Rathert, William Price 1896 - 1918

RATHERT, DAVENPORT, FARNSWORTH, CLEMMER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/17/2024 at 11:46:31

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Sept. 13, 1918, FP C5

Will Rathert Passes Away.
Last week we mentioned the serious illness of Will Rathert, at Minneapolis, and on Saturday Cresco relatives received the sad news of his death.
The remains were brought to Cresco for burial and the funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the opera house, his former pastor, Rev. Will Kerwin, coming from Tipton to conduct the services.
The following obituary was read at the funeral: William Price Rathert, second son and fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Rathert, was born in Cresco, Iowa, November 19, 1896, in the present family home.
He was educated in the Cresco Public School from which, while President of his Class and Captain of the Foot Ball Team, he graduated in 1915. During his High School career, he made a constant study of electricity and he made and installed a complete, amateur wireless set at his home and was often in communication with other amateur operators. He was Vice President of the Hawkeye Radio Association and District Manager of the Central Radio Association.
In the fall of 1916, he entered the University of Minnesota in the Electrical Engineering Course. After one year in the University, he entered the employment of the Minneapolis General Electric Co. where he remained until his enlistment.
On September 18, 1917, he was married to Sarah Leigh Davenport in the home of the bride’s parents in Cresco, Iowa. Following the ceremony, they were baptized in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Will Kirwin, the pastor, officiating.
On July 16, 1918, he and his brother Donald volunteered and were accepted for service in the U. S. Navy. He commenced his course of study on the following Monday at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis in the Radio Department. A few weeks later he was detailed Student Instructor, and after proving himself proficient he received his commission on September 2, 1918, as Assistant Instructor. He was detailed, with his class, to assist in the Radio Works at the Dunwoody Naval Exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair. While conducting his class at the Fair Grounds on Tuesday, he was taken ill and turned over his class to another instructor. He became rapidly worse and was taken to the hospital. All that professional skill could do was unavailable and on Saturday morning he peacefully passed away.
He leaves to mourn, a wife, a father and mother, two sisters, Mrs. Asa Farnsworth and Mrs. John Clemmer, both of Cresco, Iowa, three brothers, Fred Rathert, of Wolf Point, Montana, Donald Rathert, of Dunwoody Institute, Minneapolis, and Raymond Rathert, of Cresco, Iowa.
The deceased was paid a most special honor by having a detachment of ten of his Naval companions of Dunwoody sent to Cresco represent that Training School at the funeral, one of the number being Ben Davis, another Cresco boy, in charge of Estienne Barnsfeld, Chief Quartermaster. M. E. Todd, in charge of the Radio Department at Dunwoody, also attended the funeral and at the close of Rev. Kirwin’s sermon, gave a short talk in eulogy of Will and the appreciation in which he was held by his associates at Dunwoody. Rev. Normann spoke briefly for the Red Cross. Music was furnished by John Patterson, Joe and Chas Burgess and Dana Mead, and by one of the Dunwoody boys, P. A. Jones, a personal friend of the Rathert boys.
The wife and parents of the deceased have the sincere sympathy of the entire community, who also feel a distinct personal loss in the death of a young man who was always a favorite with all persons, both young and old.
The opera house was beautifully decorated with flags and flowers, and conspicuously displayed was the service flag of the county with its galaxy of bright blue stars, five of which have been turned to gold in the defense of their country.
CARD OF THANKS
For the kindness, sympathy and assistance accorded us in our sad bereavement, the death of our beloved husband, son and brother, we desire to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks.
MRS. WM. P. RATHERT,
MR. AND MRS. W. F. Rathert
AND CHILDREN.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he died Sept. 7, 1918 and is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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