Zion-Rocklyn German Methodist Affiliates

                                                                                  Submitted by Marge Womach

Page R through Z


The following obits were gathered in conjunction with research done on the Zion German Methodist Church near Rocklyn. Some of these obits were in family files with little known connection, perhaps only friends. Others are obvious relations to those involved in the Zion church.

Zion-Rocklyn German Methodist Affiliates unedited at present: 2005


Reinbold, Adeline:  “Funeral services were held from the Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport for Adeline Reinbold on May 7.  Mrs Reinbold died May 3 at Lincoln County Hospital after living at the nursing home for the past two years. Mrs Reinbold was born in Harrington in 1893 to Mr and Mrs Herman Knack. She was a graduate of Cheney Normal School and taught at Harrington and Egypt until she and Dan Reinbold were married in 1916. The couple farmed the family farm until their retirement in 1953, at which time they moved into Davenport. Mr Reinbold preceded his wife in death in 1974. Mrs Reinbold was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the North Star Grange. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs Bernice Haines, Davenport and three sons, Don Reinbold, Davenport; Pat Reinbold, Odessa, and Gene Reinbold, Moses Lake. She is also survived by a sister, Bertha Borck of Davenport, 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Interment was at the Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, with the Rev Stanley S Williamsen officiating.” (Davenport Times: undated, 1976)

Reinbold, Esther (Kruger):  “Davenport.—Funeral for Esther Amanda Kruger Reinbold, 90, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 2, at Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport with the Rev Carolyn Krupke and Pastor Duane Anderson officiating.  Mrs Reinbold died Friday, May 26, at her Davenport home.  Born Sept 10, 1915 to Helena (Lopstein) and Edd Kruger in Harrington, she attended the Earl School for first grade and then transferred to the Zion School, Rocklyn.  She graduated in 1933 from Davenport High School. She was employed by the Hix Butcher Shop in Spokane and at J C Penney in Davenport. On New Year’s Day 1936, she married Adolphe W Reinbold in a joint ceremony with Hilda (Reinbold) and Bill Thiringer. They began their new life together farming in the Egypt area. She was a homemaker and typical farm wife preparing meals for haying and harvest crews, doing laundry for hired helpers and driving wheat truck to Davenport during harvest along with other typical chores. She and her husband at various times served as surrogate parents for young persons who lived with them and attended school. Dean Hink, Fred Kays and Terry Reed were three such boys to whom they were fondly attached.  Her hobbies included crossword puzzles, music, sewing, knitting crocheting, reading the daily newspaper, playing cards and flower gardening. For many years she served as organist and girls choir director at Christ Lutheran Church in Egypt. She also enjoyed accompanying various musical singing groups and teaching piano lessons to neighbor children.  In 1974, Terry Reed moved back from Spokane to take over the farm operation as the Reinbolds retired to her parents’ home in Davenport. They traveled and enjoyed entertaining friends and participating in community events. She belonged to Zion Lutheran Church, was a 25-year 4-H leader and a member of the Town and Country Study Club, North Star Grange, Egypt Community Club, Lincoln County Homemakers Council, Lincoln County Historical Society and was living at the Davenport Retirement Village.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1982, and her brother, Eugene Kruger (1995).  She leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Joy and Hal Johnson of Mondovi; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Johanna (Jodee) and Bob Ellis, formerly of Spokane and recently of Reardan; twin great grandchildren, Garrett Scott and Colleen Esther Ellis; a ‘special son’, Terry Reed of Egypt; nieces and nephews, Wendell, Mark, Barry, Kim and Janice Kruger, Kandace Thurman, Gladys Jasper, Ron Webber, Bill Ellis, Gale Ferguson, Carol Cole, Joyce Luiten and Bill Reinbold; and by special godchildren.  Strate Funeral Home in Davenport had charge of arrangements.”  (Dav. Times: 6-01-2006)

Reker, Walter Martin:  “Walter Martin Reeker (age 69).—Passed away Feb 10, 1981 in a Soap Lake, WA hospital. His home, Ephrata, WA. Survived by his wife, Frances Reeker, at the home; one son, Larry Reeker, Australia; one sister, Florence Levy, Douglas, AZ; three grandchildren. A life member of the Wannigan Trailer Club, Ephrata Senior Center. He was a teacher at Ephrata, WA and also at Central Washington University. A Navy Veteran of WW II serving as an officer. Memorial funeral services Monday, Feb 23, 1981 at 2 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ephrata, WA. Rev Harry Sorenson officiating. Nicoles Funeral Home, Ephrata, WA, in charge.” (Spokesman: Feb 14, 1981)

Rinker, Art:  “The Methodist church was filled Friday afternoon by people at last rites in solemn tribute to Arthur L Rinker, 37 year old local barber, who died the previous Monday at his home here after several weeks illness with a fatal disease. Members of the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Active Club of which Mr Rinker was a prominent member, attended in bodies and filled the center section of the church. The church service was conducted by the Rev Erling Bergan of Rathdrum, Idaho, former Methodist minister here, who eulogized Mr Rinker’s life, and the Rev Hunter McKain. Music was furnished by Mrs Mae Huffman and Mrs Albert Zellmer, accompanied by Mrs Anna Jarvis. Knights of Pythias were in charge of the graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery where the body was interred. Casket bearers were Oliver Barnes, James Huck, Jack McDougall, Gerald Janett, Albert Leipham and Henry Leipham. Arrangements were by the Bumgarner Funeral Home. Mr Rinker was born in Davenport, son of Mr and Mrs K M Rinker, graduated from the local high school in 1928 and was employed in other barber shops here prior to acquiring his own several years ago. Surviving are his widow, Inez Rinker, at the home here; four sisters, Miss Mabel Rinker, Dayton; Mrs Luther Owens, Colville; Mrs Percy McKinnon, Chelan; Mrs Sam Jackson, Spokane; three brothers, Paul Rinker, Reardan; Irving Rinker, Spokane; Stanley Rinker, Freewater, OR; several nieces and nephews.” (a Davenport paper: undated; photo with obit) Tombstone in Davenport’s Mountain View Cemetery: 1907-1944)

Root, L. E.:  “After a long and discouraging illness, L E Root passed away in a Spokane hospital Saturday morning. Mr Root was born June 2, 1861, and Feb 24, 1892 at Red Oak, Iowa, married Miss Margaret Routson. They came to Harrington in 1911 and homesteaded the farm northwest of Harrington, which they still own.  Funeral services for Mr Root were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, from the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev Mr Fryer officiating. Interment was in Riverside Park Cemetery.  Surviving Mr Root is his widow, who is seriously ill in Spokane; five daughters, Mrs Ethel May Knight, Seattle; Mrs Blanche Kelchner, Underwood, WA; Mrs Bessie J Bouer, Spokane; Mrs Ida Mabel Abbott, Harrington; Mrs Florence Grob, Rocklyn; two sisters, Mrs Hannah Hodge, Montevido, MN, and Mrs Albina Hildebrand, Rinebeck, Iowa; one brother, Arthur Root, Montevido, MN, and several grandchildren. The sorrowing family has the sympathy of the community in their loss.” (Citizen: 29 March 1940)

Root, Margaret Ellen:  “Mrs Charles Abbott and daughters attended the funeral services for Mrs Abbott’s mother, Mrs E L Root, in Spokane Saturday at the Smith Funeral Home.  Mrs Margaret Ellen Root came here from Iowa thirty years ago and with her family resided in the Rocklyn country. Mr Root died last year and Mrs Root who was ill at that time, went to live with her children. Seven months ago she went to Seattle. She has been in a hospital there for several weeks suffering from a fractured hip. Her death was on May 7. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs Charles Abbott, Mrs Henry W Bauer of Spokane, Mrs Harvey Klechner of Underwood, Mrs C A Knight of Seattle, Mrs Carl Grob, Rocklyn; one brother, S C Rouston of Springdale.”  (16 May 1941-Citizen)

Rosema, Elda Pauline: “Elda Pauline Rosema.—Entered into rest Jan 26, 1986 in Spokane. Her home, Spokane. Survived by three sons, Forest (Joe) Rosema, Spokane, Otis F Rosema, Spokane, Robert G Rosema, Elk, WA; one daughter, Shirley Davis, Newport, WA; two brothers, Herb Ulrich, Boulder, CO; Lawrence Ulrich, Rosalia, WA; one sister, Ruth Nordheim, Walla Walla, WA; 9 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rosema, 1983, one daughter, Roberta, 1933. Member of Rosalia United Methodist Church, Five Mile Community Church. Funeral service, Jan 30, 1986 at 11 a.m. Rosalia Methodist Church, Rev Jim Doak, Rev Jim Leonard, officiating. Interment, IOOF Evergreen Cemetery, Rosalia, WA. Riplinger Funeral Home in charge.” (Spokesman: undated)

Rutter,  Claude:  “In Memory of Claude Gerald Rutter. Born: March 28, 1908, Davenport, WA. Passed Away: Nov 4, 1993, Davenport, WA.  Funeral Service: Saturday, Nov 6, 1993, at 1 p.m., Chapel of the Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA. Pastor Guy Cooksey, officiating. Sacred Selections: ‘Gentle Shepherd,’ ‘Through It All,’  ‘There’s Something About That Name’ and ‘Victory in Jesus.’ Soloist: David Zellmer; Organist: Linda Zellmer. Concluding Services and Interment: Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, WA. Casket Bearers: Ronald Thompson, Lee Sperry, Art Zellmer, Don Schweikert, Bill Sutherland and Frank Lehrman.” (Funeral Program)

Rutter, Ivan:  “Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian church Wednesday for Ivan Edward Rutter, 53, who died Nov 8 after fighting a losing battle with cancer for three weeks at Deaconess Hospital. Lyle Van Kuran officiated at the rite arranged by Strate Funeral Home. Roy Master, a nephew, was vocal soloist, and Linda Rutter, a niece, was organist. Interment was at Mountain View Cemetery. Casket bearers were Henry Nicholls, Donald Brown, Earl Swartz, Verne Denson, Merle Jayne and Dave Davis. Born Nov 12, 1904, at Oakgrove, Ark., he resided most of his life in the Davenport area, attending the local schools. He was a member of the Lincoln County road survey crew. He was a member of the Davenport Lodge No 64, IOOF, and the Spokane BOF. Survivors include his wife, Ella, at home; a son, Norman, member of the US Navy; two sisters, Dona Lehrman, Chewelah; and Blanche Leithead, Oroville; two brothers, Claude G Rutter, Davenport, and Garner Rutter of Deep Creek.” (Davenport Times: Nov 1958)

Rux, Charles L.: “Davenport, WA.—Charles L Rux, 93-year-old Lincoln County pioneer, died Friday at his home here. Mr Rux was a native of Hammond, MN, and moved to Washington with his parents when he was seven years old. The family lived on a homestead near Edwall, WA.  When he was 21 years old, Mr Rux acquired his own farm near Rocklyn, WA, and about 1898, he became the first tractor farmer in the region. He and his family moved to Davenport in 1928 where he lived until his death. He was a lifelong farmer and was one of the founders of the Davenport Assembly of God Church. Mr Rux is survived by his wife, Ada, at the home; four daughters, Mrs Aileen Kruger, Mrs Bess Rutter and Mrs Beulah Olsen, all of Davenport, and Mrs Elmer Reker, Reardan, WA; and six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today at the Davenport Assembly of God Church with the Rev R J Raygor officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport. The body is at Strate Funeral Home.” (Spokesman: undated 1972) “Charles L Rux (93).—His home, Davenport, WA. Survived by his wife, Ada Rux; four daughters..., Six grandchildren, 3 step-daughters, Mrs Virginia Speiner of Colton, WA; Mrs Dorothy Roper of Crow Agency, MT; Mrs Betty Kiami of New Jersey....” (Spokane Chronicle: 12-23-1972)

Rux, Clara A.:  “Mrs Gustave H (Clara A) Rux, 89, longtime resident of Reardan, Davenport and the Inland Empire, died June 3rd in a Spokane hospital. Mrs Rux was stricken June 2nd and succumbed early the next morning. Funeral services were held Friday June 5th at the Davenport United Methodist Church with interment following at Greenwood Terrace in Spokane. The Rev Don Lange officiated. She was born in Lydia, Minnesota, and came to Washington in 1890 in an immigrant train with her parents, Mr and Mrs Charles A Laabs. They operated a general store and post office at Tacoma. Her parents later came to the Inland Empire, homesteading at Connell before coming to far south of Davenport. Her parents later sold that farm and moved to Davenport where Mr Laabs became manager of the Farmers Store (later to become Campbell’s Market) and built a home in the south part of town. At that time there were no houses between their new home and the warehouses. It was in this home that Clara and Gustave H Rux were married in 1900. Their first home was to be on a farm purchased from Mr Button (The George Borck place). Their first child, Harold, was born there. They next bought a farm from Zellmers, south of Rocklyn where two more boys were born, Orville and Virgil. In 1917 they sold this land to Mr Hardy and moved to the Reardan area, purchasing the George Gunning farm in the Gravelle area west of Reardan. After the death of her husband in 1947, she moved to an apartment in Reardan and was able to live by herself until her death. She is survived by three sons, Harold and Virgil of Reardan and Orville of Davenport, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs Laura Huesman of Davenport and Mrs Sophronia Houser of Portland. She was a member of the Davenport United Methodist Church, Spring Creek Grange, Reardan Garden Club and the Three Links Rebekah Lodge, all of Reardan.” (undated, assume DT) “Clara A Rux.—Her home, Reardan, WA. Mother of Virgil R Rux, Harold E Rux, both Reardan; Orville E Rux, Davenport; 5 grandchildren; sister of Mrs Laura Huesman, Davenport, WA. Mrs Sophronia Houser, Portland; several nieces and nephews. Member of the Davenport United Methodist Church, Springfield Grange No 95, Three Links Rebekah Lodge No 92, Reardan, WA. The Reardan Garden Club. A resident of Washington for 80 years. Funeral services June 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the Davenport United Methodist Church, Davenport...” (Spokesman Review: 4 June 1970)

Rux, Julia Bursch:  “Mrs Julia Rux of Davenport, wife of Charles Rux, passed away Monday and funeral services will be held this afternoon at the Methodist church at 2 p.m. in Davenport.  Surviving Mrs Rux, besides her husband, are four daughters, Mrs Aileen Kruger of Rocklyn, Mabel Reker of Reardan, Bessie Rutter and Beulah Olson, Davenport; two sisters, Augusta Berg, Davenport and Mrs Rose Bartlett of Colbert; one brother, Samuel Bursch of Moscow, Idaho; 4 grandchildren.  Born Dec 3, 1876 in Minnesota, she came with her parents to the Harrington district in 1883. April 25, 1901 she was married to Charles Rux and moved to the Rocklyn farming area where they lived until 1928 when they moved to Davenport.” (Citizen: 24 Jan 1947)

Rux, Viola: "After services in the Davenport United Methodist Church, Viola Nellie Rux was buried in Mountain View Cemetery Jan 13. The Rev Joseph Woodward came from Spokane to assist the Rev Donald Lange with the funeral. Born in Sprague in 1906, the daughter of David and Sarah Circle died Jan 10. A long-time music teacher, she had lived just north of Davenport since her marriage to Orville Rux in 1929. A member of the United Methodist Church, Community Grange and the American Federation of Music Teachers, she served as organist of the Methodist church for many years. She is survived by her husband, at the home; a son, Loren, of Davenport; a daughter, Donna Douglass of Phoenix, AZ; a granddaughter, and three sisters—Ezma Wallace, Hermiston, OR; Bonnie Mitchell, Hayden Lake, ID; and Beryl Miller, Seattle. A brother, Burton Circle, lives in Spokane." (Davenport Times: undated; d. 1-10-1973)

Rux, Virgil: “Funeral services for area native Virgil Rux of Reardan was held Friday at the Chapel of Strate Funeral Home in Davenport. Graveside services followed at Greenwood Memorial Terrace Cemetery in Spokane.  Mr Rux passed away Nov 17 in Davenport. He was 89.  Born Jan 3, 1908, in Rocklyn to Gustav and Clara (Laabs) Rux, he was a lifetime resident of the Davenport-Reardan area. Mr Rux married Mary Everson and farmed west of Reardan. Mr Rux was a member of the Reardan Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Knights of Columbus and Spring Creek Grange. He served on the board of directors for the Reardan Fire Dept. for more than 30 years.  Survivors include one son, Thomas Rux of Reardan; one grandson, Kevin and his wife, Trichia Rux of Reardan; two great grandchildren, Christopher and Matthew Goodson; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Mr Rux was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 1980, as well as two brothers, Orville and Harold.”  (Davenport Times: Nov 27, 1997)

Schedler, Paul A.: “Mr and Mrs William Pugh attended the funeral Wednesday in Spokane of Mrs Pugh’s uncle, Paul A Schedler, 49, at the Smith Funeral Home. Dr Joel Harper officiated at the chapel and the Masonic lodge had charge at the grave. Interment at Riverside Park Cemetery. Deceased is survived by his wife, Lelia; two sons, Paul F and Roger, two daughters, Phyllis and Marian, all at home; one brother, H F of Sandpoint, Idaho, and two sisters, Mrs D H Mooney and Mrs Chas Lingelbach, both of Oconto, Wisconsin. Mr Schedler had resided in Spokane for 26 years.” (Citizen: 9 Jan 1931)

Schmitz, Bartolomew J.: “Bartolomew J Schmitz.—Passed away May 10 at a local hospital. His home, E 14323 Longfellow. A resident of this community 55 years. A retired boilermaker for the N P railway. Survived by his wife, Lucy Schmitz; 5 daughters, Mrs Charles Sells, Mrs Clyde Steagall, Mrs John Holm, Mrs Roy Davis, Betty Hanke, all of Spokane; two brothers, John Schmitz, Spokane, Matt Schmitz, Medford, OR, Herbert Schmitz, Tacoma, WA; one sister, Mrs Lester Warren, Pullman, WA. Rosary services May 13 at Hennessey Funeral Chapel. Rev Clifford Albutt, SJ officiating. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.” (Review: 12 May 1958)

Schultz, Adolph: d. 10-31-1985, b. 5-27-1901; burial: Hillcrest Cemetery, see file.

Schultz, Henrietta Welke: “Mrs Henrietta Schultz, this area’s oldest resident at 107, died this morning at the Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home here. The former Henrietta Welke was born south of Hammond in Wabasha County on Aug 26, 1968. She lived there until she married August W Schultz on Dec 12, 1889. He died in 1936. They farmed their entire married life in Farmington Township in Olmsted County, and she continued to live on the farm after her husband’s death until 1946 when she moved to Rochester to live with her daughter, Ada M Schultz. She was active until age 102, when she sustained a back injury in a fall and moved to Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home, where she resided for the past five years. Mrs Schultz is survived by one son, Clarence of Rochester; three daughters, Miss Schultz, Mrs Fred (Alice) Schlasner, all of Rochester; 18 grandchildren; 59 great grandchildren, and 70 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Arthur, two grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, six brothers and four sisters. The funeral service will be at Christ United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.” (Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN: undated 1976; relation to Mielke-Kruger) “Mrs Henrietta Schultz of Rochester, a woman who had lived through more than half of the United States’ history, died here today on the eve of America’s 200th birthday. At 107, she was the oldest resident of southeastern Minnesota. Mrs Schultz was born near Hammond on Aug 26, 1868—just three years after the end of the Civil War and eight years before Custer made his last stand at the Little Big Horn.  Born Henrietta Welke, she married August Schultz in 1889. They farmed in Farmington Township in northern Olmstead County until his death in 1936. She moved to Rochester from the farm in 1946 and had resided at the Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home for the past five years.  Blind and only able to sit in a chair or lie in bed during the past year, she enjoyed listening to radio news and to broadcasts of the Minnesota Twins games. She also enjoyed keeping track of her rather large family including four children, 59 grandchildren and 70 great grandchildren.” (scrapbook item, undated: 1976; original had photo, taken 1972. Edit: compare # of descendants to other obit) “In Memory of Mrs August W Schultz. Born: Henrietta C Welke, August 26, 1868, in Wabasha County, MN.  Entered into Rest: Saturday, July 3, 1976 at Rochester, MN. Age: 107 years, 10 months and 8 days. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 1976 from Christ United Methodist Church. Final Resting Place: Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester, MN. Dr Winfield S Haycock and Rev Erwin H Warber, Officiating. Comfort in Music: Reverend Robert E Scoggin, Organist, Mrs Dale Shaffer, Soloist. Hymns: Beautiful Isle of Somewhere; Abide With Me.  Grandsons as Pallbearers: Mr Clarence Schultz, Jr; Mr Darrell Schultz; Mr Robert Schultz; Mr Lauren Adler; Mr Clifford Adler; Mr Murvil Adler.  Family: Three daughters: Mrs Fred (Alice) Adler, Miss Ada M Schultz, Mrs Clarence (Edna) Schlasner; one son, Clarence H Schultz; 18 grandchildren; 59 great grandchildren; 70 great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, August W Schultz on Dec 9, 1936, 2 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 4 sisters and 6 brothers. Relatives and friends are invited to return to Wesley Hall at the church for fellowship and refreshments following the service at the cemetery.” (Funeral Program) 

Spilker, Adolph G.:  “Adolph G Spilker.—His home was Davenport, WA. Survived by two daughters, Mrs Jave Warbrick, Lions, MD; Mrs Verle Wagner, Harrington, WA; four sons, George Spilker, Medical Lake, WA; Bob and Ernest Spilker, both of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Glen Spilker, La Grande, OR; one brother, William Spilker, Colbert, WA; 3 sisters, Mrs Emma Sloan, Seattle, WA; Mrs Frank Zeimantz and Mrs Tillie Henning, Spokane; 22 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild. He was a member of the American Legion and the Zion Lutheran Church, both of Davenport. Funeral services Sat., Aug 2, at 11 a.m. from the Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport, Rev Stanley Williamson officiating. Interment Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, WA. The Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, in charge.” (Spokesman Review: 1 Aug 1969)

Stelzer surname: Mrs Phyllis Stelzer, Lind, WA, living, Spokesman 30 Sept 1967, page 14, obit of her mother, Mrs Edward Sr (Lydia) Wahl, of Lind, WA, whose name see also (in Spokane Library file). Obituary of her father, Edward F Wahl, Sr, of Lind, WA, under whose name see also, Oct 22, 1969, page 20.

Stelzer, Benny Walter:  “Benny Walter Stelzer (age 38).—Farmer and teacher of St John, WA area. Survived by his wife, Mrs Camille Stelzer, at the home; three children, David, Timothy and Cynthia Stelzer, all at St John, WA; three sisters, Mrs Jane Floyd, Spokane; Mrs Margaret Stevens, Spokane; Mrs Connie Ulrich, St John, WA; one brother, John Stelzer, Rosalia, WA; his parents, Mr and Mrs Walter Stelzer, Kettle Falls, WA. He was a member of the Christian Church of St John, WA and the Wheatland Grange. Funeral services from the Methodist Church, St John, WA, Thursday, July 8, 1976 at 2 p.m. with the Rev Ellis Kaster and Rev Jack Wood officiating. Interment St John, WA, Cemetery. Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, WA, in charge of arrangements.” (Review: July 8, 1976)

Stelzer, Mrs. Berta:  “Mrs Berta Stelzer (age 73).—Passed away April 10, 1979 in Yakima, WA. Her home, Yakima, WA.  Survived by Mrs Earl (Adeline) Johnson, Davenport, WA; Mrs Norman (Anne Storm), Mrs William (Betty) Gimlin, both of Yakima; and Alfred Stelzer, Dufur, OR; four sisters, Emma Lehmann, Wanda Bohler, Adelena Reich, Otilge Neumann, all of Hannover, Germany; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren. Funeral services, Friday, April 13, 1979 at 1 p.m. at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel, Yakima, WA. Burial will be in the Tahoma Cemetery.” (Review: April 10, 1979) “In Memory of Mrs Berta Stelzer. Born: Feb 4, 1906, Volenski, Poland.  Died: April 10, 1979, Yakima, WA. Services in Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel, Friday, April 13th, at 1 p.m. The Rev Mr Art O’Neal, Pastor, Nu-Life Tabernacle, officiating. Mrs Evagene Stelzer, Soloist. Mrs Ralph Thompson, Organist. Grandsons as Casket Bearers: Dan Brewer, Ken Johnson, David Stelzer, Ray Cook, Richard Gimlin, and Stephen Gimlin. Concluding services: Tahoma Cemetery.” (Funeral Program)

Stelzer, David:  “David Stelzer.—His home, Spokane, WA. Formerly of Davenport. He is survived by his wife, Julia, Spokane; 2 sons, Norman and Robert Stelzer, both of Spokane; one daughter, Mrs Amanda French, Medford, Oregon; 2 sisters, Rosella Kirsch, Spokane; Augusta Beilert, Colona, BC; 14 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept 27, at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of the Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA. Rev Jim Terry officiating. Interment Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, WA.” (Spokesman Review: 9-26-1975)

Stelzer, Fred: “Funeral services were held last week for a former Rocklyn resident, Fred Stelzer, at The Dalles, Oregon. Mr Stelzer, who lived in Dufur, Oregon, since 1956, died June 17 in a tractor accident on his farm. He was born July 21, 1894, in Poland and was a World War I veteran. Mr Stelzer is survived by his wife, Berta at the home; a son, Alfred of Yakima; three daughters, Adeline Johnson of Davenport, Ann Stelzer of Dufur, and Betty Gimlin of Wapato, WA; a brother, David Stelzer of Davenport; two sisters, Ros Kersch of Spokane and Agusta Bilert, of Kelowna, BC, and 7 grandchildren.”  (Dav. Times: 7-01-1971) 

Stelzer, Julianna:  “Julianna Stelzer.—Her home, S 3103 Avalon, Spokane. Survived by two sons, Norman and Robert Stelzer, both of Spokane; one daughter, Mrs Amanda French, Medford, Oregon; one sister, Mrs Lydia Baumert, Hawthorne, CA; 14 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren. Member of the Assembly of God Church. Funeral services Tuesday, Feb 10 at 11 a.m., Chapel of the Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, the Rev James Terry officiating. Interment Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, WA.” (Chronicle: Feb 9, 1976)  “A former Davenport resident, Julia Stelzer, died Feb 6 at Spokane General Hospital. Mrs Stelzer was born in Germany in 1894 and came to America as a bride in 1912. She lived in the Davenport area most of her life. She is survived by two sons, Robert and Norman Stelzer of Spokane and by a daughter, Mrs Don (Amelia) French of Medford, OR. A sister, Lydia Baumert, Hawthorne, CA, also survives as do 14 grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Interment was at the Mountain View Cemetery, Davenport, with the Rev J Terry of Newport, WA, officiating.” (Dav. Times: 2-19-1976) 

Stelzer, Mary Belle:  “Mary Belle Stelzer.—Resident of St John, WA. Survived by her husband, Walter I Stelzer, at the home; 3 daughters, Mrs Mary Jane Floyd, Mrs Margaret Ann Stevens, both Spokane; Mrs Constance Fay Ulrich, St John, WA; 2 sons, Bennie W Stelzer, St John; John A Stelzer, Thornton, WA; her mother, Mrs Stella Freemen, St John; 2 sisters, Mrs Bertha Henderson, Grangeville, Idaho; Mrs Margaret Ross, St John, WA; 11 grandchildren. Member of Assembly of God Church. Funeral services Mon, Nov 27, at 2 p.m. from Methodist Church, St John, WA. Rev Ernest Enloe officiating. Interment St John’s Cemetery. L L Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, WA, in charge.” (Spokesman-Review: 27 Nov 1967, page 13)

Stevens, George C.:  “George C Stevens, 74, father of Mrs Fred Magin of Rocklyn, died at the Magin home last Friday. He was born at Nickolson, PA, living in that state until 1906, when he moved to Davenport.  Four years later he moved to Almira where he lived until his wife’s death in May 1931, when he moved to the Magin farm. Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church in Davenport, Sunday, the Rev A F Kroneman officiating. Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery. Two daughters, a son and a brother survive.” (Citizen: 12-22-1933) 

Stutheit, Marvin Louis:  “Marvin Louis Stutheit.—Passed away Oct 21, 1981 in Spokane Valley. His home Spokane. Husband of Vinnie Stutheit at the home. Father of Larry and Claudia Wilson, Dave and Donna Stutheit, all of Spokane. 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons. Brother of Viola Carstens, Reardan, WA; Harold Stutheit, Medical Lake, WA; Ward Studheit, Tampa, FL; Edward Studheit, Spokane. Numerous nieces and nephews. A lifetime resident of the Spokane area. A member of the Railway Common of America and a member of the Evergreen Lodge. Funeral services Monday, Oct 26, 1981 at 1 p.m. in the Alwin Chapel, Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home. Rev Philip Falk officiating. Burial Riverside Memorial Park.” (scrapbook item)

Stutheit, Vinnie G.:  “Vinnie G Stutheit.—Passed away Aug 1, 1984 in Spokane. Her home, Spokane. Mother of David Stutheit, Larry and Claudia Wilson, all of Spokane; 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; sister of Ellen Bussert, Livingston, MT, Jasper Kelso, Clair Kelso, both of Reardan, WA, numerous nieces and nephews; preceded in death by her husband Marvin Stutheit, 1981. Lifetime reside of the area. Member of Evergreen Lodge. Funeral services, Monday, Aug 6, 1984 at 1 p.m. Alwin Chapel, Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home. Burial Service, Riverside Memorial Park, Spokane, WA.” (scrapbook item: undated)

Tess, Leonard:  “Funeral services were held from the Gospel Tabernacle Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for Leonard O Tess, 58, who died Aug 4 at the veterans hospital in Seattle. The Rev Harris Shane of Newport officiated at the rite assisted by the Rev Frank R Schneider of Davenport. The pall bearers were Phil Henderson, George Kitt, Richard Hardy, Fred W Magin, Mr Stone of Wilbur and Mr Dormaier of Hartline. Leonard O Tess was born in Almond, WI, June 14, 1895. He came with his parents to Spokane at the age of twelve. In 1921 he married Hannah E Bakenhus at Harrington. He was a veteran of WW I and served in France and Belgium. He is survived by his widow in the home at Davenport; his mother, Mrs Anna M Tess, Deer Lake; two daughters, Mrs Joanne Dormaier and Mrs Donna Jean Dormaier, at Hartline and Mold, WA; five sisters, Mrs Merl Wilson, Seattle; Mrs W E Turner, Alderwood Manor, and Mrs Clark Byers, Mrs Cecil Caldwell and Mrs Bert Haynie, all of Spokane, and two brothers, F J Tess, Tucson, AZ, and Robert D Tess, Spokane.” (Citizen: 4 Aug 1953)

Thomas, E. W.:  “E W Thomas, well known in educational circles in Lincoln County and the Inland Empire, died at Coulee City last week, the result of the flu. Mr Thomas formerly taught at Govan, later at Mohler and this year started teaching at Waverly.  W L Alvis, another prominent teacher of the county, was principal of the Coulee City schools, contracted the flu and died. Mr Thomas was engaged, went to Coulee City where he contracted the disease before school began, also dying.” (Davenport Times-Tribune: 28 Nov 1918)

Timm, Adolph: d. July 1, 1977; b. Oct 11, 1892, see Hillcrest Cemetery file.

Timm, Mrs. August:  “Mrs August Timm died from Bright’s disease of the kidneys Monday. Burial was made in Davenport from the German Lutheran church. Mrs Timm was stricken Sunday evening about 9 o’clock, while other members were absent from the room. She fell and lay unconscious until an hour later when members of the family discovered her, picked her up and sent for a physician. The Timms are old residents of this section. It is said that she has suffered from the ailment which claimed her as victim for several years and was seriously ill two years ago, but recovered sufficiently to do her work. She was born in Hansen, Germany, and is survived by a husband and thirteen sons and daughters, several of whom are grown. Deceased was 44 years of age and was laid to rest Thanksgiving Day.” (Citizen: 25 Nov 1910)

Tischner, Otto:  Otto Tischner, see History of Big Bend, 1904-page 463. He was born in Saxony Germany on Dec 29, 1868 to Julius and Frederika Tischner.

Triplett, Mary E.: “Mary E Triplett.—Her home Deer Park, WA, where she had resided for many years. Survived by 2 daughters, Mrs Irene Wohrle, Deer Park, WA; Mrs Gladys Donaldson, Brush Prairie, WA; 3 sons, John and Paul Triplett, both of Spokane; Cecil Triplett, Puyallup, WA; 21 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. She was a member of the Deer Park United Methodist Church. Funeral services Tuesday, Sept 3 at 11 a.m. from the Deer Park Methodist Church, Deer Park, WA. Rev Earl Lake officiating. Burial Fairmount Memorial Park, Spokane, WA. The Lauer Funeral Home, Deer Park, WA, in charge.” (scrapbook item)

Ulrich, Anna L.: d. 7-31-1982; b. 8-27-1890; see Hillcrest Cemetery, Harrington.

Ulrich, Benward F.: d. 9-01-1975; b. 7-08-1888; see Hillcrest Cemetery, Harrington.

VanBrunt, Frank M.:  “Frank Maurer Van Brunt.—Passed away March 27 in Clarkia, Idaho. He was a resident of Clarkia for the last 11 years. Former resident of Cheney, WA. Graduated from ST Maries High School 1953 and later attended University of Idaho for two years. Member of Methodist Episcopal church; St Maries Elks Lodge and Central Grange, Santa, Idaho. Survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs John T Van Brunt, Clarkia; 2 sisters, Mrs William Davis, Dayton, OH, and Miss Margaret Van Brunt, Oakland, CA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at Browning Funeral Home St Maries, with Dr David Seaman of the Methodist Church, Moscow, Idaho, officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, St Maries, Idaho.” (Spokesman: undated) “St Maries, Idaho, March 28.—A one-day job of driving truck for the Clarkia highway department proved fatal yesterday for Frank M Van Brunt, 21. The youth was killed accidentally when the upraised bed of a gravel truck he had been operating fell while he was standing under it at a gravel pit near here. Born in Spokane, August 21, 1934, he resided in Cheney until he was 10 and then moved to St Maries with his family.” (scrapbook item) “St Maries, Idaho, March 28.—Frank M Van Brunt, 21, of Clarkia, Idaho, was accidentally killed near here yesterday when the upraised bed of a gravel truck he was standing beneath at a gravel pit fell on him. It was his first day on the job. Previously Brunt had been working for his father, John T Van Brunt. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Browning Funeral Home here, Fr David Seaman of Moscow officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Born in Spokane, he had resided in Cheney, WA, and at Clarkia since 1946. he was graduated from St Maries High School in 1953 and attended the University of Idaho, Moscow, two years, where he had received a Sears-Roebuck scholarship. At the university he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Intercollegiate Knights and the Pershing Rifles. He also was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the St Maries Elks lodge and the Central Grange at Santa, Idaho. Surviving are his parents at the home in Clarkia; two sisters, Mrs William Davis of Dayton, Ohio, and Margaret Van Brunt, Oakland, CA.” (scrapbook item)

Vohwinkle, Henrietta:  “Mrs Henrietta Vohwinkle was born Oct 12, 1836, in Berscheid, Germany. In 1864 she was united with Karl Breidenbach in marriage. Three children were born to this union. Mr Beridenbach fell in the war of 1870.  In 1876 the widow was united in marriage with P E Vohwinkle, and three children were also born to this union. After four years of married life, her second husband died, in 1881. In 1892 the widow came to this country and settled in Washington near Rocklyn. Suffering a paralytic stroke last summer, she was helpless to the end, which occurred last Sunday, April 19, 1914, in her son’s home, Emil Vohwinkle, where she made her home for the past 17 years. One daughter in Germany, Karl Breidenbach in Los Angeles, CA, Mrs H Kucks and Emil Vohwinkle near Rocklyn are the children who remain to mourn the loss of their mother. Services were conducted at the home Tuesday at 10 a.m. by A F Hilmer and Rev Hopf, interment being made in the Lutheran Cemetery near Davenport, Rev Hopf officiating there.” (Davenport Times: 23 Apr 1914) Edit: Henrietta Vohwinkle was born 12 Oct 1836 to Gottlieb Bursch and Mary K Shaffer Bursch in Berscheid, Germany. Of her early life nothing else was known locally. In 1864 she married Karl Breidenbach and three children were born to them prior to his death in 1870. Karl Bradenbach Jr was a member at Zion Methodist for a period of time prior to his removal to California. In 1876, Henrietta married P E Vohwinkel and three children were born (two being, Edith Vohwinkle Kucks and Emil Vohwinkle). In 1881 Mr Vohwinkle died leaving Henrietta with six children. In 1892 she emigrated from Germany directly to the Zion district; however there is no known relationship to the Bursch family which preceded her to Zion. Her son, Emil, filed his homestead in Sec 10 Twp 24 R 36 with a purchase date of July 1, 1901; this is the same section in which August Bursch had his homestead. (August Bursch was born 16 Sept 1831; Henrietta was born 12 Oct 1836.) In 1897 Henrietta wrote her will in which her attitude toward God is manifest: “In the name of the benevolent Father of all...” Four of her six children survived her, those being: Charles Bradenbach of CA, Caroline Richter of Germany, Edith Kucks of Rocklyn, and Emil Vohwinkel at their home.

Walters, Edna C.:  “Edna C Walters.—Passed away Feb 7, 1976, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Pasco, WA, at the age of 71. Born Aug 3, 1904, in Ohio. Member of the Presbyterian Church and Association of Washington Teachers. Survived by two brothers, Walter Reker, Mapleton, OR; Ray Reker, Walla Walla, WA; one sister, Mrs Sam Levy, Douglas, AZ; one nephew, Larry Reker, Tucson, AZ; one niece, Betty Brandon, Spokane. Funeral services, Tuesday, Feb 10, 1976, at Greenlee Funeral Home, Pasco, WA, at 10 a.m.  Burial at Fairmount Memorial Park, Spokane at 2:30 p.m.” (Scrapbook item)

Welch, Mrs.: “...this party had planned to attend the funeral services of Mrs Welch Wednesday until the Tuesday telegram altered their plans.” (Citizen: 3 May 1935, see Bakenhus)

Wolke, August C. F.:  See History of Big Bend: 1904.  A native of Prussia, August C Wolke was born Feb 12, 1841, son of Ludwig and Fredericka (Meyers) Wolke. He came to the US in 1866 and to Lincoln Co in 1882, and by the writing of the book, he was residing on his farm one mile northwest of Rocklyn. He married Amelia Scheffler on March 23, 1887, the daughter of August and Caroline Scheffler, also living in Lincoln County (1904).

Woodbury, Fred A.:  “Fred A Woodbury.—Passed away Feb 8, at a local hospital. Home, E 2214 Sprague. Survived by a daughter, Mrs LaVaune M Phelps; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one brother, Lawrence E Woodbury, Opportunity, WA; one sister, Ethel Woodbury, Spokane, WA. A resident of this area 50 years. The Thornhill Geraghty & Langbehn Funeral Home, is entrusted with his last rites.” (scrapbook item)

Zellmer, Albert:  “Funeral services for lifetime area resident Albert Zellmer are set for Friday, Oct 26 at 11 a.m. at the Davenport United Methodist Church. Zellmer died Monday, Oct 22 at the age of 86 after a week-long illness. The Rev John Martin will officiate the services and interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Davenport. Zellmer was born Sept 10, 1893 on the Zellmer homestead one mile west of Rocklyn. Later he moved south of Davenport, then to the wheat farm he operated until retiring in town in 1964.  He married Irma Koch of Edwall in 1917. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 1977. He served in the Army during World War I. He was a master of Community Grange No. 855 and served as a member of the Davenport School Board for 10 years. Zellmer was a lifetime member of the Davenport United Methodist Church and served the church in many capacities.  He is survived by his wife, Irma, at the home; three sons, Willard Zellmer of Davenport, Verne Zellmer of Sacramento, CA, and Richard Zellmer of Davenport; 7 grandchildren, Kendall, Karen, Mike, Lindi, Alissa, Kay and Kyle. Honorary pall bearers include Gilbert Gauger, Claudius Horwege, Les Seimer, Jason Horwege, Ted Harms, Bill Buck, Bill Wolfrum, Carl Guhlke, Simon Reinbold, Ray Morgan and Olin James. Casket bearers are Gene Odell, Carl Sorenson, Alvin Paulsen, Ralph Brown, Ron Barbee and Larry Brown.” (scrapbook item: undated; d. 10-22-1979)

Zellmer, Elizabeth: “Funeral services for Mrs Elizabeth Zellmer, one of Lincoln County’s early pioneers, were held Wednesday afternoon in the Methodist church with the Rev James E Doak officiating. Interment was at Mountain View Cemetery with the Bumgarner Funeral Home in charge. Mrs Zellmer, who was 86 years old, was stricken Saturday at her home in Davenport and was taken to a Spokane hospital where she died Sunday.  Pall bearers were all grandsons of Mrs Zellmers, Willard, Richard and Gerald Zellmer and Delton Guhlke, Davenport, and Wilmer and Eugene Heineman of Ritzville. Music was provided by a quartet, Jason Horwege, Orville Rux, Gordon Larson and Claudius Horwege, with Mrs Anna Jarvis at the organ.  Mrs Zellmer was born on May 4, 1865 at Schleswig-Holstein, Germany and came to the United States when she was 22 years old. She lived in Iowa and Colorado before coming west to Walla Walla in 1890. At Walla Walla she joined the German Methodist church and she met her husband, Emil, another county pioneer, at a church camp meeting in Walla Walla. Mr and Mrs Zellmer were married in Walla Walla on Nov 27, 1892, and went to live on the Zellmer homestead near Rocklyn. In 1903, they moved to the Zellmer farm south of Davenport. The Zellmers retired in 1917 and moved to Spokane where they made their home until Mr Zellmer’s death in 1938. Mrs Zellmer returned to Davenport in 1939 to be near her children and remained here until her death.  Her 82 year old sister, Mrs Margaret Fuller of Kittery, Maine, left Davenport only a month ago after an extended visit here with Mrs Zellmer whom she had not seen for 24 years. Survivors include three sons, Albert, Edward and Walter, all of Davenport, two daughters, Mrs William Guhlke, Davenport, and Mrs Alfred Heineman of Ritzville; a sister, Mrs Fuller; 18 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.” (Davenport Times: 14 Feb 1952)

Zellmer, Emil:  Emil Zellmer, see History of Big Bend, 1904, page 463: Born April 16, 1868 in Posen, Germany, he was a son of August Zellmer and Ernestine Wanke.

=======================================================

 Zion-Methodist, Rocklyn, Washington obituaries submitted to the

  Lincoln County Washington Genweb by Marge Womach, January 2007

=======================================================
      USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
          free information on the Internet, data may be used by
          non-commercial entities, as long as this message
          remains on all copied material. These electronic
          pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
          or for presentation by other persons or organizations.
           Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
          for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
          written consent of the file contributor.
          This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb.         
========================================================

© Copyright  2007  WAGenWeb