Awtry, Harry – 1887-1941

AWTRY, FAILOR, KLOPPING, MAHER, MAYTAG, OEHLER, STEWART

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 3/7/2024 at 08:05:22

Harry Awtry Dies; Rites Wednesday
Prominent Newton Man Victim of Heart Attack, Suffered Month Ago
Harry D. Awtry, 53, a central figure in many Newton activities, died at the Skiff Memorial Hospital Saturday evening at 10:43 o’clock, after an illness of four weeks. Mr. Awtry suffered a heart attack while traveling with a group of Newton business men in Texas, Monday, Feb. 24, and after his return to Newton, suffered another attack before entering the hospital March 12.
Funeral services will be held at the First Methodist church Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock with Dr. L. B. Logan in charge assisted by Rev. F. D. Boldt. Interment will be in the Newton Union cemetery. The body will be taken to the Methodist church Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock for the friends to view. The casket will be closed at 1:30 p.m.
In Many Businesses
Mr. Awtry was known to many through his businesses, first as a farmer near Newton, then as a real estate dealer, Maytag company employee and later as a partner in the P. and O. company.
He was a member of the First Methodist church, Kiwanis club, Newton Chamber of Commerce, Newton Country Club and of the Newton Doodle bugs. In past years he was associated with the B.P.O. of Elks and Woodman lodge.
In recent years Mr. Awtry gave freely of his time and energies in working for civic movements. He was chairman of the Jasper county Highway Improvement association organized late in 1940, and in January and February he led organization work of the association in the county, scheduling meetings throughout the county. He was active in the interest of the association up to the time of his illness.
Doodle Bug Worker
He was general chairman of the annual all Jasper county men’s picnics held at Fred Maytag park here in 1939 and 1940, traveling throughout the county in the interests of the picnics, which were staged under the sponsorship of the Doodlebug club. Over 2,500 men attended the 1940 picnic.
He was general chairman of the 1939 Automobile Show in Newton, a two-night event that attracted 1,100 persons. He served with the committee which planned the benefit show to buy white canes for blind persons in Jasper county last December, and presided as master of ceremonies at the show, held in the local Salvation Army temple.
Doodlebug club members said this morning that Mr. Awtry sent a message from his hospital bed to the weekly dinner meeting of the club in Hotel Maytag last Thursday by his son, Dale. Mr. Awtry requested that the club “mark him present” for the meeting.
Owner of Farm Land
A dealer in real estate, he, himself, owned 200 acres nine miles north of Newton, known as the Fred Meyer farm, and also 52 acres northeast of Collins.
The son of W. H. and Martha Maytag Awtry, he was one of two children. A sister, Cora, died when 11 years old. He was born April 30, 1887, near Laurel and had spent most of his life in Jasper county. He attended the Laurel school and was in Ames a short time at Iowa State college.
After his marriage to Clara Klopping, March 23, 1910, they settled on a farm north of Newton, living there about 10 years before moving to Newton where he entered the real estate business.
At Maytag Company
From 1923 to 1937, he was employed at the Maytag company, first in the assembly department then as foreman in the service department. Four years ago he returned to the real estate business and became connected with the P. and O. company.
Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Martha Awtry, sister of the late F. L. Maytag, and his wife, of Newton and the following children: Mrs. Charles (Myra) Oehler, Mrs. Tom (Erlene) Maher of Newton, Mrs. F. Sloan (Clara Bess) Stewart of Parkersburg, W. Va., Mrs. F. F. (Martha) Failor of Newton, Dale H., student at Drake University of Des Moines, Lois and Reva Ann at home. There are four grandchildren, Charles Henry Oehler IV, Terry Dean Oehler, Janice Jo Maher and Martha Helen Failor.
All his children have been in Newton with him during his illness.
He was preceded in death by his father, a sister, and a half-brother, Richard Awtry, who died 19 years ago
Mr. and Mrs. Awtry would have celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary yesterday.
Source: Newton (IA) Daily News; Monday, March 24, 1941, page 1