Whitcomb, John Thomas 1881-1931

WHITCOMB, HARGIS, TERPSTRA

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/3/2014 at 08:32:32

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Feb. 10, 1931

USEFUL LIFE
REACHES END

John Thomas Whitcomb was born Nov. 20, 1881, near Carlisle in Warren county and died Thursday morning Feb. 5, 1931. He had reached the age of 49 years, two months and sixteen days. He was the son of John and Clara Hargis Whitcomb. His mother having died when he was five months of age, he was then taken into the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Philo Whitcomb, and was raised there into manhood, they being as devoted to him as their own son. Mr. Whitcomb was taken ill on Monday, January 26th with the grip which later developed into pneumonia. On Sunday he was taken to the Community hospital where everything possible was done for his recovery. He was a patient sufferer up till the last when death claimed him, Thursday morning about eight o'clock.

On February 19, 1908 He was united in marriage to Lillian Mae Terpstra of this city. This union was blessed with three children, two sons and one daughter, Russell, Harold and Mary Hester, all at home. He also leaves to mourn his loss his aged foster mother, four brothers and five sisters, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Whitcomb was a devoted and loving husband and father, a kind, congenial friend to all who knew him. He was a charter member of the Victor grange, having helped to organize it and was greatly interested in all its activities.

When three years of age he came with his foster parents and settled on a farm in Rock Creek and has lived in or near this vicinity all his life and will be greatly missed by all who knew him as he was always willing to sacrifice to help others.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church Saturday afternoon at two o'clock and were conducted by the Rev. W.J. Stewart. His body was laid to rest in the Rock Creek cemetery. The pall bearers were Lee Young, Horace Adkins, Ralph Elliott, Edward Elliott, Will Watkins, and David Lincoln most of them being life-long friends and old schoolmates of the deceased. Three numbers, "No Night There," "Face to Face," and "In The Garden" were sung by Mrs. William Hamilton and Mrs. Grace Kingsland accompanied on the piano by Mrs. A.W. Lane. A large attendance showed the esteem in which the deceased was held.

Those who attended the funeral from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Whitcomb of Wells, Minn., Mrs. Neil Heilkema of Princetown, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Albert Adkins, Fred and Arthur Whitcomb of Austin, Minn., Mrs. Wesley Carter and son, Raymond of Spirit Lake, Mrs. Lucy Coles of Scranton, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Hargis and daughter, Jennie, Mrs. Ethel Runsciman and Karl Whitcomb of Carlisle, Iowa, Mr. John Overton of Osceola, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Iowa Maybrier, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hayworth, Mr. and Mrs. George Bullard, Mr. and Mrs. James Hoffman of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. John Terpstra, and Richard Terpstra of Fort Dodge, Mr. Dick Terpstra of Oskaloosa, Mr. Henry Terpstra of Pella, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Terpstra of Lynnville.