Luella Jane Denny Thornton

  Luella Jane Denny was born in Elk County, Kansas, on August 3, 1875 to Elias and Mary Ann Denny and passed away at her home 1002 North 4th street, Fredonia, Kansas on June 15, 1949, at the age of 73 years, 10 mos. and 12 days. She was the last of a family of five children to pass away.

On February 20, 1895, she was united in marriage to James Henry Thornton, and to this union were born four daughters and five sons. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, four daughters: Misses Effie, Anna, and Kittie Thornton at home, and Mrs. Mabel Cunningham of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five sons: Minor and Arthur of Fredonia, Emery of Colorado Springs, Colorado., Darrel of Huntington, Ind., and Harold of Eureka, Kansas; also fifteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She was converted in the United Brethren Church, and always lived a Christ-like life, and was never happier than when she was doing for others.

She was a wonderful wife and mother, and was truly devoted to her family. She was dearly loved by her family and all that human hands could do was done to relieve her suffering, but God in His wisdom saw fit to call her to her heavenly home.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 19, at 2:30, at the Cason Funeral Home with Rev. C. E. Rains, pastor of the United Brethren Church officiating.

Interment was in the Fredonia cemetery. The casket bearers were her five sons, Minor, Darrell, Arthur, Harold, and Emery Thornton and her son-in-law Fred Cunningham.

This tribute was written by a neighbor:

To Mother

Our faith lifts us above the bitterness of grief

For Christs' living presence bids all tumult cease

For you are still living and loving in this darkest hour

We are all united thru God's gracious power.

"The Lord is My Shepherd" we trust his tender care

And find comfort in the holy hour of prayer.

Your tender loving guidance to Christ, eternal life '

Will sustain and shelter us thru our earthly strife

All pain and sorrow—are no longer here

Your home is Heaven—Mother Dear.

James H. Stoops

  James H. Stoops, aged 76, died at his home on W. Main Street, Waynesboro, Pa. June 22, 1949. He had been in ill health and unable to work for the last 15 years. He had been critically ill for the last three weeks.

He was born at Elbrook, the son of James N. and Susan (Summers) Stoops. All of his life had been lived in Quincy Township with the exception of the last 12 years during which time he resided in Waynesboro.

He was a member of the Otterbein United Brethren Church to Waynesboro. His wife, Alice D. (Shatzer) Stoops died March 26, this year.

Surviving are these children: J. A. Stoops, Mrs. Jacob Stine, Merle E. Stoops, Mrs. G. C. Freshman, Mrs. Charles Walleck, James F. Stoops, Glenn R. Stoops and Thomas Stoops. A brother, John S. Stoops, San Antonio, Texas, 22 grandchildren and seven' great grandchildren also survive.

The funeral was held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Grove Funeral Home, in charge of the Rev. A. E. Martin, Interment was made in the Quincy Cemetery.

Emma (Wolfe) Atkinson

  Mrs. Emma (Wolfe) Atkinson, daughter of George and Katherine Wolfe, was born in Baldwin, Kansas, September 3, 1858 and departed this life June 20, 1949, at Abilene, Kansas, age 90 years, 9 months, 17 days. She was reared and educated in Ottawa, Kansas. Later she moved to Laurence, Kansas, and became an active member in the United Brethren Church. On October 5, 1888 she was united in marriage to the Rev. E. Atkinson who was then pastor of the Church. And through the many years as a minister's wife she has served in every capacity of the local church with the exception of pastor and class leader. Her quiet and unassuming manner demanded the love and respect of all who knew her. She, with' her husband, moved to Sabetha in 1892 and with the exception of a few years at Lecompton, maintained their home at Sabetha until her passing. The Rev. E. Atkinson preceded her in death on Easter Sunday of 1938. She was the mother of 5 children. Lauren died in infancy and Grace Pearl at the age of fourteen. She was a faithful wife and mother, faithful to her family, her church and her community. Love to her home and worship in the Lord's Holy Place were her chief joys. She is the last of her Father's family of eleven children. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs A. L. Burgert of Sterling, Kansas, two sons, Lloyd O. Atkinson of Hiawatha and the Rev. Floyd W. Atkinson of Abilene, Kansas. Sixteen grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were held in the Sabetha United Brethren Church with Rev. C. W. Lucas officiating, assisted by Rev. Earl Stites, pastor of the church. The pallbearers were her grandsons. Burial was in the Sabetha cemetery.

Merle L. Howard

  Merle L. Howard was born on the home ranch west of Pixley June 23, 1900, the youngest son of William H. and Mary J. Howard. His boyhood days were spent on the ranch and he received his education in the local schools and later took a business course in Fresno.

He was married to his surviving widow, May Knight Howard, on July 1, 1922, at Visalia. To this union was born three children, Elden L. Howard; a daughter Evelyn, who passed away in 1928 at the age of 18 months; and the youngest son, Marion O. Howard.

He Has been for many years an outstanding member and a leader of Pixley. He has served the church in many capacities and at his demise, was serving as trustee of the church. Due to his great interest and generosity many improvements have been made in the church property, and tho a busy man he never failed to put the cause of the church first. In the California Conference of the United Brethren Churches, he took an active part and was serving as one of its trustees at his passing.

Deeply bereaved stands his beloved widow, Mrs. Mae Howard; two sons, Elden L. Howard and Marion O. Howard; also two grandchildren, all of Pixley. One sister, Mrs. Cora Keagle of Pixley, and three brothers, Ira Howard of Artois, California, A. L. Howard, Visalia, and D. O. Howard of Pixley.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning from the Goble Chapel, Tulare, which was entirely inadequate to seat the hundreds who attended the service. Rev. C. F. Pihlstrom, pastor of the local United Brethren church, officiated, assisted by Rev. E. D. Sundstrum of Burbank, the conference superintendent. A quartette composed of Messrs. Dallas Hazelton, Forest Hazelton, Wesley Funk and Leroy Sharp brought fitting messages in song. Bill White, L. B. White, Chester Ritchie, Charles Westbrook,, Henry Stultz, and Theo Kummerfeld served as pallbearers. Interment was in the family plot, Tulare Cemetery.

Truly the entire community, the church and the Howard home has suffered an inestimable loss, and the sympathy of the community goes out to the greatly bereaved family.