Worthy F. Proper

PROPER, FLETCHER, NIXON, ISRAEL

Posted By: Dorothy (email)
Date: 8/6/2005 at 17:49:17

Funeral services for Worthy F. Proper, 96, Bonaparte's oldest resident, were held at the Bonaparte Baptist church Monday afternoon with the Rev. Alfred Trenerry, pastor of the church, conducting the service. Special music was by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Gaston. Burial was in the rural Vale cemetery a few miles north of Bonaparte. Pallbearers were Bob Tade, Stanley Miller, Ralph Dodds, Bennie Huff, Sam Downs and Jake Randolph. Worthy Fletcher Proper was born on the Proper farm in Harrisburg Township, Van Buren County February 11th, 1853, and passed away at the home of his son, Don, in Bonaparte on December 29th, 1949, at the age of 96 years, 10 months and 18 days. Worthy was the son of Washington L. and Caroline Fletcher Proper, and was the oldest in a family of four children. The only survivor of this union is a sister, Mrs. Martha A. Nixon, of Oxford, Calif. He received his elementary education at the Old Stone School House which was located near his home; he was a keen student and continued to broaden his outlook on life through reading and observation as long as his health permitted. On October 3rd, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Belle Israel. To this union were born five children, four of whom survive him. They are: Dr. Louis J. Proper and Mrs. Maude Nixon of San Diego, Calif.; B. R. Proper of Seattle, Wash.; and Don Proper of Bonaparte. One son, Dr. Craig F. Proper, died in 1938. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild and many relatives and friends. The greater part of his life was spent on the Proper farm in Harrisburg Township, where he was for many years a successful farmer and cattle feeder. He was fond of travel and while still a young man in his early twenties he made a trip to Nevada. After spending several months in this part of the West as an overseer on a ranch, he went to San Diego and soon after embarked on a boat which took him to New York by way of Cape Horn. Returning to Iowa, he made it his home until he and Mrs. Proper moved to San Diego in 1915, where they resided until Mrs. Proper died on March 3, 1933. His daughter, Maude, then continued to make a home for him. Although he frequently visited in Iowa, it was not until May 1943, that he returned to make his home with his son, Don and family. Three years ago on New Years Day, he had the misfortune to fall and break a hip. He never recovered from this injury and since that time he has been tenderly cared for by Don and Clara, and in recent weeks by his grandaughter, Irene, and her husband, Gerald Burns. While health permitted, Mr. Proper took an active interest in all community affairs. His greatest interest was centered in his family and especially his grandchildren. The many fine characteristics which endeared him to friends and neighbors may well be traced to the pioneer Christian home in which his boyhood was spent.

This obituary can be found on page 267 of the obituary book at the Keosauqua Library.