William T. Abernathy

ABERNATHY, AXTELL, TOEPFER, BOYLE

Posted By: Alice Daniels (email)
Date: 9/21/2013 at 06:21:43

Centerville Daily Iowegian And Citizen
February 6, 1940

WM. ABERNATHY
FORMER RESIDENT
CALLED BY DEATH

One Time Employe of the Iowegian
Succumbs, at 48, at the Iowa
State Hospital

William T. Abernathy, 48, former resident of this city and one time employe of the Iowegian, died Monday, Feb. 5 at the State University of Iowa hospital at Iowa City, after a series of illnesses extending over a period of several years. His final sickness had been during the last few months, he having been taken to Iowa City two weeks ago from his home in Des Moines.
Funeral services will be held in Des Moines Thursday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock with burial in a cemetery in that city.
Mr. Abernathy was a native of Centerville, being the son of the late Alonzo Abernathy. His mother who was Sarah Moore-Abernathy, died when he was 18 months old and the family was taken into the home of the grandmother, Mrs. Zerilda Abernathy with whom resided the latter's daughter, Miss Rachel Abernathy. After the death of the grandmother and father, the care of the three children, Nancy, William and Ethyl fell to the aunt, who since that time has been all that a mother could be to them.
Mr. Abernathy married Miss Edna Axtell, who is a member of the well known Appanoose family,
and this city was their home for several years, during which he was employed respectively by the Daily Iowegian, Swift & Co., and the local postoffice. After moving to Des Moines he worked at various places, but had for a term of years been employed by the Schmitt-Henry Wholesale Furniture company in the shipping department.
Surviving him are his wife and two daughters, Miss Mildred Abernathy and Mrs. Dale Toepfer, together with a grandchild, Barbara Jean Toepfer, all of Des Moines, his aunt. Miss Rachel Abernathy, and his sisters, Miss Nan Abernathy and Mrs. Ethel Boyle, and other relatives of this city, The deceased had united with the First Baptist church of Centerville, June 4, 1905, being baptized in the waters of Cooper creek. He will be remembered by many friends of former years in this city.

Note: buried Laurel Hill cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.