McNamara, John Joseph, 1904-1925

MCNAMARA, OCONNOR

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

From the Rock Valley Bee, March 20, 1925:

DEATH OF JOHN McNAMARA

The people of Rock Valley and vicinity were saddened last Sunday morning to learn that John McNamara had departed this life in the early morning hours. The deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael McNamara. He was born May 20, 1904 on the McNamara home farm near Rock Valley where he died in his twenty-first year on March 15, 1925, at 7:15 A.M., in the presence of all members of his family.

He completed the eighth grade course in the rural schools and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Rock Valley, Iowa, in May 1921. The following fall he entered the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, but on account of ill health he was obligated to discontinue his school work before the end of the term. Since that time he has been at home with his parents and apparently was greatly improved in health until about one week before his death when he became ill with what later developed into pneumonia and resulted in his untimely death. His sudden passing came as a shock to his family and numerous friends whose love and respect he had so well merited.

Funeral services consisting of Requiem High Mass was read over his remains in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rock Valley Tuesday morning, March 17, 1925, by Rev. John A. O'Rielly, who paid an eloquent and well earned tribute to the life of this most worthy young man. The spacious church was filled to overflowing by sorrowing friends of the deceased and his sadly bereaved family. Clarence Keegan, Ivan Manning, Vincent Crowley, John Hevern and Clement Hevern acted as pallbearers. Interment was made in St. Mary's Cemetery, Rock Valley.

The deceased is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael McNamara, two brothers, Walter and Francis, and three sisters, Margaret, Eileen and Helen, all of whom reside on the home farm near Rock Valley.

Among those present were Edward O'Connor and Dr. P. H. O'Connor of Amboy, Minn., M. J. O'Connor of Garber, Iowa, Austin and Martin McNamara of Littleport, Iowa, all uncles of the deceased. Other relatives present were Misses Bridget and Mae Fitzpatrick and Leo Fitzpatrick, Mrs. John Solon, Robert McCool, and Octave Minneart, all of Madison, S.D.; Thomas Solon of Winfred, S.D.; John Maher, Mrs. Mary Fitzpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. P. Cullinan and son Michael of Gary, S.D.; M. J. Quinlan of Canby, Minn., Mrs. John Cauley and Mr. Matt Solon of Larchwood, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John Linnan and sons Thomas and Clement, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Doherty and son Murat, Mr. Dan Buckley and Mr. Will Doherty, all of Maurice, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Deegan of LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. Matt McCabe of Boyden; Mr. and Mrs. Jus. Curtis of Hull; Mr. and Mrs. John Spain, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Doherty and John Suhreptz, all of Alvord; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Von Tersch and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quinlan of Worthing, S.D.; Miss Elvira Schemmer and Irma Keegan came from Struble, Iowa, and Miss Ethyle Barry from Sioux Falls, S.D.

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A similar,but shorter, obit was published in the Alton Democrat, March 27, 1925, Rock Valley news. It provides no additional information.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has him as John J. McNamara.

His death certificate adds his full name, John Joseph McNamara; occupation farm hand; parents M. McNamara, born Ireland, and Mary O'Connor, born Maryland; cause of death lower right lobe pneumonia, duration 6 days. It does not mention any underlying health problem.