George Washington Croft (1927)

CROFT, JONES, LOCKRIDGE, WHEELER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 2/10/2011 at 08:04:21

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, November 3, 1927
Page 1

GEORGE W. CROFT DIES SUDDENLY

Was Custodian of North Ward School for Thirty-Two Years

The people of this community were shocked to hear of the sudden death of George W. Croft late Saturday night, October 29th. Mr. Croft, while he had not been in good health since the death of his son, Hubert, in June, was not thought to be seriously ill. In fact he was able to do his work as caretaker, at the North Ward school, and last Saturday spent the day cleaning the entire building. Before retiring Saturday night, he remarked that he felt unusually well, but when his wife went to their bedroom later, she found him dead.

Mr. Croft was a son of Christian and Mary Croft, and was born in Miami county, Indiana, June 2, 1852. His early life was spent near his birthplace, and he was married to Alice May Lockridge, November 30, 1877. They moved to Winterset in 1889, where he had since resided.

For the past thirty-two years he has been caretaker of the North Ward school building. He took great pride in keeping the grounds, and caring for the building, but his greatest joy was in caring for every child in the north part of town. Rich or poor, bright or dull, they were all his children, and children now attending that school, missed him Monday, when they found him not at his accustomed place. Besides his school work, he did a great deal of fine cabinet work and furniture work. His interests were all in his home and in his work, but busy as he was, he made many friends, and retained the friendship of his grown up school children.

He leaves besides his wife, his six children, Nona and Russell, of Winterset; Mrs. Frank Jones, of Des Moines; Raymond, of Miami, Florida; George Jr., of Creston, and Frank, of Annapolis, Maryland. Besides his son Hubert, two daughters, Pauline and Blanche Croft Wheeler have preceded him. He also leaves six grandchildren and one brother, Ross E. Croft, of Winterset.

Rev. Paul Fowler conducted the funeral services in the Croft home, Wednesday afternoon, November 2, and he was buried in the Winterset cemetery.

The school children of the North Ward and their teachers and the 7th and 8th grades who have recently changed to the South Ward, attended the funeral of their friend, Wednesday afternoon, and at the close of the services, each room, accompanied by the teacher, marched past the casket and place flowers there.
_______________________

Coordinator's note: Middle name taken from Winterset Cemetery ledger.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen