Criswell, Elmer 1902-1993

CRISWELL, TUGGLE, FRAKER, SUMPTER, MARTIN, BARKLEY, THOMPSON, HORSTMAN, BRAND, VANNORDEN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 9/21/2009 at 09:10:13

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Nov. 29, 1993

ELMER CRISWELL

Elmer Criswell, 91, of Grinnell died Wednesday, Nov. 24, at St. Francis Manor.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Grover Branson, pastor of the Ottumwa Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Music was performed by Steven and Connie Snodgrass. Pallbearers were Lance Brand, Chad and Randy Criswell, Mark Martin, Steve Sumpter and Glenn Thompson. Honorary bearers were John Brand, Ty Criswell, Gary Fraker, Sheldon Thompson, and Bryan and Dutch VanNorden. Burial was in Westfield Cemetery south of Grinnell.

The son of W.H. and Martha Jane Criswell, he was born March 11, 1902, in Monticello, Ky., where he was raised and educated. He was married to Linda Jane Tuggle Jan. 8, 1922, in Oneida, Tenn. They farmed near Mnticello before moving to a farm near Lynnville in 1926. They moved to Grinnell in 1932 and he worked for the Iowa Southern Utilities gas plant and, later, for One Minute Washing Machine Factory in Newton. He was a member of the Church of Bible Covenant in Laurel.

Surviving are eight daughters, Anita Fraker of Searsboro, Ada Sumpter of Grinnell, Ruth Martin of Grinnell, Edith Barkley of Toronto, Ohio, Audeen Thompson of Grinnell, Analee Horstman of Grinnell, Audrey Brand of Sully and Kathy VanNorden of Sully; four sons, Bernard of Malcom, Eldon of Trenton, Mo., Denny of Des Moines and David of Galesburg; 54 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sons and 10 brothers and sisters.