Hospital. The following year, 1926, his older brother George Heinrich Guritz, husband of Ella D. (nee Lindemann) and the father of six children, ages 1 year to 14 years old, died. George had been in poor health for four years. He was taken suddenly ill and after two short days he was called to answer the final summons.

By 1930,  John was living on his farm in Lake County, IN with his only son Harvey and  his brother George’s widow, Ella, and her six children: Arthur, Melvin, Anna, Earl, Della and George.

By 1940, John, Harvey, Ella and the six children had moved to Lawrence, Van Buren, Michigan. In the 1940 census, John & Ella are listed as husband and wife.

John died September 5, 1952 in Allegan, Michigan and he was brought home to be laid to rest next to Martha in the Beecher Mausoleum.


John’s family members also resting in the mausoleum are:
First Wife: Martha (Tatge) Guritz
Half Brother and sister-in-law: August Guritz & Dora (Ohlenkamp) Guritz

Other extended, more distant families include:
Bahlman, Batterman, Bergmeier, Beseke, Bielfeldt, Bohl, Cloidt, Dunlap, Engleking, Fenske, Fick, Freerking, Froboese, Graham, Hack, Hager, Haltenhof, Heine, Heldt, Hildeman, Hinze, Hoffman, Hoppenstead, Horn, Hunte, Kaczynski, Kappe, Kilborn, Kirchhoff, Klocksieben, Koch, Langreder, Leder, Maass, Matthias, McCarty, Meyer, Monk, Ohlendorf, Pansa, Peters, Pralle, Riley, Ristenpart, Rohe, Rust, Saller, Selk, Struve, Thielman, Vagt, Von Engeln, Wegert, Wehmhoefer, Wiechen, Wilkening,