O’Conner, Dennis

EAGLE LAKE ITEMS

Dennis O’Conner, a section hand on the Southern Pacific, was run over by a passing engine and instantly killed last Thursday night. [Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, October 1, 1891, page 3

O’Leary, John C.

O’Leary

Funeral services were held for John C. O’Leary Thursday, August 9 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Columbus under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home with Msgr. Werner Bockholt officiating.

Burial was at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery.

John C. O'Leary was born March 28, 1917 in Yoakum to Clarence O'Leary and Frances Dunn O'Leary. He married Mabel Huvar O'Leary August 2, 1944.

Mr. O'Leary was a diesel technician for Southern Pacific Railroad br 41 years. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and a member of the K of C Council in Columbus and AFLCIO.

Survivors include his wife, Mabel O'Leary of Columbus; daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Glenn Stromquist of Cedar Hill, Texas; two sons and daughter-in-law, John and Sandy O'Leary of Columbus and G. Michael O'Leary of Mesquite; two sisters, Lillian Carrol of Beaumont and Lucille McBride of Corpus Christi; brother, Charles Louis O'Leary of San Antonio; and six grandchildren, Shelley and Kelly Stromquist, BrIan and Kristen O'Leary and Katie and Megan O'Leary.

Pallbearers were Richard Heffley, Lee Hammons, Jeff Poenitzsch, Carl Andress, Milton Wavra and Martin Williams.

Honoray[sic] pallbearers were Truman McMahan, Justin Stein, Tommy Glithero, Owen Mehrens, Mickey Schmidt, Clarence Potter, L. D. Weid, Frank Sanders, Joe Behler, Bill Cobb, Dr. Tom Hancher, Charlie Klein, Hop Priest and Clarence Fowler.

Colorado County Citizen, August 11,1988, page 2

O'Neal, Callie Drue (Cooper)

Services Today, Thurs., For Mrs. Callie O’Neal

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. this Thurs., Jan. 8th for Mrs. Callie O’Neal from the Chapel of the Mill-Bauer Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery.

Eagle Lake Headlight, January 8, 1976
Contributed by Patti Hall-Smith

O’Neill, Alma Claudine Ten Napel

O'Neill

Mrs. Alma Ten Napel O'Neill, age 70, of Neches (near Palestine) passed away February 16 at her residence.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Alma Ten Napel O'Neill Wednesday, February 19 at Baley-Foster Funeral Home in Palestine with the Rev. J. H. Lancaser officiating.

Burial, was held at the graveside of Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake with Rev. Melburn Sibley officiating.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Dulany Funeral Home in Eagle Lake.

Mrs. O'Neill was born November 9, 1915 in Kansas. She was a former resident of Houston and Eagle Lake. Mrs. O'Neill lived in Neches for the past II years. She was a member of the Christian Church.

Mrs. O'Neill was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Peter Ten Napel and daughter, Mrs. Delores Tiller.

Survivors include her second husband, Dempsey O'Neill of Neches; one daughter, Mrs. Bonnie Haynes of Wimberly[sic]; two step-daughters, Daphine Buerger of Austin and Euceba Cotton of Palestine; two sons, Clayton Ten Napel and Paul Ten Napel both of Pasadena; two sisters, Donna Mae Higgs of Sparks, Nevada and Lois Schuler of California; and 15 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Colorado County Citizen, February 27, 1986, page 2

O’Quinn, Fulton Railey

Heart Attack Is Fatal to Rev. O’Quinn

The labors of the Rev. F. R. O’Quinn, who in the past five year had organized two local Baptist congregations and led them in building new churches, ended suddenly last Thursday morning with a fatal heart attack, just three days before the second new building was to be dedicated.

The 53-year-old preacher, who lived at Sheridan and pastored churches at Oakland, Live Oak and Glidden, died in Columbus Hospital about an hour after collapsing on the courthouse lawn. He and his wife were making a brief stop there during a trip to Temple to visit one of their Oakland members undergoing an operation.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Oakland’s First Baptist Church, and burial was in Live Oak Cemetery The Rev. L. W. Crouch of El Campo officiated, assisted by the Rev. Henry Smith of Hallettsville.

Organized Oakland Baptists

Born Sept. 6, 1907, Mr. O’Quinn was a native of Jonesville, La. He and his wife moved to Hallettsville in 1954 and his first work as a minister in this area was Vienna. He organized the Oakland Baptist congregation in 1956 as a mission under the Hallettsville church. In August 1957 it became a mission of the Weimar church and in January 1959 became a church on its own. The congregation dedicated its new building Sept. 27, 1959.

His work with the Live Oak congregation began with a revival in December 1957 at the old Oak Grove school. Live Oak Baptists still owned their old church and school building at the site of their cemetery but had not been active as a congregation for many years. They became reactivated under his guidance in July 1959 as a mission of the Weimar church and the following March began operating on their own, continuing to meet in the old Oak Grove school. A program to completely remodel their own building was begun in February of this year. Marking completion of the project, which had completely transformed the building yet preserving the original structure, a revival was begun June 12, the first service in the Live Oak church in nearly half a century.

The day after the pastor’s burial in the old cemetery beside the church, the newly renovated building was dedicated in an afternoon ceremony attended by many home-owners and friends. A memorial fund has been started in his memory.

In addition to his wife, Rev. O’Quinn is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J. E. Jordan of Bridge city, whose husband was the evangelist for the last week’s revival services, and a grandson, Jimmy Jordan.

Weimar Mercury, June 24, 1960, pages 1 and 8

Oakes, Arthur

Mr. Arthur Oakes, one of our oldest and most worthy citizens, died at his residence near Glidden last Monday morning, of heart failure. Mr. Oakes had been suffering from sickness of long standing, but was sufficiently improved to be up and about, and when the sudden and fatal attack came he was preparing for breakfast. His remains were interred Tuesday at the Odd Fellows' Rest by the K. of H. society, of which he had long been a member.

Weimar Mercury, May 31, 1902

Oakes, Arthur James

Arthur J. Oakes, 55, Killed By Train Near Glidden Friday Noon

Last Friday, when the noon train was late, many Weimar citizens wondered why. When it did arrive, it was learned that the delay had been caused by an accident which took the life of Arthur J. Oakes of Glidden, who was well known here.

The 55-year-old retired railroad man was killed instantly when the train hit him as he walked across the trestle between Columbus and Glidden. Apparently he did not hear the train whistle.

He was a resident of Glidden and a member of a well known Colorado County family.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Columbus Funeral Home, with Rev. Frank Charlton officiating. Burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Weimar Mercury, September 12, 1941, page 1

Oakes, Dillard Ebenezer “Ebb”

ELLARD OAKES FUNERAL HELD

Funeral services for Ellard E. Oakes of Yoakum, 68, native of Colorado county who died Thursday were held here Tuesday at the Untermeyer Funeral home with the Rev. W. M. Davis officiating.

A brother, Ira Oakes of Columbus, died in November 1945. Mr. Oakes was a retired carpenter of Yoakum.

Burial was in the Odd Fellows Rest cemetery.

Colorado County Citizen, February 21, 1946

Oakes, E. Kate (Wilson)

Departed this life, at her residence in Columbus, Saturday last (Feb. 4, 1899), at 7 p.m., Mrs. Kate Wilson Oakes, after a protracted illness. The Episcopal Church was overflowing with her friends Sunday afternoon at 4 when the pall bearers, Messrs. Mansfield, Waugh, Ayers, Shaw, Elrod, Wooten and West conveyed her remains from her house to that consecrated edifice, and the Rev. T. B. Lawson, her loved and revered pastor, performed with deep feeling her burial service, after which an exceptionally long cortege wound its slow length to the Odd Fellows Rest where, with comforting words of hope, Dr. Lawson committed her body to it eternal rest.

Mrs. Oakes had been a resident of Columbus many years. Her girlhood was passed in this place, and here in 1867, she was married to Capt. P. J. Oakes who died in May, 1891. Two children, Miss Jessie and Mr. Ray C. Oakes, her father, Dr. N. C. Wilson, and brothers, Mr. Will and Dr. John Wilson survive her.

For more than thirty years she had devoted herself to the great duty of teaching school, and was still working with might and will in our public school when disease prostrated her. She was a lady of most inestimable virtues. Her life was a benison, an inspiration freely given as the mocking bird its song. As Dr. Lawson said, I his eulogy over her soulless self: "She filled measure of a grand woman, and no man could form her acquaintance and not be invested with a broader, deeper regard for womanhood." Adorned with the graces of culture and refinement, she ever drew from the highest religion and intelligence, a brightness that she was glad to share with all with whom she came in contact, and, possessing strong domestic attachments, she made her home a charmed circle where her friends loved to linger.

The CITIZEN extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved ones. She has solved the great mystery and entered the penetralia denied mortal vision, but we may feel assured that:

—"if the angels
Earthward turn their eyes,
She will watch o'er them
From out the radiant skies."

Colorado County Citizen February 9, 1899
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Columbus, Texas, January 28.--Mrs. K. W. Oakes died tonight after a lingering illness. Her mother, Mrs. C. A. Wilson, of Houston, was buried here Wednesday. As teacher and principal of the Colorado academy and the Columbus high school for the past thirty-three years, she has guided the minds and endeared the hearts of a majority of the citizens of Columbus. She was happily married in 1867 to Captain P. J. Oakes of company A. Fifth Texas mounted volunteers of the Confederate army, a gallant officer and manly gentleman, who died in 1891.

She leaves a daughter and son, Miss Jessie and Roy C. Oakes.

Weimar Mercury, February 4, 1899, page 8

Columbus, April 24.--Shortly after the death of Mrs. Kate Wilson Oakes a few years ago, at the suggestion of the Rev. T. B. Lawson during the funeral ceremony, a memorial association was organized of the many who were pupils of Mrs. Oakes during her lifetime to erect a monument over her grave as a testimonial of the love and affection in which she was held by them. The fund of money collected by this association has lately been augmented by a contribution from Mr. Roy C. Oakes and Mrs. Jessie Wright of Sulphur, I. T. This addition to the fund to honor their mother completes a sum sufficient to erect a creditable monument. At a meeting of the memorial association held this afternoon the president appointed Judge J. J. Mansfield, Mrs. John A. Duncan and Miss Lillie Ilse to act jointly with a committee to be appointed by the cemetery association to select a monument and I have it erected.

Weimar Mercury, May 2, 1903, page 1

Oakes, Elizabeth (Powell)

Columbus, Texas, July 24, 1906.
Mrs. Oakes, wife of T. J. Oakes, died at her home here yesterday. Her funeral will take place this afternoon. She leaves surviving her her husband, Mr. T. J. Oakes, and four daughters, Mrs. Ridgway of San Antonio, Mrs. W. H. Brooks, Mrs. W. S. Miller, and Miss Daisie Oakes of this place. [Interment in Odd Fellows’ Rest]

Weimar Mercury, July 8,1906, page 8

Oakes, Elizabeth C. (Taylor)

Mrs. T. J. Oakes

Mrs. T. J. Oakes of Glidden passed out of this life at a hospital in San Antonio early Saturday, after an illness of several months. The remains were brought to this city by train Saturday night and taken to the family home in Glidden where funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at three. Rev. J. E. Morgan of the local Methodist Church officiated. Interment was affected at Odd Fellows Rest.

The Eastern Star service was observed at the grave.

Miss Lizzie Taylor was born April 2, 1878. She was left an orphan when a little baby and was taken by Mr. Ed Moore of Glidden where she was reared and educated. On Dec. 9th, 1901 she was married to Mr. Thos. J. Oakes.

Her death is mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives. She is survived by the heartbroken husband and one daughter, Mrs. Q. B. Morrison of San Antonio, to whom the deep sympathy of the entire community goes out.

Colorado County Citizen, January 14, 1932, page 1

Oakes, Fay (Daniels)

Mrs. Fay Oakes Last Rites Held Here Saturday

Funeral services were held here Saturday for Mrs. Fay Oakes, 73, of Houston, who died there, in Memorial hospital Friday morning after an illness of about a month.

Dr. Norman L. Roberts officiated in last rites at First Baptist church and burial in the Shaw’s Bend [Fitzgerald] cemetery.

Born Sept. 28, 1885, in Shaw’s Bend, Mrs. Oakes was a daughter of J. W. and Lenna Hundt Daniels. She lived west of Glidden on the place now owned by Charles Kearney until she moved to Houston 41 years ago. She was a registered nurse and was active in that profession until her last illness.

Mrs. Oakes had numerous cousins here and was a frequent visitor in Columbus. Her last visit was in June of this year.

Survivors include 2 sisters, Mrs. A. R. Paye[sic] and Miss Irma Daniels and 2 brothers, E. H. and Clarence Daniels, all of Houston.

Pallbearers were her relatives, Jack and Herbert Leyendecker, Irvin Alley and Marvin Lange of Columbus and Dee Sexies and Jimmy Clayton of Houston.

Colorado County Citizen, December 4, 1958, page 4

Oakes, Gussie Eugene (Hutchins)

Gussie Eugene Oakes, 87, of Columbus passed away Nov. 28 at her residence.

A native and lifelong resident of Colorado County, she was born Nov. 29,

1914 at home on Crasco Creek to William Ira and Lillie Mae (Besch) Hutchins. She attended school in Columbus.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Maggie Cooper; sister and brother-in-law, Gertie and Carrol Hutchins; and nephews Marvin and Bill (Hutch) Hutchins.

She is survived by her nephew whom she considered her son, Dean Hutchins and wife Fran Moody of Austin; niece, Joyce Burrow and husband Victor of Round Rock; and other nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were conducted Nov. 30 at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery with the Rev. Sammy Carr officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to El Campo Hospice, 1102 N. Mechanic, El Campo, TX 77437 or WCJC Colorado County Senior Citizens Program, 316 Spring St., Columbus TX 78934, Attn.: Jane Booker.

Colorado County Citizen, December 4,2002
Courtesy of the Citizen

Oakes, I. Hugh

Altair Man Dies

I. H Oakes, 26, citizen of Altair, died at a hospital in Houston Tuesday from Spinal Meningitis. Funeral was held at the home today (Thursday). Rev. Johnson conducting, and the remains laid to rest at Sheridan [Cheetham Cemetery].

Mr. Oakes leaves a wife, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eb. Oakes, two brothers and two sisters, to whom our sympathy is extended in their hour of sorrow.

Colorado County Citizen, November 29, 1934

Oakes, Itaska

It is was[sic] with regret that we heard of the death of Itaska, daughter of Captain and Mrs. T. J. Oakes, of our county, which occurred on the 11th inst. She was a bright, intelligent little girl of about twelve years of age, and her untimely demise is deeply regretted by her many fiends and relatives. Her bereaved parents have the heartfelt sympathy of the community. [Interment in Columbus City Cemetery.]

Colorado Citizen, September 23, 1875

Oakes, John Calvin

J. C. Oakes, a pioneer of the early days in Texas, died at his home north of Rock Island last Wednesday night at 9:20 o'clock.  Mr. Oakes was 83 years old the 8 day of last September and had lived continueously at his home since 1852.  He was married to Miss Melissa Cooper at Columbus and lived in the town of Columbus for two or three years, thence moving to his country home.  His wife preceeded him to the better world years ago.  He was the father of 10 children of whom 8 are living.  Mrs. D. A. Calb, of Sealy, Mrs. Ella Peters of Wharton, Mrs. Janie Besch of El Campo, Mrs. Ida Bennett of San Antonio, Mrs. Callie Cooper and Mrs. Bettie Green, who reside north of Rock Island and Messrs. D. E. Oakes of this place and W. I. Oakes of Near Rock Island.  Mr. Oakes was born in West Virginia, but came to Texas in an early day and for a long time hauled freight between Houston and San Antonio.  His remains were laid to rest in the family cemetery on the Crasco last Thursday, by the side of his wife, a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends being in attendance.  Extreme old age was the cause of his death.  Mr. Oakes was a fine old gentleman who had the friendship of everybody and will be missed.  Thus the old land marks are passing away.  We extend our sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Colorado Citizen, May 12, 1911
Obituary submitted by Tammy Blandino
Photo contributed by John Meehan

Oakes, Lillie Mae (Besch)

Last Rites For Mrs. Lillie Oakes To Be Today

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. this (Thursday) afternoon for Mrs. Lillie Mae Oakes, 86, who died in Columbus hospital Tuesday after suffering a stroke in her home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Rest cemetery.

Mrs. Oakes was born Sept. 20, 1876, a daughter of Alex and Gertrude Besch. Her husband, William Ira Oakes, died in November, 1945.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Mrs. W. E. Cooper, Sealy, Mrs. C. D. Hutchins Sr. of Columbus and Miss Gussie Oakes, also of Columbus, 7 grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Will Stafford of Altair.

Rev. J. V. Hamman of the Assembly of God church will officiate. Untermeyer Funeral Home will have charge.

Pallbearers will be A. O. Miller and Edward Earl Miller, El Campo; Howard Besch, Glidden; George Stafford, Altair; Melvin Heinsohn of Columbus and Reuben Miller of Old Ocean.

Colorado County Citizen, January 17, 1963, page 5

Oakes, Pleasant J.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN OAKES

With much regret the CITIZEN chronicles the death of Capt. P. J. Oakes at his residence in this city about 1 o’clock last Friday afternoon, of heart failure, in the 55th year of his age. The deceased was a native of Tennessee, but has been a resident of this city for thirty-five years. Before the war he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in connection with Mr. Thos. W. Folts, now of Austin, continued that business in this city until the completion of the railroad to Alleyton, when the firm removed to that place, and engaged in the receiving and forwarding business, which was kept up until about 1876, when the firm was dissolved.

Upon the breaking out of the war between the states he joined the gallant company of Capt. John S. Shropshire, in which he served to the surrender, having been promoted for meritorious services to the rank of Captain. His regiment was attached to the celebrated brigade of Gen. Tom Green, and at the last reunion of the brigade Capt. Oakes was honored with the presidency of the association.

Capt. Oakes returned from Alleyton to Columbus, and in 1868 was happily married to Miss E. Kate Wilson, who, with a son and daughter, survive to mourn his loss.

Captain Oakes had many excellent qualities of head and heart, and though we shall not say he was free of faults—none of us are—it can be affirmed that his many virtues outweighed them in so great a degree as to render them almost nugatory. For twelve or fifteen years he has been engaged in teaching, and in his specialties had few superiors, combinnig{sic] the excellent qualities of imparting instruction, maintaining discipline and securing the love and affection of his pupils; and at his largely attended and sorrowing funeral last Saturday no more eloquent and powerful tribute to his worth was paid or could have been rendered than the long line of pupils of his room in procession, who, with tearful eyes and suppressed sobbs[sic], silently attested their love of the departed, and mutely implored the mercy of the grave. Captain Oakes will be sadly missed from our community, his life having been crowned with us___ works.

At 4 o’clock last Saturday afternoon his mortal remains were committed to the dust [Odd Fellows Rest] under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, Rev. H. C. Howard and G. H. Collins officiating. The funeral procession was the largest we remember ever to have seen in Columbus, the floral tributes of his pupils being most profuse and tasteful—the wreath enclosidg[sic] the words “OUR TEACHER, P. J. O.,” being a marvel of taste and design. All classes desired to pay the last sad tribute to his memory. To the brave, true wife and her accomplished children the CITIZEN tenders sincere condolence in their deep bereavement.

“So fades a summer cloud away,
So sinks the gale when storms are o’er,
So gently shuts the eye of day
So dies a wave along the shore.”

Colorado Citizen, June 4, 1891, page 3

Oakes, Thomas Jefferson

Numerous friends of the family were deeply grieved to learn of the death of Mr. Thos. J. Oakes of Columbus, which occurred very suddenly Tuesday morning as he was en route home from a trip to his farm. Mr. Oakes was one of Colorado county’s oldest, most respected and best citizens, a man whom to know was to admire, and his untimely death has caused sadness to pervade many homes throughout this section. [Interment in Odd Fellows' Rest]

Weimar Mercury, November 9, 1907, page 8

Oakes, Willie

It grieved us to hear of the death, on Thursday evening last, of little Willie, aged about 18 months, only son of Capt. P. J. and Mrs. Kate Oakes.  We condole with the bereaved parents in their sad affliction.  [Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, May 10, 1877, page 3
Transcribed by Dorothy Albrecht

Oakley, Annie (Hnatek)

Final Rites for Mrs. A. Oakley Held at Housto

Funeral services for Mrs. Annie H. Oakley, 71, of Houston, were held Dec. 4 at Niday Chapel with graveside services in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery at Columbus.

Mrs. Oakley, a licensed practical nurse, died Dec. 2 of a massive heart attack. She was the daughter of John and Veronyka Hnatek of Hallettsville and was married to J. A. Oakley on Oct. 3 1926.

Her husband preceded her in death, as did two brothers, Joe Hnatek in 1951 and Edward Hnatek in 1944.

Survivors are three sons, Calvin A. Oakley of Springs. Robert B. Oakley of Pasadena and Francis M. Oakley of Austin; two daughters. Mrs. Annie E. Hayes of New Braunfels and Mrs. Eva Mae Smoot of Houston; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; three brothers. Henry Hnatek of Hallettsville, John Hnatek of Houston and August Hnatek of Cushing; and three sisters. Mrs. Emilie Childs of Cushing, Mrs. Stasie Little of Hallettsville and Mrs. Tonie James of Houston.

Pallbearers were her son-in-law. Herbert Hayes, nephews A. J. Hnatek, Lester Little and Cecil Settle, and grandson Raymond Hayes.

Weimar Mercury, January 13, 1977

Oakley, Claudia O.

DEATH OF MRS. J. A. OAKLEY SATURDAY MORNING

Mrs. J. A. Oakley, wife of our tailor, Mr. Oakley, who went to Houston recently to undergo an operation, and who was reported in splendid condition following the operation, took a sudden turn for the worse some time Friday last, pneumonia having set in, and her death followed shortly after the noon hour Saturday. The remains were prepared for burial, and brought to Columbus the following day, being laid to rest Monday afternoon in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery by the side of her little child buried some eight months ago. The Methodist pastor at Columbus officiated at the funeral.

Many friends here were shocked at the sad news and many expressions of sympathy were heard on every hand. Mrs. Oakley as[sic] a lovable, good woman, highly regarded by everyone who knew her, and her death is deeply and sincerely deplored by all. She leaves a heart-broken husband and little son to mourn the passing of a loving, good wife and mother.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones.

Weimar Mercury, October 24, 1924, page 1

Obenchain, Carl

CARL OBENCHAIN FUNERAL TODAY

Carl Obenchain, 69-year-old native of Columbus, died at the Columbus hospital at 2 p.m. Wednesday after suffering a stroke.

Funeral services will be held at the family home southeast of town today at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. G. G. Cecil officiating. Burial will be in the Miller’s Lake family cemetery Columbus Funeral Home announced.

Mr. Obenchain, farmer and cattleman, would have been 70 on June 30. He was born in Columbus, the son of Ed Obenchain and the former Lenora Miller.

City firemen had helped in giving aritificial[sic] respiration to Mr. Obenchain Tuesday night.

Colorado County Citizen, May 23, 1946

Obenchain. Edgar Bradford

COLUMBUS PLANTER SUCCUMBS, FUNERAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Mr. Edgar B. Obenchain, aged 64 years, of Columbus, died Saturday afternoon of last week after a lingering illness, at the family home. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon with interment in the family [Pinchback] cemetery on the Obenchain plantation. Rev. Frank D. Charlton of the Methodist Church of Columbus officiated.

Mr. Obenchain was a well-known planter and cattleman of this county. and a member of one of the pioneer families of Texas. His grandparents came to Columbus many years before the war between the states. He possessed quite a large plantation. His entire life was spent on the farm originally settled by his grandparents while Texas was still a republic.

Mr. Obenchain was quite well known here and throughout Colorado county.

He is survived by his widow Mrs. Vallie Strunk Obenchain, one brother Carl Obenchain of Columbus, and by two nieces, Mrs. Roland Rugeley of Bay City and Mrs. Hilda Wall Witmer of Houston.

Mrs. Obenchain was formerly Miss Vallie Strunk of Oakland, daughter of Mrs. I. A. Strunk.

The Mercury extends sympathy to the bereaved ones in their loss.

Weimar Mercury, June 16, 1939

Funeral Services Held Sunday For Mr. E. B. Obenchain
Well Known Cattleman Succumbs Saturday After Long Illness

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 11th at4 p.m. for Edgar B. Obenchain, 65, who died Saturday at his home near Columbus after a long illness, Untermeyer Bros. in charge.

He was a well known planter and cattleman of Colorado County, a long time member of the local Masonic Lodge, and a member of one of the pioneer families of Texas. His grandparents came to Columbus many years before the war between the states.

Mr. Obenchain was born in Columbus March 19, 1871, a son of E. D. and Lenora Miller Obenchain and married Miss Vallie Strunk, June 23, 1924.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Vallie Obenchain, one brother, Carl Obenchain of Columbus and by two nieces, Mrs. Roland Rugeley of Bay City and Mrs. Hilda Wall Witmer of Houston. Interment was made in the family cemetery on the Obenchain plantation with Rev. Frank D. Charlton, pastor of the Methodist Church, officiating and the Masonic Lodge conducting. Pallbearers were: J. H. Wooten, B. A. Harbert Jr., J. D. Seymour, Sam K. Seymour Jr., E. G. Miller and Hugh Wilson.

Colorado County Citizen, June 15, 1939
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenchain, Lenora (Miller)

We regret to announce the death of Mrs. Nora Obenchain, wife of our fellow citizen, Mr. E. D. Obenchain, which occurred at Harwood on the 10th inst. She was a native of our county-- a daughter of one of our first settlers--and reared here. In 1867 she was married happily to her surviving husband, in this city. She was a domestic lady, loving home dearly, and seldom leaving it. For some months she has been in ill health, and went to Harwood a few weeks ago to see if the change would not benefit her But alas! the disease had too firm a hold, and she has passed away. She was buried at Miller’s Lake[Pinchback Cemetery] on Tuesday morning.

Colorado Citizen, August 14, 1879

Obenchain, Martha

DIED, at her residence in this city, last Sunday eve about half past eight o’clock, MRS. MARTHA OBENCHAIN, aged 71 years the first of February last, of a complication of maladies, the principal being an affection of the heart. The deceased was married in Bolatourt, Va., June 13, 1833, to Mr. H. S. Obenchain, who is her sorrowing survivor, and they came to Columbus in ‘59, since which time their interest have been identified with this, their adopted home. From her long residence in this community Mrs. Obenchain was almost universally known, and no less universally esteemed for her noble and endearing traits of character. Unostentatious and retiring. she quietly pursued her great mission in life of making the world brighter for those with whom she came in daily contact by pleasant words and kindly deeds. She raised a family of eight children, six of whom are left to mourn her loss. Three of them reside respectively in Virginia, Tennessee and Illinois, the other three being citizens of this place, were constantly with her, and paid her the tribute of devotion to which so good a mother is richly entitled. Especially was her youngest child, Miss Dickie, tender and considerate, and through the long years of her mother’s invalidism performed her labor of love with the never tiring unselfishness that springs direct from the heart. Our lamented friend was for a number of years an exemplary member of the Methodist Church, and her resignation to her fate was perfect. During her last illness and great suffering, when medical aid was being hastily summoned she calmly replied that the great Physician was near to cease her pain and give her rest. It was even so, and
“Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch around him.
And lies down to pleasant dreams,”
she sank into the eternal slumber, and her soul was gently wafted to the realms of infinite rest. Her mortal remains bore on their features a look of ineffable tranquility, and loving friends placed in one hand a withered rose, emblematic of her life, having budded fair, and bloomed to make glad the hearts of others, with no thought of self, robbed of its freshness and deprived of its glorious beauty, still even in its dying moments lavishly exhaling its last remaining and best gift of fragrancy. At 5 p.m., an extensive cortege followed her to her __ong home, the Rev. J. A. Duncan, Pastor of the Columbus Methodist Church, officiating. The CITIZEN extends sincere condolence to the bereaved husband and relatives. All that is now left of our dear friend is but a memory and a name bedewed with tears and embalmed with sighs, but this is immortal. Her gentle influence lingers to draw erring hearts with her to the Father’s throne.
There the hope-blossoms make fruitage of sweetness,
There all the many-faced shadows grow bright;
There, O thank God, Life’s immortal completeness
Springs from the grave like a seed to the light.
[Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, August 5, 1886

Obenhaus, Arnold

The death of Mr. Arnold Obenhaus, one of the oldest and most respected citizens, on the 20th inst. was the cause of universal regret with our people. He was born in Germany in 1813, immigrated to Colorado County in 1842. . . . He was buried on the 21st of November, the Rev. Mr. Williams officiating. [Interment in Obenhaus Cemetery]

Colorado County Citizen, November 29, 1894 Page 3 Column2
Handwritten copy stamped from the files of Miss Lee Nesbitt
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Bertha "Betty" (Faber)

Following an extended illness, during which she suffered a stroke of appoplexy, Mrs. Betty Obenhaus, one of the oldest residents of this city, passed to her reward Tuesday morning at about eight o'clock.

Funeral services were held at the residence at eleven yesterday morning, Rev. J. W. E. Alrey conducting the service, and interment effected at Odd Fellow Rest with Eastern Star ceremonies.

Miss Betty Faber was born in Sonne Wolde,Prussia, on August 23, 1860, and came to this country with her parents in 1871.

Her noble Christian character during the many years of her life in this community has endeared her to a host of friends who sorrow at her passing.

She is survived by one brother, Mr. Ernest Faber of Eagle Lake, one son, Mr. Gus Faber Obenhaus, and one grasndson, Gus Faber, Jr., and other relatives to whom our sympathy is extended.

Colorado County Citizen, January 8th, 1931.

Obenhaus, Beulah (Clapp)

Final Rites for Mrs. Obenhaus Held Monday

Funeral services for Mrs. Beulah Clapp Obenhaus, 77, were held Monday afternoon, March 2, at Hubbard Funeral Home, with burial in Masonic Cemetery.

Rev. Clarence James officiated.

Mrs. Obenhaus died Feb 28 at Youens Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient since Jan. 17.

Born Oct. 19, 1892, at Oak Grove, she was the daughter of Eli and Nannie Werner Clapp. She was married to Frederick Ernest Obenhaus on Nov. 16, 1910, at her parents' home, and they settled at Oak Grove, later moving to Columbus and then to Glidden. Mr. Obenhaus died in July of 1963.

Mrs. Obenhaus was a member of the Glidden Baptist Church.

Surviving her are one son, Leo, of Friendswood, and four grandchildren. A brother, Willie E. Clapp, died several years ago.

Pallbearers were Arnold Sanders, Howard Chollett, Bubba Holland, Paul Hattermann, Owen Miller, and J. K. Wallace.

Weimar Mercury, March 5, 1970

Obenhaus, Charles H.

Died, September 11, at his residence in this city, Mr. Charles Obenhaus, aged 56. His remains were interred at the Odd Fellows Rest Friday at 5 p.m. in the presence of a large cortege, the Rev. T. R. Cable, pastor in charge of the Columbus Baptist Church, officiating at the house and at the grave. His death was not wholly unexpected, as he had been confined to his bed with an extremely malignant carbuncle which entirely depleted his system. He was born in Sala Uffehn, Germany, May 4, 1839, immigrated to Frelsburg October 7, 1844 and came to Columbus in 1845, was married August 9, 1865 to Mrs. Otelia De Quasie, nee Wolters. He served as a Confederate soldier in Bates' Regiment, Co. C., 13th Texas Infantry.

He held his place in Columbus as a business man many years latterly being a grocery merchant. In the fire of 1893 he sustained great loss, but with characteristic energy, soon reinstated himself and continued to hold his own until failing health caused him to seek retirement. His wife and four children, besides other relatives, survive him, three daughters and one son, all of mature age, who, acting their parts on life's stage with undimmed honor, reflect more luster on his name than could be contained in all the eulogistic threnodies that might be cast upon his bier. The Citizen extends condolence to the bereaved and hopes their cloud of grief may reveal a lining of silver.

Colorado County Citizen, September, 1895
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Charles Henry

"Uncle Charley" Obenhaus, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of this county, died suddenly Saturday night at the home of his son, Walter Obenhaus, at Glidden, aged 74 years. Mr. Obenhaus was apparently well, although feeble with old age, Saturday evening at 8 o'clock when he retired, but died some time during the night. The funeral took place Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Borden cemetery.

Mr. Obenhaus was born in Germany, but emigrated to this country at an early age. His beloved wife preceded him to the grave some twenty-five years ago, leaving him with seven little sons, as follows: John, Walter, Robert, Percy, Louis, Dick and Charley, all of whom survive except baby Charley. Mr. Obenhaus raised these six boys, all of whom are now grown, hearty, respected men, with families of their own. For the past few years he has made his home with his son, Walter, at Glidden and died there, surrounded by all the comforts that loving hands could administer to him. Mr. Obenhaus was a Confederate war veteran, and during "the late unpleasantness" rendered valiant service for his adopted and beloved southland. He also was a member of the Baptist church for many years and died strong in the Christian faith. At the time of his death he was a consistent, staunch member of the Live Oak Baptist church. Mr. Obenhaus was a great favorite with all the old-timers of Colorado county, being known as an honest, straightforward, energetic, good citizen, one whose word was as good as his bond, and who ever proved one of the most faithful or friends and neighbors, as well as a devoted husband and father. He was the eldest brother of our townsman E. L. Obenhaus. The funeral was largely attended by sympathizing relatives and friends of the family. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved family in the loss of this beloved, upright, good citizen.

Weimar Mercury, October 30, 1914
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Charles M.

Charles Obenhaus, the bright 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Obenhaus of this vicinity, died at the family residence last Sunday evening, after a comparatively brief illness. While we were not acquainted with the young man, from his former teacher, Prof. J. W. Holt, we learn that he was a model young man, very bright in his studies, and bidding fair to become a good, useful citizen. To the grief-stricken family our sincere and heartfelt sympathy is extended in their hour of afflictiion. [Interment in Borden Cemetery]

Weimar Mercury, May 18, 1901, page 5

Obenhaus, Donald Ray

Donald Ray Obenhaus, 41, a life-long resident of Eagle Lake area, died Thursday, March 3, 1994 at his Eagle Lake residence following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born Sept. 11, 1952, in Wharton, he was the son of L. Donald and Mary S. (Guffey) Obenhaus. In 1971, he was a member of the first graduating class of Rice High School, and attended Wharton County Junior College. On Feb. 28, 1976, he married Janice Popp at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nada. He was a salesman for Eagle Lake Implement company for over 10 years, a member and officer of the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department, a member of Ducks Unlimited, a guide for the Buck Snag Hunting Club of Garwood and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Eagle Lake.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 5, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Rev. Father Eddie Winkler officiating. Interment followed in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Nada. Services were under the direction of Dulany Funeral Home, Eagle Lake.

Pallbearers were Bill Johnson, Danny Canaris, Earle Braden Jr., R. L. Cook Jr., Johnny Meitzen, Ross Obenhaus, Gary Obenhaus and Curtis Shroyer. Honorary pallbearers were employees of Eagle Lake Implement Company and members of the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Obenhaus is survived by his wife; children, Amy and Donnie Obenhaus and his parents all of Eagle Lake; sisters Marsha Turner of Eagle Lake and Trudi Obenhaus of Houston and mother-in-law, Mrs. Mabeline Popp Beard of Nada.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 38, Eagle Lake, TX 77434-0038.

Colorado County Citizen, March 9, 1994
Translated by Dennis Boatright

Obenhaus, Edward Lewis

E. L. Obenhaus, 89, Dies Suddenly, Funeral Thursday

E. L. Obenhaus, 89, died at the family residence in Weimar on Wednesday of this week. Funeral services were held this Thursday morning at 10:00 o'clock at the Hubbard Funeral Home, with the Rev. Daniel E. Hogan, local Baptist minister officiating. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Lee Flournoy, Louis Obenhaus, Ernest Obenhaus, Will Obenhaus, Ben Flournoy, Pierce Obenhaus.

Mr. Obenhaus had been in failing health for several years. A heart attack Tuesday night proved fatal.

He was the seventh son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Obenhaus and was born near Columbus March 27, 1856. On December 20, 1802, [probably date should be 1902-- JT] he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Lue Flournoy. The couple lived on the Obenhaus farm south of town until a few years ago when they moved to Weimar, where they lived since. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

A native of Colorado county, (sic) Mr. Obenhaus engaged in farming and stock raising. He was a fine citizen and was held in highest esteem by everyone who knew him.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Rosa Lue Obenhaus, one daughter, Mrs. Leon (Beatrice) Obenhaus [sic][Grodhaus] of Houston. Six brothers and one sister preceded him in death.

The Mercury extends sincere condolence to the bereaved family.

Weimar Mercury, March 29, 1946
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Fred G.

The remains of Fred Obenhaus were laid to rest in the Live Oak cemetery Monday evening at four o'clock amid the sobs of a host of loving relatives and friends.

Fred had been in bad health for more than three months and on the 2nd passed unto his maker at a hospital in Dallas.

He was 29 years old at the time of his death. It is hard to give them up, when it seems there is so much for them in this life, but our Father knows what is best and we commend all things to Him.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones in this sad hour.

Colorado County Citizen, July 13, 1933
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Frederick Arnold

Frederick Arnold Obenhaus, 92, died Sunday. Following the funeral service the body was taken to Live Oak Cemetery near Weimar for burial. Rev. C. L. Boone of Weimar officiated.

Mr. Obenhaus was a native of Columbus, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Obenhaus, pioneer German immigrants.

Survivors are a daughter, Mr. C. F. Sanders of Oak Grove, two sons, W. D. Obenhaus of Oakland and F. E. Obenhaus of Columbus and a brother E. L. Obenhaus of Weimar.

Colorado County Citizen, December 4, 1941
From the files of Miss Lee Nesbitt
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Nonogenarian Dies At Hospital Here As Result of Fall

Frederick Arnold Obenhaus, 92, died at Bell hospital here Sunday as result of a fall last Friday when he sustained a fractured hip at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Sanders of Oak Grove. Following funeral services at the Columbus Funeral Home Monday, the body was taken to Live Oak cemetery near Weimar for burial. Rev C. L. Boone of Weimar officiated.

Mr. Obenhaus was a native of Columbus, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Obenhaus, pioneer German immigrants. He was a member of the Baptist church.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. C. F. Sanders of Oak Grove; two sons, W. D. Obenhaus of Oakland and F. E. Obenhaus of Columbus; and a brother, E. L. Obenhaus of Weimar. [Click here for a brief bio of Frederick Arnold Obenhaus]

Colorado County Citizen, December 4, 1941
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

F. A. OBENHAUS DIES AFTER STROKE FRIDAY

Funeral services for Mr. Frederick Arnold Obenhaus. 92-year-old retired farmer and ranchman. who died Sunday in the Bell Hospital. Columbus were held from the Columbus Funeral Home Monday. Dec. 1, the Rev. C. L. Boone officiating. Interment was made in the Live Oak Cemetery

Mr. Obenhaus suffered a stroke Friday and fell. injuring his hip. and was taken to the hospital. Too frail to stand the shock, he sank rapidly and died three days later.

Born August 14. 1849, the year of the Gold Rush, Mr. Obenhaus followed a colorful career of farming and ranching. and for awhile hauled cotton by ox cart from Alleyton to El Paso. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Obenhaus of Columbus, and spent his entire life in the Live Oak, Weimar and Columbus sections. On New Years Day, 1874, be married Miss Ida Trott, who lived near Columbus. Four children were born to the couple, three of whom are living now, the fourth dying in infancy. His wife died in 1916. On his 92nd birthday anniversary during the past summer, his descendants and friends honored him with an "open house" at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Geo. Goode. Mr. Obenhaus was a member of the Live Oak Baptist Church.

His survivors include three children. Mrs. C. F. Sanders, Weimar; W. D. Obenhaus, Oakland; and F. E. Obenhaus, Columbus; a brother, E. L. Obenhaus of Weimar; sixteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Pallbearers w e r e the following grandsons and grandsons-in-law: Leo Obenhaus. Columbus; Jess Scheller, Robstown; G. W. Sanders, Eagle Lake; Geo. Goode, Weimar; Willie Lorfing, Weimar; and Bowers Cousins of West Point.

The Mercury extends deepest sympathy to the family in their bereavement.

Weimar Mercury, December 5, 1941, page 1

Obenhaus, Frederick Ernest

Funeral Services for F. E. Obenhaus, 84, Held Wednesday

Funeral services for Frederick Ernest Obenhaus, 84 year-old retired carpenter, were held Wednesday afternoon, July 10, at Shatto Funeral Home in Columbus, with burial in Masonic Cemetery in Weimar.

Rev. Cummins, Baptist pastor at Columbus, officiated.

Mr. Obenhaus died Monday, July 8, at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston. He had been ill since June 18.

A lifelong resident of Colorado County, he was born Aug. 23, 1878, in the Oak Grove community, a son of Arnold and Ida Trott Obenhaus. He married Beulah Clapp Nov. 16, 1910, and they lived at Oak Grove for some time before moving to Columbus and then to Glidden. He was a member of the Columbus Baptist Church.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Beulah Obenhaus of Glidden; one son, Leo Obenhaus of Friendswood; four grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Minnie Sanders of Weimar. One brother, W. D. Obenhaus of Oakland, preceded him in death in 1956.

Pallbearers were Bowers Cousins, Frank Sanders, Jr., J. D. Seymour Jr., Alfred Steinmann, Oliver Wegenhoft and Owen Miller

Weimar Mercury, July 11, 1963
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, F. E.

Funeral services for F. E. Obenhaus were held at Columbus Funeral home July 10 with Rev. Logan Cummings of the First Baptist church officiating. Burial was in Masonic cemetery in Weimar.

Mr. Obenhaus, who died July 8, in John Sealy hospital in Galveston was born Aug. 23, 1878, in Colorado county. He was the son of F. A. and Ida Trott Obenhaus. He is a retired carpenter.

Besides his widow, he is survived by a son, L. E. Obenhaus of Alvin, a sister, Mrs. Frank Sanders of Oak Grove and 4 grandchildren, Joyce Carol, Lawrence and Judith Obenhaus of Alvin.

Pallbearers were G. L. B. Cousins, Frank Sanders, Jr., Owen Miller, James Dunn Seymour, Alfred Steinmann and Oliver Wegenhoft.

Colorado County Citizen, July 18, 1963
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Gertrude (Miles)

Funeral services for Mrs. L. H. Obenhaus, 83, of Bonus were held from Mill-Bauer funeral Home 3 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Ken Temple, pastor of the Bonus Baptist Church and Rev. Wayne Jones, Methodist pastor from Glen Flora and Wharton churches officiating. Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery.

Mrs. Obenhaus died in Caney Valley Hospital in Wharton following a short illness.

She was born Gertie Miles, Jan 7, 1890 near Weimar, a daughter of Joseph and Ella Miles. She was united in marriage with Louis H. Obenhaus in Weimar Dec. 3, 1911.

The family came to live in the Bonus area and have been resident there since that time. Mr. Obenhaus was a farmer and rancher and preceded his wife in death July 18, 1948.

Mrs. Obenhaus was active for many years in school activities in her community during the years that the school was operated in the Bonus community.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Harold Thomas of Eagle Lake; 3 sons, Donald, Jack and Jerald all of Eagle Lake; one sister, Mrs. W. c. Hughes of La Porte; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers.

Pallbearers were Dick Obenhaus, Roy Sanders, Victor Miles, Alvin Miles, Buster Ford and Harold Matthews. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Harold Northington, Ervin Moore, Dorman Nickels and L. C. Koehn of Wharton, Donald Duncan and F. B. Duncan of Egypt; Ed Causey, Dr. R. R. Thomas, Dr. J. R. Laughlin, W. J. (Ted) Brunner, J. J. New and Earl Carter of Eagle Lake; Joe Peikert of Bernardo and Preston Simmons of Weimar.

Colorado County Citizen, March 9, 1972
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Gus Faber

Gus Obenhaus, 68, Drives to Hospital, Dies 30 Min. Later

Gus Faber Obenhaus, 68, a lifelong resident of Columbus died about 11 a.m. Sunday at the Columbus hospital a short time after he had driven himself from Glidden.

He had worked that morning at his job with the Southern Pacific railroad at Glidden.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at Columbus Funeral Home and burial was in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery. The Rev. Parke Smith, Episcopal rector of Eagle Lake, was in charge of services.

Mr. Obenhaus left Glidden at his usual lunch hour and drove to the hospital. He died in about 30 minutes.

Mrs. Obenhaus was under treatment at the hospital after her husband's death.

Other survivors are a son, Gus Faber Obenhaus, Jr. of Angleton and three grandchildren. He was in Columbus on a hunting trip with friends and was with his father about ten minutes before his death.

Weimar Mercury, December 20, 1957
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Gus Faber Jr.

Obenhaus

Gus F. Obenhaus Jr., 89, of Columbus, passed away Jan. 23 at Columbus Community Hospital.

He was born in Columbus, Sept. 27, 1916, to Gus Faber and Mary Olivia (Wooten) Obenhaus and married Helen Orr, Nov. 1, 1941. He was a retired petroleum engineer with Amoco Petroleum, served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Sigma NU and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife; daughters and son-in-law, Alice Sharon Schol and Mary Ellen and Robert Bolton, all of Columbus; son and daughter-in-law, Richard Raymond and Mindy Obenhaus of Grapevine; grandchildren, Mark Schol, Amy, Rachel and Danielle Sherman, Ryan and Michael Obenhaus and Courtney and Chris Bolton; and great-grandchildren, Laney and Tommy Schol and Brycen and Caden Crofoot.

Funeral services were conducted Jan. 27 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. Carey Todd officiating. Interment followed at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus.

Pallbearers were Johnny Gooch, Del Piper, Bruce Jeffries, Buddy Wooten, Smokey Leyendecker, Chris Bolton and Mark Schol.

Colorado County Citizen, February 1, 2006
Courtesy of The Citizen

Obenhaus, Henry Thomas (aka Charles)

Friends in this section were greatly shocked Tuesday afternoon to learn of the death of the little son of Mr. Walter Obenhaus and wife, which occurred at Glidden same afternoon through the careless handling of a loaded target rifle in the hand of a boy companion. The little fellow was shot through the bowels, and lived but a few minutes after the accident. He was about 4 years of age. The remains were brought to Borden for interment [Borden Cemetery] the following afternoon, Rev. John Nickens performing the funeral obsequies. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved parents in the loss of their beloved little son.

Weimar Mercury, December 1, 1906

It is with deep regret that the sad news was received here, this week of the death of little Thomas son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Obenhaus, of Glidden, formerly of this place. Thomas was only six years old and was shot accidently by a boy named Walker, aged fifteen or sixteen years. The boy Walker, (so we was informed) came by Mr. Obenhaus from school and picked up a rifle and playfully remarked, “I believe I will shoot you” and pointed the gun at the little fellow and fired, never dreaming the gun was loaded, and killed the child almost instantly. Mr. and Mrs. Obenhaus have the sympathy of the entire community here, and we pray that God will bless them in their troubles, and may they be consoled by the thought, that their little one who has been taken from them, is with the angels, and will await them onhigh [sic], where the[r]e will be no more sorrowing or parting.

Schulenburg Sticker, 6 Dec 1906, Osage Notes column
Contributed by Matt Cross

Obenhaus, Henry Wayne

Former Eagle Lake Youth Killed In Traffic Mishap

Eagle Lake--Henry Wayne Obenhaus, 21, of Freeport, formerly of Eagle Lake, was buried in the Lakeside cemetery here Friday after services in the Jones Creek Baptist church.

Mr. Obenhaus, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Obenhaus, was killed when hit by a car on Highway 36 about 6 miles west of Freeport about 1:30 a.m. last Thursday
Houston newspapers reported that the car left the scene and was being sought by officers.

Survivors include his parents; a brother, Lawrence H. Obenhaus; and 2 sisters, Myra Obenhaus of Houston and Mrs. Austin Walls Jr. of South Carolina.

Colorado County Citizen, December 3, 1964

Obenhaus, Jake Grovan

Obenhaus

Jake Grovan Obenhaus, resident of Glidden and Columbus and former resident of San Marcos passed away Aug. 14.

He was born in Glidden on July 11, 1914 to Percy William and Sophie Dora Scheller Obenhaus, one of six children.

He was a man who believed in honesty and exemplified integrity. He was a loving and faithful husband and a wonderful example to his three children.

He loved working with school children and teachers, earning their love and respect.

His grandchildren have wonderful memories of a playful and always loving grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Adah May Allin Obenhaus; his sister Gladys and her husband Tom Perry; sister Waldine; brother Willis and his wife Ronnie Obenhaus; and brothers-in-law James K. Wallace and John McDaniels.

He is survived by children Jacquelyn and her husband Terry Fischer, Debbie and her husband Ted Thomas, and Greg Obenhaus and fiancee Amy Fey; grandchildren Wendy Marie Fischer, Jeannette Kathryn Thomas, Curtis Allin Thomas, Amber Nichole Obenhaus and Jacob Allin Obenhaus; great-granddaughter Sophie Virginia Whitehead-Thomas; sisters Lois Wallace (101) and Juanita McDaniels; longtime special friend Jewel McNabb; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Memorial services will take place Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Glidden Baptist Church in Glidden with the Brother Gerald Hendon officiating.

There will be a gathering time for family and friends afterward at the church fellowship hall.

The cremated remains will be interred in the presence of immediate family and close friends later that day at the San Marcos Cemetery in San Marcos.

The family wishes to thank the staff of River Oaks Nursing Home (particularly those on the 500 hall), Dr. Kirk Anderson and Houston Hospice for their compassionate and loving care, not only for Jake but for his family members.

For those desiring, the family asks that a donation be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Colorado County Citizen, August 20, 2008
Courtesy The Citizen

Obenhaus, Jessie Ann (Lyle)

Mrs. Jessie Ann Lyle Obenhaus of Eagle Lake, a resident of the Ramsey community for many years, and a former resident of Columbus, died Dec. 23 after a lengthy illness.

She was preceded in death by husband, Cleve Obenhaus, former Columbus businessman.

Mrs. Obenhaus was born November 14, 1894 in Kansas. She was a member of Colley Memorial United Methodist Church in Eagle Lake for many years and was active in the women's organizations of her church. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Colley Methodist Church, with the Rev. David Edgar, pastor, officiating. Interment was in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus. Columbus Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Surviving are a daughter, Miss Mary B. Obenhaus of Houston; one son, J. L. Obenhaus of Richwood, and a brother, Fred Lyle, of Ramsey.

Colorado County Citizen, January 3, 1974
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, John Cleve

Funeral Services Held Sunday for Cleve Obenhaus

Funeral services for John Cleve Obenhaus, 63, wee held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 from the Columbus Funeral Home, with interment in Odd Fellows Rest. Rev. C. B. Diltz officiated. Mr. Obenhaus died of a stroke at 8:45 Saturday morning.'Mr. Obenhaus was born at Oak Grove on April 15, 1890, and spent his entire life in Colorado county. He was a son of Julius Henry and Mary Emma Folts Obenhaus. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Jessie Lyle Obenhaus, of Columbus; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Bernice Leachelin of Houston, a son, Julius Lyle Obenhaus of Rosenberg; four sisters, Mrs. Selma Caley, and Mrs. Julia Miles of Houston, Mrs Mollie Wegenhoft of Columbus, and Mrs. Vera Schiller of Glidden; and two grandchildren Julius Lyle Obenhaus, Jr. and Vernon Cleve Obenhaus of Rosenberg.

Pall bearers were E. G. Miller, Lee Hastedt, Joe Knight, N. P. Isgrig, Gus Williams and G. H. Miller.

Colorado County Citizen, April 6, 1944

Obenhaus, John Elwood “Speedy”

Obenhaus

John Elwood "Speedy" Obenhaus, 97, of Port Lavaca, passed away Nov. 17.

He was born Sept. 24, 1909, in Wharton, to the late John Arnold and Nellie Belle Obenhaus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Aline Alma Obenhaus; and brother, Charles H. Obenhaus.

He is survived by his sons, Lynn E. Obenhaus and his wife Vicky of Katy, and Larry Lee Obenhaus and his wife Lynn of Corpus Christi; grandchildren, Michael Obenhaus, John Obenhaus, Ronald Obenhaus and wife Amy, Timothy Obenhaus and wife Kristi, and Jeffrey Obenhaus, wife Stefanie and their daughter Krista.

Funeral Services were conducted Nov. 20, at Glidden Baptist Church in Glidden. Interment followed at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

Serving as Pallbearers were his grandsons.

Colorado County Citizen, November 22, 2006
Courtesy The Citizen 

Obenhaus, Julius

Mr. Julius Obenhaus a former resident of Fayette and Colorado counties, passed away February 11, 1902 at Wichita Falls, Texas. He was an honest, upright, Christian gentleman, highly respected and loved by all who knew him, and on who always had the welfare of every one at heart and worked for the elevation of mankind and the best interest of his country. Mr. Obenhaus moved from Germany to this country fifty years ago and devoted himself to the advancement of the country and building up of mankind in moral and intelligent lines. His many deeds of kindness will long be remembered by his hosts of friends in Fayette and Colorado Counties.

Dated February 13, 1902
Submitted by Angie Collier
Angie also wrote"He was born in Lippe Detmold, Germany in 1829 and came to Colorado County, Texas about 1844 with his parents"

Obenhaus, Julius Henry

Funeral services for Julius Henry Obenhaus, 88, who died Thursday, July 27th, after an illness of five years, were held Friday afternoon at Columbus Funeral Home. Rev. Lewis, pastor of Eagle Lake Methodist Church officiating.

Burial was in Live Oak Cemetery beside the body of wife who had preceded him in death 25 years before.

Pallbearers were Mr. Obenhaus; grandsons: Ford, Roy, Lavo, Oliver and John Wegenhoft, Durwood Miles and J. L. Obenhaus.

Mr. Obenhaus was born near Columbus January 5th, 1851 and he lived here all of his life. He was married to Miss Louisa Boetica of Columbus, February 11, 1875. Two daughters, Mrs. John Wegenhoft and Mrs. B. F. Miles were born to this marriage. Mrs. Obenhaus died in 1879.

Mr. Obenhaus was married December 4th 1892 to Miss Emma Folts of Columbus. To this union three children were born: Mrs. T. B. Coley of Houston, Mrs. Henry Coley of Houston and J. C. Obenhaus of Columbus. Mrs. Obenhaus died in September 1912.

Mr. Obenhaus became a member of the Methodist church as a youth. Later he moved his membership to Schulenburg, but in 1936 during Rev. Dulaney's ministry here he united with the Columbus Methodist Church.

He is survived by four daughters and one son, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two brothers, Arnold Obenhaus and Ewald Obenhaus of Weimar; a sister, Mrs. James Walker of Altair.

A pioneer settler of Columbus, Mr. Obenhaus was loved and respected by all who knew him and he had a large host of friends.

Colorado County Citizen, August 3, 1939
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

 OAK GROVE ITEMS

Many hearts grieved last Thursday when the news came that Mr. Julius H. Obenhaus, an almost life-long resident of this community had died. It was known for weeks, even months, that he was in very bad health. In fact, his physical condition warranted no hope of a recovery. Nevertheless, it was a shock. His many friends regretted his passing to "that bourne from which no traveler returns".

Mr. Obenhaus died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Julia Miles of Columbus, where he had made his home for the past 3 years. The funeral took place Friday afternoon from the Columbus Funeral Home, with interment in the Live Oak Cemetery. The Methodist pastor from Columbus performed the funeral obsequies.

Julius H. Obenhaus was born near Columbus on January 5, 1852, and all his life was spent in that section and in this little community. On February 11, 1875, he was married to Miss Louise Boedker, and there were two children, girls, born to the union, Mrs. John Wegenhoft and Mrs. Julia Miles. In 1878, Mrs. Obenhaus departed leaving Mr. Obenhaus with two tiny little girls. On December 4, 1882, he was married to Miss Emma Folts, who died September 4, 1914.

There were three children born to this union, two girls and one boy, Selma, Vera, and Cleave. Mrs. Obenhaus was almost a life-long member of the Methodist church.

At the time of his death he was 87 years old. He got sick in about 1934 and at that time he was with his son, Cleave. The nature of his illness was rather puzzling and about two years later he moved to his daughter's home, where he has been ever since.

Active ball bearers were six of Mr. Obenhaus' grandsons.

There never was a better man than Mr. Obenhaus, a good father, neighbor and friend. In his younger days he was known to be of a jolly, good-natured disposition. He never intruded upon others, but those who knew him and had his confidence had many helpful talks with him. He was a good, clean man, honest, of upright habits, and true as steel to his many friends. He was never known to speak ill of another, a rare faculty in this day and time. Friendship for this good man was expressed freely during his last days by the many visitors who spent a brief while at his bedside. Assured of a heavenly home above, he was perfectly resigned to go to meet his Creator, with a smile on his face. There were many beautiful floral tributes in evidence, attesting the high esteem to which the deceased was held by his friends and neighbors everywhere.

Mr. Obenhaus is survived by five children, four girls and one boy, as follows: Mrs. John Wegenhoft and Mrs. Julia Miles of Columbus, Mrs. Selma Last of Houston; Mrs. Vera Scheller of Glidden and Cleave Obenhaus of Columbus; two brothers, A. Obenhaus of Oak Grove and "Doc" Obenhaus of Weimar; and one sister, Mrs. Jim Walker of Altair; thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren, besides a number of nieces and nephews.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones.

GOLDEN LOCKS

Weimar Mercury, August 4, 1939

Obenhaus, Julius Lyle

J. L. Obenhaus Funeral Held at Richwood

Funeral services for Julius Lyle Obenhaus, 63, of Richwood were held Thursday, March 22, from Palms Chapel of Roses, Richwood, with Rev. Jack Lord officiating.

Masonic graveside services were held at Live Oak Cemetery in Columbus.

Mr. Obenhaus died March 18 at Richwood, where he had lived the past 17 years.

A native of Columbus, he had retired from Dow Chemical Co.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Gussie Obenhaus of Richwood; two sons, J. L. Jr. and Ronald R., both of Angleton; a daughter, Mrs. Dana Margaret Jacobs of Lufkin, seven grandchildren; and a sister, Miss Mary Bernice Obenhaus of Houston.

Weimar Mercury, March 29, 1979
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Leo E.

OBENHAUS

Leo E. Obenhaus, 88, of Columbus passed away May 23 at his home.

He was born in Oak Grove Feb. 19, 1915 to Fredrick Ernest and Beulah (Clapp) Obenhaus and married Marguerite Anderson on April 16, 1948.

He was a pipe fitter for Union Carbide chemical plant, a cattle worker and hauler, and served in the U.S. Army, Pacific region during WW II. He was an active member of First Baptist Church and American Legion Post #383.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Virginia Anastacia Hankins.

He is survived by his wife; daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and husband Wayne Watts of Austin, Carol and husband Joe Riddel of Sugar Land and Judy and husband Matthew Hankins of Albuquerque, N.M.; son and daughter-in-law, Laurence and wife Candy Obenhaus of Columbus; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were May 26 at First Baptist Church in Columbus with the Rev. Sammy Carr officiating the service. Interment followed at Masonic Cemetery in Weimar.

Pallbearers were Earl Lewis, R.C. Perry, James Dunn Seymour, Kevin Riddell, Curtis Watts and Gideon Obenhaus

Colorado County Citizen, June 4, 2003
Courtesy of the Citizen

Obenhaus, Louis H.

Bonus - Nedra Citizen Dies Saturday

Everyone who knew L. H. Obenhaus was shocked and grieved when the news of his passing was given out at 1:30 Saturday afternoon, following a heart attack that he had suffered on Wednesday.  Louis H. Obenhaus, son of Charles and Florence Trot Obenhaus, was born near Columbus, August 27, 1878, and had he lived one week longer he would have been 70 years old.  He was one of seven brothers, five of whom are deceased, John, Charles, Walter, Bob, and Dick, and the only surviving brother, Percy lives at Glidden.  Mr. Obenhaus' mother passed away at San Saba when he was seven, after which the family moved back to Columbus, where he grew to manhood.  In 1902 he came to the Bonus-Nedra community, and engaged in farming and reaching, living here until he passed on Saturday, August 21, 1948, in Eagle Lake.  He was married December 3, 1911 to Miss Gertrude Miles at Live Oak near Weimar, and to this union four children were born.  Mr. Obenhaus was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a very quiet man who lived his religion, always helping those in distress regardless of who it was in need.  He was a kind husband and father, and a good friend and neighbor, and his passing is a great loss to his family and many friends.  For thirty-four years he served as school trustee, and helped to promote the building of the four schools in the district.  He took an active part in all activities that were for the good of his community.  His survivors include his widow, Mrs. Gertrude Obenhaus, one daughter, Mrs. Harold Thomas, three sons, Donald, Jack and Jerald, two grandchildren, Donna Lou and Gayle Thomas one brother, Percy, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Mill Funeral Home with burial in the Lakeside Cemetery.  The Rev. L. W. Crouch of Palacios assisted by the Rev. A. M. Brown of Eagle Lake conducted the service.  Pall bearers were Mentor Northington, F. B. Duncan, C. R. Foulk, J. J. New, Mose Thomas, S. O. Boothe, and O. R. Strunk.  Honorary pallbearers were F. J. Elliott, Bowers Toliver, Max Conner, Lee Johnson, Alex Hoeninghaus, Charles Stephens, C. E. Carter, and C. B. Campbell.

Eagle Lake Headlight, August 27, 1928
Transcribed by David Hahn

Obenhaus, Lucy Ida (Trott)

Oak Grove News
Death of Mrs. F. A. Obenhaus

May 22 --A death that brought forth universal expressions of sorrow and regret, on the part of citizenship, occurred early last Monday morning when the poor, tired spirit of Mrs. Ida Obenhaus, after a long hard struggle with some unknown disease, gave up the fight and passed unto its Maker. On the 17th of February, Mrs. Obenhaus was taken ill, and for three long months she suffered untold agonies. Her illness was not at first considered very serious, but when complications set in it was realized that a desperate situation confronted the family to save the life of this precious wife and mother, and everything that human ingenuity and medical skill could devise, was done to save the life of this noble woman, but without avail, and at 1 o'clock Monday morning she "fell asleep in the arms of Jesus," there to join the loved ones that have gone on before her, and to await the coming of other loved ones. Oh, it is hard indeed to give up this sweet wife and mother. We find comfort however, only in the fact that it is our Lord's will to take her to Himself. And, that while she can't come back to us, we can go to her, where she is at the beautiful gate waiting and watching for loved ones. To know Mrs. Obenhaus was to love her. Her kindness and tenderness made everybody her friend. The deceased was born in Tennessee, August 25, 1850, and was 65 years, 8 months and 22 days old at the time of her death. She came to Texas at the early age of nine. In the year of 1875 she was married to Mr. F. A. Obenhaus, and to this union was born four children, three of whom still survive. She was truly a good woman, and it will be hard to go to this home, that has so recently been broken up, and not find the devoted wife and mother, who was always there to greet you with a smile. It is hard to give up our loved ones. Only those who have undergone similar experiences can fully appreciate the feeling of these devoted children and husband, who have been robbed of their precious mother and wife, but God knows what is best for us all, and we commend them to Him who doeth all things well, for that consolation which He alone can give. The funeral took place Monday afternoon from the family residence, interment in the Live Oak cemetery. Revs. Stack of Weimar, Marshal of Columbus and Rice of Palacious, performing the last sad rites in a touching manner. Mrs. Obenhaus leaves to mourn her loss a husband, Mr. F. A. Obenhaus and three children, Mrs. C. F. Sanders and E. F. Obenhaus of Oak Grove and W. D. Obenhaus of Oakland, besides numerous friends. May the Heavenly Father who knoweth all things and who doeth all things for the best, console them, is the wish of the writer. We join numerous friends of the family in extending heartfelt sympathy.

Golden Locks

Weimar Mercury, May 26, 1916
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Lydia G. (Bock)

L. Obenhaus Funeral Held Here Monday

Funeral services for Mrs. Lydia G. Obenhaus, 97, a resident of Parkview Manor, were held Monday afternoon, April 14, from Hubbard Funeral chapel, with Rev. Lyle Pierce officiating.

Mrs. Obenhaus died Sunday at Youens Memorial Hospital.

Born March 9, 1883, at Oakland, she was a daughter of Charlie Henry and Ida (Grobe) Bock. After schooling at Oakland, she attended San Antonio Academy for Young Ladies. She was married in 1919 to William Dent Obenhaus, who was an Oakland merchant for more that 40 years. He died in 1956.

Mrs. Obenhaus was a member of First United Methodist Church here.

She is survived by tow stepdaughters; a brother, Dr. John bock of Dallas and a sister, Mrs. Hallie Zweiner of Houston; five nephews and two nieces. Three brothers, three sisters and a son preceded her in death.

Pallbearers were Wilbur Grohmann Sr., Daniel Ulbricht, Billy Strunk, Norbert Stech, George Strunk Jr. and Ewald Friedrich Sr.

Weimar Mercury, April 10, 1980
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Obenhaus, Mary Bernice

Obenhaus

Mary B. Obenhaus, 86, of Columbus passed away April 22 at Columbus Community Hospital.

She was born Oct. 28, 1917 in Columbus to John Cleve and Jessie Ann (Lyle) Obenhaus. She was employed with Gulf Oil Company as a secretary until she retired in 1978. She grew up in Columbus and later moved to Houston and on to Angleton before returning to Columbus in February of 2004.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Houston, a life member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas where she was an officer several times, and was an Alamo committee member. She was also a big football and sports fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Julius Lyle Obenhaus; sister-in-law, Gussie Lee Obenhaus; nephew, Vemer Cleve Obenhaus; and niece, Anna Margaret Wagner.

She is survived by nephews, J.L. Obenhaus of Ramsey and Ronnie Obenhaus of Angleton; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 26 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. Sammy Carr officiating. Interment followed at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus.

Pallbearers were Jim Obenhaus, Mike Obenhaus, John Obenhaus, Chris Jacobs, Gary Smith and Chad Baker.

Colorado County Citizen, April 28, 2004
Courtesy of The Citizen

Obenhaus, Mary Emma (Folts)

A sad and sudden death occurred in the Oak Grove Community last Friday evening when Mrs. Emma Obenhaus, the beloved wife of Julius Obenhaus, a well known farmer of that section dropped dead from some heart trouble. As we understand it, she was in apparent good health that day, and late in the evening, while in the kitchen and her husband temporarily out in the yard, she dropped to the floor and was dead when Mr. Obenhaus returned. The funeral took place at Live Oak Saturday afternoon and was attended by a large gathering of people of this section, among whom Mrs. Obenhaus was very popular. Before marriage she was a Miss Emma Folts, being a daughter of the late Jack Folts and wife of Columbus, and leaves a heart broken husband, two daughters, Mrs. Will Last of Houston and Mrs. Henry Scheller, and one son, Cleve. Mrs. Obenhaus was of a most sunny cheerful temperament, always in good humor, thoughtful of the comfort of those about her, and a better wife, mother, neighbor and friend, never lived. Her death is deeply and sincerely deplored by a large circle of friends throughout this section, who join us in expressions of sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.

Weimar Mercury, September 11, 1914
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Mrs. Erna [sic?]

Died at her home at Oak Grove August 4th, 1914, Mrs. Erna Obenhaus, wife of Mr. Julius Obenhaus aged 62 years and 6 months. She leaves a heart broken husband and 6 beloved children, 1son and 4 daughters, to mourn their irreplaceable loss. She was ever a faithful loving wife, a tender affectionate mother, a kind true friend and a good neighbor. Truly can it be said of her that a pure good woman is gone who had few faults and many virtues. Therefore today, o stricken friends, oh loving hearts bowed down in sorrow, do we wish to express to you our heartfelt sympathy and extend to you the hand of condolence in this your dark hours of grief and anguish, caused by the sudden taking away of your beloved one. I know that no words of mine can comfort or soothe your aching hearts. Yet if I dare to intrude upon your sacred sorrow I would point you to a nail-pierced hand gentler than the gentlest hand of flesh that is surely clasping your own as you weep and mourn and that after awhile you will see the silver lining to this black cloud of sorrow. But today you can remember nothing save you are bereaved, yet dear friends you will pass submissively beneath the rod and come off more than conqueror through Him that loves you and you will be able to smile through your tears and say: "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Today we can hardly realize that we are to meet her no more on earth, or that we shall hear her kindly voice no more forever. Her sudden death should be a warning to us all to be ready at all times for we truly know not the day or the hour when the Lord doth come. Let us not think of her as in the cold dark grave, but through the star of hope may we see her among the brightest and best of the loved ones who have gone on before to await our coming, then with bleeding hearts and trembling lips we say, "Father not my will but thine be done," "Oh! May our Heavenly Father comfort and sustain her heart broken husband and beloved children in this their Gethsemane. O Father, heal their broken bleeding heart as thou alone cans't heal. Earth will be sad and lonely because of her absence. Farewell for awhile dear friend, sweet be the rest till we meet on the golden shore of eternal deliverance where we will rejoice with each other again and where no shadows will separate us more as "God's hand will wipe all tears from our eyes."

A Friend

No publication or date available.

Obenhaus, Mrs. Julius

Once more there has been a gloom cast over this entire community, which only time can erase, when on Friday evening about six o'clock the death angel entered the home of Julius Obenhaus and bore to that heavenly home the precious form of that beloved wife and mother, Mrs. Emma Obenhaus of Oak Grove. The funeral took place at Live Oak Saturday evening, services being conducted by Rev. G. T. Gibbons. The church was filled to its capacity while many stood on the outside unable to gain admission. It was a long procession that followed the body to the cemetery and the floral tributes testifying to the esteem in which the deceased was held by her former comrades. The deceased was born in Tennessee, March 2, 1853, she was 61 years and 6 mo. Old at the time of her death. She moved from there here while yet an infant, with her parents, she lived in Columbus from then till she was married to Julius Obenhaus in 1883; moving to Oak Grove, where she has lived ever since. To this union there were three children born, Mrs. Will Last of Houston, Mrs. Henry Scheller and Clieve the baby. She leaves two step daughters, Mrs. Benard Miles of Oak Grove, and Mrs. John Wegenhoft of Columbus. Mrs. Obenhaus possessed many noble traits of character, was kind and generous and true to her neighbors. A better hearted lady never lived, and it is with sadness we give her up. In sorrow of heart but in meekness of resignation the broken home with its first vacant chair is lighted with the glow of the invisible presence. Not now but in the coming years we'll read the meaning in our tears. Oh, how we do miss our dear wife and mother. It is hard indeed to give up our loved ones and only those who have undergone a similar experience can fully appreciate the feelings of these devoted children and husband, so suddenly bereft of their dear wife and mother. Throughout her entire life she was noted for her charitableness of heart, her thoughtfulness and solicitude for those about her, her ministrations to the sick and needy and we are not exaggerating when we say that no one ever had a better friend and neighbor. We comment them to Him who doeth all things well, for that consolation which He alone can give. And we find comfort however, only in the fact that it was our Lord's will to take her to Himself. And that while she can not come back to us we can go to her, where she is at the beautiful gate waiting and watching for loved ones. To the heartbroken family the entire community extends their sympathy. And may God watch over each and every one.

Dear mother, thou art gone,
But oh, how we miss you;
Thou art gone to the Heavenly home
Where we will try and meet you.

Her Friend

No publication or date given
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Mary Olivia "Libby" (Wooten)

Mrs. G. F. (Libby Wooten) Obenhaus died in the Columbus Hospital Wednesday, Aug. 26, after a series of illnesses over a period of 3 years.

Services were held from St. John's Episcopal Church Friday. Interment was in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery. Rev. James H. Watt officiated.

Mrs. Obenhaus, born Aug. 5, 1892 in Eagle Lake was the daughter of J. R. and Pearle Harcourt Wooten and a lifelong resident of Colorado County. She was confirmed in St. John's Episcopal Church March 30, 1916, and was a member of Order of Eastern Star and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Surviving her are a son, Gus Faber Obenhaus of Houston; 3 grandchildren, one great grandchild and one brother, Harcourt Wooten, also of Houston.

Pallbearers were W. H. Miekow, S. K. Seymour, Jr., C. L. Griffith, Ellis Miller, Gus Miller, Jr. and G. P. Wilburn.

Colorado County Citizen, September 3, 1970
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Maud (Sanders)

Oak Grove Items

The remains of Mrs. Maud Obenhaus (nee Sanders) of Oakland was intered[sic] at Live Oak Friday evening, the funeral ceremony being conducted by Rev. Gibbons of Weimar. The church was filled to its capacity while many stood on the outside unable to gain admission. M. Rhodes, J. C. Scarborough, Aug. Strunk, Chas. Frazer, Chas. Strunk and Tom Wooldridge acted as pall bearers. The deceased was born Oct 13, 1877 being 36 years and 1 month old at the time of her death. Mrs. Obenhaus was married to Will Obenhaus in 1893 and to them three children were born, being Ida, Jetty, and Frederic. She was a true christian, a good mother, and wife and a vacant place has been left in this home which can never more be filled. She was the second daughter of Geo. Sanders and wife of this community. Oh, how hard it is to give up our loved ones, especially one as dear as mama for there is no one can take her place, but the Lord knows best. Besides her husband and three children she leaves three brothers, C. F. and Jim Sanders of this community, and J. O. Sanders of Osage, and one sister, Mrs. E. B. Mayes of Columbus; her parents Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Sanders. Out heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones in this their sad hour. May she rest in peace.

Golden Locks.

Weimar Mercury, November 21, 1913.

Obenhaus, Nola Leona (Thomas)

Mrs. W. E. Obenhaus Glidden Resident for 58 Years, Dies

Last rites for Mrs. W. E. Obenhaus of Glidden were held at Columbus Funeral home Saturday, the Revs. Jon Ryan of Houston and Lee Nelson of Lane City officiating. Burial was in Odd Fellows Rest cemetery.

Mrs. Obenhaus had been in frail health for several months. She died at her home Friday. Born in Weimar in 1878, she was a daughter of Buck and Mary Walker Thomas. She had lived in Glidden 58 years. Her husband, who was with the Southern Pacific railroad died in 1940.

Mrs. Obenhaus was a member of the Glidden Baptist church. She is survived by 2 daughters, Mrs. Harvey Hope of Glidden and Mrs. Jerome Moore of Houston and by 2 granddaughters, Mrs. Kelly McCann of Dallas and Mrs. W. W. Witmer of Houston and 6 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were nephews, Donald, Jack, Gerald, Dick, Willis and Jake Obenhaus.

Colorado County Citizen, August 13, 1964
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Otelia A.(Wolters) DeQuasay

Mrs. Otelia Obenhaus (nee Wolter) the widow of Mr. Charles H. Obenhaus who preceded her to the grave a few years ago. She was born in Germany in 1838 and came to Texas with her parents about 1850. She was married to Mr. O. A. DeQuasay about 1855, he living but a short time, in August 1865 she was married to Mr. Charles Obenhaus at Rocky Hill, Colorado County, the Rev. J. J. Scherer officiating. Of this union four children survive. Last Friday her remains arrived from Palestine and she was laid to rest in Odd Fellows Cemetery, the Rev. A. D. Sparkman officiating.

Colorado County Citizen, After 1895 Transcribed from handwritten copy by Judy Talkington

Columbus Citizen

Her many friends in Columbus and vicinity will regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Odelia[sic] Obenhaus, (Nee Wolter,) the widow of Mrs. Chas. H. Obenhaus, who preceded her to the grave a few years ago. She was born in Germany in 1838, and came with her parents to Texas about 1850. She was married to Mr. O. A. Dequasay about 1855, he living but a short time, and in August 1865, she was married to Mr. Chas. H. Obenhaus, at Rocky Hill, Colorado county, the Rev. J. J. Scherer officiating. Of this union four children survive: Mrs. R. M. Lawson, Mrs. Thulia Johnson-Gunn and Mrs. Nellie Paul of Palestine, and Mr. Charles Obenhaus of Austin.

Weimar Mercury, May 18, 1907, page 1

Obenhaus, Percy William

Percy Obenhaus Is Buried

Last rites were held Thursday at Untermeyer Funeral Home for Percy W. Obenhaus, 75, who died in Columbus Sunday. The Rev. John Stansbury of the Glidden Baptist Church and the Rev. L. W. Crouch of El Campo officiated. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Mr. Obenhaus was born in Weimar Sept. 17, 1880, son of Charles and Florence Trott Obenhaus. In 1903 he married Sophie Scheller. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1953.

They had lived in Glidden 49 years and Mr. Obenhaus had retired only a few years ago from his business as operator of the Texaco service station in Glidden.

His wife survives along with his 6 children; Mrs. Tom Perry and Mrs. James K. Wallace of Glidden, Mrs. Waldine Stein of Houston, Jake Obenhaus of Tucson, Ariz., and Willis A. Obenhaus and Mrs. John H. McDaniels of Houston, 8 grand children and 2 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were his nephews Charles Henry, Elwood, Dick, Douglas, Jack and Gerald Obenhaus.

Colorado County Citizen, December 15, 1955
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Rosa Lue (Flournoy)

Mrs. E. L. Obenhaus, 87, Buried Here Wednesday Morning

Funeral services for Mrs. E. L. Obenhaus, widow of the late E. L. "Doc" Obenhaus, formerly of here, were held at the First Baptist Church Wednesday morning. Rev. Claude L. Boone officiating. Interment was madde[sic] in the City Cemetery here, beside her late husband.

Mrs. Obenhaus. was born August 1. 1860, the daughter of Mordecai G. and Martha Jane Flournoy, at the old Flournoy homestead. south of Weimar. She and her husband were life-long residents of Colorado County; when Mr. Obenhaus died about two years ago, Mrs. Obenhaus moved to Houston to live with her daughter, Mrs. Leon Grodhaus. who is the only immediate survivor. She was a member of the Live Oak Baptist Church.

Pallbearers at the funeral were Lee Flournoy, W. Ben Flournoy, Will Obenhaus, Earnest Obenhaus, Louis Obenhaus, and Percy Obenhaus.

Weimar Mercury, May 14, 1948, page 1

Obenhaus, Solomon

WEIMAR LOCAL MATTERS

An aged darkey by the name of Solomon Obenhaus was found drowned in the swimming hole in D. W. Jackson’s pasture last Saturday morning Uncle Solomon was considerably past three score and ten, and was very feeble. When last seen, the Saturday previous, he had a fishing pole on his shoulder, and it is supposed that he went there to fish and being weak and feeble fell into the water and drowned. From the looks of the body it is thought that the old man had been in the water at least a week before he was found. [Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, March 10, 1887

Obenhaus, Sophie Dora (Scheller)

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Sophie Dora Obenhaus of Glidden, Monday December 20 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. George Snow officiating.

Burial was held at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home.

Mrs. Obenhaus was born November 12, 1883 in Colorado county to Louis Scheller and Mary Jane Berthold Scheller. She married Percy W. Obenhaus March, 1904. Mrs. Obenhaus was a housewife and a resident of Glidden for 79 years. She was also a member of Glidden Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy W. Obenhaus, one son, Willis A. Obenhaus and two daughters, Gladys Perry and Waldine Stein.

Survivors include one daughter, Lois Wallace and son-in-law, Jimmie Wallace of Glidden; one son, Jake Obenhaus of San Marcus; one sister, Alma Tooke of Houston; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Delmer Fehrenkamp, Dick Jones, Philip Obenhaus, Terry Fischer, Ted Thomas and David Fehrenkamp.

Colorado County Citizen, January 2, 1986

Obenhaus Correction

In last weeks Citizen (January 2), on the obituary of Mrs. Sophie Dora Obenhaus we inadvertently omitted one of the daughters, Juanita McDaniels of Glidden

Colorado County Citizen, January 9, 1986
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, unknown

Eagle Lake Headlight--Our sympathy is extended Mr. and Mrs. Richard Obenhaus in the death of their infant daughter, which occurred Wednesday morning. [Place of interment unknown]

Weimar Mercury, September 11,1908

Obenhaus, Unknown Child

A little child of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Obenhaus of this vicinity died last Monday. Rev. John Nickens of this city officiated at the funeral. Our sincere sympathy is extended the bereaved parents. [Place of interment unknown]

Weimar Mercury, December 16, 1899 

Obenhaus, Vera (Semora)

OBENHAUS

Vera Semora Obenhaus, 79, of Bonus, passed away June 6, at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hos-pital in Houston following a brief illness.

A native of Karnes County, she was born Elvera Theresa Semora on Aug. 5, 1923 to Francis Oscar and Lillie Lorene (Moore) Semora. The family later moved to Yoakum, where she was raised and attended school. She and Jack Moran Obenhaus were married in El Campo on Jan. 15, 1949. She had been a resident of the Eagle Lake and the Bonus area most all her life, a member of the First Methodist Church of Wharton, and led a career as a professional seamstress.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Bernice Semora, Molly Nolen, Gertrude Matecek, Irene Seitz and Letha Henneke; and brothers, Noah and Lewis Semora.

She is survived by sons, Ross Obenhaus and Gary Obenhaus, both of Eagle Lake; sister, Melba Beverlin of Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Ella mae Semora of Sealy; grandson, Dale Obenhaus of Eagle Lake; and brother-in-law, Donald Obenhaus and wife, Mary, of Bonus.

Funeral services were conducted June 9, from the Eagle Lake United Methodist Church, with the Rev. David King, pastor of Eagle Lake and Lehrer Memorial United Methodist Churches officiating, and Carol Joyce Ripper, organist. Interment followed in Lakeside Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ryan Waddell, Donnie Obenhaus, Rick Beverlin, Mack Wade Dromgoole and Dennis and Phillip Krenek.

Memorials be made to the United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 695, Eagle Lake, TX 77434.

Colorado County Citizen, June 11, 2003
Courtesy of the Citizen

Obenhaus, Vernon Cleve

Clieve Obenhaus, 54, Dies Suddenly, Funeral Sunday

Clieve Obenhaus, 54, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Julius Obenhaus of the Oak Grove community, died in the Columbus Hospital after suffering a heart attack while on duty as night-watchman for the Southern Pacific railroad, at the east bridge at Columbus.

The crew of a passing train at about 11:30 Saturday night noticed the man lying face down near the shack at the bridge and notified authorities in Glidden. An ambulance was summoned and the man taken to a hospital where he died without regaining consciousness.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon with interment in the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery at Columbus.

Mr. Obenhaus was born and reared at Oak Grove and attended the Oak Grove school. In 1916 he was untied in marriage to Miss Jessie Lyle of Ramsey. To this union two children were born. The family had made their home in Columbus for 26 years, moving to Ramsey about two years ago.

Survivors include his widow, two children, J. L. and Mary Bernice of Houston; two grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Julia Miles and Mrs. C. Coley of Houston, Mrs. John Wegenhoft of Columbus and Mrs. Henry Scheller of Glidden.

The Mercury extends sympathy.

Weimar Mercury, April 7, 1944
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Walter Edward

Word was received here last Friday of the death of Mr. Walter Obenhaus of Glidden. Mr. Obenhaus was well and favorably known down here, having lived near here in years gone by. No citizen ever had a better reputation for uprightness of character than Mr. Obenhaus, and he was highly regarded by every one who knew him. Our deepest sympathy is extended his widow and two daughters, Mrs. Harvey Hope and Mrs. Johnnie Lee Hurr. [Interment in Odd Fellows Rest]

Colorado County Citizen, February 29, 1940
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Walter Obenhaus, Well Known Glidden Resident, 65, Dies

(Special to the Mercury)

Final rites for Walter Obenhaus, 65, widely-known county resident of Glidden, whose death occurred suddenly of a heart attack Friday morning and who had been in ill health for some time, were held Saturday from the family residence with the Rev. Melvin C. Eidson, his former pastor and a long-time friend of the family, officiating.

The deceased is survived by his widow, the former Miss Nolie Thomas, whom he married in 1897; two daughters, Mrs. Harvey Hope and Mrs. Hy. Hurr, Jr.; a granddaughter, Ethel Hurr; and one adopted granddaughter, Betty Jo Hope, all of Glidden.

Pall bearers included nephews and nephews-in-law. They were J. Wallace, Jake and Douglas Obenhaus, Donald Obenhaus, Harold Thomas, and Richard Obenhaus.

The funeral precession was one of the largest seen here in some time, showing the respect and esteem in which the deceased was held. Many relatives and friends from distant towns were present at the last sad rites. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Rest at Columbus.

Weimar Mercury, March 1, 1940
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, William August

After a lingering illness, Mr. W. A. Obenhaus died at his home in this city Saturday morning April 11, of throat affection. While the public expected to hear the dreaded word, it was sad to realize the fact and the town was shrouded in gloom.

August Obenhaus was born in this county May 12, 1954, and has been a resident of this city for about 36 years. He was married to Miss Bertha Faber in this city November 25, 1881, and two sons, George and August, blessed the union &endash; the widow and children surviving.

For the past quarter century Mr. Obenhaus has been a good citizen of Columbus, having clerked for several of our prominent merchants, now all dead. For years he was an active member of our Fire Co. He conducted a grocery of his own for a long time, and was known by every one as a strictly honest man. Mr. Obenhaus has held several positions of trust within the gift of the people. He was a fair man any way you took him, possessed a fine principle, was the soul of honor, and Columbus loses a useful citizen.

He was a member of the Home Circle and O. D. H. S. Lodge, the latter order burying him at 3 p.m. April 12 , in the City [sic]Cemetery, in the presence of a host of sorrowing relatives and friends.

A special mission of sympathy is extended the bereaved family and other relatives and friends.

A noble man is at rest.

From a typewritten transcribed copy. No newspaper or date given.
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, William Dent

Final Rites for W. D. Obenhaus, 80, Held Today

Funeral services for William Dent Obenhaus, 80, former merchant at Oakland for more than 40 years, were held this (Thursday) morning from Hubbard Funeral Home, with burial in Masonic Cemetery here.

The Rev. Howard Parshall, pastor of First Baptist Church, and Rev. Kyle Nagel, pastor of Weimar Methodist Church officiated. Mr. Obenhaus had joined the Baptist church as a young man, but there being no Baptist church at Oakland, had been a faithful worker in the Methodist church there for many years and later in the Weimar church.

Ill for more than a year, he died at his home in Oakland Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Born near Weimar Dec. 14, 1875, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Obenhaus. His mother was a ??dd [Trott], a native of England. His first wife, the former Miss Maude Sanders died and in 1919 he married Miss Lydia Bock at Weimar.

Mr. Obenhaus and the late Oscar Sanders were partners in a general mercantile business for 35 years until Mr. Obenhaus bought the other's interest. Mr. Sanders died in January of this year. Illness forced Mr. Obenhaus to close the store a little over a year ago.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Lydia Obenhaus of Oakland; two daughters, Mrs. Owen Willis of Fairbanks, Calif. And Mrs. Jess Scheller of Hearne; a brother, Ernest Obenhaus of Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Frank Sanders of Live Oak; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A son preceded him in death many years ago.

Pallbearers were six nephews, Chas. Zwiener of Galveston, Douglas Zwiener of Houston, Dr. L. C. Bock of Bryan, Chas. Bock of Hallettsville, and Frank and Wilbur Sanders.

Weimar Mercury, September 7, 1956
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obenhaus, Willis A.

Willis A. Obenhaus, 64, entered into rest Monday, January 5, 1981. Resident of Houston 35 years. Retired conductor of Southern Pacific Railroad. Survivors: Wife, Mrs. Ronnie Obenhaus of Houston; mother, Mrs. Sophie Obenhaus of Glidden; daughters, Carol Marie Obenhaus and Susie Castle; son-in-law, David Castle, son and daughter-in-law, Philip Allen and Elizabeth Obenhaus all of Houston; sisters, Mrs. Waldine Stein and Mrs. Lois Wallace of Glidden and Mrs. Nita McDaniels of F. Worth; brother, Jake Obenhaus of San Marcos; grandson, Andrew Obenhaus of Houston and a number of nieces nephews. Services, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chapel of the Garden, Rev. John H. McDaniels officiating.

Houston Post, January 6, 1981
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Obrecht, George

George Obsiceht [sic.] died at Frelsburg on the 5th inst. Deceased was born in 1783 and was a soldier under the first Napoleon. He was nearly 99 years of age at the time of his death and was made a Mason in 1814. [Place of interment unknown]

Brenham Weekly Banner, January 12, 1882, page 1

RESOLUTION OF RESPECT

Hall of Caledonia Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M. Columbus, February 6, 1882

We, the Brethren of Caledonia Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M. are called upon to mourn the loss of one of its charter member, our esteemed Brother, Geo. Obrecht, who departed this life on the 5th day of January, A. L. 1882, at Frelsburg, Texas, at the ripe old age of 90 years, and after a service of 69 years in the interest of the craft.

Made a Mason in 1813 in Lodge St. Jean seus le titre d’Henry IV., under the jurisdiction of the G. O. of France, his work was such that in 1838, when he eimigrated[sic] from his native country, his Brethren presented him with a certificate of the highest respect. Settling in Texas he early affiliated with the craft under this jurisdiction, and at the organization of Caledonia Lodge, he was a charter member and served her as Tyler for the first ten years of her existence.

When old age crept upon him, leaving him without relatives and very infirm, he found in his Brethren of the mystic tie, a family bound to him by the kindliest ties of affection, who supplied the place of those denied him by nature. Though spared by the scythe of time until we believe he was the oldest living Mason in this jurisdiction, and perhaps in the United States, the summons anxiously looked for by him, at last came, and he was called to rest and refreshment above.

As a slight tribute of our respect for the memory of our deceased Brother and his many virtues.

Be it Resolved, That in the death of Bro. Obrecht, our Lodge has lost a worthy member, our State a good citizen, one, who though a soldier under the Great Napoleon, in his youth, in later years preferred the private walks of life, yet who in his humble station performed his duty faithfully.

Resolved. That a page in the minute book be set apart wherever to inscribe his many virtues.

Resolved, That this Lodge and the Jewels thereof be draped and the members, wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days; and as a further testimonial, that this Lodge purchase the portrait of our deceased Brother, wherewith to adorn the walls of this Lodge.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be published in the Colorado Citizen.

Friench Simpson )
J. J. Dick, ) Committee
W. S. Delany )
Attest: Friench Simpson, Sec. pro tem.

Colorado Citizen, February 23, 1882, page 3

Odell, Frank

About seven o’clock last Saturday morning a brakeman named Frank Odell was killed by the cars on the railroad bridge across the river at this place. He attempted to descend from a box to a flat car while train was in motion crossing the bridge, missed his footing, fell between the cars, and was killed immediately. One half of his head was cut off, an arm broken, and he was otherwise frightfully mangled. Death must have been instantaneous. [Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, June 21, 1888, page 3

Odom, Joel J.

FUNERAL HELD FOR MAN AT COLUMBUS

Columbus, Texas, April 3--Funeral services were held here Thursday for Joseph J. Odom who died Wednesday at his home here. Rev. W. D. Wyatt of the First Baptist Church officiated.

Mr. Odom was one of the few Confederate veterans of this vicinity, having entered the Southern army at the age of 16. He was made a prisoner at the battle of Vicksburg, and was sent to Ship Island, where he remained until near the close of the war. He moved to Texas from Alabama in 1876, and was engaged in farming near Columbus for many years, finally moving to town.

He is survived by two sons, Wilburn and Dennis Odom, and one daughter , Miss Lou Odom, all of Columbus. [Interment in Odd Fellows Rest]

Weimar Mercury, April 10, 1931

Odom, Lou

Funeral Rites Held Today for Miss Lou Odom

Funeral services were held this morning at 10 o'clock for Miss Lou Odom, 83, with interment at Odd Fellows Rest. Rev. L. M. Chapman officiating. Untermeyer Bros. were in charge of arrangements.

Miss Odom died early Sunday in a La Grange hospital a few hours after a fall at her home here when her hip was broken. She was born in Alabama on September 26, 1860, a daughter of Joel and Nonie Odom, coming to Colorado county with her parents when she was about 14. She had lived in the north part of Columbus for the past 45 years.

Survivors include two brothers, Joel Dennis Odom and Marion Wilburn Odom of this place and several nephews and nieces.

Coming from out of town for the services were Mrs. Mary Finks, Robstown; Mr. and Mrs. John Henderson and Robert Kolb, Yoakum; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Neal, Helen May and Hazel Neal, Robert Boswell and Mrs. Dolly Warren, Houston.

Pallbearers were Bob Neal, Houston, Albert Hahn, Herman Braden, W. H. Miekow, Henry Buescher and E. G. Miller.

Colorado County Citizen, February 24, 1944

Odom, W. M.

W. M. Odom Dies At San Antonio

Funeral services were held from the Columbus Funeral Home Sunday at 3 p.m. for W. M. Odom, 66, who died at San Antonio Friday. Burial was in Odd Fellows Rest with the Rev. J.K. Ridgway of the Baptist church officiating.

Mr. Odom was born in this county on June 9, 1879, a son of J. D. and Nonie Kolb Odom. He spent his entire life in and near Columbus with the exception of the past several months when he lived in San Antonio. He was a carpenter by trade. He had been in ill health for the past few years.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ophelia Odom, a brother, J. D. Odom, and relatives in Alabama.

Pallbearers were Robert Neal, Houston, and Albert Goldsmith, A. W. Hahn, Stephen McCormick, H. H. Girndt and Charles Rau Jr.

Attending the funeral from out of town were Robert Boswell and Mr. and Mrs. Neal and Miss Hazel Neal of Houston.

Colorado County Citizen, February 8, 1945

Oeltjendiers, Bessie (Zapalac)

Bessie (Zapalac) Oeltjendiers Services May 22

Bessie (Zapalac) Oeltjendiers, 83, died May 20 in Houston as the result of heart failure.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at the Weimar United Church of Christ with Rev. Skip Sirnic officiating. Burial services followed at the Masonic Cemetery.

Mrs. Oeltjendiers was born on July 22, 1913 to Joseph and Anna (Konvicka) Zapalac in Colorado County.

She married Fritz Oeltjendiers in Weimar in 1946.

Mrs. Oeltjendiers lived in this area from 1913 to 1994 and lived in Houston from 1994 to 1997.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1962; her brothers Frank Zapalac, Louis Zapalac, Joe Zapalac; her sisters, Louisa Zapalac, Annie Zapalac, and Albina Zapalac.

Mrs. Oeltjendiers is survived by her sons Fritz Oeltjendiers, Jr. of Guymon, Okla., and Ken Oeltjendiers of Houston; her sister, Emelia Wasek of Wharton; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Henry Oeltjendiers, Frank Wasek, Steve Janca, Gary Janca, Roger Karm and Butch Schmidt.

The Weimar Mercury, May 29, 1997
Transcribed by Jennie Muggli

Oeltjendiers, Dietrich

DEATH OF AN HONORED CITIZEN
WELL KNOWN FARMER OF THIS COMMUNITY SUCCUMBS AFTER MANY MONTHS OF ILLNESS.

Mr. Dietrich Oeltjendiers a well known and honored citizen of this community, died at the fami!y residence two miles east of Weimar Monday last, after many years of suffering, he being afflicted with a form of rheumatism which in a way rendered him almost helpless. The funeral took place at the Odd Fellows' Cemetery Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, Lutheran pastor, conducting the services. A large crowd of sympathizing relatives and friends was present to witness the last sad rites.

Mr. Oeltjendiers was born Nov. 14. 1854, in Garnholterfelde, County of W'esterstede. Province of Oldenburg, Germany. There he attended the public and religious schools for a period of eight years. He was confirmed in the Evang. Luth. Church of his home town. In 1879 he married Miss Helene Brunkenhoefer. In 1880 the couple emigrated to this country and settled in Weimar, where the husband followed the occupation of farmer. In 1896. on Nov. 11, his wife died, following the birth of his first born child, within seven days. Sept. 16, 1897, he again married, his bride being Mrs. Hulda Haus, nee Kordes. This union was short-lived, for in 1902 she also passed into eternity, leaving a child, which was born in 1900. His third and last union was on May 20, 1906. to Mrs. Caroline Sadeski, who survives with the following relatives: Mrs. Anna Menke, his child from a previous marriage; John Niemeyer, Willie, Henry and Fritz Niemeyer, all of Weimar, Mrs. Emma Hots of Germany, Mrs. Caroline Lueck and Mrs. Anna Kemmars of Houston (his step-children) ; 24 grandchildren, a brother Brunk Oeltjendiers, and a sister, Mrs. Anna Gehlers, both of Germany. Deceased had attained the age of 70 years, 2 months and 19 days. He was a member of the Evang. Luth. Church of Weimar.

Mr. Oeltjendiers was a good man in every sense of the term. Despite the fact that for nearly twenty years he was crippled and almost helpless, he never lost his cheerfulness and good nature, and always greeted his friends with a cheery, kindly welcome. Honest, a man of upright character, a good christIan citizen, he was highly respected by everyone who knew him.

To the bereaved ones our heartfelt condolence is extended.

Weimar Mercury, February 6, 1925, page 1

Oeltjendiers, Emma

A little daughter of Mr. Oltjendiers[sic], a farmer living near this city, died and was buried Thursday afternoon. We sympathize with the bereaved parent in his affliction. [Interment in Weimar Odd Fellows]

Weimar Mercury, October 25, 1902, page 8

Oeltjendiers, Fritz

1 Dead, 2 Seriously Injured in Wreck

Fritz Oeltjendiers, 67, was fatally injured at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, when he turned his car into the path of an oncoming car on Highway 90 a short distance east of town. He had three broken ribs and a punctured lung, but his injuries at first did not appear to be as dangerous as they were.

The three other occupants of the Oeltjendiers car were injured, two of them seriously. The driver of the other car, F. J. Bryant of Weimar, was not badly hurt.

Joe F. Zapalac, 66, brother-in-law of Mr. Oeltjendiers, who was riding beside him in the front seat, suffered a broken right leg, broken right hip, broken left arm, multiple fracture of his jaw, and concussion. He was moved from Youens Hospital here Wednesday to Veterans Hospital in Houston.

Mrs. Zapalac, 67, is in Youens Hospital with a broken pelvis. She was riding in the back seat with 6-year-old Kenneth Oeltjendiers, who received bruises and minor cuts.
The accident occured[sic] in front of Roadside market, about a mile east of Weimar. Highway Patrolman Alton Adcock said his investigation showed Mr. Oeltjendiers, heading east, turned left (toward the market’s driveway) in front of the oncoming Bryant car. The Oeltjendiers car, a 1947 Plymouth, and the Bryant car, a 1955 Ford, both were total wrecks, but neither turned over, nor were any of the occupants thrown out.

Funeral services for Mr. Oeltjendiers were held Saturday afternoon at Weimar United Church of Christ, with Rev. George Fuchs officiating. He was buried in Masonic Cemetery. Hubbard Funeral Home directed.

He was born Jan. 30, 1895, in Germany, and came to this country as a small boy, the family settling at Holman. He married Miss Bessie Zapalac in 1946, and they farmed near Weimar for about five years before moving to town ten years ago. Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Fritzie, 15, and Kenneth. 6; one brother, August, of La Grange; and two sisters, Mrs. Anton Ripper of Schulenburg and Miss Lena Oeltjendiers, of Kansas.

Pallbearers were Elo Oeltjendiers, H. Oeltjendiers, Bennie Ripper, Erwin Zapalac, Eddie Barcak, and August J. Wasek.

Weimar Mercury, May 17, 1962, page 1

Oeltjendiers, G. D."Dick"

"DICK’’ OELTJENDIERS DEAD

“Dick” Oeltjendiers, well known farmer living southwest of Weimar, died Saturday morning, after a brief illness, and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery west of town Sunday afternoon. His wife preceded him to the grave several years since. Rev. O. A. Meyer officiated at the funeral service.

The only living relative of Mr. Oeltjendiers that we know of (and we believe we are correct in this statement) is a sister, Mrs. L. H. Fisher of Houston. She and her husband were here to attend the funeral.--Mr. Oeltjendiers was a well-to-do farmer, about 60 years of age, and had numerous friends, in and around Weimar who regret his untimely death.

Our sincere sympathy goes out to his bereaved ones.

Weimar Mercury, March 23, 1934

Oeltjendiers, Helene (Brunkenhoefer)

Died, Nov. 11, at her home near Weimar, Mrs. D. Oltjendiers[sic], after a brief illness, aged 36 years. She was born in Germany in 1860, and moved to Weimar in 1880. Deceased leaves a husband who is paralyzed and helpless, to mourn her death. Our sincere sympathy is extended. [ This or Hulda could be the “Mother” buried beside Dietrich Oeltjendiers in Odd Fellows Cemetery]

Weimar Mercury, November 14, 1896, page 8

Oeltjendiers, Hulda (Kordes) Hans

Mrs. Richard Oltjendiers[sic], Sr., an estimable lady of this section, died last Saturday afternoon of consumption, and was buried the following afternoon. Our sincere sympathy is extended the bereaved husband and family. [ This or Helene could be the “Mother” buried beside Dietrich Oeltjendiers in Odd Fellows Cemetery]

Weimar Mercury, March 1, 1902

Oeltjendiers, Louise (Jecmann)

Death Claims Mrs. Louise Oeltjendiers

After an illness of some three years or more, the last seven months of which she was bed-ridden, Mrs. Louise Oeltjendiers, wife of Mr. G. D. Oeltjendiers, farmer living a few miles southwest of Weimar, was claimed by death last Saturday afternoon.

The funeral took place Sunday afternoon at the Weimar Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, local Lutheran minister, officiating. Quite a large attendance of sorrowing relatives and friends was present to be witness to the last sad rites.

Mrs. Louise Oeltjendiers, nee Jecmann, was born May 5, 1878 in Pohl, Moravia. In 1891 she came to America with her mother and sister and settled in Colorado county. Jan 5, 1899, she was united in marriage to Mr. Oeltjendiers. Surviving her are the husband, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jno Wiltsch, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Thurston of Los Angeles, Calif.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her bereaved ones.

Weimar Mercury, December 19, 1930
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Ojeda, Adolfina (Perez)

Ojeda

Funeral services were held for Adolfina Ojeda, 79, of Columbus, on Saturday. March 2 at the St. Anthony's Catholic Church under the direction of Henneke Funeral Rome, with Father Brian Crookes officiating. [Interment in St. Anthony's Cemetery]

She died on February 28 in St. Luke's Hospital in Houston. She was born In Havana, Cuba to Ramona Castillo and Jose Perez on April 8, 1906.

She is survived by her husband, Facundo Ojeda, a daughter, Olga Rodriguez of Columbus, a son, Jose Fernandez of Miami, Florida, and a brother, Santiago Perez of Havana, Cuba.

Pallbearers were Fermin R. Rodriguez, Ramon C. Rodriguez, Joe Fernandez, Jorge Alonso, Facundo Ojeda, and Miguel A. Garcia.

Colorado County Citizen, March 7, 1985, page 2 

Ojeda, Facundo

Facundo Ojeda, 86, of Columbus died Friday, Aug. 5, 1994 in a Columbus nursing home.

Born May 11, 1908, in Havana, Cuba, he was the won of Jose and Ursula (Quesada) Ojeda. On Feb. 16, 1951, he married Adolfina Perez. A Columbus resident since 1978. Mr. Ojeda was pharmacist and a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus.

Funeral services were held Aug. 7, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Father Dan Kahlich officiating. Interment followed in St. Anthony Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus.

Serving as pallbearers were Fermin R. Rodriguez, Ramon C. Rodriguez, Jose Fernandez, Michael L. Poncik, Ramon Rodriguez Jr. and Vincente Alonso.

Mr. Ojeda is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Olga and Fermin R. Rodriguez of Columbus; son Jose Fernandez of Miami, Fla.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife on Feb. 28, 1985, his parents and several brothers and sisters.

Colorado County Citizen, August 10, 1994
Transcription by Dennis Boatright

Oldham, Thomas

Eagle Lake Items

Death visited our town again last Friday morning, and carried away Mr. Thos. Oldham, a worthy citizen and good man. He was buried Saturday in the Masonic cemetery. The sympathies of the community are extended his bereaved wife.

Colorado Citizen, July 12, 1888, page 3

Oldham, Williamson Simpson I

From the newspaper The Two Republics, English language newspaper published in Mexico City. Saturday, June 13 1868

Death of Judge Oldham

Judge W. S. Oldham, one of Texas' ablest, most devoted and distinguished sons, died in Houston, on the 8th inst., after an illness of about three weeks.  The deep respect felt for his character, and the extent of the loss sustained by the community in his death, were made signally manifest when it became known that he was no more.  There was a meeting of the citizens, presided over by ex-Gov. Lublook, and also a meeting of the bar, at both of which assemblies fitting resolutions were adopted.  The deceased was buried on the 9th, in the Masonic Cemetery, with the service of the Episcopal Church and the rites of Masonry.

from NEW ORLEANS PICAYUNE
Submitted by Ernest Mae Seaholm
Photos by Ernest Mae Seaholm

Oldham, Williamson Simpson II

Old Confederate Answers Last Roll Call

Judge W. S. Oldham, who would have been 79 years of age on the 12th of August had he lived, died at half past eight o'clock Monday morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. W. McCarty, in this city.

Judge Oldham left Soule College at Chappel Hill as a private in the Terry Texas Rangers to enter the civil war, where for a while he was on the staff of General Sam Bell Maxey. Afterward he was transferred as captain to General Kirby Smith's staff where he remained until the end of the war.

He was one of the oldest members of the state bar, and in his younger days was one of the prominent attorneys of Houston. He married Miss Clara Marshall, daughter of Colonel John Marshal of the 4th Texas Regiment, who was killed at the Battle of Gaines Mill. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, a man of literary tastes and of extensive reading. He was a brilliant speaker and was prominent in political affairs of the early days, and even as late as the Ball-Ferguson gubernatorial campaign, he took the stump in Travis county in the interest of Tom Ball's candidacy.

Judge Oldham moved from Houston to Austin sixteen years ago and made his home there until a little more than two years ago, since which he has been with his sister here. He suffered a severe attack of influenza at Austin just prior to coming to Eagle Lake, from the effects of which he never recovered.

He is survived by one son and a daughter, C. C. Oldham of Austin and Mrs. C. G. Tackaberry of Seattle, Washington, and two sisters, Mrs. McCarty of this city and Mrs. J. J. Spratt of Pittsburgh. A son and a daughter preceded him in death several years ago.

His son, C. C. Oldham (illegible) the funeral, which was held from the home of his sister Tuesday afternoon at five-thirty, interment being made in the Masonic cemetery, Rev. E. B. McLaughlin conducting the service.

Eagle Lake Headlight, Saturday, August 3, 1921
Submitted by Ernest Mae Seaholm

Olfenbuettel, Caroline (Fielder)

MRS. CAROLINE OLFENBUETTEL CLAIMED BY DEATH

Mrs. Caroline Olfenbuettel, widow of the late F. Olfenbuettel, and one of this city’s oldest and most respected ladies, passed away at the family residence last Saturday morning at 10 o’clock, after a comparatively brief illness, aged about 84 years. The remains were interred in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, Lutheran pastor, officiating.

The pall bearers were T. W. Hill, Henry J. Laas, R. H. Yoder, Ben B. Holt, Sam C. Holloway and Oscar Rose of La Grange.

The honorary pall bearers designated by the family were as follows: Henry Birkmann, F. J. Nitschmann, J. O. Boettcher, John H. Brooks, John Bock and O. Hilden.

Mrs. Olfenbuettel, nee Fiedler, was born Sept. 29, 1842, in Hartzburg, Germany. In 1872 she emigrated to this country, coming via Galveston and locating at New Braunfels. In 1876 she moved to this city, and made her home here up to the time of her death. She was united in marriage to Mr. Fritz Olfenbuettel in the motherland. Two children blessed this union--Mr. August Olfenbuettel of New York City and Mrs. Annie Tell of this city. Four grandchildren are also among the survivors, as follows; Wm. Olfenbuettel of New York City, Edward Olfenbuettel of San Francisco, Mrs. Clara St. John of Tyler, and Fritz Tell of this city.

Mr. Olfenbuettel, husband of decedent, died in 1907, after a brief illness. Mrs. Olfenbuettel was baptized early in youth and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Hartzburg.

Mrs. Olfenbuettel was a lady of many admirable traits. Of quiet demeanor, generous to a fault, thoughtful of those about her, a neighbor and friend prized by all, a devoted, home loving wife, mother and grandmother, she was a character beloved by all who knew her. In her passing it is realized Weimar has lost one of its most beloved ladies.

Our heartfelt sympathy and condolence goes out to her bereaved ones.

Weimar Mercury, May 14, 1926, page 1

Olfenbuettel, Fritz

Death of Mr. Fritz Olfenbuettel.

Our city and people were both shocked and saddened last Saturday morning when announcement was made of the death of Mr. Fritz Olfenbuettel, which occurred at his home about 3:30 same morning, after a brief illness. Mr. Olfenbuettel had been in very good health up to a few days before his death. As announced in last issue of the Mercury, while returning home a few nights previous, he was seized with an attack of paralysis, from which he never rallied, and although every effort of a devoted family and medical skill was utilized, it proved unavailing. His funeral took place at the Odd Fellows cemetery Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and was one of the longest funeral processions ever witnessed in this section, proving the universal esteem in which he was hold. Mr. Olfenbuettel was born In Remlingen, county of Woltenbuettel, and dukeship Brunswick, in the year 1842, and had reached the age of 64 years, 5 mouths and 23 days at the time of his death. He emigrated from Germany to New Braunfels, Tex., in 1872, in company with has schoolmate and relative, Mr. A. F. Rose, and resided at New Braunfels four years, following the profession of shoemaker. He removed from this point to Weimar in the fall of 1876, engaging In the same occupation until ill health forced him to seek other means of livelihood. He resided here continuously up to the time of his death. Mr. Olfenbuettel was a diligent worker in everything be undertook, and was strictly an honest man, trustworthy and true to his friends and fellow man. He was held in the highest esteem by the people of this section. by whom his death Is deeply and sincerely regretted. His funeral was conducted under the auspice ot the Hermann's Soehne lodge, of which he had long been a member. The funeral was also attended by several visiting lodges of this order, the Weimar fire department, and Prof. Schindler's band. He leaves a widow, one daughter, Mrs. Ernst Tell, one son, Mr. August Olfenbuettel of New York city, and two brothers in Germany. The sympathy of the people of Weimar and vicinity goes out to the family in their bereavement. Peace to his ashes.

Weimar Mercury, April 13, 1907, page 8

Oliphint, Ella Jacquelin (Bruce)

Funeral Services For Mrs. Oliphint At Eagle Lake
(Eagle Lake Headlight)

Following a long illness, Mrs. Jacquelin Oliphint, 49 years of age, passed away at a Houston hospital at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday. The remains were brought to Eagle Lake on the 11 o’clock Thursday morning Southern Pacific train, the funeral services being held in the Episcopal church at 11:30 yesterday morning.

The maiden name of this good woman was Jacquelin Bruce. She was the youngest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. S. Bruce, one of the old and prominent families of Eagle Lake. She was born in Eagle Lake and grew to womanhood here, living here all of her life until the past several years when the family moved to Houston where they have been making their home at 1920 Albans Road. As a child and young lady she was a great favorite here, possessing all the graces of manner and disposition that win and hold close friends. She was married in the Episcopal church here to Mr. T. W. Oliphint, who preceded her in death a number of years ago.

In her childhood days, Mrs. Oliphint became a Christian and united with the Episcopal church. In the church she was useful; regular in attendance upon its services and active in all of its work. She was an acomplished[sic] violinist and throughout her life here her violin added materially to church music. Her Christian life was beautiful and sweet and was a strong influence for good in her home town.

During her long illness, for her relief and recovery all that could have been done was lovingly and faithfully done, but the desroyer[sic] finally claimed her as a victim, and the sweet, beautiful life has come to a close on earth that a sweeter happier life might be begun in the brighter world beyond, where sickness and sorrow cannot come, and where partings are no more.

Inexpressibly sad is the passing of this splendid woman, and mortals cannot understand why she was not spared to those who loved her so dearly, but we have the blessed assurance that some day all mysteries will be revealed and then we shall known[sic] even the great will of God.

Sincerely do we sorrow with those who are so sorely bereaved, and to whom life for a time must be so sad and empty. To her sisters, her two daughters and her son, and all who were bound to her by the holy ties of kinship, our hearts go out at this time, sharing as best we can their grief and loneliness, wishing we could heal their broken hearts and praying that in the fullness of time the peace that passeth all understanding will come.

Mrs. Oliphint was one of the gentlest, sweetest women it has been our lot to know--a true friend since childhood. She was a devoted wife and mother, a helpful neighbor, a friend who was always true, and she lived a life that was beautiful leaving a memory pure and sweet and an influence for good that can never be lost. Many will miss her, but how glorious that thought that she who suffered so long is with her Savior now in the beautiful home where sickness entereth not and pain is unknown.

Rev. Thomas N. Carruthers, Episcopal rector of Houston, conducted a soothing and beautiful service over the remains of the beloved sister and mother, and then the body was given sepulchre[sic] in the Masonic cemetery and raised above it a hallow mound, which was banked with flowers of richest hues and sweetest fragrance.

She is survived by one son, Bruce Oliphint, of Houston; two daughters, Miss Mary Jacquelin Oliphint and Miss Rivers Oliphint of Houston; two sisters, Mrs. J. J. Mansfield, wife of Congressman Mansfield of Columbus, and Mrs. M. E. Guynn of Houston.

Colorado County Citizen, December 29, 1932, page 5

Ollin, W. A.

FATAL ACCIDENT. — Last Friday night W. A. Ollin, the night yard-master at this place, lost his life while coupling the cars on the switch engine. It seems his foot caught in the guide rail near the passenger depot while the train was in motion, and the train being a long one and the engineer some distance from him, he was unable to notify him of his predicament. Several cars ran over him, cutting his leg off and passing over his body below the hips. He lived an hour in great agony, but was enabled to direct his friends as to his last wishes. The poor fellow intended going the next day to see his relatives and loved ones in Iowa, but for this sad catastrophe. He was buried the next day, a number of railroad men and friends accompanying him to his last resting place. [Place of interment unknown]

Colorado Citizen, March 23, 1882, page 3

Olsen, Albert B.

Albert Olson [sic.], 72, Rock Island, Passes Away

Albert H. Olson, 72, of Rock Island passed away Thursday, March 2 in the Eagle Lake Community Hospital at 7:00 o’clock in the morning following a stroke suffered December 12. Funeral services were held from the Chapel of the Mill-Bauer Funeral Home in Eagle Lake Saturday. March 4. at 10:00 a.m. the Rev. Don Rooney, Garwood and Rock lsland Methodist Pastor, officiated. Interment was in the Myrtle Cemetery near Rock Island. Serving as Casketbearers were Elmer Larsen, Luther Sheldon, Billy Mayes, Carl Milentz and Leon Kayser, all of Rock Island and Max Rogers of Columbus. Favorite recorded hymns were played prior to the service. Mr. Olsen was born July 5, 1906 ia New York City. N.Y. He lived most of his life in the Rock Island area farming and ranching. His parents were John and Torborg Larsen Olsen. Survivors include two sisters, Miss Lillie Olsen of Rock Island and Mrs. Hilda Johnson of Brewster, New York; eleven nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. The deceased was a Member of the Rock Island Methodist Church and the Woodsman Organization. Sympathy is extended to the family in the loss of this loved one.

Eagle Lake Headlight, March 9, 1978
Contributed by Patti Hall-Smith

Olsen, Torborg (Larsen)

MRS. JOHN OLSON [sic.] DIED AT ROCK ISLAND THURSDAY

Mrs. John Olson died at her home in Rock Island Thursday morning following a long illness. Funeral services will be held this, Friday, afternoon at 3 o'clock, under the direction of the McCeary Funeral Home. Interment will be made in Myrtle Cemetery at Rock Island.

Eagle Lake Headlight; March 8, 1940
Contributed by Patti Hall-Smith

Olson, Ann (Williams)

Olson

Ann Williams Olson, 51, of Houston, passed away May 29 after a 20-month battle with brain cancer in Houston.

She was born April 17, 1955 in Eagle Lake to John and Charlyne Frnka Williams, of Gar-wood. She graduated from Rice High School in 1973 and was the first female president of the student council. In 1977 she received her bachelor of business administration from the University of Texas in Austin and was a member of the Pi Beta Chi business sorority. She worked as a partner in the general contracting firm of SpawMaxwell where her responsibility was over human resources.

She is a Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and recently qualified as a Lifetime Committeeman on the Souvenir Program Committee where she served for 25 years. She was also a member of the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo and had served on the Calf Scramble Committee.

She was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Houston, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as president of the school board at St. Jerome School, and president of Chambers County MUD.

She actively supported her son's scouting career that resulted in his earning his Eagle Scout in 2005. Her love of the outdoors included traveling throughout Texas as well as the mountain and coastal states to hunt and fish.

She was a life member and habitat partner of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Along with her husband she co-founded and co-chaired the Houston RMEF Chapter from 1988-1992.

She is survived by her parents; husband, Bill L. Olson; son, Bill L. "Billy" Olson Jr., of Houston; step-daughter, Leigh Thurman and husband, Rob, of Cleveland, Ohio; brothers, George Williams and wife, Barbara, of Garwood, and Richard Williams and wife, Laura, of The Woodlands; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. June 1 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nada. Interment followed at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Nada.

Pallbearers were Tom Forney, Dave Freeman, Buck Payne, John Schneider, Dr. Russell Thomas, and Leroy Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers were Ann's partners and co-workers at the SpawMaxwell Company.

Donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Brain and Spine Research, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, American Hospice or any charity.

Colorado County Citizen, June 7, 2006
Courtesy of The Citizen

Olsovsky, Frank R.

F. B. Olsovksy Is No More

Thursday evening at Weimar death came to Frank R. Olsovsky in his 76th year. He was one of the best known farmers at Moravia, until some years ago he retired to Weimar. He was generally respected for his solid character, one of those men by whom communities are built. For many years he served this paper and Novy Domov as an agent.

His funeral was held Saturday at Moravia, Father J. Petru performing the last rites.

Mourning his passing, beside his widow are three sons – Alfons at Victoria, George of Houston and Henry at Moravia and six daughters – Mrs. I. B. Vrana of Robstown, Mrs. Joe Halata of Moravia, Mrs. H. J. Leighart, Mrs. Joe Janak, Mrs. Edw. Drietner and Mrs. Emil Naizer of Weimar.

Hallettsville Tribune, November 1946
Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

Final Rites for F. R. Olsovsky, 76, at Moravia.

Funeral services for Mr. Frank R. Olsovsky, 76, farmer who retired about 15 years ago, were held from the Hubbard Funeral Home, with interment in the Moravia Catholic Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 16.

The Rev. J. Petru officiated at the final rites.

Mr. Olsovsky, who died at his home here Nov. 14, after an illness of two months, was born in Czecho-Slovakia, the son of Geo. Olsovsky and Johanna Navlud, on April 3,1870. At the age of 7, he emigrated, with his parents, to Lavaca County, Texas, moving to Colorado County at the age of 20. On Feb. 13, 1893, he married Miss Veronica Kresta, at St. Mary’s Church, at Hallettsville. He was a member of the Catholic Church and the K. J. T. Lodge.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Veronica Olsovsky; four sisters, Mrs. Louise Kuchar of Shiner, Mrs. Pauline Kresta of Hallettsville, Mrs. Frances Staffa of Orchard, and Mrs. Mary Starrustka of Hallettsville; and the following 6 daughters and 3 sons:

Daughters, Mrs. Emila Vrana, of Robstown; Mrs. Louise Halata, Hallettsville; Mrs. Jane Leihardt, Mrs. Frances Janak, Mrs. Mary Dreitner, and Mrs. Willie Jo Neiser, all of Weimar.

Sons, A. J. Olsovsky, Victoria; Geo. J. Olsovsky, Houston; and Henry R. Olsovsky, Hallettsville. Two sons, Julius and August J., preceded their father in death, the former in infancy and the latter at the age of 20.

Thirty-seven grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren also survive.

Pallbearers were six grandsons, William Halata, Benjamin Olsovsky, Rufus Leihardt, Allan Olsovsky, Bernard Halata, and George J. Olsovsky, Jr.; and 2 grandsons-in-law, Edwin Anders and Paul Hellman.

The Weimar Mercury, November 22, 1946
Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

Olsovsky, Veronica (Kresta)

Funeral Services for Mrs. Olsovsky, 93, Held Saturday

Funeral services for 93-year-old Mrs. Veronica Olsovsky were held Saturday morning, June 15, at Hubbard Funeral Home here and Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church at Moravia, with Rev. William Halata offering the Requiem Mass. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Rev. Halata is a grandson of the deceased. Rev. George Olsovsky, also a grandson, was unable to attend.

Mrs. Olsovsky died Thursday, June 13, at her home in Weimar, after a stroke March 24. She was a member of St. Michael’s Church, the Christian Mothers Society, KJZT, and American Legion Auxiliary.

She was born Dec. 18, 1869, in Czechoslovakia, the daughter of John and Johanna Kresta. The family came to America in 1872 and settled in Lavaca County, near Hallettsville. She was married to Frank R. Olsovksy Feb. 13, 1893, and they lived in Lavaca County until 1927, when they retired to live in Weimar.

Mr. Olsovsky died 16 eyars ago. Two sons, August and Julius, also preceded her in death.

Survivors are six daughters, Mrs. I. B. (Millie) Vrana of Robstown, Mrs. J. J. (Louise) Halata of Hallettsville, and Mrs. W. J. (Jane) Leihardt, Mrs. J. J. (Frances) Janak, Mrs. Mary Drietner and Mrs. E. C. (Willie Jo) Neiser, all of Weimar; three sons, Alfonse J. of Victoria; George of Houston and Henry R. of Hallettsville; 37 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Anton Kresta of Moulton.

Pallbearers were Leo Vrana, Rufus Leihardt, James Edward Olsovsky, Thomas Janak, James Janak, Bernard Halata, William Neiser and Ernest Hollas.

Weimar Mercury, June 20, 1963
Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

Olvera, Eva (Flores)

Eagle Lake Woman Killed in Wharton County Collision

EAGLE LAKE--Funeral services were held here Monday afternoon for Mrs. Eva Flores Olivera[sic], 25, of Eagle Lake who was killed Sunday about 2 a.m. in a head-on collision that injured 7 other persons. [Interment in Lakeside Cemetery]

Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Samora, riding in the car with Mrs. Olivera and 3 others, were reported seriously injured and are in a Galveston hospital.

All 10 of the people riding in the 2 cars were hospitalized after the collision on Highway 90A a mile west of East Bernard.

Felipe Bentancur of Rosenberg was driving the other car and is reported in serious condition. He was accompanied by Lee Villalobos, Damicio Bentancur and Gonzalo Arellano, all of Rosenberg.

Mary Flores, sister of Mrs. Olivera, Lee Villalobos, 19, and Gonzalo Arellano, 16, both of Rosenberg were riding in the Olviera[sic] car. All were reported hurt seriously.

News stories quoted Patrolman Bob Dorerty of Wharton as saying the Bentancur car crossed the center strip of the highway into the path of the west-bound Olivera car.

Colorado County Citizen, August 22, 1963, page 1

Omerzu, Alois

Final Rites For Alois Omerzu, 81, Held Here Friday

Funeral services for Alois Omerzu, 81, who died Wednesday, Nov. 25, in Youens Hospital, were held Friday at Hubbard Funeral Home, with Rev. F. H. Horak officiating. Burial was in the Masonic Cemetery.

Mr. Omerzu had undergone an operation July 15. He became ill again in September and since then had been hospitalized several times.

Born in Germany on July 2, 1883, he came to this country in 1913, settling at Osage, northeast of Weimar. He married Miss Emma L. Witt on April 20, 1914. They moved to Weimar in 1945. Mr. Omerzu was a farmer most of his life but since about 1943 has done masonry work, first with Norbert Stech and later with the Wick Brothers. Until his operation last summer he was actively working. He was a member of the Weimar United Church of Christ.

Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Albert, who lives in North Texas, Alfred of Weimar and Alvin of Austin.

Pallbearers were Herbert Fred Alfred and Joe wick. Leo Guenther and Bill Schwegmann.

The Weimar Mercury, December 3, 1964
Transcribed by Jennie Muggli

Omerzu, Emma (Witt/Witte)

Mrs. A. Omerzu Succumbs at 77; Buried Tuesday

Funeral services for Mrs. Alois (Emma) Omerzu, who lacked just a few days of being 78, were held Tuesday afternoon at Hubbard Funeral Home with burial in Masonic Cemetery.

Rev. Frank H. Horak Jr., pastor of Weimar United Church of Christ, of which Mrs. Omerzu was a member, officiated.

Mrs. Omerzu died Sunday at Youens Memorial Hospital after a week of serious illness. She had not been in good health for several years.

Born January 30, 1891, at Osage, she was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Witt. She was married to Mr. Omerzu on April 20, 1914, and they settled at Osage. They moved to Weimar in 1945 and Mr. Omerzu died Nov. 24, 1964.

She is survived by three sons, Albert Omerzu of Granger, Alfred Omerzu of Weimar and Alvin Omerzu of Santa Rosa, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Josephine Myska of Beasley and Mrs. Steve Svetlik of Weimar; and one brother Henry Witte of Weimar. A sister, Mary Macha of Midfield, and a brother, Gus Witt of La Grange, preceded her in death.

Pallbearers were Dan Herder, Bill Schwegmann, Jerry Kubenka, Dan Ulbricht, Alex Seydler and Henry Stoelke.

Weimar Mercury, January 16, 1969, page 4

Oncken, Albert Fritz

Albert Oncken

Funeral services were held here at the Odd Fellows' Cemetery this week for Albert Oncken, 29 of Belmont, Texas, near Gonzales, with a Lutheran minister from Gonzales officiating.

The deceased was a son of William Oncken and a nephew, it is reported, of Gerhard Oncken and a cousin of Mrs. B. L. Townsend.

Weimar Mercury August 20, 1937

Oncken, Anna (Harms)

Brief mention of the death of Mrs. Wm. Oncken of Monthalia was contained in the last issue of the Mercury. At that time we had very little information concerning her death. Later information reveals the fact that Mrs. Oncken died at the Holmes Hospital in Gonzales last week. The remains were brought here and committed to mother earth on Thursday afternoon in the Masonic Cemetery. Mrs. Oncken had been ill for a number of weeks prior to her death. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. Wolf, Lutheran pastor of Gonzales and Monthalia.

Mrs. Anna Oncken, beloved wife of Mr. Wm. Oncken, is survived by her husband, five children, Edward Oncken of Port Arthur, Mrs. Gus Heinman of Lockhart, Mrs. R. E. Roberts of Port Arthur, Harry and Albert Oncken of Monthalia; also one sister, Mrs. Fritz Boehl of Shiner.

Mr. and Mrs. Oncken moved from this section to Gonzales county in 1901 settling in the Monthalia section where they have resided over since, something like thirty-four years in all. Mrs. Oncken became ill in January, was moved to a hospital in Gonzales and was given every attention and comfort, but the Master decreed that she should be taken to her Heavenly home, and quietly passed away on Tuesday night of last week. She was 58 years of age.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her bereaved ones in the terrible loss they have sustained in the death of a beloved wife and mother.

Weimar Mercury, March 1, 1935
Transcribed by Judy Talkington

Oncken, Anna (Nordhausen)

Death of a Good, Christian Woman

Many hearts throughout this section were saddened last Friday morning when news of the death of that good, sweet christian woman. Mrs. Annie Oncken, beloved wife of Mr. Henry Oncken of this community, was flashed here and there among our people.

Mrs. Oncken had been ill for about nineteen days, confined to her bed, and had been in ill health for nearly a year, although but few of us realized her illness was of a serious nature. Every attention was given her and every thing possible done in her behalf, but the Master called and this good woman answered the summons. News of her death indeed threw a pall of sadness over the entire community, where she had lived for so long a time and where she was so greatly beloved.

The funeral took place at the Masonic Cemetery, this city, on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, local Lutheran minister, officiating in a touching funeral service. A large crowd was present to witness the last sad rites.

Mrs. Annie Oncken, nee Nordhausen, was born in the High Hill community in 1862, and up to the time of her marriage to Mr. Oncken had lived in that and the Schulenburg communities. Her marriage to Mr. Oncken took place in 1911, since which time she has been a resident of the Weimar section. Mrs. Oncken had no children of her own, but was a mother in deed and truth to Mr. Oncken's children--Mr. Alfred Oncken, Misses Emma, Bertha and Erna Oncken--and they in turn were unstinting in their love toward her. Truth is, everyone who knew Mrs. Oncken loved her. She was in every way a noble, true, good woman, a devoted wife and mother. She will be sadly missed in the home where she dwelt as wife and mother, and also in our own community, where she was so well and favorably known.

Mrs. Oncken is survived by the foregoing step-children, her devoted husband, Mr. Henry Oncken, two sisters, Mrs. Helena Isaacson of Weimar and Mrs. Minna Cornelson of Schulenburg. and one brother, Mr. Fritz Nordhausen of Schulenburg. To all of whom our heartfelt sympathy is extended. May God be with them in their deep bereavement!

Weimar Mercury, November 21, 1930, page 1

Oncken, Annie (Rabel)

Mrs. W. Oncken, Former Resident Dies Saturday

Mrs. Annie Rabel Oncken, age 82, of 1408 Nolan St., San Antonio, died Saturday, October 9, at the Medical Arts Hospital at 5:30 p.m. She had been in the hospital for one week.

Mrs. Oncken was born March 7, 1883 to Frank Rabel Sr., and the former Theresa Herzik. She was a native of Weimar and had lived in San Antonio for the past 44 years. She was a member of O.E.S. Adah Chapter 49.

She was preceded in death by her husband in February of this year. Five brothers and four sisters also preceded her in death. Survivors are two brothers, Emil H. Rabel of Columbus and August Rabel of Weimar, numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held Monday, October 11, at 11:30 a,m. at the First Evangelical United Brethren Church in San Antonio, the Rev. E. Stephen Raby officiating. Following the service, the body was brought to Weimar for graveside services at 3:30 p.m. Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery.

Weimar Mercury, October 14, 1965

Oncken, Arthur Paul

Arthur Oncken Funeral Held Here Sunday

Funeral services for Arthur Paul Oncken, 80, of Rt. 3, Weimar, were held Sunday, Dec. 17, from Weimar United Church of Christ, with Rev. Norman (Skip) Sirnic officiating. Burial was in St. Michael Parish Cemetery.

Oncken, a well-known farmer and rancher, died Friday, Dec. 15, at 11:330 a.m. at Colorado-Fayette Medical Center, of heart failure.

Born Dec. 16, 1908,in the Wildwood area, he was a son of Gerhardt and Sophie (Huepers) Oncken. He married Agnes Sophie Heger here on Nov. 9, 1937.

His wife survives, along with four daughters and sons-in-law, Artie Monson of Elgin, Agnes and Dennis Jurek of Schulenburg, Clara and Tommy Holub of Katy and Cynthia and James Beene of Luling; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Carole Oncken of Weimar and John and Irene Oncken of Katy; 16 grandchildren and three sisters, Bertha Oncken and Sophie Kahlden of Weimar and Clara Oncken of San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerhardt and Otto Oncken and a granddaughter, Janet Sue Monson.

Serving as pallbearers were John Barta, E. J. Haidusek, Ricky Haidusek, John Heger, James Heger, Norwin Oncken, Kervy Kahlden, Leslie Kahlden and Otto Kahlden.

Weimar Mercury, December 21, 1989
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Oncken, Bertha W.

Bertha Oncken Funeral Services Held May 25

Funeral services for Bertha W. Oncken, 89, of Weimar, were held May 25 at the Weimar United Church of Christ with Rev. Vernon Rabel officiating.

Interment was in the Weimar Masonic Cemetery.

Miss Oncken died May 23 at the Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center of natural causes.

She was born Nov. 4, 1913 to Gerhard and Sophie (Huepers) Oncken of Weimar. She attended the Wildwood School. She was a rancher.

Miss Oncken is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Sophie Kahlden and Clara Oncken and three brothers, Otto, Gerhard and Arthur.

Pallbearers were Kervy Kahlden, John Oncken, Dennis Jurek, Lloyd "Bubba" Monson Jr., Daniel Wilson and Dr. Fred H. Wilson III.

Honorary pallbearers were Jason Oncken and Taylor Broach.

Ushers were Otto E. Kahlden and Leslie Kahlden.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Weimar United Church of Christ, Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center or the charity of one's choice.

The Weimar Mercury, May 29, 2003
Transcribed by John Konesheck

Oncken, Christian Diedrich Gehard

Mr. Gerhard Oncken, Sr., an aged and respected farmer of this community, died at the family home Monday evening, shortly after partaking of supper, his death being caused from heart failue, aged 71 years. He was the father of Henry and Gerhard Oncken of this section, the Oncken brothers and Mrs. Paul Benedict of Gonzales county. He was a good man in every respect, and his death is sincerely regretted. Our sympathy is extended the bereaved relatives in their sad loss. [Interment in Weimar Masonic Cemetery]

Weimar Mercury, December 25, 1908, page 4

Oncken, Clemence John

Death of John Oncken,

Our citizens were greatly shocked and grieved Wednesday morning to learn of the death of Mr. C. J, Oncken, which occurred at the family residence about eight miles southeast or Weimar the night previous, after a brief illness of appendicitis. This came as a great shock, because but few of our citizens even knew of his illness. Up to Saturday he was in fine health. On the previous day, in talking to a friend, he remarked that he felt in fine health in every way, better than he had felt for many a day. The following day he was stricken with appendicitis, and despite the best efforts of his physicians, Drs. C. G. Cook of this city and Dr. Neuhaus of Schulenburg, assisted by the loving ministrations of relatives and friends, his spirit passed unto its Maker the following Tuesday night at 11 o’clock. John Oncken was the eldest son of H. W. Oncken of this city, and was 37 years old at the time of his death. He was a hard-working, honorable gentleman, with a cheery greeting for every friend, and the possessor of a cheerful disposition, which good points won him scores of friends wherever known. He was married seventeen years ago to Miss Minnie Hoegemeyer, and she, together with four children, survives him. He had but recently completed quite a lot of substantial improvements at his home, and remarked at the time that he proposed from that time on to take the world a little easier, as he bad just gotten to the point where he could do so. His remains were laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock, a large concourse of sorrowing friends witnessing the last sad rites. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved family in their affliction.

Weimar Mercury, July 11, 1903, page 5

Oncken, Edward