Odessa Vicinity Deaths

                                                                            burial location elsewhere

                                                                      Submitted by Marge Womach

                                                                                                     File 1  Page I through J                                                                       

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Ils:  “Jacob Ils Jr, former Odessa farmer, who left here about six years ago for Montana, later moving to California, was killed in a tractor accident, it became known this week when relatives received a telegram notifying them of the accident. Details were not given in the telegram. Mr Ils is survived by his widow and three children. He is a son of Jacob Ils, Sr, now living in the Ritzville area. A group of family members drove to California to attend the funeral services.” (Odessa Record: 3-11-1937) “Funeral services were held last Monday at Chico, CA, for Jacob Ils Jr, former Odessa rancher, who had been killed in a tractor accident. Driving a wheeled tractor he had made too sharp a turn, the tractor becoming entangled in the equipment following it, tipping over on the driver, who was instantly killed. Survivors include the widow and three children, Melvin, Arlene and __ Ruth, at Chico; his father, Jacob Ils Sr, Ritzville, two brothers, George J and Adam, and four sisters, Mrs Joel German, Mrs John Scrupps, and Lydia and Alma Ils, all of the Odessa-Ritzville area.” (Odessa Record: 3-18-1937)

Iltz:  Howard H Iltz died Aug 6, 1995 in Spokane with burial at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. He was born in Odessa on Dec 27, 1925, the son of George Iltz Sr and Katherine E Walter Iltz. He grew up in Odessa and was graduated from Odessa High School with the Class of 1943. He served two years with the US Army in the Korean Conflict, after which he was employed as an accountant at the Odessa Union Warehouse Co-op, and later assistant postmaster in Odessa for 10 years. He then moved to Spokane. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jackie Iltz; one son, Craig Cowan, of Salem, OR; one daughter, Judith J Cowan, of Post Falls, ID; one grandson; one sister, Emma Crow, of Coeur d’Alene; and one brother, Samuel Iltz of Odessa. (notes from Odessa Record: 8-10-1995)

Inbody:  “Mrs Roy Inbody, daughter of Rev and Mrs G Graedel of Odessa, was killed in an automobile collision at Bakersfield, CA, on Monday night, it was revealed this week when relatives were notified. The report of the accident stated that Mr Inbody was in a hospital and that Mrs Inbody had been killed instantly. They had visited in Odessa two weeks ago and were on a trip to visit other relatives when the wreck occurred. Their home is at Chateau, MT, where her body is being shipped for burial. Survivors include her husband, three children, her parents, four sisters, Mrs Conrad Walter, Odessa; Mrs Henry Pfeiff, Yakima; Mrs Ed Spickerman, Portland; and Mrs Ed Miller, Rosalia; three brothers, Phil Graedel, Portland; Paul Graedel, Post Falls, and Calvin Graedel, Odessa. Odessa relatives are planning to attend the funeral.” (Odessa Record: 11-09-1934)

Inbody:  “Roy Inbody, who was severely injured in an automobile accident near Bakersfield, CA, recently, and whose wife was killed in the same accident, died of his injuries this week, according to word received by relatives here.  Mrs Inbody, the daughter of the Rev and Mrs G Graedel, was buried last week at Chauteau, MT, where her husband’s body will be buried this week. They leave three children, Lucile, aged 18, Glen, 17, and Arthur 11. They had been on a trip visiting relatives when the accident occurred and had stopped to visit their Odessa relatives while passing through.” (Odessa Record: 11-23-1934)

Isaak:  “Word was received here this week of the death on July 10, at Lodi, CA, of Mrs William Isaak, former Odessa resident. Funeral services were held there on Thursday of last week. Mrs Isaak is survived by her husband and seven children. She was a sister of Mrs Helena Schimke, Odessa. The Isaak family lived in the Odessa region for many years, leaving here about 19 years ago to make their home at Lodi. Mrs Isaak, nee Leischner, was born in South Russia in 1865, and came to Parkston, SD at the age of 13. She was married there in 1885 and she and her husband moved to the Odessa region in 1907, where Mr Isaak worked as a cement man. After eight years in Odessa, they moved to American Falls, later moving to Lodi.  Children include August Isaak, American Falls; Will Isaak, Fort Collins, CO; Emil Isaak, Boise, ID; Edwin Isaak; Mrs Ross, Sacramento, CA; Mrs Kiler, Boise; Mrs Kramlich, Milwaukee, WI.” (Odessa Record: 7-20-1934; edit: many of the Leischner relations are buried in Odessa City Cemetery.)

Iverson:  Jackson ‘Jack’ C Iverson died Sept 15, 2001 in Spokane with interment at Fairmount Memorial Park. He was born in Wilbur on March 18, 1928, the son of Earl and Celia (Martin) Iverson. His family lived in Odessa for several years in the 1940s. He graduated from Wilbur High School in 1946 and was in the US Army serving in the Korean conflict from 1950 to 1952. He married Elinor Flood, of Reardan, in 1953, who survives him. He was preceded in death by one brother, William Iverson, of Odessa, in 1998. (notes from Odessa Record: 9-27-2001)

Jamerson:  Delbert Robert Jamerson. (July 15, 1926-Aug 15, 2004; photo with obit) In 1989 he moved to Odessa where he enjoyed the small town life. Services were held Aug 20, 2004 in Spokane. Burial was to be in Carmi, IL. Survived by one brother, Kenneth Jamerson of Spokane. Preceded in death by brothers: Floyd, Earl, Bob, Dean and Harold. Was in the US Marines in WW II. (notes from Odessa Record: 8-26-2004; parents names not given)

James:  “Mrs E M James, 57, Wilson Creek, died at a Kellogg, Idaho, hospital of injuries suffered in a weekend accident. She was fatally injured when a car driven by her husband crashed into a parked truck. They were on a vacation tour, traveling east. Mr James escaped injury. Officers said the parked truck extended over onto the highway, and that the James car, coming up a rise, hit the truck on the right side where Mrs James was sitting.” (Odessa Record: 10-09-1947)

Janke:  “Julia Janke, age 70, wife of Gottfried Janke, former Odessa resident, died at Spokane this week and was buried there on Wednesday afternoon from the Mission Funeral Home, with interment in Fairmont Cemetery. Survivors include the husband, now of Spokane; one son, Gottfried Janke, Jr, Endicott; four daughters, Mrs Emma German of Zellah; Mrs B J Schimek of Spokane; Mrs Manuel Frank of Coeur d’Alene; Mrs Fred Esslinger, of Spokane; 24 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Mr and Mrs Janke left here a year ago for Spokane to make their home. Mrs Janke’s health had been failing for some time and this spring it was thought that she was near death, but she rallied and lived until this week. Two of her grand sons, Reuben and Roscoe Janke, live in Odessa.” (Odessa Record: 7-13-1934)

Jantz:  Howard Jantz: born at Ruff to Abraham & Lydia Jantz, died Dec 19, 1986 in Davenport. Burial not shown. In 1933 he married Dorothea Timm in Spokane. Survivors include his two brothers at Odessa, Cornelius and Merlin.   (notes from Odessa Record: 1-01-1987)

Jantz:  “Olga S Jantz, a former Odessa resident, died on Friday, Dec 6, 1996, at the Memorial Home for the aged in Moundridge, KS. She was 101 years old. She was born on July 19, 1895, in rural Whitewater, KS, the second oldest of 11 children of Henry P and Maria E Schmidt. AS the first four children born to the Schmidts were daughters, Olga was assigned the job of helping her father with the farm work. In her later teens, she worked for neighbors as domestic help.  The church played a major part in her life, with the youth group providing the social activities. She was baptized in the Grace Hill Mennonite Church. Completing country grade school, including three months of German school yearly, she attended Penner’s Bible Academy in Hillsboro, KS, completing two years’ work in one year. Olga was married to Peter C Jantz on June 12, 1916, at the Grace Hill Mennonite Church, after Peter’s graduation from the Bethel Academy at North Newton, KS. After their marriage, the couple returned to Peter’s home at Ruff.  During the first nine years of married life, Peter taught country school and famed near Ruff before moving to Odessa, where he became grade school principal. The present grade school in Odessa is named in his honor for his 28 years of service in the school and community. After her youngest child left for college, Olga spent many years as a volunteer office receptionist while Peter was carrying out his teaching and administrative duties. During this period of Olga’s life, the family were members of the Menno Mennonite Church southwest of Odessa, actively participating in church and conference functions. Olga frequently hosted church conferences and college representatives. Her home was known for the hospitality and welcome guests received. When Peter retired in 1954, the couple moved to North Newton. There they joined the Bethel College Mennonite Church. Peter died in 1981 and Olga continued to live in her own home until 1989, when she moved to the Memorial Home. Olga and Peter had three children, Willard Jantz, of Prairie Village, KS; Adelia Stucky of Moundridge, KS, and Vern Jantz, of North Newton, KS.  Olga had 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Monday, Dec 9, at the Bethel College Mennonite Church with Pastor Dorothea Janzen and Darrell Fast officiating. Burial and graveside services were held at the Restlawn Gardens of Memory, Newton, Kansas.” (Odessa Record: 12-12-1996)

Jantz:  “P C Jantz, 70, member of a pioneer family here and long time Odessa educator, died in Newton, Kansas, on Sunday. Funeral services were held there on Wednesday. Mr Jantz had asked, before his death, that any memorials be made to Newton College. Born Dec 18, 1892, in the Dakotas, he came with his parents and brothers to Washington, as part of a Mennonite colony set up here around 1903. He often recalled that the family arrived at Marlin (Krupp) in the Spring of 1903, their belongings loaded on three immigrant cars. Foods had been brought along, a 50 gallon barrel of kraut, baled prairie hay and necessities. Locating in the Ruff area, about 12 miles from Marlin, the family prospered. Peter Jantz married Miss Olga Smith in June 1916.  After some years Mr Jantz left farming work and became an educator, serving 27 years as principal of the Odessa grade school. The present elementary school is named in his honor, at its dedication in April 1951. For his retiring years, Mr Jantz and his wife returned to their college field in Newton, Kansas, building a home on the campus and enjoying the contacts with the students there. Mrs Jantz survives, with one daughter, Mrs Melbourne Stuckey (Adelia) of Mountridge, Kansas; two sons, Willard of Wichita, Kansas, and Vern, of Liberal, Kansas; and 10 grandchildren, as well as his brothers in this area.  The family address is Box 94, North Newton, Kansas.” (Odessa Record: 3-07-1963)

Jarvis:  “The Spokane papers this week reported the death of Cora Ellen Jarvis, mother of Mrs R J Collins. Funeral services are being held today, Thursday, with Canon Harry Haydis officiating, and interment at Riverside Park.  Survivors are two daughters, Mrs Collins, now of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Mrs Caroline David of Colfax; three sons, Fred I, William and Milton Jarvis, all of Spokane; four grandsons, three granddaughters and four great grandchildren.” (Odessa Record: 4-05-1956)

Jay: "C E Jay received word from Webster Groves, MO last Saturday, that his brother, T B Jay, who was an employee of the Western Union telegraph company had died from injuries received in a fall from a telegraph pole. The funeral services were held at Webster Groves, a suburb of St Louis." (Odessa Record: 9-11-1914)

Jenks:  “E J Jenks, a Marlin merchant and for many years a resident of Odessa, died at Spokane Monday of cancer of the stomach after a lingering illness. His age was 63 years.  Mr Jenks was a native of Michigan and grew to manhood in the Wolverine state where he married Miss Mary Thompson. Three children, two boys and a girl blest their union and all of them came west with their parents when they settled in Washington 22 years ago. They are Lynn D Jenks of Everett, Cecil E Jenks, Davenport, and Miss Pearl Jenks who assisted him in his business at Marlin.  With their mother they mourn his loss. The family first settled at Everett where they resided four years after which they came to Odessa where Mr Jenks started a dairy east of town. Later he was appointed city marshal here and held that position here until four years ago when he resigned to go into business at Marlin. He was a prominent worker in the Odd Fellows lodge and a good citizen whose loss is realized by all who knew him. He was taken seriously ill about the first of the year and for the past five weeks was bedfast until death relieved his suffering. The funeral was held from the Smith undertaking parlors Wednesday with members of the Marlin lodge Knights of Pythias acting as pall bearers. The Rev J Chas Evans, former Congregational pastor here officiated after which burial took place at the Greenwood Cemetery.” (Odessa Record: 5-16-1924)

Jenks:  “Mrs May T Jenks, for many years a resident of Odessa and recently of Spokane, died in a Spokane hospital July 16, and was buried there on Monday, with burial in the Greenwood Cemetery. She is survived by two sons, C E Jenks of Seattle, WA, and L D Jenks of Salem, OR.” (Odessa Record: 22 July 1943)

Jenks:  “Word was received here this week of the death of Pearl May Jenks, 38, a former resident of Odessa and lately a resident of Seattle, WA.  She is survived by her mother, Mrs May Jenks, at the home in Seattle; and two brothers, Cecil E Janks of Seattle and L V Jenks of Colton, OR. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept 24, at 1 o’clock, from the Smith Funeral Home in Spokane, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Miss Jenks had suffered ill health for many years, but had been thought to be improving when the illness which  resulted in death came to her.” (Odessa Record: 9-30-1932)

Jensen:  “Mrs Hannah Jensen, 84, a pioneer of Lincoln County and wife of Peter Jenson, Davenport, died Thursday in her home. They had entered the Davenport region as part of a wagon caravan in 1883. She is survived by her widower, a daughter, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Sunday from the Presbyterian church, with the Rev Lee Knoll officiating.” and “An order admitting the will of Mrs Hannah Jensen, Davenport pioneer who died March 12, to probate, and naming her husband, Peter, executor, was signed this week. The estate consists of property valued at $21,000. The will provides that $200 each shall go to a daughter, two granddaughters and two grandsons and the remainder of the estate to Mr Jensen.” (Odessa Record: 3-20-1936)

Jensen:  “Mrs Marie Jensen, Spokane, pioneer homesteader of the Lamona area and for many years a resident of Odessa, died Friday at the Deaconess hospital in Spokane, of pneumonia. Mrs Jensen came to this area over 40 years ago, took up her own homestead and was later married to a neighbor, Mr Jensen. During late years she made her home in apartments over the Penney store until moving to Spokane. Funeral services were held on Monday at 11 o’clock from the Hazen & Jaeger funeral home at Spokane, the Rev Andrew Odegaard officiating, with burial at Riverside Park. A daughter, Mrs Wallace E Bretz, of Seattle, survives, and it is believed a son, Harold, in California, is still living.” (Odessa Record: 10 June 1943) “Word from the family of Mrs Marie Jensen, pioneer resident of the Lamona and Odessa area, express thanks to her friends in Odessa, and reports that she had a nice funeral service on Monday of last week. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs W E Bretz, Seattle; Mrs A J Schuster, Spokane; and one son, Harold Jensen, Orlando, CA.” (Odessa Record: 17 June 1943)

Jerich:  “Word has been received of the death of Michael Jerich, who was shot and killed on Dec 26^th at Tacoma, WA. Mike attended high school in Odessa, graduating in 1977. He is survived by five sisters and his mother, Bobbi Schroeder. Mrs Schroeder’s address is Box 1963, Orofino, Idaho. 83544.” (Odessa Record: 1-10-1985)

Jeske:  “Funeral services for the Rev Elmer A Jeske, a native of the Odessa area and a retired United Church of Christ pastor, were held Wednesday at the First Congregational Church in Boise, Idaho.  He died on Saturday, Nov 7, 1992, in Boise. Elmer was the youngest of five children of David and Mathalida Jeske. He was born on Jan 7, 1922, at the family farm 3 ½ miles south of Odessa and spent his childhood and youth there. He was confirmed in and was an active member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church (now Heritage United Church of Christ). He was graduated from Odessa High School with the Class of 1941. Elmer attended Yankton College and Yankton College School of Theology, graduating in 1946 with bachelor of arts and bachelor of theology degrees. He received a bachelor of divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.  He served churches throughout the western United States for more than 40 years, including McCall, Idaho, where he also managed the Pilgrim Cove Camp. He retired from the ministry in 1976 due to ill health. Even in retirement, Elmer continued to minister by handcrafting wooden toys and furniture for day-care centers, the YWCA Crisis Center and the United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho. He was honored by the YWCA and United Cerebral Palsy as a volunteer. He is survived by his wife, Irene; a daughter, Vida Rose and her children, David and Amy, all of Boise; a son, Richard, and his wife, Barbara, and their son Christopher, of Corona, CA; a son, Robert, and his wife, Pamela, of  Boise; a son, Timothy, of Seattle; and a sister, Emma Neumann, and a brother, Arthur, both of Odessa. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Daniel Mark Jeske, two brothers and his parents.” (Odessa Record: 11-12-1992)

Jeske:  Emil D Jeske of Ninilchik, Alaska, born in Odessa Oct 16, 1909 to Wm and Catherine Jeske, passed away at the Kodiak Island Hospital April 22, 1986. He was buried April 25, 1986 in the Ninilchik Cemetery. (Odessa Record: 5-08-1986)

Jeske:  Mrs Katherine Jeske was born Jan 2, 1876 in Teplitz, Russia and was married to William Jeske in Russia. They came to the US in 1899, homesteading in Odessa until 1919, when they moved to Dryden, and to Leavenworth in 1935. Wm Jeske died there in 1942 and she moved to the coast. Her burial was in the Peshastin Cemetery. (Odessa Record: 6-14-1956)

Jeske:  Mrs Lillian Jeske, wife of Dan, of Peshastin, died there on Monday. She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Jacob Peters of Warden. Dan Jeske is the son of Jacob Jeske of Odessa. Funeral was held at Peshastin with burial at Warden. (Odessa Record: 11-12-1936)

Jessett:  Rev Cannon Thomas Jessett, of Olympia, died Feb 25, 1982, age 80 years. He was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. The family traveled to Canada, where he served with the Canadian Army during WW I.  He came to the US in 1922, received his ordination in 1929 in Spokane and spent his life serving the ministry in Washington State. He served churches in Colfax, Spokane, Wenatchee, Olympia and was historiographer of the Diocese of Olympia. He wrote many articles on Pacific Northwest history. Survivors include his wife, Louis Long Jessett, at Wesley Terrace Retirement Home; a daughter, Mrs Angela Magnus, Sunriver, OR; a son, The Rev Fred E Jessett, Cheney, archdeacon of the Diocese of Spokane; a brother, A W Jessett, Odessa; a sister, Mrs Lillian Millikan, Seattle, and six grandchildren. (notes from Odessa Record: 3-18-1982)

Jessett: Loren Jessett, son of A W Jessett and Elna Jessett, died Jan 9, 1992 in Spokane. He was born in Odessa Feb 1, 1936, graduated from Odessa High School in 1954 and was residing in Odessa at the time of his death. He joined the US Navy after graduation. He was survived by his father, of Odessa, his brothers, William T Jessett of Washougal, WA, and A Stephen Jessett of Spokane. (notes from Odessa Record: 1-23-1992; edit: cremated)

Jingling:  “Funeral services were held in the Moses Lake Presbyterian church on Monday of last week for John Jingling, Sr, pioneer farmer of that area, who died Christmas morning in a Spokane hospital, states the Columbia Basin Herald. The Rev R J Gerla of Omak, former pastor of the Assembly of God church there, officiated, and burial was in Ephrata Cemetery.  Mr Jingling, 75, was born in Russia in 1872. The family came to the United States in 1901, settling in Colorado. They homesteaded at Warden in 1905 and later moved to Wheeler. The wife, six sons and a daughter survive.” (Odessa Record: 1-08-1948)

Johnson:  “Howard M Johnson of Almira has filed with the county clerk his final report as executor of the estate of Carl C Johnson, and asks for distribution of the estate, appraised at $30,000, to the widow, three sons and three grandchildren of Johnson.” (Odessa Record: 3-29-1951)

Johnson:  “John A Johnson, 87, pioneer rancher of the Odessa area, died at Spokane last week. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Pastor E R Priebe officiating. Burial was in the Pines Cemetery at Opportunity. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Following his arrival in the United States from Sweden about 1898, Mr Johnson came to the Odessa area. He farmed the property now owned by Frank Groh Sr. He moved to Spokane better than 30 years ago.  Survivors include a sister, Mrs Alma Knudson, Solvang, CA; two nephews, Harold Carlson of Lamona and Karl Knudson, CA; three nieces, Margaret Neilson, CA; Edith Fox, Spokane; Anna Gardner, Redmond, WA.  Among the old neighbors from here that went to the Friday funeral were S F Praetorius, Henry Moellering, Jos. Pavliska and Frank Groh.” (Odessa Record: 4-30-1964)

Johnson:  Ramona Ann Johnson was born Sept 11, 1932 in ND to Clifford and Evangeline (Engbrecht) McLaughlin and died March 27, 1991 at her Moses Lake home. She moved to Odessa in late 1951, working for several years at the Beauty Bar. She was married to Calvin O Johnson in 1981 in Moses Lake.  Burial was in Pioneer Memorial Gardens, Moses Lake. (notes from Odessa Record: 4-04-1991)

Jones: “Memorial funeral services were held on Friday, July 10, 1981 for Elna Jones, who passed away in Odessa, WA, on July 8, 1981. Elna M Jones was born in 1913 to S S McEwan and Elsie McEwan. She was married to Arthur L Jones in 1933. Survivors include one son, K C Jones, Alaska; 3 grandchildren...; two brothers, Keith and Curt McEwan, Idaho; ....Strates in charge...” (Odessa Record: 7-16-1981; burial not stated)

Jorgenson:  Morgan T Jorgenson, 86, died Feb 11, 2004 in Odessa. Graveside services were held at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake. Morgan was born May 15, 1917 in Rosholt, SD, to the late Peter and Hannah (Meyer) Jorgenson. He was raise and educated in South Dakota and Minnesota. He married Edna Forschen in 1936 in MN where she died in 1963. In the mid-1960s, Morgan moved to Moses Lake and worked for the school district there. He married Edna Janke in 1981, and they have made Odessa their home since. Survivors include his wife, Edna, of Odessa; a daughter JoAnn (Bob) Dunlap, of Spokane; a stepdaughter, DeLila Huff, of Odessa; a stepson, Allen Janke, of Ephrata; a sister, Thelma Johnson, of MN. Besides his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Lane Jorgenson; a daughter, Carol Donovan; a stepson, Merle Janke, and a brother, Morris Jorgenson. (notes from Odessa Record: 2-19-2004)

Junkert:  “Mrs Evelina (Geisler) Junkert, 49, passed away Sept 17 at her home in Gooding, Idaho, after a long illness. She was born March 31, 1914, in Odessa, WA, here she attended school until 1929 when she moved to Idaho with her parents. She was married to Paul Junkert in Dec of 1934 at Twin Falls, Idaho. They moved to Gooding in 1948. Mrs Junkert was a member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service in the Methodist Church in Gooding. Survivors in addition to her husband are her mother, Mrs Andrew Geisler of Jerome, Idaho; a son, Kenneth of Pocatello; a daughter, Joyce Junkert of Gooding; one brother, William A Geisler of Seattle; one sister, Mrs Martha Nicholson of Arlee, MT. She was preceded in death by her father and one sister. Funeral services were held Friday, Sept 20, at Gooding, Idaho.” (Odessa Record: 10-03-1963)

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Odessa Vicinity Obituaries,  Odessa, Washington, 

submitted  to the WAGenWeb, March 2006 by Marge Womach

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