Velgersdyk, Eldon Marlo, 1927-1933

VELGERSDYK, SCHEMMEL, CLAUSSEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Rock Valley Bee, February 23, 1934:

Mourn Death of Little Son

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Velgersdyk mourn the death of their little 7-year-old son, Marlo, who passed away last Thursday morning, following a few days sickness with pneumonia which developed into brain fever. Everything possible was done for him, but his young life could not be saved.

Marlo was born February 17, 1927, on a farm near Alvord. Three years later his parents moved to Rock Valley which was his home when death came. Besides his parents, he leaves four sisters, Gladys F., Margy A., Myra D., and Donna M.

Short funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon and the remains were then taken to the Lutheran church at Alvord for funeral services, and the remains were taken to the Inwood cemetery for burial. The bereaved family have the sympathy of a number of friends in Rock Valley and vicinity.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Another obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, February 23, 1934, Rock Valley news. It gives his name as Elden, says he was in the second grade in public school, and characterizes him as “a happy little chap wearing a winning smile for everyone.” It gives his sisters’ names as Gladys, Margery, Mina, and Donna Mae, and adds his grandmothers, Mrs. John Schemmel of Alcord [Alvord] and Mrs. K. Velgersdyke of Rock Valley. A brother, Clarence, preceded him in death in 1930.

His death certificate gives his name as Eldon Marlo Velgersdyk (or Elden, text indistinct), born at Inwood, Iowa; parents Nic Velgersdyk, born in the Netherlands, and Minnie Claussen, born at Inwood; died at 5:30 a.m. February 15, 1934; cause, “simple meningitis, streptococcus,” onset February 14, 1934; contributory cause, “otitis media,” onset about January 15, 1934.

The U.S. Evangelical Church in America, congregational records, Christ Church, Alvord, baptismal record and burial record, both give his name as Elden Marlo Velgersdyk.

FindaGrave.com shows him buried in Richland Cemetery, Inwood, Iowa and includes a photo of his headstone, Eldon M. Velgersdyk 1927-1934.