Obituaries

The following obituaries have been typed and added to the website.  More will be added as they are typed:

CALOUD, Frank

Early Tuesday morning the dead body of Frank Caloud was found under a tree on the courthouse lawn in Shell Lake. The body was soon recognized as being that of a Bohemian farmer living in the town of Sarona, but no one knew his name.

After several hundred had viewed the body it occurred to Chairman Wang that Miss Louisa Sauers who lives in Sarona was attending the teachers examination. She was called on and identified the body as being that of the person named above.

The family was promptly notified and the oldest son arrived about noon and took the body home.

Death seems to have come to Mr. Caloud without a struggle as he was found lying flat out on his back with his arms naturally folded across his breast.

He was a widower having buried his second wife some time ago.

Recently he learned that his residence and other buildings were not on the land he owned.  He brooded over these matters and shortly before his death wrote his son which gave evidence that he intended to take his life.

Mr. Caloud has lived on his farm about one and one half miles from Sarona for the past three years and leaves two daughters and three sons.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 19 Aug 1904, page 1

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CANFIELD, John A.

OBITUARY

John A. Canfield was born in Pennsylvania June 29, 1848, and came to Minnesota with his parents in the early fifties.  The family first settled at Reeds Landing and later in Cook's Valley, at what is now known as Canfield's Spring.  Here he spent his boyhood days.  In early manhood he moved to the village of Kellogg, Minn., and in December, 1874, he was married to Miss Anna Hall.  Three children were born to this union, George of Spooner, Wilson of Carrington, N. D., and James who died at Kellogg in 1912.  His first wife died Feb. 24, 1882, and he was married to Miss Anna Thompson on April 3, 1884, who preceded him to the grave on Aug. 7, 1913.  To them were born eight children, Mrs. H. R. Flint of Missoula, Mont., Mrs. Edith Jones of Williams, Minn., Mrs. C. J. Boyer of Cheyenne, Wyo., Walter of Kellogg, Minn., Homer and Elmer of Spooner and Ruth and Beryl of Minneapolis, all of whom with his brother, H. W. Canfield of Winona, Minn., remain to mourn his loss.

He entered the employ of the J. G. Lawrence Elevator  Co. in 1882 as grain and seed buyer and continued in the employ of this and succeeding companies until the early spring of 1914, when he came to Lampson and made his home with his son Homer.  He came to Spooner in the spring of 1919, where he resided until the time of his death.

Mr. Canfield contracted influenza last spring and never fully recovered.  In September of this year he spent a short time at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. R. Flint, of Missoula, Mont., hoping the change of climate would improve his health.  He returned to Spooner about the first of October and soon after was forced to his bed by his gradually weakening condition.  On November 24th he was moved to the M. E. Hospital at Rice Lake Lake where he died at 9:45 p.m. November 29 [1925].  His sons, George, Homer and Elmer were with him at the time of his death.

The remains were taken to Kellogg, Minn., where funeral services were held in the M. E. church under Masonic auspices, with burial in the family lot in Greenfield cemetery.  Deceased was active in Masonic circles for many years, being a member of the order for fifty-one years.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 11 Dec 1925, page 5

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CANTLEY, baby

Arthur Cantley's baby died Wednesday after an illness of six weeks.  The little one had a long siege of it.  Mr. and Mrs. Cantley have the sympathy of a large circle of friends over the loss of their little one.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Register, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 16 Oct 1897, page 8

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CASS, Mr.

Mr. Cass, who was driving team for the St. Croix Lumber Co. this winter, went down to Stillwater with the horses last week.  One day while attending to the horses in the barn there he got kicked in the head and came to his death almost instantly.  Deceased leaves a family.  He was well known to a good many of the people here.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Register, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 05 Mar 1898, page 1

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CHAPPELLE, Ethel (nee ELLIOTT)

MRS. H. H. CHAPPELLE, AREA HISTORIAN, DIES

Mrs. Ethel Elliott Chappelle, of Birchwood, author of the "Why of Washburn County Names" and an active community booster and historian, died Monday at the age of 84 years.

Mrs. Chappelle's "Why of Washburn County Names," a history of the origin of place names of the area, appeared in The Advocate as well as other area newspapers a few years ago, and was also published in book form.  She also authored another historical book, which is scheduled to be published this summer. Mrs. Chappelle also served as a newspaper correspondent for her community for many years.

Funeral services will be held at the Methodist Church in Birchwood at 2 p.m. Thursday, Rev. Tony Wilson officiating, and burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.  The body will lie in state at the Hyllengren Funeral Home in Rice Lake Wednesday afternoon and evening.

She was born at River Falls on Feb. 17, 1888, the daughter of William and Jeanette Elliott.  The family moved to Stanberry in 1913, and she married Herbert H. Chappelle in August 1917.  They made their home in Stanberry until 1928 when they moved to Birchwood.

She was active in Home Extension Service, 4-H work and other community activities in the Stanberry area, and continued these interests with renewed vigor after moving to Birchwood, where she was instrumental in getting 4-H activities started.  She also gave piano lessons for many years and was a church organist for 71 years.  She was a member of the Methodist Church at Birchwood.

Mrs. Chapelle had pursued her interests as a community booster with increasing vigor as she advanced in years, and even a severe injury in a fall a few years ago did not dim her enthusiasm for community service, particularly in compiling historical material.

She is survived by her husband, Herbert; two sons, Elliott, of Albuquerque, N. Mex., and Harold of San Antonio, Tex.; three daughters, Mrs. Elma Hayes, Hudson, Mrs. Gene Hester, Houston, Tex., and Mrs. Marjorie Dahm, Hudson; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 27 Apr 1972, page 8

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CLANTON, George

George Clanton, 74, prominent resident of Shell Lake for 18 years, died on Thursday, April 22, 1937 at the home of his son, F. W. Clanton, at Prairie du Chien, Wis.  The body arrived here Friday noon for burial.

Funeral services were held at the Raas Funeral Home in Shell Lake Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.  Rev. L. Lockhart, pastor of the M. E. church, officiated in the last rites.  Interment in the Shell Lake cemetery.

George Kenyon Clanton was born Feb. 16, 1863 at St. Joseph, Missouri.  He was married to Gertrude Jaenk, Nov. 1, 1886 at Emmetsburg, Ia., she preceding him in death six years ago.  To this union were born ten children, two dying in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Clanton came with their family to Shell Lake in 1919 where he made his residence until last September when he went to Prairie du Chien to receive medical treatment.

He is survived by the following: Geo. V. Clanton, Cleveland, Ohio; Clyde W. Clanton, Huntley, Ill.; F. W. Clanton, Prairie du Chien, Wis.; H. J. Clanton, Shell Lake, Wis.; Mrs. Edward D. Cahoon, Racine, Wis.; P. E. Clanton, Shell Lake, Wis.; E. O. Clanton, Iron Belt, Wis.; Mrs. Charles A. Wilkinson, Prairie du Chien, Wis.; two brothers, two sisters and twelve grandchildren.

-Transcribed from the Washburn County Register, Shell Lake, Washburn Co., WI, 29 Apr 1937

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CLARK, Randy W.

The gymnasium was packed at Minong's Northwoods High School Wednesday morning during services for Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Randy W. Clark, killed by mortar fire Sept. 6 (1983) in Beirut, Lebanon.

Representatives from several area American Legion posts were on hand with students, former students who knew Clark in school, family members, relatives and others.

A Marine Corps firing squad was at Greenwood Cemetery.

Col. William Rakow, Kansas City, was the official Marine Corps representative.  Also attending was Cpl. Kevin Hadler, Clark's squad leader who had accompanied the body of the 19-year-old Marine from Beirut to Minong.  He was aboard the military jet when it landed in Duluth carrying Clark's body.

Even while funeral services for Clark were pending this week, three more U. S. Marines were wounded by rebel shells in Lebanon bringing the total to four U. S. Marines killed and 28 injured.  They were among the 1200 Marines there cast in the role of "peacekeepers" in the embattled nation.

Hadler described Clark as a "model Marine."

"He was terrific," Hadler said.  "He never caused any problems.  You asked him to do a job and he would do it and not ask any questions."

Hadler was injured by mortar fire Aug. 29.  He said he was in a bunker about 150 feet from Clark when the Minong Marine was killed.  Another Marine was killed at the same time.  Hadler, from Thiensville, will return to Beirut next week.

Northwoods High School has established a scholarship fund in Clark's name and has retired football jersey No. 74, the jersey Clark wore while earning Lakeland all-conference honors before his graduation in 1982.

Visitation was held Tuesday afternoon at the Pettit-Brown Funeral Home in Minong.

Clark is survived by his mother and father, James and Norma Clark; a brother and sister still in school, Mariann in the eighth grade and Kelly, a junior; a sister, Hallie, and two older brothers, Scott and Russell, all living in Minong.

-Transcribed from the Washburn County Register, Shell Lake, Washburn Co., WI, 15 Sep 1983

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CLYDE, John Elwin

Young Child Called

John Elwin, the 18 month old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Clyde of the town of Stone Lake, died Tuesday, March 19 (1929), a victim of spinal meningitis.  The sympathy of friends and neighbors goes out to the bereaved family.  Burial took place in the Earl Cemetery, Rev. Chase conducting the services.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI., 21 Mar 1929, page 1

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COLEMAN, Margaret (nee HART)

MRS. FLOYD COLEMAN

Mrs. Floyd Coleman passed away at Middle River sanitarium on July 25, 1947, where she had been a patient for three weeks, at the age of 30 years, two months and 21 days.

Margaret Hart was born May 4, 1917, at Sand Lake, Burnett county, and there grew to young womanhood.  She was united in marriage to Floyd Wayne Coleman on October 1, 1943, at Pine City, Minn., and lived for a short time at Eau Claire before coming to Spooner in 1944, and later the same year moved to Webster, where they lived until September 1946, when the family went to Amery to make their home.  Early in June this year ill health forced her to return to the home of her mother, Mrs. George Hart, in Burnett county, and on July 9 she entered Middle River sanitarium, where she passed away as above stated.

Funeral services were held from Robert Mortuary on Monday afternoon, July 28, with Rev. M. R. Philpott officiating.  Interment was in the Spooner cemetery.

Her husband, Floyd, one daughter, Myrna, and a son, Donald, survive.  Her mother, Mrs. George Hart, two brothers, Peter Hart and Edward Hart, of Burnett county; four sisters, Mrs. Harry Cunningham, Long Lake, Mrs. William O'Mara, Spooner, Mrs. Frank Weideman, Minneapolis, and Mrs. Mabel Arbuckle, Walker, Minn.; an uncle, Jack Bearheart, of Spooner, and an aunt, Mrs. John Lonestar, of Siren, also survive.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 31 Jul 1947

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COLEMAN, William LeRoy

William LeRoy Coleman, 96, a resident of Spooner, passed away on Saturday, March 18, at Spooner Nursing Home.

He was born on July 5, 1881 at LaFarge.  On January 22, 1906 he was united in marriage to Jennie Cowee at La Farge.  His wife died on March 24, 1970.  One son, one brother and two sisters also preceded him in death.

They came to Spooner in 1910.  He was a farmer for many years and was also employed by the Northwestern Railroad from 1925 until his retirement in 1947.

He is survived by two sons, Henry and Floyd, of Spooner; four daughters, Mrs. Leola Marx of Spooner, Mrs. Orville (Geneva) Campbell and Mrs. Donald (Lorraine) Moser of Waukegan, Ill., and Mrs. Olan (Genevieve) Langham of Deer Park, Tex.; also 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 21, at Dahl Funeral Home.  Rev. Veryl Schubert officiated with burial in Spooner Cemetery.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 23 Mar 1978, page 8

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COLLBERG, Donald

RITES AT SHELL LAKE FOR DONALD COLLBERG, 56

Donald Collberg, 56, Shell Lake, died Thursday, October 15, 1981, at the University Hospital, Minneapolis, Minn., following a brief illness.

He was born April 3, 1925 in Shell Lake and was a 1943 graduate of Shell Lake High School.  On May 16, 1953 he married Betty Speidel in Mason City, Iowa.  He had farmed for several years and had been working at the Baker Welding Company, Cumberland.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; one son, Peter, Minneapolis; two daughters, Judith Bruder, Amery, and Jeanette Pierce, Trego; three grandchildren; and one sister, Eleanor Butters, San Diego.

Services were Monday at the Salem Lutheran Church, Shell Lake, with Rev. Norm Luecke and Rev. Virgil Amundson officiating.  Burial will be in the Shell Lake Cemetery.  Visitation was t the Pockat Funeral Home and the church.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 22 Oct 1981, page 6

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CORBIN, Mrs. J. W.

The death of Mrs. J. W. Corbin, wife of "Will," at Wadena, Ia., 20th inst., was learned with regret by acquaintances and friends of theirs here.  She, with her husband and children, left here last 4th of July for there to receive medical treatment.  She was then suffering from consumption and finally succumbed to the dread disease on above date, in her 20th year.  Her husband and two little children, as well as many near relatives, are left to mourn her.  Both herself and husband have, practically speaking, been raised here and always have been highly esteemed.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Register, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 28 Aug 1897, page 1

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COSGROVE, Mrs. T. G.

Mrs. T. G. Cosgrove died Tuesday evening after a short illness of pneumonia.  Her remains were taken to her former hoe near Elroy, Wis., on the limited Wednesday evening.  J. T. Halleran Funeral Directory and embalmer took charge of the funeral for Mrs. T. G. Cosgrove.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Register, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 10 Feb 1894, page 1

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CRONK, Frank

Frank Cronk, a resident of the town of Long Lake, died at the state hospital at Mendota, Wis., on Saturday, March 2, 1929, following an illness.  Deceased was 54 years of age at time of passing and leaves a wife and family of children.

The body was brought here Monday, arriving that evening, and was taken to the Roberts Mortuary from where the funeral was held yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.  Rev. Nulton of Shell Lake officiated and interment took place in the Shell Lake cemetery.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 07 Mar 1929, page 1

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CROOKER, Harold H.

FORMER SPOONER RESIDENT DIES IN MINNEAPOLIS

Harold H. Crooker, 48, a resident of this pace for a time, later moving to Minneapolis, died at the Veterans hospital in Minneapolis on Monday, June 19.  Death was caused by heart ailment.

Deceased is survived by his widow of Minneapolis.  The remains were brought here and funeral services were held from the Roberts Mortuary on Wednesday of last week Rv. Fr. Tredrea of the Episcopal church officiating, and burial was made in the Spooner cemetery.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, Thursday, 29 June 1939, page 8

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CROWELL, Maxwell H.

Flying Cadet Maxwell. H. Crowell, 22, a pilot in the 94th pursuit squadron of the army corps and son of Dr. and Mrs. I. G. Crowell of Shell Lake, Wisconsin, was killed in the crash of his pursuit plane near Selfridge Field, Michigan, last Friday afternoon, December 13, 1935 after the plane had clipped the roof of a Grand Trunk railroad caboose.

Emerging from a fog bank in an effort to land, the fast plane made its customary "mushing" or drop in the descent and was unable to clear the caboose roof, which was obscured by the fog, when the plane began to rise again.  In clipping the roof the rear controls at the rudder were torn from the machine, the plane sailed a distance of one-half mile before landing, making a nose dive into the ground which sent the plane somersaulting thru the air.  The engine was thrown out of its moorings and Max was also flung out of the cockpit.  An officer at the Field 4 miles away noticed the flames and immediately rushed to the scene.  He found Max lying dead a short distance from the wreckage which had burst in flames.

The plane landed on the Joseph Verraes farm, between the house and barn.  The housewife at home heard the crash but did not witness the accident.

Maxwell Homer Crowell was born at Shell Lake, Wisconsin, March 15, 1914.  His childhood and youth were spent in Shell Lake where he attended the public schools.  He was graduated from high school in May, 1930 at the age of 16.  While attending the Shell Lake schools, he was interested in all school activities, taking part in athletics, music and school publications.

In September of 1930, he enrolled in the freshman class at Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin.  During the next four years he pursued his studies at Northland, spending his summer with his parents at Shell Lake, and frequently acting in his capacity as Red Cross Life Saving Instructor and Examiner.  He was graduated from Northland with the degree of Bachelor of Arts on June 17, 1934.  While at Northland, Max majored in Mathematics.  He was well liked and highly thought of by both professors and fellow-students.

In the summer of 1934, following his graduation from Northland College, Max presented himself at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, to take a qualifying physical examination for enrollment in the United States Army Air Corps.  He passed the examination successfully and was placed on the preferential list.  In September he received his appointment, and after first reporting at Fort Sheridan, he proceeded to Randolph Field, Texas, to become a cadet in the entering class of 133.  After completing the two stages of instruction offered at Randolph Field, he entered the final stage of training at Kelly Field, and was graduated with honors October 12, 1935.

Following graduation he was assigned to the 94th Pursuit Squadron of the United States Army Air Corps at Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens, Michigan.  He reported for duty on November 3, after spending a short furlough with parents and friends.  At the time of his fatal accident he was looking forward to receiving his commission as a Reserve Officer in the United States Army Air Corps in the near future.

A devoted and loving son, a loyal and true brother, a friend to all; his untimely demise is mourned by relatives and friends alike.

He is survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. I. G. Crowell of Shell Lake; and five brothers, Chester of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Earl of St. Paul, Minnesota; Irving of Sarona, Dean, who is attending Superior State Teachers' College and Homer of Shell Lake.

Military Rites Held for Pilot Here on Tuesday Community Mourns Loss of Home Boy With Promising Career Ahead

The funeral took place from the M. E. Church, Shell Lake, December 17th.  Rev. J. Spoolman, of Ashland, formerly of Northland College staff, conducted the funeral service at the home and also at the church.

Members of the National Guard of Spooner and the American Legion members of Shell Lake attended the funeral service.  Cadet Evart W. Hedlund of Selfridge Field, on of Max's friends and room-mate accompanied the casket to Shell Lake.  Legion members stood guard at the Raas Funeral Parlors, during the time the remains rested there.

Four brothers of the deceased: Irving, Chester, Earl and Dean, with Lynn Hansen and Clyde Stouffer, acted as pallbearers.

A mail quartet which included: Harold Toll, Glenn Peterson, Bud Bitney and Luther Toftness sang, "In The Garden," and "Abide with Me" with Fern Lockhart accompanist.

Many beautiful floral emblems covered the flag draped casket bearing mute testimony of the high esteem in which the deceased was held.

Interment took place at the Shell Lake Cemetery.

Among the out-of-town guests who attended the funeral were the following: Lynn Hansen of Albert Lea, Minnesota; Mrs. I. Upton of New Richmond; Mr. and Mrs. G. Hansen and family of Ashland; Mrs. M. Hanson of Ashland; Mr. and Mrs. A. Crowell, daughter, Dorothy; Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Crowell and daughter Bonnie Of Hayward; Mr. and Mrs. F. Wakefield and daughter June, of Stone Lake; Mrs. L. Halverson of Eau Claire.  From Northland College, Ashland: Misses Grace Alma Branzell and Laura Mawhinney; and Professor H. Meritt, Orval Christman and Matthew Hosmer, of Butternut.

-Transcribed from the Washburn County Register, Shell Lake, Washburn Co., WI, 19 Dec 1935

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CUNNINGHAM, Rena (nee SNELL)

Mrs. G. N. Cunningham

The community was deeply grieved last Friday to hear of the sudden death of Mrs. G. N. Cunningham of the town of Beaver Brook, which occurred that afternoon at her home.  Death was caused by heart ailment.  She had been attending to her household duties in apparent good health up to the day of her passing, death coming suddenly and unexpectedly.  The bereaved family has the heartfelt sympahy of all in the hours of sorrow.

Rena Snell was born in Bellaire, Ohio, July 26, 1891, and at the age of eight years came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Snell, to the town of Casey, the family locating on a farm.  They moved to Spooner in 1904, where she grew to womanhood and was married to George Noble Cunningham on June 11, 1910.  They continued to reside here until 1931, when they moved to their present home in the town of Beaver Brook.

Deceased leaves, besides her husband, two daughters, Mrs. Wm. Krueger, of Springbrook; and Vada, at home; also four sons, Harry, Earl, Ernest and Willis, of the town of Beaver Brook.  One son, Everett, preceded her in death.

The parents and two sisters, Mrs. Della Snell, of Casey, Mrs. Alvin Nelson, of Chetek, and two brothers, Albert, of Chicago, and Edward, of town of Evergreen, also survive, as do four grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at two o'clock from the Methodist church in this city, Rev. Chatterson officiating, and interment was made in the Spooner cemetery.

-Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate, Spooner, Washburn Co., WI, 02 May 1935, page 5

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CYR, Frank E.

Frank E. Cyr, a resident of Birchwood for nearly 30 years, died Saturday afternoon, Jan. 23, 1937, at the General hospital at Madison after a short illness.  He had not complained of not feeling well until a short time before his death.  The body was brought to Birchwood for burial.

Mr. Cyr was born at Van Buren, Maine, on April 25, 1869 and moved to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, when a young boy.  He was married to Adeline Patnode in 1889 and to this union eleven children were born.

Mr. Cyr had maintained his residence in Birchwood continuously since 1907.  He was employed by the Soo Line railway and would have been pensioned this year.  He owned half-interest in the People's Cash Store with R. L. LaPointe until last fall when he sold out his interest to his son, R. J. Cyr.

Deceased was loved by all who knew him, his word was as good as his bond, and no matter what adversity came his way, he could take it with a smile.  No finer tribute could be given any man.

Funeral was held Tuesday forenoon at 9:30 o'clock at St. John's Catholic church, Rev. Father Tabinski officiating.  The pallbearers were Henry Knapmiller, L. G. Bemis, Herman Kleiman, Frank Blaha, Mark Hayes, and Mike Skar.  Interment at Wood Lawn cemetery.

-Transcribed from the Washburn County Register, Shell Lake, Washburn Co., WI, 28 Jan 1937

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