Henry and Fred Spoering

(This post originally appeared on my previous blog, A Face to the Sun, on July 23, 2013.)

 
Once again, I've been diving into some old newspapers and this time, I came up with a few obituaries for siblings of my grandmother, Ida Spoering Elling.  Both of these brothers died when I was very young, so I have no memory of them.

 First, Fred Spoering's obituary was found in the Findlay Republican Courier, December 27, 1954:

"FRED SPOERING  RITES HELD SUNDAY
Henry Co. Native Succumbed Friday

Deshler, Dec. 26 - Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday for Fred Spoering, 67, a retired farmer who resided northwest of Deshler.

The Rev. Otto Ehlen officiated at services at St. John's Lutheran Church.  Burial was in the church cemetery.  The Pelter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Spoering died at 1:10 a.m. Friday at his residence after an illness of two years.  He had lived his entire life in Henry County.
He was born Nov. 6, 1887 in Marion Twp., Henry Co. to Henry and Marie Spoering.  He married Anna Imbrook, Dec. 11, 1919 and she survives.
Also surviving are a son, Richard, Altoona, Pa.; daughter, Mrs. Martha Sunderman, Deshler; step-daughter, Mrs. Helen Drewes, Deshler; brother, George, Napoleon; sisters, Mrs. Mary Baden, Malinta; Mrs. Sophia Marksch, Deshler; Mrs. Anna Helmke, Mrs. Lydia Louden and Mrs. Frieda Lang, all of Napoleon; Mrs. Kate Tietje, Hamler; Mrs. Amelia Schlagel, Traverse City, Mich., six grandchildren and one great-grandchild."



Henry Spoering's obituary was also in the Findlay Republican Courier, February 9, 1952, page 2:

 "FIND WORKMAN DEAD IN SHOP
Holgate Man, 66, Succumbs Friday

Holgate, Feb. 8 - Henry Spoering, 66, was found dead about 6 p.m. today in his workshop near his home here by two neighbors.
Albert Riebesehl, who visited Mr. Spoering each day, found his friend on the floor of his workshop and called Ray Kline, a neighbor.
A physician was called and he said Mr. Spoering died of a heart attack at approximately 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Mr. Spoering was born November 10, 1883.  He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Emil Hahn, Hamler; Mrs. Paul Sandman, Bowling Green; and Mrs. Roy Baer, Deshler; two brothers, Fred, Bartlow Twp, and George, Erie, Mich.; and seven sisters, Mrs. Mary Baden, Malinta; Mrs. Sophia Marks, Deshler; Mrs. Anna Helmke, Mrs. Frita Lange and Mrs. Lydia Loudon, all of Napoleon; Mrs. Katie Tietje, Hamler; and Mrs. Amelia Slagel, Traverse City, Mich.  There are three grandchildren.  
The body was taken to the Wesche Funeral Home in Napoleon.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete."