Daviess County Obits
Edith E. Eskew
Edith E. Eskew Died 01/29/1938
Taken from Washington, In Democrate Paper
Mrs. Edith Edna Eskew, 75, widow of the late Charles William Eskew, of 15 S.W. 2nd St,
died at 6:30 Friday night at the Daviess county hospital.
Death of Mrs Eskew was attributed to shock and complications resulting from a broken hip,
received two days ago in a fall at her home. She was taken to the hospital yesterday afternoon
for treatment.
Born in Kentucky on October 12, 1862, the deceased was a daughter of Anderson and Jane
(Shadd) Armes, and came to this city as a small child, it being recalled that the family came
overland, the father carrying the small baby on horseback. She married Mr. Eskew 49 years ago,
and he died about four years ago in this city.
Surviving Mrs. Eskew are four of six children born to the union, Mrs. Clara Brian, Alva and
Henry Eskew of Washington, and Mrs.Joseph Bailey of Cincinnati. Two half-brothers and one
half-sister also survive. They are William and Sherman Armes and Mrs. Charles Chickedants,
all of Washington.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Ed Keller will have charge of the funeral.
Submitted by:Jeanne Truelove
ELI RACER
The Odon Journal, Thursday, August 21, 1930
ELI RACER DIES THURSDAY
Retired Farmer Succumbs To Heart Disease At Age Of 75 Years. Funeral
Saturday
Eli Racer, well known resident of the community north of this city, died
at his home after an illness of about 10 days. Heart disease was given
as the cause of this death.
Mr. Racer was a son of John and Rhoda (Clark) Racer and was born in this
county June 19, 1855. He grew up to manhood in the community as was
united in marriage October 20, 1880. He is survived by the widow.
Funeral services were held at Wesley Chapel church Saturday morning at
10:30 with Rev. Ernest Roberts of this city in charge. Burial was made
in the cemetery at that place.
Mr. Racer was a kindle neighbor and friend and will be missed throughout
the community in which he lived. He was a member of the improved Order
of Red Men at this place.
Besides the wife he leaves one brother and two sisters as follows
William Racer of Frederickstown, Mo., Mary Smith of Elmore township and
Susan Roberts of Indian Springs.
Submitted by:Donna Clark
Cyntha C. Warriner
The Odon Journal, September 18, 1908 pg 1
DEATH
Cyntha C. Warriner died at the home of Mrs. Ed Smith, two miles
southwest of town Sunday at the age of 51 years.
She was a member of the church at Wesley Chapel and was a respected and
estimable lady. She leaves two children, two brothers, two sisters and
many friends.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. E. Snyder at Union Chapel
Tuesday and were well attended.
Submitted by:Donna Clark
Mary Smith
The Washington Democrat Jan. 28, 1949
MARY SMITH, 80 DIED THURSDAY
Mrs. Mary Smith 80, of Elmore township, died at her home west of Odon at
12:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon after an illness of 14 months. Her
condition had been critical for the last week.
Mrs. Smith was a daughter of John and Rhoda Clark Racer, and she was
born in Madison township February 10, 1868. She was married to Edward
H. Smith November 27, 1893 and died in 1905. All of Mrs. Smith's life
was spent in the Odon community. She was was a member of the Baile
Church of Christ and funeral services will be held there at 2 P.M.
Sunday in charge of the Rev. Boris Carpenter, of Lyons. Burial will be
in Walnut Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Smith leaves these children: Dorie and Kittle Smith at home; August
Smith of Indianapolis and Mrs. Bessie Skomp, Elnora R. R. She also
leaves a brother, William Racer, of Missouri and nine grandchildren.
Submitted by:Donna Clark
Jesse Colbert
From:
Washington Democrat
April 16, 1908
Jesse Colbert
"Well Known Farmer of Veale Township Dies from Carbuncle"
Jesse Colbert, farmer of Veale township died from a carbuncle on his neck
at 3:20 Wednesday afternoon after 7 weeks of sickness.
Mr. Colbert was born in Veale township May 8, 1857 & was the son of Asel
Colbert, whose death occurred a few months ago. He was a brother of ex-
recorder Friend B.Colbert & leaves 5 brothers & 4 sisters. He also leaves
a widow & 7 children who range in years from 8 to 24. The widow was Miss
Arretta Tucker of Veale township.
The funeral services will be held at 2:30 Friday afternoon at Bethel
Church. Burial in the Bethel graveyard. The Rev. Mr. Hoon will conduct the
services.
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
Levi D Colbert
From:
Pike Co. Democrat
February 25, 1882
Levi D Colbert
Levi the Colbert died, at his late residence there South Washington late
Monday at the age of 65 years. He was born within a 1/2 mile of where he
died, & lived in Washington township all his life. By industry & economy
he accumulates a competency & lived the last few years of his life at his
case. He was an honest man & good citizen. He served four as a justice of
the peace & one term as township trustee. He was married at the family
graveyard on the farm where he lived. The disease of which he died was
typhoid fever.
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
Lida J. Colbert
From:
Washington Democrat
Saturday, January 18 1946
Mrs Lida Colbert
Services for Mrs. Lida J. Colbert former resident who died in Columbus
Ohio were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Gill Funeral Chapel, with
Rev. William Hartsaw in charge. Burial was made in Oak Grove cemetery.
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
Lidie Colbert
From:
Washington Times-Herald
Wednesday, November 20, 1969
Lidie Colbert
Mrs. Lidie Colbert, he, 204 South Meridian Street, died at approximately
11:05 a.m. Tuesday enroute to the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. She
had been in failing all four 3 weeks & seriously ill two days.
Mrs. Colbert came to this community around 60 years ago & was a charter
member of the Central Christian Church.
Born July 4, 1888, in Whitesville, Kentucky, she was a daughter of
Grandeville & Sarah(Helm) Williams. On October 22, 1906 she married Fred
Colbert, who preceded her in death in 1958.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs Harry(Marie) Small, Anderson,
Indiana; Mrs Norbert (Rosa Cosgrove) Dosch, Washington; four sons, Delus
Colbert, Logao, Indiana; William B. Colbert, Linton; Grandville &
Dola(Dusty) Colbert, both of Washington; 21 grandchildren; 40
great-grandchildren; & one brother, Claude Williams, Washington. One
daughter, Mrs Dorothy Small died in 1948 & two sisters & five brothers also
preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Central Christian Church
with the Rev. Roy A. Gray officiating & burial in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Lee & York Chapel after 7 p.m. today & until noon
Friday when they may call at the church until the hour of service.
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
Margaret Lillian Colbert
From:
Washington Herald
Wednesday, October 12, 1960
Margaret Lillian Colbert.
Mrs. Margaret Lillian Colbert, 86 years old, Veale township died at 12:15
a.m. today in the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Russell Lewis, Rt 2,
city. She had been in failing health since 1957 & seriously ill for eight
months.
The daughter of Abner D & Sarah( Walker) Colbert, she was born July 8,
1874, in Washington township where she was educated, & was married November
23, 1895 to Asel Colbert, who died May 6, 1958. Mrs. Colbert was a member
of the Bethel Methodist Church.
Surviving are 5 children: Roy Colbert, Madison, Indiana; Ralph Colbert,
South Bend; Fred Colbert, Veale township; Leonal Colbert, Evansville
Indiana; & Mrs. Russell( Leona) Lewis, Veale township; 14 grandchildren,
nine great-grandchildren & two brothers Seth Colbert, St. Joseph Missouri;
& Frank Colbert Kansas City, Kansas. A son, Alvin preceded her in death.
The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Gill Chapel with Rev. John
Thrasher officiating & burial in the Bethel Cemetery. Friends may call at
the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
Marion Francis Colbert
From:
Washington Denocrat
Monday, Janurary 21, 1946
Marion Francis Colbert
AGED RESIDENT TAKEN BY DEATH
LIFELONG RESIDENT OF DAVIESS COUNTY--RETIRED CARPENTER.
Marion Francis Colbert, 89, Washington rural Rt 4 died at the home of
his daughter, Mrs. Daniel Amann in Maysville, Indiana Saturday evening at
9:00 o'clock. He had been in ill health several years & seriously ill for
one week.
The deceased was twice married. His first wife, Martha Jane Drew died in
1927, & his second, Martha Royer died in 1942.
He was born October 7, 1856 in Daviess county, the son of Levi Davis &
Elizabeth( Mattingly) Colbert. He was a retired carpenter, a member of the
carpenter's union & the Church of Christ.
Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Laura Amann of Maysville,
Nelson Colbert of Washington township, & Denver Colbert of Indianapolis.
Five children preceded him in death. Seventeen grandchildren are living.
services were conducted this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Gill Chapel
this interment Colbert cemetery. Rev. Frank R Smith of Bloomington in
charge of services.
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
Perry Laymon Ketchem
PERRY KETCHEM
BICKNELL-Perry Laymon Ketchem, 83, formerly of Switz City, Ind. and Elnora,
died at his residence Thursday at 11:25 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Wampler-Shaw Funeral Home, 118 North
Washington St., Bicknell.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1914 in Elnora to Jesse and Lora Mabel (Pruett)
Ketchem. He married Elizabeth A. Elsey in Daviess County on Dec. 29, 1934.
Ketchem was a farmer and farm manager for Graham Farms. He was retired. He
was also a member of the Elnora Christian Church.
Surviving are his children, Norma Mattingly, Washington; Robert Ketchem,
Clarksville, Ind.; Bonnie B. Browning, New Carlisle; Richard Ketchem,
Bloomfield, Ind.; Judy K. Ketchem, Lyons; George Ketchem, Las Vegas, Nev.
and Virginia McCool, Carol Stream, Ill.; brothers and sisters, Iva
Harrington, Louise and Lorene Ketchem, all of Bicknell; Johnny Ketchem and
Evelyn Grubbs, both of Muncie and Bonnie R. Clements, Clear Water, Fla.; 18
grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, a grandchild and
four great-grandchildren.
(July 2, 1998)
Submitted by:Keith Thompson
ED SMITH
The Odon Journal - August 11, 1905 pg. 1 col. 4
SUICIDE OF ED SMITH
-------------------------------------
Brooding Over Losses of Sunday Storm, Ends His Life By Drowning
Wednesday afternoon occurred a deeper tragedy than the destruction of
property, when the news was sent through the community that Ed Smith one
of the heaviest losers of the storm had committed suicide.
He had been brooding over his losses, his barns were blown down, his
corn stripped, his wheat floating on the water, his hay molding and the
prospect must have cause a temporary derangement of his mind. The Smith
home is on the north side of the road running east and west. On the
south side is an old house which he used as a machinery shed. Behind
this old house and just in front of the door of his residence is an old
well covered by planks and puncheon. Smith removed the puncheon, took
off his hat, sat down on the up turned timber and slid in. The well is
scarcely more than three feet deep, the water standing about seven feet
deep.
After dinner Wednesday Smith with two or three hands expected to work in
his damaged crops. A telephone message notified him that a man whom he
was expecting to help him could not come. This seemed to worry him and
he went out on the back porch and talked with the other men as to who
else could be gotten to help. They talked awhile when Smith suddenly
rising said: "I'll be back in a few minutes," and went out. That was
the last seem of him alive.
Although worrying over his financial losses, Smith was by no means
ruined by the storm. He had 120 acres of land worth from $8000 to
$10000, with $3000 or $4000 indebtedness. He carried $2000 insurance in
the Modern Woodmen which will be paid to his widow. The inquest was
held yesterday.
Submitted by:Donna Clark
KITTY SMITH
The Odon Journal, April 21, 1988
KITTY SMITH DIES Friday, RITES HELD SUNDAY
Kitty Smith, 92, who had resided at the Ketchem Memorial Center since
December 1979, died there at 3:35 P.M. Friday, April 15. She had been
ill 10 years and seriously ill for one week.
Funeral services was at 2:30 P.M. Sunday April 17, at the Poindexter and
Son Funeral Home, Odon Chapel, with burial in Walnut Hill Cemetery,
Odon.
She was born January 5, 1896 in Elnora to Edward and Mary Racer Smith.
She was a piratical nurse. She was a member of the Bible Church of
Christ, Elnora, and a member for 59 years to the Royal Neighbors. She
was educated in the Elmore Township Sears school.
She was the last of her family. One sister and one brother preceded her
in death.
She is survived by several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Submitted by:Donna Clark
BESSIE SKOMP
The Odon Journal - August 7, 1986 pg. 10 col. 3
RITES HELD SATURDAY FOR BESSIE SKOMP
Bessie Skomp, age 86, of Rt. 1, Elnora, died at 10:10 P.M. Wednesday,
July 30, at the good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. She had been in
failing health six months.
Mrs. Skomp was a member of Baile Church of Christ and the Royal
Neighbors Club.
She was born April 28, 190, Elnora Township, a daughter of Edard and
Mary (Racer) Smith. She married Clyde E. Skomp February14, 1924, and he
survives.
She also leaves one son, George Skomp, of Elnora; two grandchildren, two
great grandchildren and a sister, Kittie Smith, Odon. One son, a
brother, and one sister preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 2, at the
Poindexter & Son Chapel in Odon with burial in Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Submitted by:Donna Clark
EPHRIAM COLBERT
From: The Washington Democrat
"EPH" COLBERT DIES FOLLOWING LONG ILLNESS.
Father of Captain of Police will be Buried Saturday.
Ephriam Colbert 74, retired farmer & father of Capt. of police Sim
Colbert of Washington, died Thursday night at 6:45 o'clock at the home of
his daughter, Mrs. Frank Miller, at 7 West VanTrees St..
Death of Mr. Colbert came after an illness of several months. Last
September he suffered a sunstroke while on his farm near South Washington;
& since that time he had been failing rapidly. For the past three weeks he
had been in serious condition & death had been near for two or three days.
Born in Indiana on Aug.31st 1854, the deceased was a son of David L &
Elizabeth( Mattingly) Colbert. He had spent practically all his life in &
near Washington, & four many years had been an active farmer. Until a few
months ago he lived on the old Colbert farm on the Maple Valley road south
of Hwy.50 south near South Washington. He was widely known in the county.
Mr. Colbert married Josephine Osha about 50 years ago. She died 13 years
ago. Surviving are nine children, as follows.
Mrs. Ora Belle Miller of Washington; Mrs. frank Miller of Washington; Sim
Colbert of Washington, David Colbert of California, Fred Colbert of
Washington, Mrs. Charles Campbell of Washington, Cornelius Colbert of
Washington & Ephriam Colbert of Indianapolis.
One brother & one sister also survives the aged man. They are Marion
Colbert of Daviess Co. & Mrs. Anna Chowning of South Washington.
The deceased was a member of the Church of Christ in this city, funeral
services will be held at 1:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon with Rev. J.
Lindertons in charge. Burial will be in the Colbert cemetery near South
Washington. Ed Keller will conduct the funeral.
The body of Mr. Colbert will be at the lower home on West VanTrees until
the our of the funeral.