Butz, Henry 1858 - 1918

BUTZ, ALLEN, KRATZ, MILLER, BRINKMAN, KIRSCHMAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/17/2024 at 15:19:31

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Mar 1, 1918, P4 C4

Last Sunday evening relatives and friends were shocked when the sad news came that Henry Butz, one of Ridgeway’s well known citizens, had passed away. The funeral was held Wednesday at the M. E. church. Interment was made in Oaklawn cemetery at Cresco. Obituary next week.

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Mar 8, 1918, P2 C3-4

OBITUARY
Henry Butz of Ridgeway died Feb. 24, 1918. Henry Butz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Theobold and Catherine Butz was born in Ripley Co., Indiana, May 9, 1858. When five years of age he came to Winneshiek county with his parents, who settled on a farm 2½ miles west of Ridgeway. When a young man he gave himself to Jesus Christ and united with the German M. E. Church of which he remained a faithful member until three years ago when his children he united with the Ridgeway M. E. Church. On Jan. 3, 1900 he was united in marriage with Miss Cora Alice Allen and to this union three children were born Allen, Myrle and Nellie. For twenty-nine years he was engaged in the hardware business in Ridgeway and won an enviable reputation for honesty, reliability and fair dealing. Though never of robust health yet he rarely was absent from the place duty called him and as rarely complained until suffering could not be concealed. About one month ago he was taken very seriously ill and though for a time he seemed to rally yet it became evident that his days were numbered. On Wednesday, Feb. 20th his suffering increased and continued in intensity until Sunday night, Feb. 24, when at 10:30 the silent messenger came to take him back to the better land where suffering is unknown. He was conscious until a few minutes before the spark of life went out and while he naturally wished that he might have lived to see his children grown up and established in life yet he was ready to go home when the Master called him. And with no fear of death but faith in his Heavenly Father he could trust everything to his care and keeping. And so went home to be forever with the Lord, there to await the coming of his loved ones. He leaves to mourn his loss a loving wife, son Allen, two daughters Myrtle and Nellie, five sisters Mrs. Wm. Kratz of Cresco, Mrs. Geo. Kratz of Sumner, Mrs. Miller of California, Mrs. Geo. Brinkman and Mrs. John Kirschman of Ridgeway, four brothers, Joseph of Woonsocket, S. S., John and Jack of Ridgeway and William of Charles City and friends almost without number.
Mr. Butz will be missed in the town council, on the school board, in business life, in everything for the welfare of the community, but most al all will be missed in the church and the home in both of which his sympathy, counsel and help in every way meant so much.
The funeral was held at 11 o’clock Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the M. E. Church which was not large enough to accommodate the large number of friends and neighbors, who come to pay their last tribute of respect of Henry Butz. The Pastor G. M. Shoemaker and W. S. Sylvester a former pastor both spoke of their personal appreciation of this good friend, this Christian.
A quartet choir composed of Dorothy Schuetz, Adella Fosse, Mr. Sanderson and W. S. Sylvester sang the good old hymns “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” “He Leadeth Me” and “Abide With Me,” and Mr. Sylvester sang a comforting solo. The beautiful floral tributes from the church, school, business houses, and the friends, the large company assembled and the singing the words of the former pastor and the present, all expressed silently or audibly their appreciation of him who had gone to his reward. The body was laid to rest in the beautiful Oak Lawn cemetery at Cresco.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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