STAVES, Thomas Harold 1889 – 1952

STAVES, SWITZER, KOTSELAS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/28/2011 at 19:57:20

“The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger”
Saturday, May 24, 1952
Page 1, Column 4

TOM H. STAVES, BUSINESSMAN 41 YEARS, DIES
Thomas Harold STAVES, businessman in Fairfield for nearly a half century, died suddenly yesterday evening while mowing the lawn at his home, 311 W. Broadway.

He had nearly completed mowing his yard and was working on a strip of grass along the alley at the rear of his property when he was stricken with a heart attack. He was found by a youth who notified Mrs. STAVES.

An ambulance was called to rush him to the hospital but he passed away a few minutes later.

STAVES had been in his usual health earlier in the day and had left his place of business to work in his yard at home.

He and his brother, Peter H. STAVES, Fairfield, have been in partnership as operators of the Purity cafe for over 41 years, making it one of the oldest firms in the city. The business is located on the west side of the square in the Elks building.

Last rites for the Fairfield businessman will be Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Methodist church with Dr. L. L. Weis in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. The body will remain at the Weston Behner funeral home until 1:30 p.m. Sunday when it will be taken to the church.

Thomas Harold STAVES, 63, was born April 14, 1889, in Kapsia Mantineias, Greece. He came to the United States in May, 1904, and after spending some time in Chicago he came to Fairfield where he had made his home since. He was a member of the Elks and Knights of Pythias.

He was united in marriage on March 25, 1927, to Norene SWITZER who survives. The wedding took place at Fairfield.

Besides his wife, he is survived by the following children: Barbara, at home; Harold, attending the School of Mines at Rolla, Mo.; Gregory and Eleanor, attending the State university at Iowa City.

He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Sam, who resides in Kansas City; Peter H., Fairfield, his partner in business; Jane KOTSELAS and Demosthenes STAVES who still reside in Greece.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Norene outlived her husband a good many years, dying in 1995. She and Thomas are buried in Lot 4th.071.