Charles Van Ness (1861-1943)

VAN NESS, LAIRD, MILLER, WHITALL

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 1/6/2020 at 22:49:12

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier September 6, 1943
Spanish War Veteran Dies At Age Of 81
Photo posted with obit
Charles Van Ness, 81, Spanish American War veteran and a resident of Ottumwa for 40 years, died at 6:10 a.m. today at his home 323 North Graves street. He was born September 16, 1861. Survivors include four sons, Claude C. Van Ness, Galesburg, Illinois and Thomas E., Ross S. and Lloyd F. Van Ness, all of Ottumwa; two stepchildren, Mrs. Osa Laird, Cedar Rapids, and Arthur P. Miller, Breckenridge, Minnesota; a brother, John Van Ness, Bloomfield; a sister, Mrs. Ella Whitall of Arkansas, and six grandchildren. His wife died February 12, 1935. He was a member of the John E. Hayes Spanish American War Veterans.
Funeral services for Charles Van Ness, widely known Spanish American War Veteran, will be held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the West End Presbyterian church, the Rev. E.R. Mitchell of Columbus Junction officiating. Assisting will be the Rev. Lloyd Snyder.
Mr. Van Ness, who would have been 82, years old on September 16, died Monday at his home, 323 North Graves street. He was born in Wabash County, Indiana, in 1861. He was and early settler in Wapello county moving near Agency with his parents in 1868. He had made his home in for the past 40 years in Ottumwa. Mrs. Van Ness served in the hospital corps in the U.S. Army during the Spanish American war and was stationed for more than two years in the Philippine Islands. It was generally believed that he was the oldest living member of the Spanish American War Veterans in Iowa. He was actively associated with the Joseph E. Hayes camp No. 21 Members of which have been designated as honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers will be Lawrence Stout, Gomer Hughes, Frank Joseph, Paul Laird, David Van Ness and, Russell Royce. Burial will be in the Ottumwa Cemetery with military honors at the grave. The body will remain at the Carroll Reece funeral home until time for the church service.