Earnest, Eugene, 1908-1938

EARNEST, QUALLEY, WILSON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-- Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, March 11, 1938:

Eugene Earnest, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Earnest of Le Mars, formerly of Alton, died suddenly at his home in Washington, D.C., according to news received by his parents. He was 29 years old and is survived by his wife and two children; one brother, Harold, of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Mrs. P. Morris of Washington and Patricia of Le Mars. The body was shipped to Le Mars for burial. The young man was a nephew of J. P. Wiltgen of Alton.

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From the Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, March 8, 1938:

DEATH CLAIMS EUGENE EARNEST, LEMARS YOUTH

Charles Earnest, residing 511 Plymouth street NW, received a telegram Sunday telling him of the death of his son, Eugene Earnest, who is employed in Washington, D.C. According to word gleaned from relatives, Mr. Earnest was suffering from a cold for a few days and pneumonia developed and he rapidly grew worse, dying unexpectedly.

The body accompanied by his wife and relatives living in Washington is expected to arrive in LeMars today. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Eugene Earnest was born November 29, 1908, at Alton, and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Earnest, to LeMars where he grew up and was educated in the public schools and graduated with the class of 1927. After leaving school he was employed at various occupations. He left LeMars about three years ago for Washington and was employed with a wholesale firm as bookkeeper. While living in LeMars he was married to Miss Orella Qualley of Sioux City.

Besides his wife and children his death is mourned by his parents, his brother, Harold, and his sister, Mrs. Perley Morse of Washington, D.C., and a sister, Patricia, living at home. The funeral arrangements had not been completed last evening.

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From the Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, March 11, 1938:

FUNERAL RITES HELD FOR EUGENE EARNEST AT BOYHOOD HOME

Last rites were held Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Earnest, 511 Plymouth street NW, for their son, Eugene Earnest, 29, who died unexpectedly at his residence in Washington, D.C., Saturday evening.

Rev. S. D. Huff, pastor of the First Baptist church in Sioux City, conducted the service and interment was made in the city cemetery. Pallbearers were relatives and friends who have known the youth since school days, Mayor M. Hoorneman, Charles Coad and Albert Wiltgen of LeMars, Phil Lenihan of Sioux City, J. H. Earnest of Akron and Lawrence Wiltgen of Alton.

Eugene Earnest died at his home in Washington, D.C., where he had been employed the past few years as a bookkeeper. His death was ascribed to an attack of heart failure. He expired suddenly while in a bedroom in his apartment where he had retired to read a magazine on coming home. He had been ailing slightly with a heavy cold a few days prior to his death, but was not incapacitated from work.

He leaves a wife and two children and a large number of relatives in LeMars and Alton.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His FindaGrave.com page gives his name as Eugene P. Earnest; death date March 5, 1938. Buried in Memorial Cemetery, LeMars. No family information given.

His marriage certificate gives his name as Gene H. Earnest, age 25 next birthday, no occupation; residence 511 Plymouth St., LeMars; born at Alton, Iowa; parents Charles L. Earnest and Theresa M. Wilson. Bride Orella T, Qualley, age 22 next birthday; residence LeMars; born at Shaefer, N.D., parents Alfred J. Qualley and Henrietta Thompson. Married at Sioux City June 2, 1932.