Richard Nathaniel Willett

WILLETT, GIBBS, HOYT

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 3/12/2012 at 22:45:12

Richard Nathaniel Willett
The sudden and unexpected death of Richard Willett which occurred Wednesday morning, September 7th was a great shock to the community in Douglas Township where Mr. Willett had lived. Mr. Willett had gone to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ned Hoyt to spent the night and said goodbye Wednesday morning to his daughter Miss Bernice who was starting to Indianola to enter school at Simpson. He had gone to the home of his son, Olin Willett after bidding goodbye to his daughter and he was watching a demonstration of farm machinery when he suddenly toppled over and died almost instantly. It is believed from heart trouble.
Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian Church at Nodaway Friday at 2:30 with a short service at the house before going to the church. Both services will be conducted by Rev. Overhelser Interment will be made in the Nodaway Cemetery.
Richard Nathaniel Willett was born February 12, 1852 and died September 7, 1927 aged 75 years, 6 months, and 23 days. He was married to Miss Josephine Gibbs June 2, 1880 at Delphi, Iowa. Six children were born to them with the wife having preceded Mr. Willett in death. Mrs. Willett died in 1915; Mary the oldest child in Delphi and one son, Eber James died seven years ago. The living children are Blanche W. Hoyt and Olin Willett of the Corning vicinity, Clyde R. of Charles City, Beulah M., a teacher in the Winneld consolidated school, and Bernice who lived at home. The family came here from Delphi to Adams County in 1892 and Mr. Willett was a farmer in this vicinity.
The entire community extends sympathy to the family in their loss and sorrow.
Adams County Free Press, September 9, 1927, page 5