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.

Maurer, Martha: “Following a lengthy illness, Martha Maurer was buried at Gridley , CA , on Monday. Melvin and Margaret Maurer, Dee Kern and son Tony drove down to attend the funeral rites. The Maurers farmed in the Rocklyn area prior to their move to Gridley in the mid-1940s. Daughters Anne Marie, Beverly and Shirley were born here and are survivors along with their father Wallace and a host of other relatives. The Maurers were active in the Zion church while living here.” (Davenport Times: 5-27-1982)

McMaster, Emma: (b. 1876; d. 1915) “Emma McMaster. Born: May 8, 1876; Passed Away Feb 4, 1915. Funeral: Feb 8, 1915 in Zion Methodist Church, Rev W F Maas officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Mrs F D MacMaster, who has been ill for over a month, passed away on Feb 4. She was born at Greenwood Prairie, MN, in 1876, and came west with her parents in 1883. The remains were laid to rest in Zion Cemetery on Monday, Feb 8. Besides her husband and three children, she leaves to mourn her loss, a mother, five brothers and two sisters; Mrs Henrietta Hoffman, Julius W, Simon N, Ida W, Henry A, Louie C, Lydia M, and Ben E A Hoffman. She had resided for about eight years 17 miles west of Harrington. The sorrowing ones have a large circle of friends, who extend their heartfelt sympathy.” (Citizen: Feb 1915) “Rocklyn, Feb 8.—We are sad to chronicle the death of Mrs Emma McMaster, who died last Thursday. She leaves a husband, three children, mother, several brothers and sisters and a host of friends to mourn her death. Funeral services were held at the Zion German ME church Monday afternoon.” (Davenport Tribune: 2-15-1915) See also Frank Duncan MacMaster in Thumbnail Biographies, Citizen: 7-21-1933. Frank Duncan MacMaster was born at Jackson, Michigan on Aug 9, 1882 and came west in 1889. In 1907 he married Miss Emma Hoffman. She died in 1915 and nine years later he married again, Sallie Kelly.

McMaster, Irvin: (b. 1907; d. 1929) “Irving McMaster. Born 1907. Passed away Oct 25, 1929. Funeral: Oct 28, 1929 in Zion Methodist Church, Rev H B Mann officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Irving, 22, son of Mr and Mrs F D MacMaster, residing northwest of Harrington, died at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane Saturday night, Oct 26, of sarcoma of the lungs. J E Turner of the Harrington’s Funeral Home, who was in charge, made a trip to the city with his hearse and brought out the remains for burial. The funeral services were conducted by Rev Mann, resident pastor of the Zion ME Church, on Monday, Oct 28 before a large assemblage of friends and neighbors of the MacMaster family, interment was in the Zion Cemetery. The sorrowing parents and family are sympathized with by everyone in the loss of their son, a young man just entering upon life’s journey. Nor can we reason why, that some must pass in youth, while the aged still remain; a higher authority rules the destinies of men—ours but to submit; not complain.” (Citizen: 11-01-1929)

McMaster, Margaret: (infant death, 1913) “Margarite McMaster. Born Sept 1912. Passed away Feb 18, 1913. Funeral: Feb 21, 1913 in Zion Methodist Church. Rev G S Roeder officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Margaret, one year old daughter of Mr & Mrs Frank McMasters who reside some 10 miles west of town, died of pneumonia Tuesday of this week. The funeral was held at Zion.” (Citizen: 21 Feb 1913) “The funeral of the infant daughter of Mr & Mrs McMasters was held Thursday afternoon at the German M E church, Rev G S Roeder officiating.” (Citizen: 28 Feb 1913) “Miss Ida Hoffman, deaconess of Spokane First German ME church, attended the funeral of her niece last Thursday at Zion.” (Citizen: 2-28-1913)

Maurer, Anna Barbara: (b. 10-11-1837; d. 1-22-1912) “Anna Barbara Maurer. Born: Oct 11, 1837. Passed away at her home near Rocklyn, WA, Jan 22, 1912. Funeral: Jan 25, 1912 in Rocklyn Evangelical Church, Rev Koch officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “We have fought a good fight, We have finished our course, We have kept the faith!” (on monument) Anna Barbara Stengel was born 11 Oct 1837 in Rosstol, Bavaria, Germany. She married John George Maurer in Saginaw, Michigan in 1858. Thirty years later they arrived in Lincoln County, WA where they worshipped at the Zion German Methodist Church until 1896 when the Rocklyn Evangelical Church was established. J. George and Anna B Maurer had eleven surviving children: George Jr (1858), Barbara (1860), Wilhelmina (1861), Anna Marg. (1863), Rosina (1864), Anna B, Michael F ((1869), Wilhelm F (1871), Johanna George (1875), Herman A (1876). Anna Barbara Maurer died three months after her husband, John George. “Anna Barbara Maurer. Female, white, married, housewife. Birth: Oct 1836, Germany, aged: 76 yrs. Father: Geo Stengel, born Germany; Mother: (not shown) born Germany. Death: Jan 22, 1912, Rocklyn, Lincoln County, WA. Cause of death: Senile gangrene of lower extremities. Contributory: myocarditis. O L Adams, MD, of Davenport. Burial: Zion Cemetery on Jan 24, 1912 by O W Stone, undertaker, Davenport.” (WA State Board of Health Certificate of Death)

Maurer, Bertha C: (b. 9-19-1876; d. 4-25-1974) “Bertha C Maurer. Born: Sept 19, 1876. Passed away in Olympia, WA, Nursing Home on April 25, 1974. Funeral: April 27, 1974 in Zion United Methodist Church, Rev Herbert Stocker officiating, 2 p.m.” (Church Diagrams) “The Lord is my Shepherd” (on monument) “One of the last surviving pioneers of the Rocklyn area was laid to rest at the Rocklyn Zion Methodist Cemetery last Saturday. Mrs Bertha Maurer, who was born in 1876 as Bertha Mielke, died April 25 while visiting her son, Howard Maurer in Olympia. She had been staying in the Evergreen Convalescent Center at the time of her death. Mrs Maurer came west with her family and was married to Herman Maurer in 1900. The couple homesteaded and engaged in farming in the Rocklyn area until 1946 when they moved to Gridley, CA. Mr Maurer preceded her in death in 1955. Mrs Maurer is survived by three sons, Wallace of Gridley, CA, Howard of Olympia, and Melvin Maurer of Davenport; 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Last rites were held in the Zion United Methodist Church of Rocklyn with the Rev Herb Stocker officiating. Dan Anderson was the soloist and Aileen Kruger was organist. Casket bearers included George Mielke, Carl Mielke, Herbert Kruger, Elwend Kruger, Ralph Miller and Orville Miller. Handling arrangements was the Strate Funeral Home in Davenport.” (Dav. Times: 5-02-1974)

Maurer, Emma M Kik: (b. 1879; ck stone d. 1934) “Emma M Maurer. Born: July 25, 1873. Passed away in Pullman, WA, Sept 18, 1934. Funeral: Sept 22, 1934 in Davenport Methodist Church, Rev Adams of Pullman officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Funeral services for Mrs Emma Maurer, 61, who died at Pullman Wednesday, were held at the ME Church in Davenport last Saturday. The family resided near Rocklyn.” (Citizen: 9-28-1934) “Female, white, married. Wife of Michael F Maurer. Birth: July 16, 1873. Age: 61 years 1 mos 23 days. Worked at home, 38 yrs, not worked since July 1932. Birthplace: Clay County, South Dakota. Father: David Kik born Germany; Mother: Ashbacher born Germany. Informant: M F Maurer, Pullman. Burial: Davenport, WA, 9-21-1934. Undertaker: Dale E Kimball, Pullman. Death: Sept 19, 1934, 7:40 p.m. Pullman, Whitman Co, WA. Cause: cancer of stomach, 2 yrs duration. Contributory: duodenal ulcer. Operation: none. Physician: B Phillips, Pullman, WA.” (WA State Board of Health Certificate of Death) Edit: discrepancies exist that were not resolved. Emma Kik’s mother died in Wallula. The family had migrated from South Dakota to California and was en route to Lincoln County, WA. Her father, David, was traveling one route while the mother and children were traveling an easier route. Following the death of her mother, the children had been boarded out while David continued to Lincoln County. After he was established in the Sassin vicinity of Lincoln County, he returned to Wallula to retrieve his children. David Kik married Louisa Rux; she raised his children and had several more children.

Maurer, Herman A: (b. 8-30-1876; d. 5-23-1955) “Herman A Maurer. Born August 30, 1876. Passed away in Gridley, CA, Hospital on May 23, 1955. Funeral: May 28, 1955 in Zion Methodist Church, Rev L E Yates officiating, 2 p.m.” (Church Diagrams) “The Lord is my Shepherd.” (on monument) “Word comes of the death of Herman A Maurer at Gridley, California, on Monday morning, May 23. Mr Maurer was a pioneer resident of the Rocklyn area and only recently moved to California. Survivors include his wife, Bertha Maurer (sister of Ed Mielke), three sons, Howard Maurer of Millwood, WA; Wallace and Melvin Maurer of Gridley; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Services were held Wednesday at Gridley, and a second service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28 at the Zion Methodist Church at Rocklyn. Rev Lawrence Yates will officiate. Strate Funeral Home is in charge of the rites. Interment will be in the Rocklyn Cemetery.” (Citizen: 5-23-1955) “Herman Maurer, who so recently came from Gridley, CA, to attend the funeral services at Zion Methodist Church, Rocklyn for his sister-in-law, Mrs Edward Mielke, was brought to that church Saturday, for his last rites. After a short illness, Mr Maurer died of a thrombosis heart condition, at a Gridley hospital, May 23, 1955. Herman A Maurer was born August 30, 1876 at Bay City, Michigan, to George and Anna Maurer, and was the youngest of 13 children. In 1889, with his parents, he came west to Rocklyn, WA, to reside. He was confirmed at the age of 12 and was a member of the Methodist church for the past 66 years. Nov 18, 1900 he was united in marriage with Bertha Mielke, at the Mielke home at Rocklyn. The couple homesteaded and engaged in farming in this area, where they remained until 1946 when they moved to Gridley, CA. Four sons were born to them: Wallace, Howard, Melvin and Irving who passed away on Aug 23, 1919 at the age of two, and who is buried in the Rocklyn Cemetery. Nov 18, 1950 the Maurers observed their golden wedding anniversary and were honored at a reception. Survivors besides his widow, are the sons, Wallace of Gridley; Howard of Spokane, and Melvin, Gridley; 8 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Last rites were held last week Wednesday at the Gridley Funeral Chapel. Rev Edward H Hargreaves of Biggs Methodist Church and Rev H W Flickinger of the Gridley EUB church, officiated. Frances Price sang ‘Face to Face’ and ‘Safe in the Arms of Jesus.’ Robert Fife was organist. The body was sent to Rocklyn where Saturday, under direction of Strate Funeral Home, a second service was held. Rev Lawrence Yates officiated. Mrs James Doak sang ‘Safe in the Arms of Jesus’ and ‘The Ninety and Nine.’ Mrs Ernest Cronrath accompanied at the piano. Pallbearers were Herbert and Alvin Kruger, Ralph Miller, Orlin Maurer and Karl and George Mielke. Burial was in the Zion Cemetery, where his young son, and his parents are at rest. Coming to be with their mother for the rites, were Mr and Mrs Howard Maurer, Millwood (who also went to Gridley for the services there); Mr and Mrs Wallace Maurer, Beverly and Shirley, Gridley; and Melvin Maurer, Gridley; also, Mr and Mrs Alvin Staller of Portland. Mrs Staller is a sister of Mrs Wallace Maurer and Mrs Howard Maurer. Many friends came from the adjacent communities and from Spokane. Coming from farther were Rev and Mrs J G Kleinbach, Seattle; Mr and Mrs George Kleinbach, Jr, and family, Connell; Mr and Mrs John Van Brunt, Clarkia, Idaho; Mrs Trilby Nelson, Ephrata; Mrs J G Riehle, Walla Walla; Mr and Mrs Ben Ulrich, Harland Ulrich, St John; Mr and Mrs John Dietrich and family, Karl Dietrich, Chelan.”

Maurer, Ida E Kruger: (b. 1872; d. 1920) “Ida E Maurer. Born: May 20, 1872. Passed away in Deaconess Hospital, Spokane, WA, April 14, 1920. Funeral: April 17, 1920 in Zion Methodist Church, Rev A F Cramer, Rev Carl Jans, and Rev G A Maag officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Mrs William Maurer died Wednesday at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane and was buried at the Zion Cemetery last Saturday. She is survived by a husband and three children.” (Citizen: 4-23-1920) “Record of Marriages: Feb 21, 1900. Wm F Maurer age 28 of Rocklyn and Ida Krueger, age 26, Rocklyn.” (Zion German Methodist ledger) Family records show that Ida Kruger was the eighth child born to Gottlieb and Wilhelmina (Kruger) Kruger. Her father died in 1873 when he fell from his wagon and was killed. Her mother remarried on Dec 22, 1875 to Gottlieb Mielke, a union which gave Ida a half-sister, Bertha Mielke, and a half-brother, Edward Mielke.

Maurer, infant: “The funeral of the infant child of Mr & Mrs John Maurer took place Wednesday morning, Rev Roeder having charge of the services.” (Citizen: __ March 1914) Buried in Rocklyn Evangelical Cemetery. Though some family suggest that the infant was removed prior to the cemetery being farmed over, there is no evidence that the infant was brought to Zion and though other family members were buried in Davenport’s Mt View Cemetery, this infant is not shown there either.

Maurer, Irvin G: (b. 5-10-1917; d. 8-25-1919) “Baby Irving Glen Maurer. Born: May 10, 1917. Passed away at his home in Rocklyn, WA, on Aug 23, 1919. Funeral: Aug 26, 1919 in Zion Methodist Church, Rev A F Cramer officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Little Ewing Maurer, two year old son of Mr and Mrs Herman Maurer of Rocklyn, died Monday from stomach cramps, burial being in the Zion Cemetery, Rocklyn, Tuesday.” (Dav. Times Tribune: 8-28-1919) This was the second tragedy in the week for the Maurer families, with the death of Charley Graham the previous Saturday.

Maurer, John G: (b. 3-09-1830; d. 9-18-1911) “John George Maurer. Born: March 9, 1830. Passed away at his home near Rocklyn, WA, Sept 18, 1911. Funeral: Sept 21, 1911 in Rocklyn Evangelical Church, Rev Koch officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “We have fought a good fight, We have finished our course, We have kept the faith!” (on monument) “An Octogenerian. The funeral services of Father Maurer, an old pioneer of this region, were held at Rocklyn church Friday, Sept 22, burial at Zion Cemetery. He was over 81 years of age. Father Maurer is survived by his wife and the following children: M F Maurer, Wm Maurer, Jno Maurer, and Herman A Maurer of Zion, George Maurer of Saginaw, MI, Mrs Jno C Beck of Davenport, Mrs S Betz, of Cheney, Mrs A C Banner of Indianapolis, IN, Mrs Moehring, of Madras, OR, and Mrs L King of Davenport, besides quite a number of grandchildren. Rev H Hanersen of Davenport and Rev G S Roeder of Zion German ME Church took part in the funeral services.” (Citizen: ) “John G Maurer. Male, white, age 81, married, farmer. Birth: Nov 9, 1830, Germany. Father: George Maurer, born Germany; Mother: unknown, born Germany. Informant (not shown). Death: Sept 18, 1911, in Lincoln County, no physician attended. Cause: heart trouble. Physician: O L Adams, MD of Davenport, WA. Burial: Zion Cemetery on Sept 21, 1911 by O W Stone of Davenport, WA.” (WA State Board of Health: Certificate of Death)

Maurer, Lester H: (b. 1901; d. 1971) “Lester Herbert Maurer. Born: April 20, 1901. Passed away in Hy-Lend Convalescent Center, Spokane, WA, Sept 8, 1971. Funeral: Sept 10, 1971 in Zion United Methodist church, Rev John D Hierholzer officiating, 1:30 p.m.” (Church Diagrams) “Lester H Maurer.—Passed away Sept 8^th at Hy-Lond Convalescent Center, Spokane, WA, survived by one sister, Mrs Mildred (John) VanBrunt, Cheney, one aunt, Mrs Bertha Maurer, Gridley, CA; four nieces, Paula Lauer, Marsha Patterson, Ruth Amos and Margaret Sproull. Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept 10 at 1:30 p.m. from the Zion United Methodist Church, Rocklyn, WA. The Rev John D Hierholzer officiating. Interment Zion Cemetery, Rocklyn, WA. Jerue Funeral Home, Cheney, in charge.” (Chronicle: 9-09-1971; Edit: Family records show that Lester Herbert Maurer was born April 20, 1901 to Wilhelm Frederick Maurer and his wife, Ida Kruger Maurer. Lester was never married and was said to be handicapped. Lester had a brother, Victor Paul, who preceded him in death in 1965 with burial in Pines Cemetery.)

Maurer, Melvin M: (d. 11-12-2009, age 95); “Melvin M Maurer, age 95.—Passed away Nov 12, 2009 in Davenport , WA ; his home Rocklyn , WA . He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret Maurer, four children: Deanna (Jim) Kern of Spangle, WA; Gary (Lynn) Maurer of Davenport, WA; Sherri (Bruce) Blanchard of Worland, WY; and Dale (Cindy) Maurer of Spokane, WA, along with 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He was a life long member of the Rocklyn United Methodist Church . He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing woodworking and photography. He also enjoyed spending time at the lake cabin at Cayuse Cove. Memorial Service Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the Davenport-Edwall United Methodist Church, Davenport, WA with Pastor Cynthia Wutz officiating. Interment will precede memorial at the Rocklyn Cemetery . Strate Funeral Home, Davenport , WA is caring for the family.” (Spokesman Review: 2009)

Maurer, Michael F: (b. 1869; d. 1944) “Michael F Maurer. Born: Sept 2, 1869. Passed away in California on April 27, 1944. Funeral: May 3, 1944 in Zion Methodist church, Rev Milton DeArmand officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Funeral services were held at the Zion Methodist Church in the Rocklyn area, May 3, for Michael F Maurer, pioneer farmer, who died recently in Corona, California. He was one of the earliest settlers in the Rocklyn country, and moved to Pullman about 25 years ago. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs Trilby Nelson, Ephrata, and five sons, O J Maurer, Rocklyn, Sidney, in Minnesota, Hiram, in Wisconsin, Quentin, Spokane, and Ward, West Valley high school athletic coach.” (Citizen: 5-12-1944) “Mr Mike Maurer, a former resident of this community, died in California last week. The body was sent here and the funeral took place Wednesday from the Zion church at Rocklyn. He is a brother of H A Maurer and father of Orlen Maurer of Rocklyn.” (Rocklyn column in Citizen: 5-05-1944)

Maurer, Ward W: (b. 1903; d. 1979) “Ward Wayne Maurer. Born: Sept 20, 1903. Passed away in Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, WA, on Sept 25, 1979. Memorial Service in Millwood Presbyterian Church, Rev R Blackstone officiating, Inurnment Zion Hill Cemetery, Sept 30, 1979, Rev H Stocker officiating.” (Church Diagrams) “Ward W Maurer. Male, Death: Sept 25, 1979, Spokane Co, Sacred Heart Medical Center. White. 76 yrs; Birth: 9-20-1903, WA. Married: Surviving Spouse: Carolyn Peterson. Occupation: Teacher, High school. Father: Michael F Maurer; Mother: Emma Kik. Informant: Mrs Carolyn Maurer. Cause of death: Metastatic Disease of the brain. Physician: Robert S Johnson, MD. Cremation, Ball & Dodd Crematory, Sept 26, 1979.” (Certificate of Death) “Memorial services for Ward Maurer were held at the Millwood Presbyterian Church Saturday morning. Ward Maurer grew up at Rocklyn as the son of pioneers Mike and Emma Maurer. After attending Washington State College, Ward was a long-time teacher and athletic coach at West Valley High School. Several tributes were paid him in that capacity. On Sunday the Maurer families attended morning services at the Zion UM Church, after which graveside services were conducted by Rev Herb Stocker and the ashes of Ward Maurer buried in the family plot. The Maurer families met at the Kiks for dinner following services, with Ethel Peak as co-hostess. Attending were Carolyn Maurer (Mrs Ward) and children, Barry and wife Norma of Spokane; and Kay Johnson of San Francisco, CA; Quenton and Duke Maurer of Spokane; Trilby Nelsen of Ephrata; Louise and Floyd Gustafson of Kennewick; and Melvin and Margaret Maurer.” (Davenport Times: 10-04-1979)

Maurer, William: (b. 1871; d. 1931) “William Maurer. Born: March 17, 1871. Passed away in Deaconess Hospital, Spokane, WA, Jan 5, 1931. Funeral: Jan 8, 1931 in Zion Methodist Church, Rev E J Aschenbrenner officiating.” (Church Diagrams) See also The History of Big Bend, 1904, page 467. “The remains of William F Maurer, 59, who died at his home at Millwood, WA, were brought to the Zion church at Rocklyn, where services were held at 1 o’clock and interment was made in the Zion Cemetery. Mr Maurer is survived by one daughter, Mildred E, and two sons, Lester H and Victor P, all at home. Mr Maurer had resided at Millwood for the past 11 years.” (Davenport Times: 9 Jan 1931) “One of the largest attended funerals ever held at Zion ME Church at Rocklyn was that of William Maurer, 59, pioneer of that section who passed to his reward at Pasadena Park, Millwood, Spokane County, January 5^th, after an illness over a period of six years with creeping paralysis. The funeral was conducted by Rev E J Aschenbrenner, of Spokane, assisted by Rev Mann, pastor of the Zion ME Church, on Thursday, Jan 8^th in the Zion Church and interment was in the Zion Cemetery, beside his wife who preceded him in death in 1920. The pall bearers were Henry a Hoffman, J George Riehle, Elmer Knack, Sam Knack, H A Bursch and W F Lehman. William Maurer was a good citizen, a kind and loving father and a good neighbor and true friend. He was born in Michigan and came to Washington with his parents in 1889. He homesteaded in Lincoln County and was a resident of said county until the death of Mrs Maurer in 1920, when he moved to Pasadena Park, near Millwood, Washington. Mr Maurer is survived by two sons, Lester and Victor, and one daughter, Mildred, at Pasadena Park, Spokane County; four brothers, George, Mike, John and Herman; five sisters, Mrs Kurz, Spokane; Mrs Merring, Walla Walla; Mrs John Beck, Oak Grove, Oregon; and two sisters somewhere in the East.” (Citizen: 1-16-1931)

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