Zion German Methodist Cemetery

The Zion German Methodist Church near Rocklyn was organized June 13, 1884 in the Gottlieb Mielke home by the Rev Adam Buehler. The first church was built in 1889. The second church was built in 1905. The parsonage was built in 1909. The 1905 church yet stands atop the hill with the cemetery situated on the hill to the east. The Zion district is 7 miles northwest of Harrington, and about 5 miles south and 2 miles west of the old site of Rocklyn. It is in the NW 1/4 of Sec 29 Twp 24 Range 36, on property dedicated by the Mielke family.

Clark, Barbara Ann: (b. 2-21-1936; d. 6-18-1966) “Barbara Ann Clark. Born: Feb 21, 1936. Passed away near Fort Ruckert, Alabama, June 18, 1966, (auto accident). Funeral: June 24, 1966 in Strate’s Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, Pastor M A P Keller officiating, 11 a.m.” (Church Diagrams) “Beloved wife and mother” (on monument) “Funeral services were held Friday for Barbara Miller, 30 native of Davenport, who was killed June 19 in an auto accident in Alabama. The Rev M A P Keller, Lutheran pastor, officiated at the service at the chapel at Strate Funeral Home. Interment was at Rocklyn Cemetery. The casket bearers were all cousins. Barbara Miller was born Feb 21, 1936, in Spokane to Ralph and Edna Miller of the Rocklyn area. Mrs Miller preceded her daughter in death. Barbara attended the Davenport schools and graduated from Davenport High School in 1954. She was married to Joseph Clark, an airman, at Geiger field. Clark has been stationed at Fort Ruckert, Ala. He had just completed helicopter pilot school and was due to go to Viet Nam in July. He received a broken knee and lacerations in the two-car collision that took his wife. A daughter, Jolie, age 9, was with her parents and received a broken arm. A son, Stanley, age 7, was not in the car. A brother, Orville, of Rocklyn, flew to Alabama to assist the Clark family in arrangements prior to the funeral. Survivors include her husband, Joseph Clark, Fort Ruckert, Ala; a son, Stanley; a daughter, Jolie; her father, Ralph Miller, Rocklyn; two brothers, Orville, Rocklyn; and Marvin, Davenport; and her grandmother, Mrs Minnie Grob.” (scrapbook obit: undated) “The community was shocked to hear of the death of Mrs Joe Clark (Barbara Miller) Saturday, in Alabama where she lived. Mr Clark and daughter Jolie were injured, but their son wasn’t in the car. Orville Miller left by plane early Thursday morning to help Mr Clark and the children to come here for the funeral. The body was sent here by plane.” (scrapbook item: Rocklyn Column by Mrs Edwin Depner: undated)

Clark, Joseph T: (b. 11-25-1936; d. 12-26-1967) “Joseph T Clark. Born: Nov 25, 1936. Passed away in YTO51198, Republic of Viet Nam. Dec 26, 1967 (helicopter crash). Funeral: Jan 9, 1968 in Strate’s Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, Pastor M A P Keller officiating, 1 p.m.” (Church Diagrams) “Warrant Officer 2. Joseph T Clark. Killed in Action, Vietnam” (on monument) “Soldier Killed. Washington (AP)—Army Warrant Officer Joseph T Clark, Davenport, WA, has died in Vietnam, the Defense Department said Wednesday. Clark was the 382^nd Washington State serviceman to die in the war. The Pentagon originally listed Clark as missing.” (scrapbook item: undated) “Joseph T Clark (Warrant Officer 2).—Survived by one son, Joseph S Clark; and one daughter, Jolie Ann Clark, both of Davenport; parents, Mr and Mrs Ezra Clark, of Egg Harbor, NJ; 3 brothers, Roy Clark, Germany; Roger Clark and Johnny Clark, both of Egg Harbor, NJ; six sisters, Mrs Jean Brennan, Lakewood, NJ; Mrs Glenda Whittington, West Memphis, Ark; Mrs Rebecca Ann Lemaine, New Orleans, LA; Mrs Denise Jenkins, Mrs Carrol Finley and Miss Joan Clark, all of Egg Harbor, NJ. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Jan 9, at 1 p.m. at the Strate Chapel of the Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA. Pastor MAP Keller officiating. Military graveside services to follow at the Rocklyn Cemetery, Rocklyn, WA. The Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, in charge.” (Spokesman: undated) “Military graveside services, with an Army Honor Guard from Ft Lewis, WA, were held Tuesday, Jan 9, for Army W.O.2 Joseph T Clark, of Davenport, who died in the Vietnam War Dec. 26, 1967, after his helicopter was shot down by enemy gunfire. The graveside service was held at the Rocklyn Cemetery following services in the Strate Chapel of the Strate Funeral Home. Clark, who was born in Empire, Ala, in 1936, and joined the Army shortly after he graduated from high school in 1951, was married to the former Barbara Miller, of Davenport. She died in 1966 in an automobile accident back east. The flyer’s two children are living with the Orville Miller family of Davenport, as it is understood Clark made them the children’s legal guardians before he went overseas in July, 1967. Clark, the 382^nd Washington State serviceman to die in the war, and originally listed as missing, is survived by one son, Joseph S and one daughter, Jolie Ann Clark, both of Davenport, parents, Mr and Mrs Ezra Clark, of Egg Harbor, MJ, three brothers, Roy in Germany, Roger and Johnny, both of Egg Harbor, NJ, and 6 sisters, Mrs Jean Brennan, Lakewood, NJ; Mrs Glenda Whittington, West Memphis, AR; Mrs Rebecca Ann Lemaine, New Orleans, LA; Mrs Denis Jenkins, Mrs Carol Finely and Miss Joan Clark, all of Egg Harbor, NJ. Pastor M A P Keller officiated at the funeral.” (Dav. Times: Jan 11, 1968)

Deppner, Edwin: (b. 9-21-1895; d. 12-19-1998) “Edwin Deppner passed away Dec 19 at his home in Davenport. He was 103. Edwin was born Sept 21, 1895, in Village of Kora, Volynia, Russia, to Julius and Pauline (Wintz) Stople. He married Emily McLaughlin on Oct 16, 1923 in Spokane. Edwin served in the US Army and was a World War I veteran. he was a 96 year resident of the Rocklyn area, and a retired wheat farmer. he was a charter member of the Davenport Assembly of God Church. He is survived by one son, Arthur and wife Sharon Deppner of Davenport; two daughters, Esther and husband Walt Kik of Davenport; and Edwina and husband George Mielke of Davenport; one brother, Donald Stople of Winnipeg, Canada; one daughter-in-law, Beryle Deppner of East Wenatchee; eight grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; and 8 step-grandchildren. Funeral service was held Dec 23 at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Strate Funeral Home in Davenport. Concluding service was held at Zion Hill Cemetery in Rocklyn. Strate Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.” (Dav. Times: 12-24-1998) Notes: Edwin Deppner was born 21 Sept 1895 in Poland under the surname “Stople” and was adopted by Dan and Elizabeth Deppner while in Poland. Reportedly shortly after his adoption the Deppners emigrated through Canada to the US, separating Edwin from his natural brothers, Jack and Donald Stople. By 1908 Edwin was enrolled in the Rocklyn School District #76. On 16 Oct 1923 Ed married Emily Alice McGlophin and accepted the responsibility of raising her daughter, Esther (Sugar). Esther’s father was reportedly William Henry McDonald, per Walt Kik in Kik-backs No 3 page 1. Emily had three known brothers: George, Edmund and Walter Durnford. Edwin and Emily had three children: Edwina, Art and Donald. “Mr and Mrs Donald Stople and Mr and Mrs Jack Stople of Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada, visited the Edwin Deppners from Tuesday May 8 to Monday May 14. Donald and Jack Stople are brothers of Edwin Deppner. They hadn’t seen each other for over 50 years. They were separated in Germany while they were small children and Edwin was adopted by Dan Depner and came to the United States while his brothers went to Canada. They have a sister in Alaska and a half brother in Canada. A family reunion was held at the Deppner home on Sunday. Those present were: Mr and Mrs Jack Logsdon, Mrs Justina Trinkle, Mr and Mrs Don Deppner and family, all of Spokane; Mr and Mrs Gus Depner of Harrington; Mr and Mrs George Mielke and Susan, Mr and Mrs Walt Kik, Mr and Mrs Dave Stelzer and Norman, Warren Kress and the Stoples from Canada.” (Citizen: May 18, 1951)

Deppner, Emily: (b. 11-16-1903; d. 10-08-1978; married: 10-16-1923) “Emily Alice Deppner. Born: Nov 16, 1903. Passed Away in Lincoln Hospital, Davenport, WA, Oct 8, 1978. Funeral: Oct 12, 1978 in Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, Rev Gail Ott officiating, 2 p.m.” (Church Diagrams) “Funeral services are to be held today, Thursday, at 2 p.m. at Strate Funeral Home in Davenport for Emily Deppner, who died Sunday, Oct 8 at Lincoln Hospital. The Rev Gail Ott will officiate the services. Interment will be held at Zion Hill Cemetery in Rocklyn. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Gene Clark of Davenport. Mrs Deppner, who died at age 74, was a member of the Davenport Assembly of God Church, the Rocklyn Homemakers Club, and former postmaster of the Rocklyn Post Office. She was well known in the Rocklyn and Davenport community circles as a result of her news gathering efforts for the Davenport Times. Her column on Rocklyn news appeared in each week’s issue. Mrs Deppner is survived by her husband, Edwin Deppner; two sons, Donald Deppner, Entiat, WA, and Arthur Deppner, Davenport; two daughters, Mrs Walt (Esther) Kik, and Mrs George (Edwina) Mielke, Rocklyn; three brothers, George Durnford, Bandon, OR; Edmund Durnford, Gaston, OR; Walter Durnford, Vancouver, WA; 8 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.” (Dav. Times: 10-12-1978)

Dietrich, Marvin A: (b. 11-16-1921; d. 12-20-1998) “Marvin A Dietrich passed away Dec 20 in Davenport. He was 77. He was born Nov 16, 1921 in Rocklyn, in the same house his mother Bertha Kruger was born in. His father’s name was Fred Dietrich. Marvin graduated from Harrington High School in 1940, and was a veteran of the US Army, World War II. He received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1945 with the American Theater, Asiatic Pacific, Good Conduct and Victory medals. He married Marlene Cournoyer on Oct 10, 1975, and they farmed in Rocklyn until they moved to Davenport in 1989. Marvin loved playing cards with his friends and enjoyed taking his children fishing. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; five daughters, Julia and husband Dirk Jacobsen of Davenport; Faye Drapeau of Norfolk, NE; Laura Drapeau of Albuquerque, NY; Karen Neeley of Davenport; and Denise Willey of Spokane; two sons, Kevin Drapeau and Philip Drapeau, both of South Dakota; one nephew, Larry Peha, of Almira; 32 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren. Mr Dietrich was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsie Gaines and Dorothy Peha, and his parents. Funeral service was held Dec 23, and Strate Funeral Home handled the arrangements.” (Dav. Times: 24 Dec 1998)

Dunn, Steven E: (b. 1948; d. 1998) “Steve Dunn, 49, who died Aug 26 from complications of diabetes, was buried Aug 31 at Rocklyn Zion Hill Cemetery. A memorial service was held Sept 3 in his hometown of Kent, WA. An avid fisherman, Mr Dunn had fond memories of spending summers with his cousins at his aunt’s farm in the Rocklyn area. He had asked to be buried there near his aunt and uncle, Letha and Wilmer Hoffman. Mr Dunn’s survivors, all in the Kent area, include his beloved wife Becky; one son, George and his wife Tammy Dunn; parents George and Leila Dunn; and two sisters Jackie and her husband Cliff Bursch, and Kitty and her husband, Rus Fry.” (Davenport Times: 9-10-1998)

Graham, Charley W: (not here; no TS, no church record) “Charley W Graham, a relative of the Maurers of Rocklyn, was buried at Zion Cemetery last Saturday, having died in a Ritzville hospital August 20 from the effects of a revolver shot received a few days before. The young man was but 18 years old, and it is reported that he was with a companion of about the same age, the two being out in the country near Ritzville. They stopped at a spring to get a drink, young Graham having a revolver on his person. While drinking the revolver was discharged in some manner, the bullet entering Graham. His companion went to a nearby farm for assistance and the wounded boy was taken to Ritzville and treated, but death resulted a few days later.” (Davenport Times-Tribune: 8-28-1919) “Charley Wm Graham. Male, white, single. Laborer. Birth: July 4, 1901. Age: 18 yrs 1 mo 16 days. Birthplace: North Dakota. Father: Nick Graham born MN; Mother: Sylvia Derr, born PA. Informant: J C Telford, Rocklyn, WA. Death: Aug 20, 1919 at 6: 15 p.m. Cause: Secondary Hemorrhage, following gunshot wound which penetrated liver. D Hewitt, MD, Ritzville, WA. Burial: Davenport, WA on Aug 24, 1919 by M F Haight, undertaker, Ritzville, WA.” (WA State Register of Death)

Grob, Fredrick: (b. 11-01-1873; d. 9-02-1915) “Frederick Grob. Born: Nov 1, 1873. Passed away at his home in Rocklyn, WA, Sept 2, 1915. Funeral: Sept 5, 1915 in German Evangelical Church at Rocklyn, WA, Rev Stier officiating.” (Church Diagrams) Lincoln County Probate file #1705. Fred Grob died 2 Sept 1915, intestate. Heirs: Wilhelmina, surviving wife; Walter George Grob, Esther Hilda Grob; Karl Andrew Grob; Edna Barbara Grob; and Naomi Ruth Grob. See also History of Big Bend, 1904: His birth year is given as 1874, born in Baden, Germany, the son of Adam and Elizabeth Krieg Grob. He was the second born of ten children, all of whom were living in Illinois in 1904, except Fredrick and his brother Jake, both living near Rocklyn. Their family came from Baden to the US in August 1880 and went directly to Kankee Co, IL. Fredrick came to the Rocklyn area in 1895 and was married on Dec 16, 1897 to Wilhelmina Kirsch. They became members of the German Evangelical Church at Rocklyn. Locally, Fred Grob was known to have owned and operated the Rocklyn Store in addition to his farming. “Friends were shocked Friday morning to hear of the death of Frederick Grob of Rocklyn the night before, Thursday, Sept 2, from typhoid. Mr Grob was a merchant of Rocklyn of the firm of Grob & Huesmann, his partner, Fred Huesmann dying at Rocklyn suddenly from heart failure Dec 31, 1914, while taking an inventory of the stock of goods. Deceased was a native of Baden, Germany, born Nov 1, 1874, hence was a man in the prime of life, apparently good for many years of activity. He came to the United States in 1880 and to Lincoln County in 1895. In December, 1897 he was married to Wilhelmina Kirsch, a native of his own country and town. He farmed southwest of Rocklyn since coming to the county until a few years ago when in company with Mr Huesmann he entered the mercantile business at Rocklyn, taking active charge of the business. He was a member of the German Evangelical church, which association has a building near Rocklyn, and was one of the strong men of his community, ever interested in the advancement of any thing that would help his family or his neighbors, a man of strong convictions for what was right and a man of much influence in his community. Funeral services were held at the home at 1 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, interment being made in the cemetery at Zion church, a number going from Davenport to attend the funeral. The widow and five children are left to mourn his loss.” (Davenport Tribune: 9 Sept 1915)

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