DR. W.R. WEST

WEST, MCKEE, WILKINSON, SCHMITT

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 5/4/2002 at 22:00:48

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, September 2, l920

The subject of this brief sketch, DR. W.R. WEST, son of ISAAC W. and FLORENCE (MCKEE) WEST, was born at DeKalb, Decatur County, Iowa, Feb. 27th, l886, and departed this life at the Carter Sanitarium, Thermopolis, Wyoming, Sunday afternoon, August 22nd, l920, at three p.m., aged thirty-four years, five months and five days. He was united in marriage to MISS LUCETTE, daughter of GILKIN and SOPHRONIA WILKINSON, at Iowa City, Iowa, December 2lst, l9l0. To this union were born two daughters, EDITH VIRGINIA and EDNA LUCILLE.

His home life was very pleasant and happy, he finding his greatest joy and happiness in the society of his loving wife and children. He was graduated from the Dental College of the State University at Iowa City, in June, l9ll. The first of July he and his wife came to Leon when he began to practice his profession. He was successful from the beginning, having a large clientele of appreciative and pleased customers. He was honorable and upright in all his business relations, fair and just at all times with competitors in his profession.

He, in the company with his wife, united with the Church of Christ at Leon, July 25, l9ll. He was a man of deep religious convictions, firmly and deeply rooted in the faith and hope of eternal life. His life was filled with many good deeds and kindnesses to others. He was generous-hearted, even to a fault, ready and willing at all times to contribute to every worthy cause. His early and untimely demise leaves a void that can never be filled. He will be sadly missed by many as he was one universally loved.

He planned for some weeks prior to the time of his vacation, using each spare moment in getting everything in readiness for the auto trip to Montana. He, in company with wife, children and father, left home July l5th, looking forward with great pleasure to a visit with his sister and husband, MR. and MRS. FRED SCHMITT, of Reed Point, Mont., intending, after a visit with them, to see many points of interest, among them the Yellowstone Park. 'Tis indeed sad to relate that even the very best laid plans are disarranged and many times overturned by the last enemy to be destroyed which is death. It proved so in this instance as the Dr. was taken seriously ill in the mountainous district some forty miles from Thermopolis, Wyoming. He continued the journey in much pain until he reached Thermopolis where a physician was called and upon examination pronounced the trouble, appendicitis. An operation followed at once and it was thought at first that his recovery would be rapid, but it was otherwise decreed and a second operation became necessary and from this he suffered several hemorrhages, growing gradually weaker until called by death from earthly scenes to the Heavenly land where sickness and death are unknown.

The announcement of the death of this good man cast a shadow of gloom over the hearts of all. A loving husband, an affectionate father, an ever dutiful son and devoted brother, a good citizen and helpful neighbor taken from our midst. He was an honored member of Grand River Lodge, A.F.&A.M., No. 78, of Leon, also a member of the Eastern Star, No. 352. He leaves to mourn his early departure the loving wife and children, father and mother, brother, CLIFTON WEST, of Weldon, Iowa, and sister, MRS. FRED SCHMITT, of Reed Point, Mont., other relatives and a host of sympathizing friends.

Funeral services were held from the home Friday afternoon, August 27th, l920, at 2 p.m. in charge of the Masonic Order, conducted by W.M. Morris Gardner. The service at the grave was in charge of William Poush. At the house, Rev. Jervis led in the opening prayer, the obituary was read by P.H. Green. Favorite hymns were sung by a quartet as follows: Mrs. Guy Stark, Mrs. Johnson, Dr. J.W. Rowell, T.W. Colby. Pianist, Mrs. Vera Mae Bowsher. Pall bearers were as follows: Bryan Robbins, W.H. Shields, Floyd Coder, Oscar Beavers, Guy Stark, George Farquhar. The floral offerings by friends were profuse and beautiful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CARD OF THANKS.

We desire to express to the many kind friends and neighbors and the Masonic Lodge our deep appreciation of the many kindnesses shown us, for their sincere sympathy during the illness and death of our beloved son, husband and father.

MRS. W.R. WEST and CHILDREN.

MR. and MRS. I.W. WEST.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
May l, 2002