Information by correspondence from Mrs. Ahlene Doubleday, Battle Creek, MI, to Donna Hellewell, Aptos, CA, in Nov. 1981.
WEDDING. The Athens Times, Thursday, March 3, 1927. Another Double Wedding Sunday. Miss Ahlene Carpenter and Duane Doubleday, and Miss Margaret E. Carpenter and Paul W. Davis, well known young people of this vicinity, were the participants in a double wedding ceremony performed at the residence of the officiating minister, Rev. F. A. Stephens, in this village Sunday afternoon. The two couples were unattended. Following the service Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday and Mr. and Mrs. Davis went to the home of the parents of the two brides, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Carpenter, where a delightful two-course luncheon was served with only the members of the immediate families in attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday, the latter a graduate of Athens High School, will reside for the time being with the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Doubleday, while Mrs. Doubleday completes the school year as teacher in the Seeley district. Mr. and Mrs. Davis, the former a son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Davis of Athens, will reside at 15 Clark Street, Battle Creek. Friends of these young people join in congratulations and wishes for a happy and prosperous future.
MARRIAGE. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, Marriages, book 8, page 256, #73. 27 Feb 1927, married at Athens, MI, Duane Doubleday, age 23, Standard Oil employee, and E. Ahlene Carpenter, age 22, teacher, both of Leroy Twp. Parents of the groom: William Doubleday and Edith Radford; parents of the bride: Carl Carpenter and Nina Webb. Married by F. A. Stephens, MG. Witnesses: Paul W. Davis and Margaret Davis.
The Athens Times, Thursday, March 24, 1927. Sister Brides Were Complimented. Friends to the number of 75 gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Carpenter Saturday evening, the event being a miscellaneous shower honoring Mr. and Mrs. Duane Doubleday and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Davis. Guests were present from Fulton, Athens, Climax and Leroy. The evening was spent with games and visiting. After refreshments were served, two large baskets were brought out, which contained many useful gifts of silver and china for the young couples, who received many kind wishes from the friends.
From a genealogy prepared in 1971 by Carl William Doubleday of Kalamazoo, son of Emma Ahlene Carpenter Doubleday and Duane Doubleday: "Emma Ahlene was the second child of Carl and Nina Webb Carpenter. She started school in Bendon, Michigan, where she went through the ninth grade except for grades 5 and 6 in Owosso, MI. Ahlene attended grades 10-12 and graduated from Athens High School in 1923. During most of these three years she lived with her grandfather and grandmother Carpenter in Athens as her parents lived about five miles northwest of Athens and there were no school buses.
"In the summer of 1923 Ahlene attended Western State Normal in Kalamazoo after which she passed a state examination and secured a third grade teaching certificate. She taught in the Pine Creek School in 1923-24 and then passed another state exam for a second grade certificate good for three years. She proceeded to teach in the Oak Grove School near Lee Lake for two years (1924-26) and then the Seeley School in Kalamazoo County during 1926-27.
"Duane and Ahlene first lived on the farm (1/2 Mile Road) with his parents where their first daughter, Margaret Ann, was born. They soon moved into an apartment on Upton Avenue in Battle Creek near the service station where Duane was working. Eventually they moved to a larger apartment on Calhoun Street.
"In July of 1929 Duane and Ahlene purchased the Bushnell house at 215 Main Street, East Leroy. It was here their other three children were born. During the Depression of the 30's Duane worked for the Brown Brothers Construction Company building roads all over southern Michigan. In September 1932 he went to work for the Calhoun County Road Commission where he stayed until his retirement in 1968.
"At an early age Ahlene had learned to play her mother's pump organ and while living in Owosso she took piano lessons which she contined after returning to Bendon. At the age of 13 she was substitute organist for Sunday School, and after coming to Athens she played piano for the Reformed Church which she had joined. After moving to East Leroy she transferred her membership to the East Leroy Methodist Church. She began playing piano regularly for this church in the early 1930's taking times off when her children were born. In 1953 the church purchased an electric organ which she began to play and continues to play every Sunday at present (1971). "Ahlene began giving piano lessons for 25 cents a lesson as early as 1919. While living in East Leroy she eventually had as many as 25 students each week."
In 1994 Ahlene was of Battle Creek, MI. according to her brother's, C. Roy Carpenter's, obituary. In 1997 she is living in Leonidas, St. Joseph , MI.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Sunday, August 24, 1997. E. Ahlene (Carpenter) Doubleday, 92, of East Leroy, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997, in the Birch Adult Foster Care Home in Leonidas, where she had resided for two years. She was born Feb. 14, 1905 in Athens Township to Carl and Nina (Webb) Carpenter. She graduated from Athens High School and Western State Normal in Kalamazoo. She taught in rural Calhoun County schools until her marriage and then was a homemaker and also taught piano in her home for more than 50 years. She married Duane Doubleday on Feb. 17, 1927. He died in 1974. Surviving are sons, John D. Doubleday of Athens and Carl W. Doubleday of Kalamazoo; daughters, Margaret A. Smith of Athens and Shirley M. Mitchell of Leroy Twp.; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, William Carpenter of Athens; and a sister, Maxine Beaver of Battle Creek. She was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Carpenter; and sisters, Margaret Stringham and Alice Gallagher. Community involvement, hobbies: Member of the East Leroy Community Church. Was an accomplished musician, playing the piano and organ at several churches since the age of 13. Was principal musician at the former East Leroy United Methodist Church for more than 40 years; a charter and life member of the Athens Historical Society; and active in church and community affairs; enjoyed gardening, sewing, flowers and family activities. Services: Tuesday in East Leroy Community Church with Rev. Garry Thompson officiating. Burial: Leroy Congregational Cem., Leroy Twp..
1910 U.S. Census, Calhoun , Leroy Twp., taken 16 Apr. 70/72 Doubleday, Duane, son, MW, age 6, is in the home of his parents.
1920 U.S. Census, Calhoun , Athens Twp., taken 6, 7, 8 January, ED 35, sheet 5B. 290/301 Doubleday, Duane, son, age 16, b. MI, is in the home of his parents.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Tuesday, 11 June 1974, pA12. East Leroy - Duane Doubleday, 70, of 215 Main St., died Monday in Leila Hospital, several hours after being admitted. Born in Leroy Twp., Doubleday was a lifelong resident of the area. He was employed by the Calhoun County Road Commission 36 years, retiring in 1968. He was a member of Athens Lodge 220, F & AM, and attended the East Leroy United Methodist Church. Doubleday is survived by his widow, the former Emma Ahlene Carpenter; daughters, Mrs. Alfred G. (Margaret) Smith of Athens and Mrs. Leonard (Shirley) Mitchell of East Leroy; sons, John Doubleday of Athens and Carl of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Spencer Funeral Home, Athens.
DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, 1974 deaths, #664. Died 10 Jun 1974, at Battle Creek, Duane Doubleday, age 70, b. 27 Jul 1903 in Leroy Twp., Calhoun , MI; mw, married; father: William Doubleday; mother: Edith Radford; residence 215 Main St., E. Leroy, MI; occupation: retired, Calhoun County Road Commission; spouse: Emma A. Carpenter; buried: 13 Jun 1974, Leroy Congregational Cem., East Leroy, MI; informant: Emma Ahlene Doubleday, 215 Main St., E. Leroy, MI.
Some information was received from Mrs. Ahlene Doubleday of Battle Creek, MI in 1981.
The Athens Times, June 25, 1930. Pre-Nuptial Party. Mrs. Paul Davis, 196 Highland, Battle Creek, entertained the girls of the DeWitt Sisters' flower shop, their husbands and relatives, at an informal party Thursday evening. The hours were enjoyed in radio music, games and visiting, after which the guests adjourned to the basement where a two-course lunch was served. The long table was adorned with flowers and pretty appointments of pastel shades. At the close of the meal, a game was played which revealed the announcement of the engagement and approaching marriage of Miss Alice Irene Carpenter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Carpenter of Athens, and Charles Gallagher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Boland of Battle Creek, the wedding to take place July 24 in Athens.
The Athens Times, Wednesday Afternoon, July 16, 1930. Shower for Miss Alice Carpenter, Bride-To-Be. Miss Mable Gregory, of 185 Winter, was hostess at a miscellaneous shower given Friday evening for Miss Alice Carpenter, whose marriage to Charles Gallagher will take place at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Carpenter, in Athens, July 24. The event was also in the nature of a lawn party, the games taking place on the lawn. First prizes were won by Mrs. Carl Carpenter and Mrs. Matt Boland and second by Billy Carpenter. Decorations for the event were carried out in pink and white and the shower gifts were presented to the bride-to-be in a miniature zeppelin. Refreshments were served--Battle Creek Enquirer and News.
MARRIAGE. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, Marriages, book 9, page 56, #231. 24 Jul 1930 married at E. Leroy, Charles F. Gallagher, age 23, welder, of Battle Creek, and Alice Carpenter, age 18, of Leroy Twp. Parents of the groom: Charles Gallagher and Carrie B. Bowden; parents of the bride: Carl Carpenter and Nina Webb. Married by F. H. Nagel, MG. Witnesses: Marie Collins and Clarence Gallagher.
WEDDING. The Athens Times, Wednesday Afternoon, July 30, 1930. Miss Alice Carpenter Weds Chas. F. Gallagher. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Carpenter, of Leroy Twp., was the scene of a pretty wedding last Thursday evening when their daughter, Alice Irene Carpenter, became the bride of Charles F. Gallagher, son of Mrs. Matt Boland, of Battle Creek. The ring ceremony was performed at 8:30 o'clock by Rev. Floyd Nagel, pastor of the United Brethren church, in the presence of thirty relatives and friends. As the Lohengrin Bridal Chorus was played by Mrs. Duane Doubleday, the bridal party took their places in an alcove, banked with ferns and garden flowers, and softly lighted by many white tapers. The ring was carried in a miniature basket of sweetpeas by Margaret Ann Doubleday, small niece of the bride, who was daintly frocked in pink organdy. The bride was daintily gowned in white georgette, with matching accessories, and carried an arm bouquet of roses, sweetpeas and baby's breath. She was attended by Miss Marie Collins, of Athens, a former classmate, who was attired in flowered chiffon and also carried a bouquet of roses, sweetpeas and baby's breath. Clarence Gallagher, of Battle Creek, attended his brother as best man. After the ceremony and reception, the wedding collation was served, then Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher left for their new home at 199 Highland Avenue, Battle Creek. Mr. Gallagher is employed by the Adolph Johnson Company, and the bride has been with the DeWitt Sisters, in Battle Creek. Their friends extend congratulations.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Sunday, March 28, 1993. Alice I. Gallagher, 80, of Battle Creek died Saturday, March 27, 1993, in Arrowood Nursing Center, where she had been a patient since June. She had been in ill health several years. Mrs. Gallagher was born July 12, 1912, in Bendon to Carl and Nina (Webb) Carpenter, and spent most of her life in the Battle Creek area. She left Athens High School after two years and, after night school study, graduated from there in 1959 along with her nephew, Philip Carpenter. Mrs. Gallagher had been a sales clerk with the former L. W. Robinson and later worked for Dr. Harold Anderson. She also did clerical work at Leila Hospital and for 12 years in the insurance office at the former Lakeview General Hospital, retiring in 1973. She was a member of Milo Bible Church and a former member of Battle Creek Bible Church. She was pianist many years ago at Bedford Bible Church. Mrs. Gallagher worked with her husband in the formation and direction of Barry County Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship, and enjoyed music, travel, reading and fishing. She married Charles F. Gallagher on July 24, 1930, in Leroy Twp.. He survives. Also surviving are daughters, Alice Ahlene Gallagher of East Lansing, Ruth M. Birman of Battle Creek and Martha A. Gott of Plainwell; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Roy Carpenter of Saranac and William Carpenter of Athens, and sisters, Maxine Beaver and Ahlene Doubleday of Battle Creek. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mildred Marie Gallagher; a great-great-grandson, Christopher Weinberger, and a sister, Margaret Stringham. Services Tuesday at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Burial: Memorial Park Mausoleum.
DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, 1993 Deaths, #313. Died 27 Mar 1993, at Battle Creek, Alice I. Gallagher, age 80, b. 12 Jul 1912 in Bendon, MI; father: Carl Carpenter; mother: Nina Webb; residence: 15821 Uldriks Drive, Johnstown Twp., Barry , MI; occupation: homemaker; spouse: Charles F. Gallagher; Informant: Charles F. Gallagher; entombment: Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Charles Gallagher's father died when he was a small boy.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, June 30, 1997, p. 4A. Charles F. Gallagher, 89, of Battle Creek died Saturday, June 28, 1997, at home. He was born 10 July 1907 in Greenland, MN to Charlie and Carrie (Bowden) Gallagher and moved to Battle Creek in 1926. His high school education was interrupted by fire in 1918 when the Brookston, MN school he attended was destroyed. In 1951, at age 53, he received his high school diploma with his youngest daughter, Martha, after many years of night school. He was employed by the Adolph Johnson from 1927 to 1938, Goss-Duplex Printing Press from 1941 to 1951 and Post Cereals as a welder before retiring in 1972. He married Alice I. Carpenter on July 24, 1930, in East Leroy. She died in 1993. He married Imo B. (Boylen) Eaton on July 15, 1994, in Battle Creek. She survives. Also surviving are daughters, Ruth M. Birman of Battle Creek, Alice Ahlene Carpenter of East Lansing and Martha A. Gott of Plainwell . . . eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a half-sister, Evelyn Raber of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mildred M. Gallagher; a great-great-grandchild; a brother, Clarence Gallagher; a half-brother, James Boland; and half-sisters, Muriel Wilkinson and Laura Seaman. Services: 3 p.m. Tuesday (July 1); Entombment: Memorial Park Mausoleum.
52308. Mildred Marie Gallagher
DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI. Vol. 7, #339. Died 23 Jul 1931 at Battle Creek, Mildred Marie Gallagher, b. 21 Jul 1931, age 2 da, father: Charles Gallagher, mother: Alice Carpenter; cause: intracranial hemmorhage at birth.
OBITUARY. Herman A. Beaver, 74, of Battle Creek, died Thursday, May 23, 1991, in Battle Creek Health System/Leila Site where he had been a patient since May 19. He had been ill two months. Mr. Beaver was born Sept. 22, 1916, in Elkhart, Ind., to J. Harold and Emma Beaver. He came to Battle Creek in 1934 from Kalamazoo. He was a 1936 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. He lettered in four sports at BCCHS and had tried out for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals during the team's 1939 spring training. He was employed by Eaton Corp. and later was a machinists mate second class with the Coast Guard during World War II. From 1946-53 he lived in Detroit where he was regional sales manager for Shell Oil. Mr. Beaver owned and operated the Sunoco Station at Southwest Capital and Columbia Avenues until the late 1950's. He also owned and operated the Gulf Service Station at South Woodrow and West Columbia until the late 1960s. Mr. Beaver
later worked in sales at the Priest Motor Mill Supply , retiring in 1980. He was a member of First Congregational Church and had served on its building and grounds committee. . .He married the former D. Maxine Carpenter on Aug. 5, 1939 in Athens. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Linda M. Appel of Sturgis; a son, Thomas H. Beaver of Battle Creek; and eight grandchildren. Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Burial: Burr Oak Cem., Athens.DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, 1991 Deaths, #569. Died 23 May 1991 at Battle Creek, Herman A. Beaver, age 74, b. 22 Sep 1916 in Elkhart, IN; father: J. Harold Beaver; mother: Emma Robb; residence: 226 Southfield Dr., Battle Creek; occupation: owner/operator gas station; spouse: Dorothy Maxine Carpenter; buried Burr Oak Cem., Athens, MI; informant: D. Maxine Beaver.
Some information was received from Mrs. Ahlene Doubleday of Battle Creek, MI in 1981.
ANNIVERSARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, November 18, 1990. William and Helen Carpenter of 222 N. Avenue B will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Athens Congregational Church. The couple request there be no gifts. Carpenter and the former Helen Ackerman were married Nov. 23, 1940, in Bowling Green, Ohio. The couple lived on W Drive South in Athens for 21 years and have lived at the present address 29 years. Their children are Mr. and Mrs. Philip Carpenter and Norman and Bonnie Conant. The couple have four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He farmed for 25 years, was a truck driver for seven years and owned two coin-operated laundry businesses. She is a homemaker. The couple are both members of First Congregational Church of Athens.
William was of Athens, MI in 1994 in his brother's, C. Roy Carpenter's, obituary.
1920 U.S. Census, Branch , Union Twp., MI, taken Jan. 40/40 Nathalie L., daughter, age 12, is in the home of her parents.
Nathalie was of Union City, Branch, MI in the obituary of her father in 1973.
See notes for Nathalie's father, Edwin, for a family biography.
1910 U.S. Census, Calhoun , Burlington, MI taken 10 and 11 May, ED55, Sheet 9A. 243/243, Victor Allwardt, age 2, is in the home of his parents, Henry Allwardt and Mariah.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer, Wed., 13 Nov 1996, p 4A. Victor Allwardt, Union City. Victor "Vic" Allwardt, 88, of Union City, died Monday, Nov. 11, 1996 at the Laurels of Coldwater after a long illness. He was born 4 Mar 1908 in Union City to Henry and Marie (Tallmadge) Allwardt. He was a lifelong resident of Union City and attended school there. He resided in the family home in which he was born. He farmed on Q Drive South all his life. He married Nathalie Carpenter in Angola, IN, on 26 Dec. 1929. She survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Elaine Moss of Union City, three grandsons, and two great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
1920 U.S. Census, Branch , Union Twp., MI, taken Jan. 40/40. Bernadine E., daughter, age 7, is in the home of her parents.
MARRIAGE. Branch County Clerk, Coldwater, MI, Vol. I, p. 111, #12,840. Married 2 August 1941 at Burlington, Calhoun , MI, Derwerd L. Adolph, age 27, b. MI, residing in Union City, father: Edward C. Adolph, mother: Martha Algram, occupation: farming and Bernadine E. Carpenter, age 29, b. MI, residing in Union City, father: Edwin C. Carpenter, mother: Hazel Huss, occupation: teaching, neither had been married previously, officiant: A. W. Wallis, MG, witnesses: Mrs. Edwin C. Carpenter and Mrs. Martha Adolph, both of Union City.
In 1973 Bernadine was of Union City, Branch , MI according to the obituary of her father.
See notes for Bernadine's father, Edwin, for a family biography.
1920 U.S. Census, Branch , Union Twp., MI, taken Jan. 162/163 Adolph, Derwerd L., age 6, is in the home of his parents: Edward C., head, age 40; Martha A., wife, age 33; Willard C., son, age 12; Edward C., son, age 10 and Derwerd.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer, 27 Sep 1978. Miss Rebecca L. "Pepper" Adolph, 31, of 838 N.E. Capital Ave., was found dead at her residence Tuesday. Battle Creek police said there was no foul play and it appeared that she had died in her sleep. Autopsy results were not available today. She was born in Coldwater and moved to Battle Creek 11 years ago. She attended Eastern Michigan University and Kellogg Community College. For the past three years she had been employed as a clerk by the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center. Earlier she had been employed by Security National Bank. She was an active member of the Battle Creek Big Sisters. Surviving are parents, Mr. and Mrs. Derwerd L. Adolph and a brother, Mark D. Adolph, all of Union City. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in Riverside Cemetery, Union City. Memorial donations may be made to the Union City Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are by Jenkins Funeral Home, Union City.
DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, 1978 Deaths, #945. Died 26 Sep 1978 at Battle Creek, Rebecca Lynn Adolph, age 31, b. 27 Jun 1947 in Michigan, white, female, never married; father: Derwerd L. Adolph; mother: Bernadine Carpenter; residence: 838 Capital Avenue, N.E., Battle Creek; occupation: Clerk, Veterans Administration Hospital; buried 29 Sep 178, Riverside Cem., Union City, MI; informant: Derwerd L. Adolph.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer, Thurs. May 26, 1994, Page A2. Virginia R. (Lilly) Carpenter, 70, of Union Lake, Union City, died Tuesday, May 24, 1994, at home. She was born Oct. 19, 1923, in Athens, to Clarence and Berniece (Moyer) Lilly. She graduated from Athens High School and lived in the Athens/Union City area all her life. She moved to Union Lake in August 1982. Mrs. Carpenter farmed with her husband on Arborgast Road, and was well known as a seamstress. She made wedding dresses, cheerleader uniforms and a set of uniforms for a band. She loved the Detroit Tigers and enjoyed watching sports. On Nov. 23, 1940, she married Robert J. Carpenter in Bowling Green, Ohio. He survives. Also surviving are sons, Thomas J. Carpenter of Leonidas and Gail W. Carpenter of Perry, Kan.; a daughter, Judith Carpenter of Union City; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert Lilly of Athens. Preceding her in death was a sister. Private service for family members at Riverside Cemetery, Union City.
Source, "Carpenter Family Tree" compiled by Bruce Young, Cleveland, OH. Bruce Young is grandson of Clyde Carpenter. See record for Jean Arlene Rider for complete description of source.
MARRIAGE. St. Joseph County Clerk, Centreville, MI, 1926, #10,027. Married 26 Jun 1926 at Vicksburg, Kalamazoo , Howard Burdette Rider, age 22, residing in Leonidas, b. Montezuma, OH, father: James W. Rider, mother: Florida K. Baker, occupation: farmer; and Mary M. Kline, age 18, residing in Leonidas, b. Leonidas, occupation: at home, father: W. L. Kline, mother Nina Carpenter; witnesses: Virginia Braun Kaechele of Vicksburg and Marie Braun of South Rockwood, MI; officiant: Walter Kaechele, Clergyman; neither had been married previously.
In 1963 Mrs. Howard Rider was of Three Rivers according to her father's obituary.
It appears the source for some of the information was Mrs. William P. Adams (Mrs. Jean Arlene Rider Adams, niece of Dorothy Kline Hughes) and "Carpenter Family Tree" compiled by Bruce Young, Cleveland, OH while attending Washington University in Washington, DC. He obtained early information on the Carpenter family from the Library of Congress per Mrs. Howard (LaVern) Carpenter of Battle Creek, MI.
Sources: "Carpenter Family Tree" compiled by Bruce Young, Cleveland, OH while attending Washington University in Washington, DC. He obtained early information on the Carpenter family from the Library of Congress per Mrs. Howard (LaVern) Carpenter of Battle Creek, Mich.
MARRIAGE. St. Joseph County Clerk, Centreville, MI, 1937, #11,770. The record needs to be checked for details.
Aaron was of Fulton in 1974 as his mother died at his home.
ANNIVERSARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Sunday, 5 July 1987, p 4B. Fulton - Aaron and Maurine Parlin of 14784 47th St., will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the fellowship room of the Athens Congregational Church. They ask that there be no gifts. The party is being given by their children, Michael and Shirley Parlin of Nottawa, Philip Parlin of Fulton, and Gordon Parlin of Athens, and by Robert and Darlene Ling and grandchildren. Parlin and the former Maurine Simpson were married July 17, 1937, in Mendon at her mother's home. They have resided and farmed in the area since their marriage. Parlin was a self-employed truck driver and drove for Reed's Basket Factory and Superior Pallet He and Mrs. Parlin also were bus drivers for the Athens Area Schools, retiring in 1979 after 14 years of service. They are members of the Athens United Methodist Church, the Leonidas Grange and the Athens Historical Society. They have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Saturday, March 7, 1998, p4A. Aaron E. Parlin, 84, of Fulton, died Thursday, March 5, 1998, at his residence. He was born in Athens Township on Feb 15, 1914 to Eldon D. Parlin and Neva (Carpenter) Parlin. He owned and operated the Parlin family farm in Wakeshma Twp. for many years and was a truck driver for Superior Pallet. He was also an Athens Area Schools bus driver for 15 years. He married Maurine Simpson on July 17, 1937, in Mendon. He is survived by his wife; sons, Michael A. Parlin of Centreville, Phillip E. Parlin of Leonidas and Gordon L. Parlin of Fulton; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Merle E. Parlin of Kankakee, IL. He was a member of Leonidas Grange and the Athens Historical Society. Services Monday, 9 Mar 1998, from Spencer Funeral Home. Burial in Burr Oak Cem., Athens.
Sources of information: Personal interview by Donna Hellewell with Opal Adell Mitchell Chichester in July 1981. Her memory was very sharp! She loaned me family pictures to take to Battle Creek to photograph. She was extremely helpful on the Abner and Agnes Carpenter line. Also used was the Family Pedigree Chart initially, as made by Lorna Carter.
1900 U.S. Census, Calhoun , Athens Twp., MI taken 15 and 16 Jun. 291/292 Opal, daughter, WF, b. Dec. 1897, age 2, is in the home of her parents.
1910 U.S. Census, Calhoun , Leroy Twp., MI, taken 15 April. 25/26 Opal A., daughter, age 13, b. MI, is in the home of her parents.
MARRIAGE. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI. Book 6, p 396, #368. Married 30 May 1917 at Battle Creek, MI, Roe Mitchell, age 21, farmer, of East Leroy, and Opal Chichester, age 21, school teacher, of East Leroy. Parents of the groom: Eugene Mitchell and Harriet Roe. Parents of the bride: Bert Chichester and -- Carpenter. Married by Charles W. Fletcher, MG. Witnesses: John F. Fletcher and Mrs. Laura L. Fletcher.
WEDDING. The Athens Times, June 14, 1917. Miss Opal Chichester and M. Roe Mitchell, both of East Leroy, were united in marriage by the Rev. C. W. Fletcher, of Battle Creek, Wednesday, May 30, at 5:00 p.m. The ring service was used. The bride wore a gown of blue silk. The young couple were unattended. The bride was a graduate of Athens High School and has been a teacher in the rural schools near here for three years. She is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Chichester. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Mitchell. The young people will make their home with the groom's parents near East Leroy.
1920 U.S. Census, Calhoun , Leroy Twp., MI taken 9 Jan., ED 75, sheet 11A. 259/262 Mitchell, Roe, head, age 25, married, b. MI, father b. NY, mother b. IN, farm; Opal A., wife, age 23, b. MI, parents b. MI; Eldon R., son, age 1 6/12, b. MI; Eugene T., father, age 70, b. NY, father b. NY, mother b. MA; Harriet E., mother, age 69, b. IN, father b. OH, mother b. IN.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, December 1986. Opal Mitchell will celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the North Athens Baptist Church, of which she is a member. Mitchell was born Dec. 17, 1896 in Burlington. She has lived in the East Leroy-Pine Creek area all her life. She has seven children, 23 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Mitchell is a member of the Sunshine Circle. She sews for the Battle Creek Needlework Guild and makes rag rugs and quilts as a hobby. She requests no gifts, please, but would like for all her friends to attend the celebration.
OBITUARY. Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Sept. 1995. Opal A. Mitchell, 98, of Battle Creek, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 1995, at the home of her daughter in Battle Creek. She was born Dec. 17, 1896, in Burlington Twp. to Albert E. and Minnie E. (Carpenter) Chichester. She moved from Burlington Twp. to Athens in 1897, and to Pine Creek in 1908 and later to Battle Creek. She graduated from Athens High School as valdictorian in May 1914. She taught for a year in each of three one-room schools in Walker, Harmonia and Richardson. She was a homemaker most of her life. She married Roe E. Mitchell on May 30, 1917, in Battle Creek. He died in 1963. She also was preceded in death by a son, Eldon R. Mitchell, in 1990; a grandson, Larry W. Wank, in 1983; brothers, Raymond, Rolland, Roy and Lee Chichester and sisters, Marta Harris and Margaret MacDonald. Surviving are daughters, Florence "Marcelle" Wank and Fern Bishop of Battle Creek and Mary Crowell of Athens; sons, Leon Mitchell of Battle Creek, Gordon Mitchell of Fulton and Franklin Mitchell of East Leroy; 27 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Lyle Chichester of Battle Creek and a sister, Thela Henker of East Leroy. Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at North Athens Baptist Church with Revs. Marvin Savola, John R. Dosh and Rodney Crowell officiating. Burial: Leroy Congregational Church.
DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, 1995, #1006. Died 19 Sep 1995, Opal Adel Mitchell, age 98, b. 17 Dec 1896 in Burlington Twp., Calhoun , MI, wf, widow; father: Albert E. Chichester; mother: Minnie E. Carpenter; buried Leroy Congregational Cem.; informant: Florence M. Wank, 213 S. 23rd St., Battle Creek.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. The Athens Times, 1937. Roe Mitchell, well known Pine Creek man and the husband of the former Opal Mitchell, had his left arm cut off between the wrist and elbow by a circular saw at his saw mill which is located east of Abscota. He was clearing the sawdust from under the saw at noon, preparatory to shutting down for the afternoon when the accident happened. Mr. Mitchell was left-handed, and only last fall he lost some fingers on his right hand in a corn shredder accident. The community sympathizes with him in his misfortune. He has a family of seven children.
OBITUARY. The Athens Times, Thursday, June 20, 1963. Roe Mitchell, a resident of Leroy Township for 66 years, passed away last Thursday, June 13, at his home of a heart attack. He was born September 13, 1894. During his early days he ran a threshing machine with his father and brother and later did other custom farming with modern farm machines. He also managed a large farm of his own. Mr. Mitchell was born in Sherwood, the son of Eugene and Harriett Roe Mitchell. On May 30, 1917, he married Miss Opal Chichester, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Warren (Marcelle) Wank of 213 S. 23rd St., Battle Creek, Mrs. James (Mary) Crowell of Athens and Mrs. Bruce (Fern) Bishop of Prairie Road, Battle Creek; four sons, Eldon of East Leroy, Leon of 212 S. 20th St., Battle Creek, Gordon of Route 1, Fulton and Frank of Athens; one sister, Mrs. Iva Brininstool of Cooper, 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services were held on Saturday afternoon from the Spencer Funeral Home with the Rev. John Dosh and Dr. L. D. Funk officiating with burial in the Leroy Congregational Cemetery.
DEATH. Calhoun County Clerk-Register, Marshall, MI, vol. 45, p. 331A. Died 13 Jun 1963 at Battle Creek Health Center, Battle Creek, Roe Mitchell, age 68, b. 13 Sep 1894, at Sherwood, Branch, MI; wm, married; spouse: Opal; father: Eugene Mitchell; mother: Harriett Roe, residence: RFD East Leroy, MI (Leroy Twp.); occupation: farmer and machine operator; informant: Mrs. Opal Roe (Mitchell); buried 15 Jun 1963, Leroy Congregational Cem., Leroy Twp., MI.