Joseph Willis 1871-1917

WILLIS, FENN, BUFFINGTON, MCKENRICK

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:28

11 June 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 1

J. H. Willis of Camanche, aged 46 years, committed suicide about 5 o'clock this morning by shooting himself in the right temple with a 32 caliber revolver, and causing almost instantaneous death. A coroner's jury impaneled by Dr. M. E. Anderson of Clinton this forenoon, decided that the act was committed by Mr. Willis while temporarily insane, and members of the family state that he had been brooding for a week or more over money matters.

The bullet entered just in front of and above the right ear, and lodged in the head, failing to come out on the other side.

Mr. Willis was born in Camanche 46 years ago March 12, last, and was a resident of that place practically his whole life. He was a member of the Camanche school board and was generally liked by those with whom he was acquainted.

Surviving him are his widow, who was formerly Miss Mary Fenn, three children, Joseph, Edna and Paul, two brothers, W. A. Willis of Camanche and Albert Willis of North Dakota; and three sisters, Mrs. Ben Buffington of Manilla, Ia., Mrs. S. F. McKenrick of Camanche, and Miss Mattie Willis of Camanche.

The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon from the home about 2 o'clock, with services at the Baptist church in Camanche, and interment in Rose Hill cemetery at Camanche.

The Clinton county coroner, Dr. Anderson, was summoned immediately after Mr. Willis had ended his life this morning, and impaneled a jury composed of O. G. Geise, E. G. Cady and C. E. Roscoe, who after hearing the evidence, determined that the man had ended his life while temporarily insane.

16 June 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 7

Joseph H. Willis was born in Camanche March 12, 1871, and departed this life June 11, 1917, being 46 years and three months old at the time of his death. He was the son of George and Martha Willis. He was united in marriage July 22, 1903, to Miss Helen Fenn and three children were the result of this union, Joseph, Edna and Paul, all of whom with the wife survive, three sisters, Mrs. Anna Buffington of Manilla, Iowa; Miss Mattie Willis of Camanche, and Mrs. D. McKenrick also of Camanche; two brothers, Alvin H. of Raub, North Dakota, and Frank A. of Camanche. The family have the warm sympathy of the entire community in this sudden and crushing sorrow. The announcement of his death brought a shock of sadness over all and a sense of personal bereavement to a large circle of friends who had learned to admire him as a citizen and a man. He has stood before us for 46 years as a man honorable and just in all his dealings. His quiet wit, genial smile and hearty grasp will be sadly missed. He was a great lover of music and the night before his death he joined with the choir in singing God's praises at the church. In the family he will be the most missed. He was a kind father and loving husband, and was a man who loved his own fireside and family circle and found his greatest joy therein.

The funeral services were held at the Baptist church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Osborn officiating. Mrs. Hogg and Mrs. Cady sang with Miss Edith Pate at the organ. A large number of relatives and friends were present, six of his nephews acting as pallbearers. They were: Earl Fenn, Ed Wiley, Willis, Harry, Homer and Louis McKenrick.

The relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Fred Luthans and two sons, Frank and Louis, and daughter, Ethel; Mrs. W. Snell, Mr. G. G. Cook, Mrs. Frank Leslie, Mrs. D. Runyon, Mrs. Leslie Cook, Elbert and Luella Nichols, Joe Canty, Mr. William Dunn, Mrs. F. Muhs, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fenn and family, all of Clinton; Mr. M. J. McAllister and Mrs. Coward of Rock Falls, Ill., Mrs. Frank Root of Lyons.