Dewhirst, James

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.J002

Family/Spouse: Gray, Ruth D.. Ruth was born on 31 Mar 1831; died on 24 May 1911; was buried in Wesley Cemetery, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.O001

Family/Spouse: ?, Maybelle 'Belle'. Maybelle was born on 1 Oct 1861; died on 9 Oct 1906; was buried in Woods Cemetery, Bogota, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farm Wife
• Reference Number: DEWH.E001

Family/Spouse: Childers, Thomas Franklin. Thomas was born in 1878; died in Dec 1949 in Olney Sanitarium, Olney, Richland County, Illinois; was buried in Wesley Cemetery, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.L004
• _FGRAVE: 48200818
• Funeral: Pulliam Funeral Home, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois

Notes:

Leonard Dewhirst, 80, of Dundas died 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Burgin Nursing Manor, Olney.

Funeral services will be 1:30p.m. Friday in Pulliam Funeral Home, Newton, with visitation 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Newton.

Mr. Dewhirst was born in Jasper, son of Tom and Maybelle Dewhirst. He was a member of the Blair Methodist Church, Dundas.
He married Lola Birk in 1915. Surviving are his wife; son, Clifford of Newton; daughter, Mrs. Loren (Kathryn) Jones Algonquin; half brother, James Dewhirst of Mattoon; half sister, Mrs. Roe (Lillian) Bower of rural Newton.

One Son, Vincent; one daughter, Frankey; and one half brother, William Eldon, preceded him in death

Died:
Leonard Dewhirst, 80, of Dundas died 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Burgin Nursing Manor, Olney.

Leonard married Birk, Lola on 3 Feb 1915. Lola was born on 13 Jul 1895 in Jasper County, Illinois; died on 30 Dec 1981 in Newton Rest Haven Nursing Home, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHIL.J004

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHIL.T002

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Retired Farmer
• Reference Number: CHIL.O001
• _FGRAVE: 20517811
• Funeral: 15 Jul 1993, Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Died:
Flora Pavilion, Flora, Clay County, Illinois

Buried:
Plot: McDaniel Addition Block 2 Lot 9 Grave 5

Family/Spouse: Webster, Laurel Marie. Laurel (daughter of Webster, Ebb Leroy and ?, Annise L.) was born on 4 Sep 1903; died on 11 Aug 1969; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.F001

Other Events and Attributes:

• Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois
• Reference Number: DEWH.L005
• _FGRAVE: 2552731
• Military Service: World War II, Second Lieutenant, Company K, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army

Notes:

Lt. Vincent Dewhirst was killed June 12, 1944, in the battle of Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion. He was the first known casualty in WWII, from Jasper county. Lt. Dewhirst was born August 7, 1918 near shamrock Illinois. After completing his work in rural schools in his home community, He attended Newton Community High School for two years then went to Chicago where he graduated from the Sullivan high school of that city with the class of 1938.
Besides his parents , he is survived by his grandfather, O.T. Dewhirst of Newton and a grand-mother, Mrs. George Birk. One sister, Kathryn of Chicago, one brother, Clifford of Newton. A sister, Frankey preceded him in death.

He was the first known casualty in WWII, from Jasper county.

After completing his work in rural schools in his home community, He attended Newton Community High School for two years then went to Chicago where he graduated from the Sullivan High School of that city with the class of 1938.

May 13, 1948
Olney Advocate, IL

The casketed remains of 2nd Lt. Leonard V. Dewhirst of Dundas, being returned from overseas for final burial will be sent to the Camp Butler National cemetery within the next month accompanied by a uniformed Army escort from the Chicago Distribution center of the American graves registration division.

The body of 2nd Lt. Dewhirst was interred in the St. Mere Eglise No. 1 temporary military cemetery in France, but has been returned to this country for final interment at the request of his next of kin, Leonard C. Dewhirst, of Dundas, IL.

Died:
Lt. Vincent Dewhirst was killed June 12, 1944, in the battle of Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: DEWH.C001

Notes:

He was a member of the Blair Church and attended an elementary one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Newton High School in 1944.

Clifford worked at Newton Auto Parts for over 25 years. After his employment there, Clifford and Ellen owned and operated a NAPA dealership in Kirkland for several years before their retirement. He was a history buff, an avid golfer, bowler and gardener until his health began to decline. He always enjoyed spending time with his grand-children. Clifford was a long-time member of Newton Masonic Lodge 216 and received his 32nd degree in 1997. Having played football during his high school years, he remained a Newton Eagles football fan throughout his life.

Clifford married Henry, Ellen Rose on 2 Feb 1952 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Ellen was born on 23 Aug 1927 in Malta, DeKalb County, Illinois; died on 18 Feb 2014 in Newton, Jasper County, Illinois; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Thomas, A.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elmore, M.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHIL.U001
• _FGRAVE: 21228306

Notes:

Died:
died in infancy

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHIL.N001
• _FGRAVE: 191585226
• Funeral: Xenia United Methodist Church, Xenia, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Norma was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and had retired as a cook from the Xenia grade school after many years of service. Her church home for over 60 years was Xenia United Methodist Church, where she participated in the women’s group and sewing group, and where she and Edwin faithfully supported the work of the church in countless ways over the years. She enjoyed working outside at home, caring for her garden and flowers, and canning and storing the harvest. Norma will be remembered for her legacy of faith and family, and the love and caring consideration that she shared with others.

Norma married Henson, Edwin T. on 15 Aug 1950 in United Methodist Church, Flora, Clay County, Illinois. Edwin (son of HENSON, Ralph Cecil and BURGESS, Myrtle May) was born on 26 Aug 1928 in Wayne County, Illinois; died on 9 Jun 2013 in Xenia, Clay County, Illinois; was buried in Powers Cemetery, Garden Hill Township, Wayne County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHIL.R001
• Military Service: United States Army

Notes:

Robert Wayne Childers, age 90, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 26, 2022, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

He was born April 30, 1932, in Bible Grove Township, the son of Oscar and Laurel (Webster) Childers. He was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Davis on October 17, 1954, at the Flora First Methodist Church and together they have shared 67 wedding anniversaries.

Bob was a 1950 graduate of Flora High School. He attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale studying agriculture while completing three years of college prior to being inducted in the Army. He served as an MP in the Army from 1953-1955. He loved the Lord and was a member of the Flora First United Methodist Church. Bob had a love for farming and had worked in the fertilizer business for a number of years. He had a great love of people and conversation, but above all he loved his family, cherishing time spent traveling with them. Bob enjoyed playing dominoes, spending time outdoors, mushroom hunting, watching birds and squirrels, and fishing in his early years. He also enjoyed watching sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. He was a member of the Flora American Legion Post 14.

He is survived by his wife: Beverly Childers of Flora; 4 children: Edith Jo Anne (Robert) Edwards of Carrollton, Virginia, Laura Mae (Floyd) Ervin of Centralia, Tracey Lynne (Jeff) Cartnal of Florissant, Missouri, and Robert Wayne (Karyn) Childers Jr. of Estes Park, Colorado; 4 grandchildren: Jonathan Edwards, Olivia Miller, Stuart Ervin, and Robert Eugene Cartnal II; a brother: Larry (Alice) Childers of Flora; a sister: Rosemary Elmore of Newton; a sister-in-law: Joyce Childers of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Charles Curtis Childers; and a sister: Norma Jane Henson.

Private family services will be held. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery will take place with the presentation of military funeral honors. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Flora First United Methodist Church and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com

Robert married Davis, B.J. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: CHIL.C001
• _FGRAVE: 20517785
• Military Service: Private Fist Class, United States Army

Notes:

Charles Curtis Childers, 60, of Woodland Park, Colo., formerly of Flora, died at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, 1995 at his home.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Flora. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to Temple Hill United Methodist Camp.

Childers was born June 6, 1935 in Bible Grove, the son of Oscar and Laurel Marie (Webster) Childers. He married Carolyn Joyce Stanley Sept. 5, 1958 in Flora.

He was employed by Oldach Manufacturing, was a member of the Church of Nazarene in Woodland Park, Colo., and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his wife, of Woodland Park, Colo.; five sons, Michael Childers, of Las Vegas, Nev., Charles Childers, of Midland, Texas, Daniel Childers, Mark Childers and Eric Childers, all of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two brothers, Robert Childers, and Larry Childers, both of Flora; two sisters, Norma Henson, of Xenia, and Rosemary Elmore, of Newton; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Olney Daily Mail (IL) Sept. 13, 1995

Family/Spouse: Stanley, C.J.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]