William Koth 1878-1950

KOTH, GEHRLS, OETTING, BUSCHING, RIXE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/8/2014 at 07:50:16

2 November, 1950 - The Clarence Sun

William John Henry Koth, oldest son of Henry Koth and his wife, Mina (nee) Gehrls, was born in Kasendorf near Godabush in Mecklenburg Schwerin Germany, on May 30, 1878 and departed this life on October 27, 1950 at the age of 72 years, 4 months and 27 days.

He came to America with his parents at the age of 2 1/2 years. They settled in the Clarence community which has since been his home. He grew to manhood on his father's farm where he worked until 1912 when he started farming for himself. On Feb. 12, 1912 he was married to Mrs. Emma Busching Rixe. They farmed on the Koth farm 5 miles northeast of Clarence until 1929 when they moved to Clarence. Mr. Koth however continued to farm with tenant help until three years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Koth were not blessed with any children of their own, but since the death of a sister-in-law, Mrs. Oetting, they assumed the responsibility of bringing up their nephews, Everett and Frederick, the latter making his home with them from that time, until his marriage several years ago.

Mr. Koth was a progressive farmer, a director of the Clarence Shipping Association and the Clarence Cooperative Association for 15 years. He was active and interested in the work of the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church where he was a member since he was confirmed with the first confirmation class of the church in 1893.

Mr. Koth has been ill since Nov. 2, 1949, and bedfast for most of that time. He leaves to mourn his departure, his bereaved widow Mrs. Emma Koth; 2 brothers, Louis and Alfred and 1 sister, Hertha all of Clarence, nieces and nephews and other more distant relatives.

Funeral services were conducted from the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Clarence on Monday, Oct. 30, 1950 with Rev. F. J. Mittler officiating. The ladies in charge of the flowers were Mrs. Max Taylor, Mrs. Howard Reinhart, Mrs. Everette Oetting and Mrs. Frederick Oetting. The music was furnished by a mixed quartet with Miss Eleanor Conrad at the organ. Pallbearers were: Paul Rixe, Glen Tenley, August Kammeyer, Grover Penningroth, Paul Hasselbusch, Henry Von Muenster. Interment was made in the Clarence cemetery.