Obituaries
ABRAHAM J. DAVIS
Submitted by Jacquie Truax Jones
BRUCE ALVIN DAVIS
Dies at Home; Rites Saturday
unknown newspaper
Submitted by Bruce Davis
Bruce A. Davis, 82 years, died at two o'clock Thursday morning, November 16 at his home, 369 W. North Street. He had been ill several weeks. Mr. Davis was a member of the Jordan Village United Presbyterian Church. Several years ago he served as trustee of Morgan Township. He was born February 21, 1879 in Owen County, the son of Wesley and Mariah Strouse Davis. He is survived by his wife, Grace Davis to whom he had been married 57 years; two sons, Renos Davis, R. R., Spencer, and Bruce Wilson Davis, Santa Barbara, California; seven grandchildren, and several nieces, and nephews. One son, John Martin Davis, preceded him in death. Funeral services were held at the West & Son Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. George F. Conley Officiating.
Interment was in Riverside Cemetery.
BRUCE WILSON DAVIS
I know about the recently deceased policy I have, but I know that Bruce would have wanted it here.
June 20, 2009
Columbus Dispatch
Submitted by Debbie Jennings
Bruce Wilson Davis died at home surrounded by his family on 19 June 2009 in Columbus, Oh., after a long battle against Parkinson's disease. He was born on 22 December 1921 on a farm near Jordan Village, Owen County, Ind. He wed Norma (Nichols) on 8 June 1948. He is survived by his wife; children, Jennifer (and husband, Lew) of Columbus, Mark of Southbury, Conn. and Robert (and wife, Pamela) of Alexandria, Va.; granddaughters, Joanna (and husband, Adam), Alyssa (and husband, Tom), Laura (and fiance, Brandon), and Abigail; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Olivia and Sophia. Mr. Davis was preceded in death by parents Alvin Bruce and Grace (Martin) Davis and brothers Colonel John Martin Davis, USA and Renos Davis. Mr. Davis served in World War II as a U.S. Navy Signalman and Radioman 2nd Class in convoys carrying troops and supplies to North Africa and the British Isles; then on the USS Briscoe (Attack Transport/APA 65), participating in "troop landing exercises" on Hawaii in preparation for aiding Gen. MacArthur's Pacific "island hopping" strategy. The USS Briscoe transported troops to Guam, Saipan, Eniwetok, New Guinea, Guadalcanal, The Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. Mr. Davis was aboard the USS Briscoe in Tokyo Bay during the Japanese surrender ceremony in 1945. His brother, Col. Davis, was a communications officer attached to MacArthur's staff. Mr. Davis earned an A.B. in Math/Physics at Indiana University and an M.S. in Engineering at Purdue University. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he taught math and physics, and coached basketball (1945-51) in Sweetser and Gosport, Ind. high schools. Mr. Davis worked at the US Naval Ordnance Plant and Naval Avionics Facility in Indianapolis and at General Motors Allison and Defense Systems Divisions' offices in Ind., Mich. and Calif., (1950-63). He engaged in military-related research and development (R&D), pertaining to computer simulation models for turboprop and turbojet engines, airborne fire control systems, the Hawk and Raven air-to-surface and Sergeant surface-to-surface missiles, as well as operations analysis on inertial guidance systems and hard fixed-site versus mobile deployment of ballistic missile systems. Mr. Davis worked at Battelle Memorial Institute (1963-84) in Columbus, Oh., where he headed Space Systems Programs and the Defense and Space Systems and Electronics Departments, founding the latter. He oversaw research on NASA contracts involving the Apollo, Space Shuttle and Skylab Programs, as well as R&D on DoD intelligence- and weapons-related programs. Under Mr. Davis, Battelle's Defense and Space Division, among many achievements, aided the Air Force in perfecting the armor penetrating capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt, the premier US close air support combat aircraft. In turn NASA saluted Battelle for making possible the maiden flight of the Columbia Space Shuttle, presenting it with the flag that flew aboard Columbia on 14 April 1981. Upon Columbia's successful return, the then-acting NASA Administrator declared that "this epic flight proves again that the US is No. 1" in Space. Battelle helped NASA perfect Columbia's surface tiles, making safe reentry possible. Mr. Davis was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), having published articles in the AIAA journal. Friends may call Monday from 5-8 p.m. at the WEIR-AREND FUNERAL HOME, 4221 N. High St. (3 blocks S. of Henderson Rd.), where service will be held Tuesday 11 a.m. Rev. Phyllis Heffner officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Madden Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Oh. 43210. Please specify "for research.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
GRACE DAVIS, 82 Dies on Friday
Submitted by Bruce Davis
Mrs. Grace Davis, 82, of 369 West North Street, Spencer died suddenly at her home this morning, Friday.
She was born on September 17, 1882, in Vandalia. a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Brown) Martin, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Jordan Village.
Survivors include two sons, C. Renos Davis of R. R. 1, Spencer, and Bruce W. Davis of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Mrs. Mary Frank, of Poland; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Her husband died in 1961, and one son, one brother and two sisters also preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p, m. at West and Son funeral Home with Rev. Thomas Atkinson officiating, Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Friends may call after 7:00 p. m. Friday at the West and Son Funeral Home, in Spencer.
HATTIE DAVIS DEAD
Miss Hattie Davis, 44 years old, died early Saturday morning at the Owen County Infirmary where Hattie had been an inmate several years. Cause of death was given as congenital malformation, with a contributory cause of interstitial nephritis. She had been a helpless cripple for many years. She was a daughter of Albert and Mary Jane (Bowen) Davis living north of Freedom. Her death occurred some time during the night and she was found Saturday morning. The body was brought to the Drescher undertaking parlor to be prepared for burial and interment was made at Splinter Ridge Cemetery in Lafayette Township Sunday. Brief services were held at the grave side.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
HENRY G. DAVIS
And the Grim Reaper continued his harvest, gathering into his relentless hand the life of Henry G. Davis, another old soldier. Mr. Davis was born in Carroll County, Ohio Dec. 5, 1844 and removed from there to Indiana. In 1861 he joined the. 59th Indiana volunteer infantry and for 3 years and 9 months fought valiantly for his country.
In 1865 he married Miss Nancy E. Davis and one child, William, was born to them. In 1877 they came to Polk County, Nebraska, settling on a farm near Silver Creek, where they lived until about a year ago, when they moved to Silver Creek. Mr. Davis was always a kindly, genial, man, and had a friendly smile and word for everyone. His wife and son survive him.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
COLONEL JOHN M. DAVIS
Funeral Will Be Held Thursday for Col. John Davis Funeral services for Col. John M. Davis, 40, 802 North Chester street, who died Monday at Billings General Hospital, will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday at Shirley Brothers Irving Hill chapel. Lt. Col. David Donohoo, Protestant chaplain at the hospital, will officiate and burial will be at Anderson cemetery on East Tenth Street. Col. Davis, became ill while serving on Leyte, during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work as executive communications officer for the Far East air forces signal corps. He returned to this country several months ago. The Bronze Star citation read in part, "Though he suffered from a severe and often painful malady which eventually caused hospitalization, Col. Davis worked incessantly at his manifold (communications) duties, succeeding in completing complex and detailed plans before the required target dates, making valuable contributions to the success of air operations in this theater." Col. Davis, native of Owen county, received his commission when he was graduated from Purdue University in 1926. He was transmission engineer for Indiana Bel1 Telephone Company nineteen years, making his home in Indianapolis during that time. February 9, 1941, he was called to active and in July, 1944, he went overseas. Col. Davis was a member of the Presbyterian church, the Masonic Lodge and Theta Chi Fraternity. Be is survived by the widow, Mrs. Virginia Davis; two daughters, Beverly and Linda Davis, Indianapolis; the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Davis, Spencer, and two brothers, Radioman 2-C Bruce Wilson, in the Pacific, and Renos Davis, Spencer.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
JONATHAN WESLEY DAVIS
Submitted by Bruce Davis
Died at his residence a half mile east of Vandalia, Owen County, Indiana, John Wesley Davis, aged 62years 8 months and 24 days..
Deceased was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1836, and immigrated with his parents to Owen County Indiana, in 1849, and has lived in Owen County nearly fifty years. He was rnarried to Miss Maria Strause, August 9, 1860. To them were born ten children, six boys and four girls, William A., John W., Gilbert M., Carl K. Alvin B. and Gerge L., all of whom are living but George L., who died in 1890. The girls are: Luella Mustard of Nebraska; Orabelle Prather of Illinois; CharIotte Phillips and Sally McCauley of Owen County.
Mr, Davis was a great sufferer. For thirteen years he was never free from pain. In 1886 he was taken down with sciatic rheumatism, and from that time until death came he suffered untold misery. But death came at last and relieved him of his suffering. He united with the United Methodist Church about seven or eight years ago and died in that faith and we believe he has gone to that land ''where everlasting sun abides, and never withering fowers; death like a narrow sea divides this heavenly land from ours."
He leaves a wife and nine children to mourn their loss, but thieir loss is his eternal gain. The funeral was conducted by Elder R. Kerr, assisted by Rev. E. E. Urner of the Methodist Church. Internment in the Vandalia Cemetery.
MRS. LINNIE DAVIS
Mrs. Linnie, wife of Harper Davis, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, March 26, 1843, and departed this life Dec. 26,1905, at her late residence at Terre Haute, Ind., aged 62 years, 9 months and 3 days. She came with her parents. Isaac and Susannah Criss, when a child from Ohio to Owen County, Ind. Mrs. Davis was of a family of eleven children two of whom with the father am! mother preceded her in deaths She was united in marriage to Harper Davis in 1878 and to this union were born two daughters and one son, she was also a true mother of two daughters and a son by a former marriage of her husband, of whom the husband, four daughters two sons, four brothers and four sisters survive her, a!! of whom mourn their loss as a truly devoted wife, a loving and indulgent mother and a kind and affectionate sister. She united when only 15 years of age with the Baptist church at Rehobeth church. After marriage to Mr. Davis they resided in Vandalia, Owen County, Ind, and she united with the M. E. church at that place, remaining with the church until their removal to Terre Haute where they both transferred their membership to the First M. E. church, worshipping at that place, living a consistent and zealous Christian life, living in harmony with her neighbors, always ready and willing to help to aid and administer to the wants of the sick or distressed and never forgetting her blessed Lord and Savior. When she realized that her earthly existence was fast closing out and death would soon end all, she expressed a desire to go and join her Savior.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
MRS. MARY DAVIS
Mrs. Mary Davis, who for the past two weeks had been seriously ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lillian Cambridge, on North Court street suffering from uremic poisoning, passed away at 9:30 o'clock Monday morning.
The deceased who was past 81 years of age at the time of. her death, had been a resident of Tuscola for over forty years and was well known to a majority of our citizens. Her long and worthy life had built up for her a long list of friends and acquaintances, who join with the children and other sorrowing relatives in mourning her departure.
Mrs. Davis was the mother of seven children the husband and father having preceded her in death a number of years ago. The children, aside from the daughter here, who had cared for the mother during her last illness, are Mrs. L. E. Randolph, Rockville, Ind.,; Mrs. Alice Mackey, Atwood; Mrs. Ernestine Riggs, Demoines, Iowa; Fred Davis, Ardale, Iowa; O. H. Davis, Los Angeles, Cal; and Howard Davis of Pahuska, Okla.
Aside from the above the deceased is survived by one brother, S. S. Goehring, a former well known contractor of this city, now living in Pahuska. Okla., and one sister Mrs. Rosa B, McLaughlin, also of the Oklahoma city, twenty-two grandchildren and ten great grand children.
Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock from the Methodist church of which the deceased had long been associated, with the pastor, the Reverend Howard Leach officiating.
Burial, which is in charge of Mortician J. C. Waddington, will be made in the Tuscola cemetery.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
MARY ANN (RITTER) SLOAN DAVIS
Mary Ann, daughter of George and Patsy Ritter, died March 10, 1902, of heart disease and was buried March 12. She was born in Kentucky, January, 1825. She migrated to Owen County, Ind., near Spencer, and grew to womanhood in Owen County. She united in marriage with Wm. Sloan in 1845 To this union 6 children were born, 4 girls and 2 boys. Jolin W. of Lyons, Kansas, and Martha survive her. Mr. Sloan died la 1857, She was married to Johnathan Davis in 1859. Two children were born to this union, Albert and Emma A. Mr. Davis in 1879. She has been a resident of Owen county all her life except one year In Iowa. She united with the United Brethren church in early life, and afterwards with the M. E. church, and lived a consistent member until her death. Mother Davis a true and devoted wife, kind and affectionate mother, quiet and peaceable neighbor. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Ward, of Patricksburg, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Abrell. Her remains now rest beside those of her second husband in the Pleasant Hill cemetery.
Submitted by Bruce Davis
