Elmer F. Bence (1871 - 1949)

BENCE, JACKSON, KEMMERER, KIMBERLEY, SHEARER, TROUP, WOODARD

Posted By: Jerry Hale (email)
Date: 12/3/2007 at 13:44:00

COLLINS GAZETTE
22 September 1949

Funeral services for the late Elmer F. Bence were conducted from the Collins Methodist church on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 2 o'clock, by the Rev. Louis H. Joslin. Interment was made in Collins Evergreen Hill cemetery.

Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Clark and Dale Johns, Dorus Myers and Jimmie Beal, with Mrs. Laura Pearson as pianist. The songs were "Sometime We'll Understand," "Under His Wings" and "Goodnight."

Taking care of the floral offerings were Mrs. K. W. Tomlinson, Mrs. Chas. Carr and Mrs. Dewey Kern.

Pallbearers were Walter Keagle, R.G. Patton, Glen Mitchell, John Crabb, Henry Dodd and Marvin Stevens.

OBITUARY

Elmer F. Bence, the son of Francis and Mary Ann Bence, was born in Blackhawk county, Iowa, near Reinbeck on March 12, 1871, and passed away at his home in Collins, Iowa, on Wednesday evening, September 14, 1949, at the age of 78 years, 6 months and 2 days.

In 1877 he moved with his parents to Marshall county, where he grew to manhood; he spent the most of his life in the Willow Creek neighborhood.

On December 29, 1895, he was united in marriage to Jennie Shearer, who departed this life in 1930. To this union was born one daughter, Mildred Kemmerer, who survives him.

On September 29, 1933, he was again married to Pearl Troup of Maxwell, Iowa, who survives him.

Mr. and Mrs. Bence retired from the farm in 1942 and moved to Collins, where, except for brief residences at Rhodes and Maxwell they have since resided. In 1943 Mr. Bence suffered his first serious illness and since that time his health had not been good. his last seizure was August 31, from which he did not recover.

He became a member of the Willow Creek United Brethern church in early manhood, and several years later affiliated w2ith the Collins Methodist church, sustaining membership there at the time of his death. he was beloved by a large circle of friends and neighbors, and his departure leaves vacant a place in the Collins community of esteem and warm affection. He also belonged to the Masonic and O.E.S. lodges.

There remain to mourn his passing, besides the widow and daughter mentioned above, two step-daughters, Mrs. Vera Woodard of Maxwell, and Mrs. Ruth Jackson of Marshalltown; one stepson, Howard Troup of Adak, Alaska; eight grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Nettie Kimberley of Collins; two brothers, Frank of Bondurant and Lester of Marshalltown; a number of nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.