Person Page - 1358

     Leo Wilson Smithart was buried at Conner Cemetery, Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.⁴ He was born on May 4, 1916 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^4,5,7 He married May Ethel Cassens on September 8, 1940 at Ottumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa.⁶ Leo Wilson Smithart died on September 22, 1967 at Iowa at age 51.^10,11,4

     His Social Security Number was 480-18-2857.⁹ Russell Harold Smithart was buried at Conner Cemetery, Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.¹⁰ He was born on December 24, 1920 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^9,10,3,4 He died on March 5, 1979 at age 58.^11,10

     His Social Security Number was 043-12-8701.⁷ Harry Earl Conner was born on December 15, 1919 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^2,7,5 He married Neddy Jane Coulter on September 25, 1948 at Waterbury, New Haven Co., Connecticut.^8,4 Harry Earl Conner died on October 12, 1974 at Waterbury, New Haven Co., Connecticut, at age 54.^2,9

     Violet Irene Conner was born on January 14, 1923 at New York.^1,2 She died on January 22, 1984 at age 61.²

     John W. Conner was buried at New Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterbury, New Haven Co., Connecticut.³ He was born on October 18, 1926 at Rockaway Beach, Queens Co., New York.^4,3 He married Hazel Rose circa 1949.³ John W. Conner died on January 14, 2013 at Waterbury, New Haven Co., Connecticut, at age 86.^4,3 He WATERBURY - Mr. John W. Conner, 86, of Waterbury, formerly of Wolcott, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, in the Vitas Inpatient Unit at Saint Mary's Hospital. He was the husband of Hazel (Rose) Conner. They had been married for 64 years. Mr. Conner was born in Rockaway Beach, Long Island, N.Y., on Oct. 18, 1926, son of the late Oscar E. and Rose (Jackson) Conner. He had been a Waterbury resident most of his life and graduated from Leavenworth High School. After high school, Mr. Conner entered the U.S. Navy where he proudly served as a World War II veteran aboard the USS Saint Paul in the South Pacific. After returning home from the Navy, Mr. Conner worked as a mechanic at a local Buick dealership and then as a machinist at the Republican-American newspaper for more than 30 years until his retirement. Mr. Conner was an avid bowler and boater, a UConn Women's Basketball and NY Yankees fan, and loved animals and playing cribbage. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially celebrating birthdays and holidays. Mr. Conner was a former member of the Wolcott Congregational Church and a member of the Mill Plain Union Church in Waterbury. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Sharon Conner and her husband, Paul Ceryak, of Waterbury; his son, Wayne Conner and his wife, Betsey, of Harwinton; four grandchildren, Kelly Fulmer and her husband, Andy, Jeff Conner, Greg Conner, Lynsey Conner and her fiancé, Ryan Passarelli; and a great-grandson, John Fulmer. Funeral service and burial in New Pine Grove Cemetery are private and at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow St., is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions in Mr. Conner's name may be made to: Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 1579 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762. on January 15, 2013.³

     Her Social Security Number was 479-24-2113.⁷ Fern Burlee Behnamann Fern Burlee Behnamann Kerkove, 85, of Sigourney, died January 28, 2010, at the Keokuk County Health Center. She was born July 28, 1924 to Fred D. and Carrie M. Conner Behnamann near Sigourney. She attended rural schools, and graduated from Sigourney High School in 1942. On June 28, 1953 she married James Howard Kerkove at the Sigourney Christian Church with Rev. Robert Hall officiating. She was employed at Peoples Wholesale grocery store, Hayesville Bank and Hankins Abstract Office. She enjoyed gardening, canning, crocheting and loved her flowers. She was a member of the Sigourney Christian Church, help teach Sunday school and was the treasurer of the C.W.F. She loved her family especially her grandchildren. Fern enjoyed doing family history and the fellowship at the Sigourney Senior Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim on December 25, 2005, son Robert in 1978, an infant sister Hilda Pauline Behnamann. She is survived by her daughter Linda Bickford and husband Jon of Ottumwa, two grandchildren Sara Bickford of West Des Moines, Ryan Bickford of Ames, several brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. Funeral Service: Sunday at 1:30pm Sigourney Christian Church. Burial: Conner Cemetery near Sigourney. Visitation: Saturday after 4 at the Holm Funeral Home Memorials may be given to her Church, Sigourney Senior Center or Keokuk Co. Hospice.³ She was buried at Conner Cemetery, Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^3,5 She was born on July 28, 1924 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^7,3,4,5 As of June 28, 1953,her married name was Kerkove.² She married James Howard Kerkove on June 28, 1953 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^2,3,5 Fern Burlee Behnamann died on January 28, 2010 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa, at age 85.^7,3,5

     His Social Security Number was 482-32-0019.⁹ Leland Earl Bensmiller was buried at Garrett Cemetery, Delta, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^5,10 He was born on July 11, 1924 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^9,3,7,4 He married Velda May Caywood on June 10, 1951 at Delta, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^6,11 Leland Earl Bensmiller died on May 13, 1983 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa, at age 58.^9,10 He Earl Bensmiller, 58, died Friday. Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Penny Sue Stroud of Des Moines; a son, Michael of Sigourney; a brother, Lloyd of Mount Pleasant; and one grandchild. Services: Monday, 1:30 p.m., Lancaster Christian Church. Friends may call at Holm’s. Burial: Garrett Cemetery, north of Delta. on May 15, 1983.¹⁰

     Arnold Covert Veldhuizen was born on May 1, 1920 at Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Iowa.^1,2 He married Hazel Louise Utterback, daughter of Chester Harold Utterback and Martha Elizabeth "Lizzie" Conner, on September 8, 1948 at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa.¹ Arnold Covert Veldhuizen died on December 27, 1974 at Wright, Mahaska Co., Iowa, at age 54.¹

     Kathy Conner was born on July 9, 1867.¹ She died on September 1, 1867.¹

     America May "Annie" Hilderbrand was buried at Cove Cemetery, Cove, Union Co., Oregon.⁶ She was born on June 11, 1868 at Iowa.^1,6 As of April 18, 1886,her married name was Kelley.⁴ She married James Frank Kelley on April 18, 1886 at Union Co., Oregon.⁴ America May "Annie" Hilderbrand died on January 13, 1957 at Union Co., Oregon, at age 88.^5,6

     Annie M. Hanslip was born circa 1862 at Rulo, Richardson Co., Nebraska.^2,1 As of January 23, 1883,her married name was Hilderbrand.² She married William H. "Billy" Hilderbrand, son of John Hilderbrand and Barbary "Barbara" Conner, on January 23, 1883 at Lancaster Township, Keokuk Co., Iowa.^1,3

     Samuel Conner was born in February, 1860 at Iowa.³

     Isaac D. Conner was buried at Chattanooga Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tillman Co., Oklahoma.⁴ He was born on August 28, 1868 at Missouri.^5,4 He married Josephine Unknown circa 1902; This was Josephine's second marriage.⁶ Isaac D. Conner married Mary Unknown after 1910.³ Isaac D. Conner married Amanda May "Mandy" Millard circa 1926.^7,4,8 Isaac D. Conner died on March 23, 1946 at Tillman Co., Oklahoma, at age 77.⁴

     McHenry "Mack" Morris was born circa 1829 at Indiana; The 1900 Census has a birth date of Mar 1824.^2,3 He married Mary Ann Morgan before June 1, 1880 at Kansas.¹

     Josephine Unknown was born circa 1860 at West Virginia.¹ As of circa 1902,her married name was Conner.¹ She married Isaac D. Conner, son of Aaron Conner and Mary Ann Morgan, circa 1902; This was Josephine's second marriage.¹

     Fay Elmer Ayres was buried at Star Cemetery, State Street, Hwy 16, Star, Ada Co., Idaho; His tombstone reads "Captain Bomber SQAF WWII."⁴ He was born on October 7, 1919 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^5,4 He died on August 21, 1953 at San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas, at age 33.^5,4,3

     Ernest Robert "Ernie" Ayres was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, 5001 Crackerville Road, Gregson, Silver Bow Co., Montana.^4,5,7 He was born on May 17, 1916 at Star, Ada Co., Idaho; His draft card has a birth date of May 18, 1916.^1,2,4,5 He married Elsie Lorraine Bates on September 18, 1942 at Silver Bow Co., Montana.^3,5,4 Ernest Robert "Ernie" Ayres and Elsie Lorraine Bates were divorced on December 5, 1960 at Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana.⁶ Ernest Robert "Ernie" Ayres died on February 24, 2006 at Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, at age 89.^4,5 He Ernie R. Ayres died peacefully on Feb. 24, 2006. He was born in Star, Idaho, on May 17, 1916, to James and Viola Ayres. Upon coming to Butte in 1941, he worked at local businesses for short time before going to work for the Anaconda Co. as a miner. In 1946 he went to barber school and worked at various shops until opening his own business, Ernie's Barber Shop. In 1966 he went back to work for the Anaconda Co. until his retirement in 1978, at which time he went back to barbering until February of 2005. On Sept. 18, 1942, he married the love of his life, Elsie Lorraine Bates. She died in 1985. Ernie is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jim and Brenda Ayres of Butte, Jeremy Ayres of Las Vegas, Miranda Ayres of Missoula, Bonnie, Jennifer and Bert Sholey of Butte, Kirk, Elsie, Misty and Kirk A. DeVore of Belgrade, Joe and Frances Ayres, Maxx, Debbie, Xandra Suede and Vittoria Sonandre, Mike and Tracy Williamson, all of Sandpoint, Idaho. In addition to his wife Elsie, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Raylene, parents James and Viola, brother, Willard, sister, Gertie, and grandson, Bobby. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park. on February 26, 2006.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 518-16-0519.⁹ Willard Eroy "Bill" Ayres was buried at Star Cemetery, State Street, Hwy 16, Star, Ada Co., Idaho.^2,4,7 He was born on February 23, 1918 at Star, Ada Co., Idaho.^{9,2,3,4,5,6,7} He married Leone Mae McNicholas on June 16, 1941 at Elko, Elko Co., Nevada.⁷ Willard Eroy "Bill" Ayres died on November 20, 2005 at Nampa, Canyon Co., Idaho, at age 87.^9,2,4,7 He Willard E. "Bill" Ayres, 87, of Nampa, passed away in his home on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, with his family by his side. Willard, known as Bill to his friends, was born on Feb. 23, 1918, in Star, to James and Viola Ayres. He married Leone McNicholas on June 16, 1941, in Elko, Nev. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and then devoted 37 years to a career as a switchman for the Union Pacific Railroad. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and an outstanding father and friend. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Leone in 1996. He is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Vickie Ayres of Elko, NV and James and Barbara Ayres of Lincoln City, OR; a brother, Ernest Ayres of Butte, MT; three grandsons, Dennis, Brent and Greg Ayres; a granddaughter and her husband, Catherine and Mike Baker; two great-granddaughters, Amanda and Sarah; and his close friend, Eugene Batson of Nampa. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at the Star Cemetery under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. on November 23, 2005.⁷

     His Social Security Number was 519-01-9056.² Virgil Lee Porter was born on November 10, 1913 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^3,2 He married Esmerelda Irene Ayres, daughter of Charles Rufus Ayres and Mabel Edith Coonrad, on January 12, 1934 at Gooding, Gooding Co., Idaho.¹ Virgil Lee Porter died on February 23, 1987 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho, at age 73.³

     His Social Security Number was 519-07-7934.⁶ Lester Walter Hall was buried at Star Cemetery, State Street, Hwy 16, Star, Ada Co., Idaho.⁷ He was born on June 2, 1909 at Vanwyck Cascade, Ada Co., Idaho.^6,4,7,5 He married Mabel Viola Unknown on July 1, 1939.⁷ Lester Walter Hall died on November 17, 1994 at Hemet, Riverside Co., California, at age 85.^6,4,7,5 He Services for Lester Walter Hall, 85, will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Hemet. Burial will be in Star, Idaho. Miller-Jones Mortuary in Hemet is handling cremation arrangements. He died Nov. 17 of a stroke at his home. Mr. Hall, who was born in Vanwyck Cascade, Idaho, lived in Hemet for 17 years. He owned and operated Park Apiaries in Livingston, Mont. for 26 years. He was president of the Montana Beekeepers Association. He was active in civic and church activities, including the First Baptist Church in Livingston and in Hemet. He was a state representative for Park County, Mont. for two terms in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was a forest ranger for eight years in Idaho. He owned and operated a Coca-Cola bottling company in Napa, Idaho for four years. He was active in the Masons. He was president of Montana State Inventors Association. He owned and operated a Western Pine Cone Jewelry business. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mabel Viola, and son, Michael of Hemet. The family suggests contributions to First Baptist Church Child Evangelism, c/o Carol Holt, 26089 Girard St., Hemet, 92543, or to the Hemet Hospice Inc. 890 W. Stetson Ave., Suite B, Hemet, 92543. on November 26, 1994.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 518-09-8394.³ Harold William Hall was buried at Chico Cemetery, 881 Mangrove Avenue, Chico, Butte Co., California.⁴ He married Louise Marion Unknown.^5,4 Harold William Hall was born on June 30, 1913 at Idaho.^1,3,4 He died on March 17, 2000 at California at age 86.^3,4

     Leeland Dale Ayres was buried at Star Cemetery, State Street, Hwy 16, Star, Ada Co., Idaho.² He was born on March 31, 1934 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^1,2 He died on October 31, 1951 at Emmett, Gem Co., Idaho, at age 17.^1,2

     Gertie Lorene Ayres was buried at Star Cemetery, State Street, Hwy 16, Star, Ada Co., Idaho.³ She was born on July 5, 1922 at Star, Ada Co., Idaho.¹ She died on May 5, 1924 at Star, Ada Co., Idaho, at age 1.¹

     Marven B. Ferguson was buried at Sylvia Cemetery, Sylvia, Reno Co., Kansas.¹ He was born on September 5, 1919 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^1,6 He married Venita L. Unknown before July 2, 1948.² Marven B. Ferguson and Venita L. Unknown were divorced on July 2, 1948 at Ada Co., Idaho.² Marven B. Ferguson married Rosa Lou Metcalfe on January 7, 1950 at Henrietta, Clay Co., Texas.¹ Marven B. Ferguson died on July 7, 2004 at Pratt, Pratt Co., Kansas, at age 84.^1,6 He PRESTON -- Marven B. Ferguson, 84, died July 7, 2004, at South Wind Hospice House, Pratt. Funeral service is at 2 p.m. Saturday at Larrison Mortuary, with the Rev. Bill Stapleton presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. Burial, with graveside military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard, will be at Sylvia Cemetery, Sylvia. He was born Sept. 5, 1919, at Boise, Idaho, to Emmett R. and Hazel J. Ayres Ferguson. A Preston resident since 1966, he was the owner and operator of LuMar custom Saddlery for more than 25 years, retiring in 2002. He served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, then enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and retired as a master sergeant in 1966. He also served during the Korean War. On Jan. 7, 1950, he married Rosa Lou Metcalfe at Henrietta, Texas. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Les, Preston; two daughters, Tanya Neill, Preston, and Michelle Eby, Kennewick, Wash; a sister, Muriel E. Smith, Clarkston, Wash; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and 15 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bert. Memorials may be sent to South Wind Hospice, in care of the mortuary. on July 10, 2004.¹

     His Social Security Number was 519-16-9954.⁴ Bert E. Ferguson was born on March 10, 1925 at Idaho.^1,4 He died on September 15, 1990 at age 65.⁴

     Norma Elsie Ferguson was buried at Star Cemetery, State Street, Hwy 16, Star, Ada Co., Idaho.² She was born on November 26, 1922 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^1,2 She died on December 8, 1922 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^1,2

     Her Social Security Number was 548-32-4050.³ Mabel Viola Unknown was born on July 19, 1917 at Nebraska.^1,3,4 As of July 1, 1939,her married name was Hall.¹ She married Lester Walter Hall, son of Cecil Boyd Hall and Ida Elizabeth Ayres, on July 1, 1939.¹ Mabel Viola Unknown died on May 11, 2008 at California at age 90.³

     John B. Garrett was buried at Prairie City Cemetery, Prairie City, Grant Co., Oregon.³ He was born on April 5, 1886 at Missouri.³ He married Sarah Margaret Prillaman on February 25, 1918 at Union Co., Oregon.² John B. Garrett died on March 8, 1954 at age 67.³