MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, Michigan, Book H. p. 328, #10,080. Married 15 June 1925 at Burlington, Calhoun , MI, Ledger Pierce, w. b. MI, age 23, residing in Coldwater, occupation: chauffer, father: William Pierce, mother; Lulu Carpenter; and Margaret Treacher, w, b. MI, age 22, residing in Coldwater, occupation: none, father: Fred Treacher, mother Lizzie Sherman; neither had been married previously; officiant: Edmond J. Smith, Minister of the Gospel; witnesses: J. B. Gower and Anna S. Gower, both of Union City. (Anna S. Gower is the groom's sister.)
In 1932 Ledger was of Coldwater according to his mother's obituary.
DEATH. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, Vol. D. p. 184, #11,536. Died 1 October 1938 at Allen Twp., Hillsdale County (MI), Ledger Pierce, w. m, widower, age 36y8m12d, b. MI, father: William Pierce, b. MI, mother: Lulu Carpenter, b. Mi, occupation: driver of State highway truck, cause: auto accident. Death record was a transcript from Hillsdale County, Michigan.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Monday, October 3, 1938, p. 1. Local Couple Lose Lives as Car Hits Tree. Ledger Pierce and Miss Lucille Nicola Killed Saturday Night. Ledger K. Pierce, 37, of Coldwater, a truckdriver for the state highway department, was instantly killed and his housekeeper, Miss Lucille Nicola, 30, fatally injured Saturday night when his automobile left US-112 three miles east of Quincy and crashed into a large tree. Pierce and Miss Nicola, who were said to have been planning to be married in about a week, were returning to Coldwater from Hillsdale County fair when the tragedy snuffed out their lives. The accident occurred at about 9 p.m. in front of the Charles Parson farm. The car, which was traveling west, apparently was going at high speed when it left the highway at a point about 500 feet east of the tree. The machine was demolished and the wreckage was twisted around the trunk of the tree. Miss Nicola was hurled a distance of fifty feet from the wreckage while Pierce's badly mangled body was found in the machine. The former sustained a compound fracture of the skull, a broken thigh and other injuries, and died while being taken by ambulance to Hillsdale City Hospital. Pierce suffered a broken neck, skull fracture and compound fracture of both legs. No eye-witnesses to the tragedy had been found today. Mr. Parsons heard the crash and investigated. He asked a passing motorist to secure an ambulance and then notifed the state police at Jonesville. Troopers, after investigating the mishap, were inclined to believe that Pierce fell asleep at the wheel. As the accident occurred just east of the Branch County line in Hillsdale County, Coroner Frank Aldrich of Hillsdale was summoned. He later said that he would probably conduct an inquest but was unable to set a date. From the condition of the wrecked machine, parts of which were strewn for many feet in each direction, officers investigating the accident estimated that the car must have been traveling 65 miles an hour when it left the road. Authorities were unable at first to identify the victims. The bodies were not positively identified until three hours after the crash when they were viewed by J. B. Gower of Union City, a brother-in-law of Pierce.
Both bodies were taken to the Rawson-Brockway Funeral Home in Quincy and Pierce's body was later brought to the Gould Funeral Home here to await funeral arrangements. Pierce was born 37 years ago at Batavia Station and spent his entire life in Branch County. His wife died four years ago and his survivors include four children, Helen, Virginia, R. D. and Mary Lee, all of school age; his father, William E. Pierce of 191 Henry Street; three sisters, Mrs. Anna Gower of Union City, Mrs. Kathrine Brickley of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Mrs. Marie Zabonick of Albion; and four brothers, Zolva, Russell, and Lewis Pierce of Coldwater, and Orval Pierce of Union City. Miss Nicola, formerly a student nurse in Battle Creek, had been employed by Mr. Pierce as his housekeeper for the last six weeks. Funeral services for Pierce will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Gould Funeral Home with the Rev. Hugh C. Crouch of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be made in Lester Cem.. Funeral arrangements for Miss Nicola had not be completed today.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter. Tuesday, December 4, 1934, p. 1. Succumbs to Long Illness, Mrs. Marjorie Pierce Dies at Hospital Today; She was 31 Years Old. Mrs. Marjorie Pierce, 31, wife of Ledger Pierce and lifelong resident of Branch County died at 9 a.m. today at Wade Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient for the past five weeks. Besides her husband, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Treacher; four children, Helen, Virginia, R. D., and Mary Lee; a brother, Kenneth Treacher, and a sister, Marie Quimby all of Coldwater. Mrs. Pierce was born Dec 31, 1902, in Ovid Twp., daughter of Fred and Lizzie Treacher. She attended Coldwater High School and married Mr. Pierce June 15, 1925. She had lived in Coldwater since her marriage. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of McConkey Funeral Home, with the Rev. H. G. Hurrell, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. (On the marriage license, her name was Margaret. In her obituary it is Marjorie.)
DEATH. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, vol. D. p. 114, #9937. Died 4 Dec 1934 at Coldwater Twp., Marjorie Pierce, f, w, married, age 31y11m3d, b. MI, occupation: at home; father: Fred Treacher, b. MI, mother, Lizzie Sherman, b. MI, cause: Peritonitis from rupture.
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, Michigan, Book H. p. 330, #10,116. Married 4 July 1925 at Coldwater, Zolby Pierce, w. b. MI, age 21, residing in Coldwater, occupation: truck driver, father: William Pierce, mother: Lulu Carpenter; and Esther Farris, w, b. Ashley, IN, age 18, residing in Coldwater, occupation: none, father: Jason Farris, mother: Maude Davis; neither had been married previously; officiant: O. S. Martin, Minister; witnesses: George W. Lampman and Rowena Parrish, both of Coldwater.
A marriage license was found for a Kenneth L. Pierce which stated his father was Zolvy Pierce and his mother was Zora Garton. The indices were checked for a marriage license for Zolvy and Zora, but none was found. Zolvy's obituary in 1947 state that he was married secondly to Zora Garton and Zora died in June 1947.
In 1932 Zolvy was a resident of Coldwater according to his mother's obituary.
DEATH. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, Michigan, vol. E. p. 12, #1,063. Died 19 Aug. 1947 at Coldwater City, Zolvy R. Pierce, m, w, age 44y9m,10d, b. MI, widower, occupation: Bronson Reel, father: William Pierce, b. MI, mother: Lulu Mae Carpenter, b. MI, cause: coronary thrombosis.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Tuesday, August 19, 1947, p. l. Zolvy Pierce Found Dead. Local Man Dies of Heart Ailment. Zolvy R. Pierce, 44, was found dead in bed at about 9 a.m. today by his father, William E. Pierce, at their home at 191 Henry St. An investigation by Coroner Irving L. Stansell revealed a heart ailment as the cause of death, and an inquest was not thought to be required. Mr. Pierce, born November 3, 1903, in Batavia Twp. had always lived in and around Coldwater, with the Bronson Reel Co plant his most recent place of employment. He was for several years a truck driver with the Southern Michigan Grocery Company. Surviving him are his father, two sons, Robert with the United State Marines and stationed in California, and Kenneth, 18 Morse St., Coldwater; three sisters, Katherine Brickly, Ft. Wayne; Marie Zabonick, Albion, and Anna Snyder, Union City, and three brothers, Russell, Coldwater Twp., Orval, Union City, and Lewis, Coldwater. Mr. Pierce was twice married. Esther Farris, his first wife, died in 1935, and his second wife, Zora Garton, died in June of this year. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at Baggerly Funeral Home at 2 o'clock with burial in Oak Grove Cem..
It is not known if Robert is his son by his first wife, Esther Farris, or of Zora Garton, his second wife. His first wife died in 1935, and in Ester's obituary it said she had a son Robert. Later Zora is listed as his mother, but she probably raised the child after the mother's death.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Friday, January 25, 1935, p. 1. Esther Pierce Expires Today. Wife of Zolvy Pierce Dies at Hospital Following Month's Illness. Mrs. Esther M. Pierce, 132 Perkins Street, wife of Zolvy Pierce, died at 3 a.m. today at Wade Memorial Hospital where she has been a patient for the past month. She was 28 years old. Her husband, who is employed by the Southern Michigan Grocer Company; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Farris of near Coldwater; one son, Robert; three brothers, Charles, Clair and Dale; and a sister, Lucille Farris, all of Coldwater survive. Mrs. Pierce was born Jan 3, 1907, at Ashley, Ind. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Free Methodist Church. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cem.. Arrangements are in charge of McConkey Funeral Home.
DEATH. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, Mi, vol. D., p 118, #10,010. Died 25 Jan 1935 at Coldwater, Esther M. Pierce, f. w, married, age 28y0m,22d, b. IN, occupation; at home; father: Jason Farris, b. KS, mother; Maude Davis, b. MI, cause: coronary embolism.
In 1932 Kathryn Brickley was of Ft. Wayne, Ind., according to her mother's obituary. In 1938 Katherine was living in Ft. Wayne, Ind., according to her brother's, Ledger's, obituary. In 1947 Katherine was living in Ft. Wayne, Ind., according to her brother's, Zolvy's, obituary. In 1972 Mrs. Tony Brickley was of Ft. Wayne, Ind., according to her brother's, Louis', obituary. In 1973 Kathryn was of Ft. Wayne, Ind. according to her brother's, Orval's, obituary.
In 1976 Kathryn Brickley was of Fort Wayne, Ind., according to her sister's, Anna Snyder's, obituary. Some information said that Kathryn had a daughter.
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI. Vol. H. p. 359, #10,542. Married 17 May 1927 at Coldwater, John Zabonick, w, b. PA, age 21, residiang in Albion, occupation: factory Worker, father; Charles Zabonick, mother: Anna Lukazcek; and Marie Pierce, w, b. MI, age 19, residing in Coldwater, occupation: none, father: William Pierce, mother: Lulu Carpenter; neither had been married previously; officiant: A. C. Shaw, Minister; witnesses: Mrs. A. C. Shaw and Mrs. Cerinda Mapes, both of Coldwater.
In 1932 Marie Zabonick was of Albion according to her mother's obituary. In 1938 Marie Zabonick was of Albion according to her brother's, Ledger's, obituary. In 1947 Marie Zabonick was living in Albion according to her brother's, Zolvy's, obituary, In 1972 Mrs. John (Marie) Zabonick was of Albion according to her brother's, Louis', obituary. In 1973 Marie was of Phoenix, Ariz., according to her brother's, Orval's, obituary. In 1976 Marie was a resident of Oklahoma City, Okla. according to her sister's, Anna Snyder's, obituary.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Friday, 11 June 1982, p. B-2, Albion. Marie Emily (Pierce) Zabonick, 73, of Arlington, Texas, and formerly of Albion died Wednesday in a hospital in Arlington after a brief illness. She was born in Coldwater and moved to albion in 1927, when she was married to John Zabonick, who survives. She moved to Oklahoma in 1971 and to Arlington in 1981. She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Enid, Okla., and a former member of the Albion Free Methodist Church. She was a member of the Jackson and Michigan chapters of the Association for the Deaf and of those in Oklahoma and Fort Worth, Texas. She is survived by her husband: sons, Fred Zabonick of Scotts and Jack of Paw Paw; daughters, Dorothy Zabonick and Ms. Anna Pelfrey, both of Arlington, and Mrs. Judy Collins of Albion; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Albion Chapel, Tidd-Williams Funeral Chapels. Memorial donations may be made to the building fund of the Fort Worth, Texas, Association for the Deaf.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Friday, June 11, 1982, p. 2. Albion - Marie Zabonick, 73, a former Albion resident, died Wednesday, June 9, at Arlington Community Hospital in Arlington, Texas, following a short illness. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Tidd-Williams Funeral Chapel in Albion, the Rev. Richard B. Cryderman officiating. Burial will be at Albion Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made at the Fort Worth Texas, Association for the Deaf Building Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Mrs. Zabonick, who resided at 3415 Cottilion Drive, Arlington, Texas, was born Sept. 12, 1908 in Coldwater, the daughter of William and Lulu Carpenter Pierce. On May 17, 1927, she married John Zabonick in Coldwater. She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Enid, Okla. and a former member of the Albion First Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Jackson Association for the Deaf, the Michigan Association for the Deaf, the Okalahoma Association for the Deaf and the Fort Worth, Texas, Association for the Deaf. She moved to Oklahoma City in 1971, Enid, Okla. in 1973, and Arlington in 1981. Survivors include her husband, John; two sons, Fred Zabonick, Scotts, and Jack Zabonick Sr., Paw Paw; three daughters, Miss Dorothy Zabonick and Miss Anna Pelfrey, both of Arlington, and Mrs. Judy Collins, Albion; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In 1932 Russell was of Coldwater according to his mother's obituary. In 1938 Russell was living in Coldwater, according to his brother, Ledger's, obituary.
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, book I, p. 111, #12,843. Married 27 July 1941 at Coldwater, Russell G. Pierce, w, b, MI, age 22, residing in Coldwater, occupation; Army, father: William Pierce, mother: Lulu Carpenter; and Evelyn E. Teachout, w, b. MI, age 20, residing in Coldwater, occupation: school teacher, father: Alfred Teachout, mother: Genevieve Walker; nieither had been married previously; officiant; Herbert G. Hurrell, Minister; witnesses: Wilbur D. Teachout of Coldwater and Dorothy Wertenberg of Chicago, IL.
In 1947 Russell was living in Coldwater Twp., according to his brother's, Zolvy's, obituary. In May 1972 Russell was of Coldwater according to his brother's, Louis', obituary. In May 1973 Russell was of Coldwater according to he brother's, Orval's, obituary.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Sunday, December 23, 1973. Coldwater. Russell G. Pierce, 55, of 112 Behnke Road, Coldwater Twp., was fatally stricken with a heart attack Friday while enroute to the Fort Wayne, Ind. airport for a vacation trip to Florida. Pierce was a custodian at the Jefferson School. He is survived by his wife, the former Evelyn Teachout; a son, Stephen of Hilton, NY; sisters, Mrs. Anna Snyder of Zephyrhills, Fla., Mrs. Kathryn Brickley of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Mrs. Marie Zabonick of Oklahoma City, Okla. and one grandson. A veteran of World War II, Pierce was a member of the Tyre Lodge No. 18 F&AM and was a past master of the lodge. He was the high priest of the Mount Moriah Council; a member of the Royal Arch Masons No. 21; Jacob's Commandry, Knights Templars No. 10; and was past patron of the Ivy Leaf Lodge 22, Order of Eastern Star in Kinderhook. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Gillispie Funeral Home.
A letter was received 15 May 1980 from Evelyn Teachout Pierce with some of the above information.
In 1932 Lewis was of Coldwater according to his mother's obituary. In 1938 Lewis was of Coldwater according to his brother's, Ledger's, obituary.
MARRIAGE. Branch County clerk, Coldwater, Mi, book I, p. 183, #13, 924. A marriage license was applied for in 1946 by Lewis R. Pierce, w, age 21, residing in Coldwater, occupation; electrician, father: William Earl Pierce, mother: Lulu May Carpenter; and Agnes Lillian Gibson, w, age 16, residing in Coldwater, occupation: waitress, father: Franklin Joseph Gibson, mother: Rose Byers; neither had been married previously. Record is marked "NOT USED." (The marriage index was checked for the years 1946-1987, and no marriage license was found for Lewis R. Pierce.)
In 1947 Lewis was of Union City according to his brother's, Zolvy's, obituary.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Tuesday, May 20, 1972, p. 2. Louis R. Pierce, 46, a resident of Coldwater until 1964, died suddenly May 25 in Detroit. Services were held today at the Batavia Cem. with the Rev. Mark D. Graham in charge. The Putnam Funeral Home handled arrangements. Mr. Pierce was born in Coldwater on March 3, 1926, son of William E. and Lula (Carpenter) Pierce. He was a World War II veteran and was formerly employed as a lineman for the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities. Surviving as a daughter, Mrs. Gary (Judy) Lawson, Westland: three sons, Lon Pierce, Japan, Terry Pierce, Korea; and Gary Pierce, Inkster; three sisters, Mrs. Howard (Anna) Snyder of Coldwater, Mrs. John (Marie) Zabonick of Albion, and Mrs. Tony Brickley of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and two brothers, Russell Pierce of Coldwater, and Orvil Pierce of Jackson.
A visit was made to Batavia Cem. on June 3, 2000. Batavia Cem. is located in Section 26 of Batavia Twp., Branch County, MI, on the east side of Batavia Road between highways M-89 and US-12. Lewis is buried in Row 13 of the south section near his parents. There is a brass military marker on a stone which reads: "Lewis R. Pierce, Michigan, Tec 5, U. S. Army, World War II BSM, Mar 3, 1926 - May 21, 1972."
1920 U.S.Census, Union Twp., Branch, MI, taken 5 & 6 Jan 1920, household 30/30. Carpenter, Earl R. 35, b. MI, parents b. NY; Ethel A. 32, b. SD, Father MI, Mother WI; Helen E. 5 b. MI; Carl E. 2 10/12, b. MI; Louis G. 7/12 b. MI
BIRTH. Michigan Department of Public Health. Delayed Registration of Birth, State File No. 214216. Name: Carl Edward Carpenter, Born: February 6, 1917, at Sherwood Twp., Branch County, Michigan, male, mother: Ethel Alice Johnson, b. Michigan, father: Earl R. Carpenter, b. Michigan.
Carl graduated in 1934 from Union Cith High School. He also attended Michigan State College but did not graduate.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Sunday, October 8, 1972. Carl Carpenter. Wellston - Carl Carpenter, 55, retired maintenance supervisor of the Union City Community Schools, died Saturday in the West Shore Hospital, manistee, form an apparent heart attack. He retired from the school post and moved to Wellston about 18 months ago. He was employed for 30 years as a milk hauler from dairy farms in Branch and Hillsdale counties before taking the schools job. He had a plumbing and heating business in Wellston. Carpenter is survived by his wife, the former Janet Ross; daughters, Mrs. Carla Warwick of Battle Creek, Mrs. Harold (Janice) Reynolds of Athens and Mrs. Ernest (Nancy) Robinson of Battle Creek; a son, Arthur Carpenter, a Battle Creek city policeman; his mother, Mrs. Ethel Carpenter of Coldwater; a sister, Mrs. Harold (Helen) Menck of Schoolcraft; a brother, Charles of Manassas Park, VA; and eight grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Jenkins Funeral home, Union City.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Coldwater, MI, Monday, October 9, 1972. Carl Carpenter, Wellston - Carl Carpenter, 55, of Wellston, died suddenly Saturday from an apparent heart attack in Manistee. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m at the Jenkins funeral home in Union City with the Rev. Walter Rothfuss in charge. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery. Mr. Carpenter was born on Feb. 6, 1917, in Branch County, the son of Earl and Ethel (Johnson) Carpenter, and had resided in Union City leaving 18 months ago. He had been employed for 30 years as a milk pick-up hauler in Branch and Hillsdale counties. Prior to moving to Wellston he was maintenance supervisor for the Union City Community Schools. He also owned and operated the Wellston Plumbing and Heating Company. Survivors include his wife, the former Janet Ross; three daughters, Mrs. Carla Warwick, Mrs. Ernest (Nancy) Robinson both of Battle Creek, Mrs. Harold (Janice) Reynolds of Athens; one son, Arthur of Battle Creek; eight grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Ethel Carpenter of Coldwater, one sister; Mrs. Harold (Helen) Menck of Schoolcraft; one brother, Charles Carpenter of Manassas Park, VA.; one brother Louis preceded him in death in 1970
THANKS. Thank You. We wish to thank everyone for their kind deeds and thoughts during the recent loss of our loved one. We would also like to thank the United Methodist women for helping with the dinner. We owe a special thanks to June Crpenter for opening her home to us. We will always remember her. The family of Carl Carpenter.
1920 U. S. Census, Union Twp., Branch, MI, taken 5 & 6 Jan., ED 26. 30/30 Carpenter, Earl R., 35, b. MI, parents b. NY; Ethel A., 32, b. SD, father b. MI, mother b. WI; Helen E., 5, b. MI; Carl E., 2 10/12, b. MI; Louis G. 7/12, b. MI.
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, Vol. 1, p. 104, #12,734. Married 24 Nov 1940 at Union City, Louis G. Carpenter, age 21, b. MI, residing in Union City, occupation; electrician, father: Earl Carpenter, mother: Ethel Johnson; and June M. French, age 20, b. Michigan, residing in Union City, occupation: librarian, father: Chauncy French, mother: Elizabeth Harrison: officiant: Herbert E. Wylie, MG, witnesses: Jean L. French and Charles Carpenter, both of Union City.
History of Branch County, Michigan, published by The Branch County Historical Society, 1979. p. 115. The Louis Carpenter Family. Louis, son of Earl and Ethel (Johnson) Carpenter, was born on June 15, 1919. June, his wife, was the daughter of Chauncy and Elizabeth (Harrison) French and born on August 12, 1920. They have both lived their entire lives in the Union City area. Both attended the Union City school and graduated with the class of 1937. They were united in marriage in November 1940. After serving three and one half years in Worl War II, Louis worked at Clark Equipment Company as a tool and die maker. There are four living children. Bruce, born May 5, 1959, married Norma Vogel January 1974. They now reside in Sherwood and have one daughter, Jennifer, and one son, Norman. Larry, born June 20, 1951, lives at home with his mother and works at Clark Equipment Company. Sue Ann, born on August 27, 1953, worked as a veterinary laboratory technician in Elkhart and Grosse Isle before her marriage to Richard Dehn of Belleville in May 1976. They have one son, Daniel. Mary Lou, born on August 22, 1954, lives at home with her mother and works at State Farm in Marshall. She was married to Greg Hawver in August 1975. Steven Carpenter, first child born to Louis and June in April 1948, lived eleven days. Louis and June have always been very active in the community, church and school, Scouts and 4-H. Louis was president of the school board at the time of his death in December 1970, having served six and one-half years. June is currently serving her seventh year as Twp. clerk. 509 N. broadway has been the family home since 1957. (Submitted by Mrs. Louis Carpenter).
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, December 18, 1970. President of board dies of heart attack. Louis G. Carpenter, 51, of 509 N. Broadway, Union City, died unexpectedly early Friday morning at Leila Hospital. He was taken ill at home a short time after returning from a meeting of the Union City School Board of which he was president. Born in Branch County June 15, 1919, he was a life-long resident of the county. He married the former June French on Nov. 24, 1940 in Union City. He was a veteran of World War II and had been employed as a toolmaker for Clark Equipment for 29 years. He was a member of the Union City United Methodist Church, had been president of the School Board for seven years, and was active in Boy Scouts and Little League baseball. Survivors include his widow; sons, Bruce and Larry, and daughters Sue Ann and Mary Lou, all at home; his mother, Mrs. Earl (Ethel) Carpenter of Fulton; brothers, Carl of Union City and Charles of Manassas Park, Va; and a sister, Mrs. Harold (Helen) Menck of Schoolcraft. Services a 2 p.m. Monday, United Methodist Church, Union City.
DEATH Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, vol. E, p. 28, #1423. Died 17 April 1948 at Ann Arbor, Stephen Lynn Carpenter, m, w, age 11 d, b. MI. father: Louis Carpenter, b. MI, mother; June French, b. MI, cause: epidual hematoma, base of skull, congenital heart disease. Transcript of death record from Washtenaw County
DEATH. Battle Creek Enquirer and News. Larry D. Carpenter. Union City - Larry D. Carpenter, 31 of 509 N. Broadway St., died Friday in Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD. Funeral arrangements are pending at Jenkins Funeral Home. (Date of death: Sept 3, 1982).
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Monday, Sept 6, 1982. Larry D. Carpenter. Union City - Larry D. Carpenter, 31, of 509 N. Broadway, died Friday in the Rapid City Regional Hospital in South Dakota, where he had been stricken while on a trip. He had been in ill health. He was born in Union City and was a 1969 graduate of Union City High School, where he was active in athletics, band and the student council. Carpenter had been employed by Bray Ford Motor Sales and the Union City Glove Coaters, both of Union City and most recently by the Clark Equipment in Battle Creek. He is survived by his mother, June Carpenter of Union City; a brother, Bruce L. of Sherwood, and two sisters, Mrs. Richard (Sue Ann) Dehn of Belleville and Mary Lou Carpenter of Union City. Services will be a 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Union City United Methodist Church. Arrangements by the Jenkins Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Union City Alumni Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society.
OBITUARY . Union city Register - Tribune. Thursday, September 9, 1982, Larry D. Carpenter, 31, of 509 North Broadway, Union City, died at Rapid City Regional Hosptial in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Friday, Sept. 3. He had been in ill health for 18 months and was hospitalized in South Dakota for the past three weeks. Born in Union City on June 20, 1951, he was the son of Louis G. and June M. (French) Carpenter. His father preceded him in death on December 18, 1970. A graduate of Union City High School in 1969, he was active in sports, band and student council during his high school years. He was formerly employed at Bray Motor Sales and at Glove Coasters, Inc. of Union City. At the time of his illness and death, he was on sick leave from Clark Equipment Company of Battle Creek. Surviving are his mother, June M. Carpenter of Union City; two sisters, Mary Lou Carpenter of Union City and Mrs. Richard (Sue Ann) Dehn of Belleville; and a brother, Bruce L. Carpenter, Sherwood; as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the United Methodist Church in Union city with the Rev. Adam Chyrowski in charge. Burial was in Riverside Cem., Union City. Arrangements were by the Jenkins Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Union City Alumni Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society.
Larry had Hodgkins disease. See notes for his father, Louis, for a family biography.
Charles graduated with the Class of 1938 from Union City High School, Union City, Michigan.
MARRIAGE. Calhoun County, Liber 11, p. 98, #365. Married 23 April 1944 at Union City, Branch County, Michigan, Charles E. Carpenter, age 23, residence: Union City, MI; occupation: U. S. Army; previous marriages: 0; father: Earl R. Carpenter; mother: Ethel Johnson; and Nellie A. Stewart, age 20, residence: 27 Adams Street, Battle Creek, b. St. Joseph County, MI; occupation: none; father: James Stewart; mother: Alta Ashbaugh: previous marriages: 0; officiant: Rev. John W. Bullock, pastor Union City Methodist Church, witnesses: June Carpenter and Carl Carpenter.
MARRIAGE. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, 1951, #604. Married 21 July 1951, at Lansing, Ingham, MI, Edna Mae Rozema, age 24, b. Fremont, MI, residing in Battle Creek; previous marriages: none; father: Harry Rozema; mother: Pledas Jane Coil; and Charles E. Carpenter, age 30, b. Branch County, residing at Battle Creek; occupation: USAF; father: Earl R. Carpenter; mother: Ethel A. Johnson, previous marriages: one; witnesses: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lovell; officiant: E. P. Davis, MG.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. Sergeant Charles Carpenter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Carpenter writes home news which he has kept a secret for nearly a year. It was in October 1944 that St. Carpenter who had served in Panama for two years, was transferred from the Air Corps group to the 509th Composite Group, he being a member of the ground crew, and received his training at Wendover Field, Utah. The training went on secretly and in May of 1945 this Composite Group which was the first and only one of its kind, were taken by plane to the island of Tinian. Life on the island was one long period of waiting for the time when the atomic bomb was to be used, as it was from the planes of the 509th Composite Group that the atomic bomb was dropped on the two Japanese cities in the final period of the war. Although Sgt. Carpenter was a member of the ground crew, he knew the boys personally who dropped the bombs.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. Rapid City Daily, Rapid City, SD, Sunday, June 1, 1958, p1, A/1C Charles E. Carpenter, food service's unit supply at Ellsworth AFB, is congratulated by Col. James M. Graybeal, base commander, and presented with a certificate for the Airman-of-the-Month award. Capt. George Jugate, Jr., squadron commander, (left) witnessed the presentation. Airman Carpenter was recently selected by a base board of NCOs as the outstanding airman on the base for the month of April. For his efforts he received a three-day pass and a check for $25 from Col. Graybel. Airman Carpenter is a native of Union City, Mich., and is the son of Mrs/ Ethyl Carpenter, 405 Division St. He entered the service at Jefferson Barracks, Miss., in My 1942. After completing basic training he has been discharged and has re-enlisted twice. He and his wife, Edna, and two children, Nancy and Robert, reside at 451 Billy Mitchell, EAFB.
29219. Gordon Decker Ken Knight
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, Book I, p. 72, #12253. Married 21 Oct 1937 at Quincy, Gordon D. KenKnight, w, age 25, residing in Coldwater, occupation: construction, father: Emerson KenKnight, mother: Viola Carpenter; and Mabel Walker, w, age 17, residing in Coldwater; father: Joseph E. Walker, mother: Mae Williams, neither had been married previously; officiant Rev. E. T. Potter, Minister; witnesses: Mildred Dorlew and Robert Corlew, both of Coldwater.
In 1958 Gordon was living at the home of his parents according to his mother's obituary.
In 1974, Gordon was of Coldwater according to his father's obituary.
DEATH. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, Mi, vol. F, p. 274, #3,471. Died 23 Oct 1977 at Battle Creek, Gordon Decker KenKnight, m, w, married, age 65, b. MI, occupation: meter reader, cause: Pulmonary emboli, father: Emerson Kenknight, mother: Viola Carpenter. Transcript of death record was from Calhoun County, MI.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Monday, Oct. 24, 1977, p. 2. Gordon D. KenKnight, 65, of 105 Henry St., Coldwater, died Sunday morning at the Community Hospital in Battle Creek, following a three-month illness. Services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. from St. Mark's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Fr. Roderic D. Wiltse in charge. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Quincy. Friends may call at the Putnam Funeral Home until the time of the service. Mr. KenKnight was born in Union City on Feb. 25, 1912, son of Emerson and Viola (Carpenter) KenKnight. He married the former Eldred Brown in Coldwater on July 21, 1946, and she survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Miss Marcia A. KenKnight of Kalamazoo and Mrs. Ernest (Cathy) Howard of Coldwater; and two grandchildren. Mr. Ken Knight was a life resident of this area. He retired from the Board of Public Utilities in March 1977 after 14 years. A member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, he was an Army veteran of World War II, during which he served in Europe. (Marcia A. KenKnight was from Eldred's first marriage and was Marcia Bloom. Cathy was adopted according to the obituary of her mother. No further research on these lines).
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Monday, March 6, 1939, p. 1. Expires After Short Illness. Funeral of Mrs. Mabel KenKnight. To Be Held Here Tuesday. Funeral rites for Mrs. Mabel KenKnight, wife of Gordon KenKnight and a lifelong resident of Branch County, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Gould Funeral Home here. Burial will be made in Lakeview Cem. at Quincy. Mrs. KenKnight died Saturday at her home in Union Twp. at the age of 19 years following one week's illness. She was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Branch County, attended rual schools and Coldwater High School. Besides her husband, her survivors include her mother, Mrs. Joseph Walker of Coldwater; two sisters, Mrs. Earl Myers of Monroe and Laura Walker of Coldwater; two brothers, Albert and Francis Walker of Bethel Twp.; and her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Walker also of Bethel.
OBITUARY. Quincy Herald, Thursday, March 9, 1939, p. 1 col. 2. KenKnight Rites Conducted Here. Funeral services for Mabel KenKnight, wife of Gordon KenKnight and a lifelong resident of Branch County, were conducted Tuesday afternoon at Gould Funeral Home, Coldwater, by the Rev. Hugh C. Crouch. pastor of the First Baptist Church. Burial was made in Lakeview Cemetery, Quincy. Mrs. KenKnight died Saturday at her home in Union Twp. at the age of 19 following a week's illness. She was born in Branch County, attended rural schools and Coldwater High School.
The Branch County marriage records were checked for Eldred's marriage to Mr. Bloom, but none was found. Perhaps she was married near Shelby, OH. She was a widow.
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, book I, p. 182, #13,900. Married 21 Jul 1946 at Coldwater; Gordon D. KenKnight, w. b. MI, age 34, residing in Coldwater, occupation: farmer, father: Emerson L. KenKnight, mother: Viola Carpenter; and Eldred A. Brown, w. b. OH, age 35, residing in Coldwater, occupation: none, father B. Frank Brown, mother: Pearl B. Sayles, he had been married twice previously, she once; officiant; William W. Slee, Minister; witnesses: Fern Alderman and Maurice Alderman, both of Union City. (The marriage records were checked for another marriage license for Gordon, but none was found.)
In Oct. 1977 Miss Marcia A. KenKnight was of Kalamazoo according to the obituary of Gordon KenKnight
In 1999 Marcia A. Bloom was a surviving daughter of Coldwater.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Saturday, June 12, 1999, p. 6A. Eldred Almeda (Brown) KenKnight, 88, of Coldwater died Wednesday, June 10, 1999, in Community Health Center of Branch County. She was born Sept. 4, 1910, in Shelby, Ohio. She moved to Michigan in the 1940's. In 1935, she married William Bloom, who preceded her in death. She later married Gordon D. KenKnight. He died in 1977. Surviving are daughter, Marcia A. Bloom and Kathy Howard, whom they adopted in 1952, both of Coldwater; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a sister, Alice Hughes of Coldwater. She was preceded in death by brothers, Gene and Ronald Flickinger and Forest "Bud" Brown. Services Monday at Gillespie Funeral Home, Coldwater. Burial will be in Lakeview Cem., Quincy.
OBITUARY. Coldwater Daily Reporter, Saturday, June 12, 1999. Coldwater - Eldred was born Eldred Almeda Brown on Sept 4, 1910 in Shelby, Ohio. Although she moved to Michigan in the 1940s, Shelby was always "home" and, as seen through many stories she told her family about her years growing up there, remained very dear to her heart. In 1935 she married William Bloom and had one daughter, Marcia Alice Bloom, who lives in Coldwater. She was preceded in death by her husband, William. In the forties, a cousin suggested that she write a letter to a freind of hers who was widowed. After a few letters, she agreed to meet Gordon D. KenKnight. In ony two short weeks they fell in love and decided to marry. They were happy together for more than 30 years before Gordon passed away in 1977. They adopted one daughter, Kathy, in 1952 who lives in Coldwater. Shae had three grandchildren, Jamie, Angie and April Howard. She also had two great-grandsons, Dominic and Calrb, and Ty, who is on the way; three brothers who preceded her in death were Gene Flickinger; Ronald Flickinger and Forest "Bud" Brown. Her sister, Alice Hughes, lives in Coldwater. She had 10 nieces and nephews. As a child, Eldred became a christian and attended several churches in Shelby, and in her later years became a member of the First Baptist Church of Coldwater. She willbe sadly missed by her family. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hosptial ofor Children. Services will be hel Monday, June 14, 1999, at 10 a.m. at the Gillespie Funeral Home in Coldwater, with the Rev. Truman Cochran officiating. Burial will be at the Lakeview Cem. in Quincy.
DEATH. Branch County Clerk. Coldwater, MI, vol. 99, p. 150. Died 10 Jun 1999 at Coldwater, Eldred A. KenKnight, f, w, widow, age 88, b. 4 Sep 1910 in Shelby, OH, occupation: homemaker, father Frank Brown, mother: Pearl Sayles, residence: 1670 Union City Road, Girard Twp.; place of burial; Lakeview Cem., Quincy; informant: Kathy Howard, 1670 Union City Road.
1920 U. S. Census, New York, Ontario County, Canandaigua Twon, Incorporated Place; Canandaigua; ED 68, sheet 8B; Centerfield Road - Farm. 177/179 Hall, Charles W. 65 yrs. Md. b. NY, Parents b. NY Farmer; Jennie, wife 63, Md. b. NY, Parents b. NY; Walker, Ruby L., dau. 28 yrs. b. NY, parents b. NY; Doris, Gr child, 5 yrs. single, b. NY, Fa b. PA, Mo. b. NY; LEAH, Gr child 2 yrs. single; by NY, Fa. b. PA, Mo. b. NY.
Jessie Glitch and daughter were in Ft. Orange, Florida in1969.
Baptist Hill (or Evergreen) Cem., Bristol, Ontario County, New York, visited Sept. 1995. Leah W. Glitch, 1917 -1954. Jesse A. 1981- .