Arthur Holmes Fay (1857-1941)

FAY, SLATER, STIPP

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/13/2013 at 12:00:53

From Nevada Evening Journal October 17, 1941

Funeral Services Held Thursday for Arthur H. Fay

Funeral rites for the late Arthur H. Fay, 84, for over 52 years a well known and respected resident of this community, were held Thursday afternoon at two o'clock, at Central Presbyterian church with Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy in charge.

A large group of relatives and old neighbors and friends had gathered for the service, many from State Center and other communities where the deceased had been well known.

The bier was banked with floral offerings of relatives and friends and member of the Nevada Rotary club of which Mr. Fay was a member, attended in a body.

The service at both church and grave was short and simple, consisting of a an organ prelude and and an interlude by Mrs. Armstrong, scripture, prayer, the reading of a brief life sketch of the deceased and a short sermon and the reading of Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar," by Rev. Kennedy and soft organ music as the friends and family viewed the remains.

The committal service in the Nevada cemetery was by Rev. Kennedy also.

The pallbearers were Lee Riddlesbarger, Max Frazier, Glen Newton, L. R. Bassett, Harry Langland, and Harold Kruwell.

Life History of Arthur H. Fay
Arthur H. Fay was the son of Edwin and Anne Webb Fay. He was one of three sons in the family and was born on June 10, 1857 in Hinckley, Ill. His early life was spent in Ill. where he attended Monmouth College and then taught school in DeKalb, Illinois.

Later Mr. Fay came to Iowa and was united in marriage to Lillian Roxanna Slater of Marion on Oct. 1, 1879. The young couple first established their home in State Center and resided there for ten years. In 1889 they moved to Nevada and made their their home community, Mr. Fay having been a resident here for the past 52 years.

Mr. Fay engaged in the handling of farm property and livestock. He knew farm values and did a large volume of business for a good many years.

He was also interested in community and civic affairs. he served on the town council, the school board, and in other positions of trust. He is honored today by members of the Rotary Club of which he has been an active member. Keeping his friendships through the years and continually adding to them, he built up a very large group of friends and acquaintances.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fay, Wylie W. Fay and Laura (Mrs. Harley H. Stipp) son and daughter, and by four grandchildren; Robert Fay of Milan, Tenn.; Jane Fay of Iowa State College, Ames; Fay Stipp and Harley H. Stipp Jr. of Des Moines. One brother, Herbert Wells Fay, also survives. He has served for many years as custodian of the Lincoln tomb at Springfield, Ill.

The death of Mrs. Fay occurred on March 26, 1941, after more than 61 years of potential home life. Their 60th wedding anniversary was fittingly celebrated in 1939. Home and family ties were greatly treasured by Mr. and Mrs. Fay. While maintaining his own home Mr. Fay has recently spent much of his time at the home of his son, Wylie Fay.

He has been unusually active for a man of his years and has maintained a continued interest in both local and world affairs. He was genuinely interested in others and shared in the problems and successes of his friends.

Death came to him on Tuesday morning, Oct. 14th, after a brief illness, at the age of 84 years. His was a full and useful life.