WISMA, Pete Theodore
Source: The obituary is from a collection of newspaper (paper names not recorded) obituaries saved, by Fauniel Hershberger, during the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 80's. She was a life long resident of Fountain County Indiana. The collection is now housed at Crawfordsville District Public Library.
Hand dated 6-23-61
WINGATE — Pete Theodore Wisma, 79, died at 4:55 p.m. Friday in the home of his son Howard, in Wingate. He had been ill since January. He was born July 30, 1881 to Jesse and Alberta Landman Wisma at Farmer's Institute, near Lafayette. His parents, two brothers and two sisters had immigrated from Holland, and he was the first child born in the United States. On Oct. 5, 1912, he was married to Blanche Leota Gray at Newtown. She died in 1950. He was a member of the Wingate Methodist Church and of the Knights of Pythias. For many years he farmed in the Newtown and Wingate area, and later he was employed at R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Crawfordsville. He retired in 1952. Survivors include his son, C. Howard Wisma of Wingate, a daughter, Mrs. Clyde F. Reed of Oxford; five grandchildren; a great-grandson, and three sisters, Mrs. Minnie Ward of South Bend and Mrs. Bessie Hogstrum and Mrs. Clara Guise of Attica. He was preceded in death by his wife and three brothers Peter, Rudolph and Job. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Wingate Methodist Church. Rev. Alva Ward, a nephew of Mr. Wisma, will conduct the services, assisted by Rev. John Landon. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church for an hour preceding the services. Friends may call at the Servies Funeral Home in Waynetown after 10 a.m. Sunday, until noon Monday. --typed by Walt W