McWilliams, John Kenneth, 1912-1938

MCWILLIAMS, MERRITT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/13/2022 at 09:11:18

From the Alton Democrat, February 25, 1938:

Kenneth McWilliams, son of Mrs. Bert McWilliams of Minneapolis, passed on suddenly following a heart attack Sunday, according to a message received by friends here. The young man, 25 years old, was born in Alton, the second of seven children and the only boy in the family. His passing is especially sad since it comes only a few months after the death of his father. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 23rd, at Marcus where the young man’s father was also buried. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Henrich drove to Marcus Wednesday morning to attend the services. The four sons of Mr. and Mrs. P. O. McWilliams of Cherokee, cousins of Kenneth, were pallbearers.

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From the Marcus News, February 24, 1938:

Young Man Follows Father to Grave
Kenneth McWilliams, Minneapolis, Buried Here

This community was saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth J. McWilliams, 25, son of the late Bert McWilliams of Minneapolis, who [two lines blurred] young man had worked until midnight at a Minneapolis drugstore. His death was caused from a clot on his brain, physicians said. He was an only son, the grief of the family is tragic.

The body was brought to Cherokee and funeral services were conducted at Holy Name church in Marcus Wednesday morning. Relatives from Cherokee and Marcus attended and all of the immediate family from Minneapolis came for the last rites. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery here.

Last October the lad’s father passed away after a brief illness with pneumonia, and the body was brought here for burial. Surviving are the mother and six sisters, Mildred, Lois, Dorothy, Marilyn, Arlene and Marjorie.

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From the Cherokee Chief, February 25, 1938 – Obituaries

Kenneth J. McWilliams, 25, son of the late Bert McWilliams, died at his home in Minneapolis, Minn., at 8 o’clock Sunday morning from a sudden heart attack, relatives here were informed Sunday. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning from Holy Name Catholic church at Marcus with Rev. George Cook officiating. Burial was at Marcus. [List of survivors] Relatives here include the P. O. and W. J. McWilliams families and the Carl Peterson family.

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From the Minneapolis Tribune, February 21, 1938 – Obituaries

JOHN K. McWILLIAMS

John Kenneth McWilliams, 25, a resident of Minneapolis 13 years, died Sunday morning at his home, 3708 Pillsbury avenue, after a brief illness. He was born at Alton, Iowa, and recently had been employed as a clerk for the McWilliams Drug Co. of Minneapolis, which is operated by his mother. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Bertha McWilliams and six sisters, Mrs. Newman Jeffrey of New Orleans; Mrs. Edward Lapic, Lois C., Dorothy Jean, Maralyn Rose and Arlene Anne, all of Minneapolis. The body will lie in state at the home until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Holy Name church at Marcus, Iowa.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate 1938-MN-018359 has John Kenneth McWilliams, residence 3708 Pillsbury Ave., Minneapolis; resident of Minneapolis 13 years; born September 24[?], 1912 in Alton, Iowa; parents Bert David McWilliams, born in Marcus, Iowa, and Bertha Merritt, born in Kellerton, Iowa; occupation, clerk, retail drugs, 5 years in this occupation; died February 20, 1938 at home; cause of death undetermined; an autopsy was held. The verso of the certificate says no more data obtainable.

His FindaGrave.com page has John Kenneth McWilliams, born 2 Sep 1912 in Iowa, died 20 Feb 1938 in Minneapolis, buried in Holy Name Cemetery, Marcus, Cherokee County, Iowa. Parents Bert David McWilliams (1884-1937) and Bertha Delaney Merritt McWilliams (1884-1954). Four siblings listed: Lois Catherine McWilliams Jenstad (1914-2003), Marjorie Grace McWilliams Lapic (1916-2010), Dorothy Jean McWilliams Shabel (1918-2004), Maralyn McWilliams (1920-2003).