Hibler, Willard Wallace (Walter) – 1878-1937

ALLEN, BESACK, DENNIS, GUESSFORD, HIBLER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:40

Hibler Rites Will Be Sunday
Son of Pioneer Land-Owner Dies at 61: Service to Be Conducted here
The identity of Willard Wallace (Walter) Hibler, 61-year-old former Newton resident, was established in Des Moines Friday night by Robert Besack, local postoffice employee, and relatives here have been arranging for funeral services.
Jasper county officials notified local relatives of the death Friday, but identification was not definitely established until Friday night.
Mr. Hibler, who spent practically all of his life in Newton, has been in Des Moines for the last three weeks. He was formerly employed as janitor for C. W. Bock at the former Bock Clothing store for many years and was recently janitor for the Bigelow building, also owned by Mr. Bock.
Surviving relatives include a sister, Mrs. A. J. Allen of Hollywood, Calif., and three cousins, R. O. Besack, Mrs. Clarence W. Guessford and Mrs. Tom Dennis, all of Newton.
The body has been returned to Newton and funeral services will be conducted from the Murdoch Funeral home Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Dr. John W. Bickett of the Newton Methodist Episcopal church will be in charge. Burial will be in Union cemetery.
Mr. Hibler was the son of Scott Hibler, one of the pioneer land owners of this vicinity who later made his home in Des Moines.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, September 18, 1937

Conduct Services For W. W. Hibler
Funeral Services Held in Newton Sunday For Former Resident
Funeral services for Willard Wallace Hibler, 61-year-old former Newton resident, who was found dead in Des Moines Friday, were conducted from the Murdoch funeral home Sunday at 2:00 p.m. by Dr. John W. Bickett, pastor of the United Presbyterian church.
Music was furnished by Mrs. Fred Reeve, who sang, “Rock of Ages” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” She was accompanied by Lois Hundling at the organ.
Interment was in the Newton Union cemetery, with the following serving as pall bearers: Fred Young, William Bruce, Henry West, Ray Seyler, Clarence Guessford and Oren Inglet.
Mr. Hibler was born Nov. 15, 1878, at Newton, the son of Scott and Alice Hibler. Left motherless when a small baby, he was raised by his father and an older sister.
A few years after the mother’s death, the family moved to Des Moines, where they resided for several years. Returning to Newton some time later, Mr. Hibler made his home here for many years.
He was employed at various times in several of the local factories, and for the past few years served as janitor in the C. W. Bock buildings.
He located recently in Des Moines, where he died of a heart attack Thursday, Sept. 16. His body was not found until the following day.
Surviving relatives are a sister, Mrs. A. J. Allen of Hollywood, Calif., and three nieces, Mrs. Walter J. Balzer and Mrs. Grace Crane of Hollywood and Mrs. T. A. Brown of Des Moines. Also surviving are three cousins, Mrs. T. B. Dennis, Mrs. C. W. Guessford and Robert O. Besack of Newton.
Source: Newton Daily News; Tuesday, September 21, 1937