Weldon G. Hissem 1890-1978

HISSEM, DOWNING, PLOWMAN, VAUGHN, LASLEY, BONAR

Posted By: David W. Plowman (email)
Date: 8/28/2004 at 13:17:09

Weldon G. Hissem, a long time resident of the Douds community departed this life February 28, 1978 at Veterans Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa. The son of Jesse and Mary Downing Hissem, he was born March 3, 1890.

On June 26, 1912 he was married to Alma B. Plowman. She died in 1965. Weldon was a very busy person. He taught school, operated a saw mill and threshing machine with his brother Royale, and spent most of his life operating his farm southwest of Douds. In addition he did carpenter work, having learned the trade from his father as a boy.

He was among the first men to leave Van Buren County for the Army at the outbreak of World War I. He rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Quartermaster Division at Camp Dodge near Des Moines. While he was in the service, his wife Alma, lived in Des Moines, where she was employed by the Homestead Magazine Co., and as secretary to the Iowa Secretary of State. After the war they returned to their farm.

Feeling it was his duty to help in community affairs he served many years on the rural school board, rural telephone company and Leando Cemetery Boards. He served seven years on the Van Buren County Selective Service Board. Due to the loss of his wife October 27, 1965, his age, and failing health, he left his farm home in December, 1970, to live at the Ballingall Hotel in Ottumwa. He later entered the Veterans Hospital in Knoxville. He was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church and a charter member of John Hyson Reneker Post No. 494, American Legion, both at Douds.

Surviving are a sister, Maude Vaughn and a brother, Earl Hissem, both in Californa, a half-brother, Jesse Hissem of Ottumwa, and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Two brothers, Royale and Will and two sisters, Anna Lasley and Mabel Bonar preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March 2, 1978 at 3 P.M. at Christ Methodist Church in Douds with the Rev. L. C. Brown officiating. Interment was in Leando Cemetery. Arrangements were in charge of Pedrick Funeral Home, Douds.

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Original clipping resides with David W. Plowman