AMIDON, Walter M. (1895-1965)

AMIDON

Posted By: Mike Amidon (email)
Date: 2/28/2016 at 15:40:18

Walter Amidon, 69, of Toledo, a World War I veteran, died Friday, February 5, 1965 in Evangelical hospital at Marshalltown, where he had been a patient for almost a month and had undergone surgery.

Walter Mettlen Amidon was born September 8, 1895, in Carlton Township, Tama County, near Garwin, the son of Charles and Martha Mettlen Amidon. He began his schooling in that area and later when the family moved to a farm east of Toledo, continued his education in the rural school. Walter moved with his family to a farm in the Fairview community west of Toledo and while living there attended Toledo High School where he graduated in 1916. He enlisted in the army in July, 1917, at Waterloo, and served in the United States. The last three months before his discharge in December, 1918, he attended officers training school in Georgia. On September 30, 1919, he married Marjorie Mathern of Toledo, at Fort Wayne, Ind. The couple began housekeeping in Omaha, Neb., in November, where Walter was employed as switchman for the C.B.& Q railroad, a job he held until September, 1957, when he retired because of disability. In 1959 Mr. and Mrs. Amidon return to Iowa and made their home near Lincoln until September of 1962 when they moved to an apartment at the home of his sister, Mrs. Grace Sharp at 204 East State St. Toledo, where he had since resided. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and of the American Legion. As a young man he worked as a carpenter in this area and with his uncle, Will Amidon at Larchwood. Survivors include his wife, a son, Charles W. Amidon of Omaha, Neb., four daughters, Mrs. Vernon L. (Rachel) Sodomek of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Warren L. (Myra) Mills of Springfield, Neb., Mrs. Harry (Martha) Cheeseman of Reinbeck, and Mrs. Ed (Elizabeth) Mahacek of Omaha, Neb.; also a sister, Mrs. Harry (Grace) Sharp of Toledo, and a brother, Russell Amidon of Silver Springs, Maryland, and 15 grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, and a sister, Mrs. Ott (Gladys) Brahms of Lincoln, Iowa. Services were held Monday afternoon at the Henderson Funeral Home in Toledo, with Rev. W.E. Gillett, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Pallbearers were Richard Billerbeck, Robert Billerbeck, Robert Mathern, Eugene Mathern, Leon Bovenmeyer and Erwin Haren, all nephews of Mrs. Amidon. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery northwest of Toledo.