Lester & Lila Crain, d.1985

CRAIN, CONRAD, MISHLER, JOHNSON, WAHLS, ELLIOTT, DUFF, GRUVER, BARNOUSE, SHAW, SANDEEN, FLATLAND, BALDWIN, NUTTING, DENUHR, SLABAUGH, WALVATNE, PECK, HYDE, COLLINS, SMID, HENRICKSON, DUFF

Posted By: C. Diamond - IAGenWeb volunteer (email)
Date: 9/16/2012 at 14:50:52

Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette co., Iowa
Wednesday, 02 Oct 1985
Page 5, Columns three and four
The Clermont Enterprise Section

OBITUARY OF LESTER AND LILA CRAIN

A joint funeral service was held Monday, Sept. 30, 1:30 p.m. in the Clermont Community Center, Clermont, for Lester Nelson Crain and Lila Ruth Crain. The couple was killed in a two-car accident, Friday night, Sept. 27.

Speakers for the service were Henry Wahls and Paul Elliott. Singers were Kathy Duff and JoAnne Nutting.

Lester was interred at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, R. R., West Union, with Leonard DeBuhr speaking. Lila was interred at God’s Acres Cemetery, Clermont, with John Slabaugh speaking.

Honorary casket bearers were Bill Nutting and Gene Nutting. Lester’s casket bearers were Vernal Walvatne, Willard Peck, Dale Walvatne, George Walvatne. Lila’s casket bearers were Dean Hyde, Victor Collins, Bob Smid, Lee Henrickson, Mac Duff and Norris Walvatne.

Lila Ruth Gruver Barnhouse Crain was born February 23, 1915, near Elgin, to Lew and Mary (Shaw) Gruver.

On October 17, 1934, Lila Gruver was married to John Barnhouse at her parents’ home. This union was blessed with five children: Lew James, Arvada, CO; Mary (Mrs. Charles Sandeen) Lanesboro; Wanda (Mrs. Kenneth Flatland) Cresco; Fred, Marion; John Paul, Denver, CO. They lived in Clermont most of their married lives.

She is survived by her five children, 15 grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a brother, William Gruver, West Union.

Lila was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, July 7, 1966; two brothers: Elmer and Robert Gruver; four sisters: Lilly Baldwin, and three in infancy.

Lila loved life and people. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior early in her married life. She leaves many friends who will greatly miss her.

Lila married Lester Crain on July 17, 1969.

Lester Nelson Crain was born November 23, 1910, in Fayette County to Ernest and Grace (Conrad) Crain.

He married Leta Voshell on August 22, 1929. This union was blessed with five children: Harold, West Union; Ivan, Capac, MI; Lucille (Mrs. Duane Mishler) Harlington, TX; Linda (Mrs. Robert Johnson) Clermont, Merlin, Cresco.

They farmed in Fayette County near Elgin.

He is survived by his five children, 23 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchild.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Leta, October 23 1963; a sister, Edith Crain, and two grandsons, Robert Henry Johnson Jr. and David Crain.

Lester received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, on January 18, 1944.
He enjoyed fishing very much. He leaves many friends and relatives.

Arrangements were by Muehlethaler Funeral Home, Elgin.