Colusa County Transcribed Obituaries

BETTY, GLADYS ELIZABETH

Rites Set For Native
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday for Sutter County native Gladys Elizabeth
Betty, 78, of Colusa. She died Sunday at the Eskaton Colusa Health Care Center. Born
in Sutter, she was lifelong resident of the Sutter-Colusa area. She was a music teacher
at Sutter High School for many years. She was a 50- years member of Fidelia Chapter
No. 56, Order of the Eastern Star in Yuba City and had been that organization's organist
for 16 years. She was also a 50 -year member of South Butte Parlor No. 226, Native
Daughters of the Golden West in Sutter and was the former organist for the Sutter
Community Methodist church and the Colusa Methodist Church. Survivors include her
husband, Leonard Betty of Colusa and two sisters, Mrs. Fred Havens of Yuba City and
Mrs Edna Taylor of Oakland. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Thursday at
Ullrey Memorial Chapel with Rev, Edgar Nelson , pastor of the Yuba City First United
Methodist Church and members of Fidelia Chapter No. 56, Order of the Eastern Star
officiating. Burial will be in Sutter Cemetery. Appeal Democrat, Tuesday, December 11, 1973 Submitted by April Hennes

BETTY, LEONARD S.
Appeal Democrat, Wednesday, July 17, 1974 Pg A-6
Leonard S. Betty
Leonard Sam Betty, 82, of Colusa died yesterday at the Eskaton Colusa Healthcare
Center. Son of a pioneer Sutter County family, Betty was a retired auditor for the
state Board of Equalization. He also taught for many years in Sutter County schools.
Betty also was active in area baseball teams and served as an umpire for many years.
He was a veteran of World War 1. Survivors include his brother, Vernon Betty of Red
Bluff and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services are set for 10 am Friday at
Ullrey Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Sutter Cemetery. Appeal Democrat, Wednesday, July 17, 1974 Pg A-6
Submitted by April Hennes

BLACKMER, ELBERT WESLEY
Elbert Wesley Blackmer, 89, former Meridian area farmer died this morning in Colusa
Memorial Hospital. Born near Meridian, at the time of his death he had retired from
farming. He had lived for the past six years with his daughter, Mrs. Lois Paletta, in Colusa.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Colusa Assembly of God
Church of which he was a member. Burial will be in Meridian Cemetery. Arrangements are
by McNary Memorial Chapel. Survivors in addition to Mrs. Paletta are two other daughters,
Mrs. Mary Carnegie of Meridian and Mrs. Ruth Allen of Colusa; 10 grandchildren and nine
great-grandchildren. Appeal Democrat, July 12, 1956, Pg 23, Col. 4 Submitted by April Hennes

BLACKMER MURDER/SUICIDE
Suicide Leaves Three meridian Dead
Ailing Man Turns Shotgun On Brother, Sister-in-Law, Friend In Double Slaying
Meridian, July 26. -Three Meridian residents are dead and one is in the Colusa
hospital with critical wounds today, the result of a double murder and a suicide
at the home of Mr and Mrs Al W. Blackmer in the early hours Thursday morning.
Murdered are Mrs A. W. Blackmer, 65, and Louis A. Moon, 77, her cousin, both
victims of Marvin Blackmer, 69, who after slaying them with blasts from a
12-guage shotgun, turned the gun on himself, ending his life. In critical condition
from shotgun wounds is Al W. Blackmer , brother of the murderer. As recounted
by G. W. Carpenter, Sutter County sheriff, who was summoned to the scene last
night after the tragedy had been disclosed., Marvin Blackmer arose about 2:45 a.m.
Thursday in the cabin at the rear of his brother's home where he and Moon lived.
He first turned the shotgun on Moon, killing him instantly and then entered the
Blackmer home. Entering the bedroom where Mr and Mrs Blackmer were sleeping,
he discharged a blast into the form of Mrs Blackmer, a shot which Carpenter said
wounded A. W. Blackmer. The slayer then aimed the gun at his brother's face, and
pulled the trigger and left the room, retiring to his own quarters. Although the
discharge left A. W. Blackmer with critical injuries, he is said to have regained
consciousness long enough to stagger to the kitchen and then, unable to summon
aid, returned to the bedroom where he lay down beside his wife. It was there he
was found.

Lack of Activity Creates Suspicion
Carpenter said after returning to his cabin, Marvin Blackmer apparently attempted
to put the shotgun beneath his chin in a suicide attempt. Finding the barrel too long,
Carpenter said, the slayer cut off the end of the barrel with a hacksaw, tied a string
from the trigger to his toe, replaced the gun under his chin and committed suicide.
Bodies of the four were discovered at 7:48 last night by Clifton Davis who lives across
the street from the Blackmer home. He told police he became suspicious when he noticed
a lack of activity throughout the day and went to the Blackmer -Moon cabin to
investigate. It was there he came upon Moon's body and after a search found the other
victims. The sheriff and Coroner Burwell Ullrey were summoned.

Consider Having Man Committed.
A possible forewarning of the tragedy was seen by Carpenter through testimony of
witnesses who said Mrs Blackmer the day before had gone to Colusa to visit a daughter,
Mrs Lois Palletta. It was while there that Mrs Blackmer is quoted as telling her daughter
that "Marvin is getting more out of hand all the time and something must be done about
him." A nephew, Harold Paxton of Yuba City said today that Mrs Palletta and another
daughter, Mrs Ruth Allen, also of Colusa, discussed their mother's visit later that day
and considered the possibility of having the man committed to a home. Marvin, Carpenter
said, was a semi- invalid and was unable to talk coherently. He is said to have suffered an
illness about 10 years ago, bringing on the speech impediment and loss of use of one of
his arms and had been under the care of his brother and sister-in-law since that time.

Two Persons Recall Hearing Blasts
Witnesses, Carpenter said, declared that Marvin was unruly and had been getting worse
in the past years. Investigation showed today that perhaps only two persons heard the fatal
shotgun discharges. One was Mrs Viola Doty who lived around the corner from the Blackmer's.
She told Carpenter she had been feeling ill and that about 2:50 she arose to take medicine.
She heard a percussion. However, since she said she had previously heard dogs howling in
the neighborhood she believed someone was merely shooting at the dogs. The other person
who claims to have heard the shots is Mrs Davis, However, she discounted them as "backfire
from passing machines" Carpenter said, and went back to sleep.

Former Teacher In Slough School
The Blackmer were well-known in the Meridian community. A. W. Blackmer is a native of
Sutter county, born two miles south of town. She was a native of Colusa county. Blackmer
was a rancher, operating his place south of town until 10 years ago when he sold out and
retired, coming to town to live. Both were known to be devout and she was active in Meridian
church and community circles. Last year she taught at the Slough grammar school and
apparently intended to return this year. She also had served as librarian of the branch
Sutter county library.

Set Funeral For Colusa
Besides their two daughters, the Blackmer's leave another daughter, Mrs Mary Carnegie of
Meridian who is now visiting in Pennsylvania, and several grandchildren. Mrs Blackmer also
has two sisters, Mrs Eva Paxton of Sutter and Mrs Clara Pickle of Ladoga. Coroner Ullrey said
today the body of Mrs Blackmer will be taken by McNary funeral home in Colusa for last rites.
The bodies of Marvin Blackmer and Moon will remain in the Ullrey home pending funeral plans.
Appeal Democrat, Tuesday, July 30, 1946 Pg 1

Blackmer Improves
Al Blackmer, one of the victims in the Meridian shooting last Thursday in which three persons
were killed is reported "doing fine" today by hospital authorities in Colusa. He was shot in the
face by his brother, Marvin Blackmer who, after killing Mrs Al Blackmer and Louis A. Moon,
committed suicide.
Appeal Democrat, Friday, July 26, 1946 Pg 1
Submitted by April Hennes

BOEHMER, BERNARD
B. H. Boehmer Dies at Bay City
Bernard Henry Boehmer died yesterday in San Francisco following a short illness.
Boehmer was a native of Colusa county and was also a graduate of the local high
school. During his residence in Colusa he made many friends. For over fifteen years
he had held a responsible position with the Alber's Milling company in San Francisco.
he was the oldest son of John Boehmer of Colusa. Besides his father he is survived by
two sisters, Miss Katherine Lane of Richmond and Miss Stella Boehmer of San Francisco,
three brothers, George Boehmer of Richmond. Alphonse Boehmer and Henry Boehmer of
Bakersfield. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes church Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock. Sullivan Bros. will have charge of the interment

Colusa Herald, Tuesday, May 22, 1928

Boehmer Services

Funeral services for Bernard Henry Boehmer, former Colusan, who died Friday at San
Francisco after a short illness were held this morning from the Catholic church. The
services were conducted by Rev. Father James Vaughn at 10 o'clock. Interment was
made under direction of Sullivan Bros. Pallbearers were Everett Welch, Lewis Putman,
L. Middlecamp, Anthony Steidlmayer, Everett Bowes and H. G. Monsen. Submitted by April Hennes

BOEHMER, DOROTHY
Death of Mrs Boehmer After an illness of several months duration, Mrs Dorothea Boehmer
died at the family home near Afton, Glenn County Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock. Mrs
Boehmer's death was due to a cancer and an operation she underwent in San Francisco
last June. deceased was a native of Rich Fountain, Missouri, aged 57 years. She had been
a resident of Colusa county since 1881. She is survived by her husband John Boehmer and
six children, two daughters and four sons, who were at her bedside when the end came.
They are, Mrs Joe Lane, Miss Stella Boehmer, Bernard, Alfonso, Henry and George Boehmer.
The Funeral will be held at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning from the Catholic church in Colusa.
Interment will be made in the Catholic cemetery. Daily Colusa Sun, September 02, 1913
Submitted by April Hennes

BUTTON, REGINALD E.
R. E. Button, Ex-Mayor, Constable, 91, Is Dead
Masonic funeral services will be conducted at 10 AM Friday in McNary-Moore Chapel for Reginald E. (Reg) Button, 91, retired Colusa businessman, former city councilman, mayor, constable, and long active in community affairs, who died Friday afternoon in Valley West Convalescent Hospital in Williams. His death came after a lengthy period of failing health. The services were delayed until Friday because Mr. Button’s daughter, Violet, and his son-in-law, Cressey J. Wescott, are on an Alaskan cruise, and they will not know of his passing until their ship puts into port tomorrow.Mr. Button, whose death saddened many friends in the community and county, was a native of Warminster, England, born January 19, 1885. He came to the United States in 1904 and to Colusa in 1917. His life in the community was best told in a news story on the front page of the Sun-Herald December 30, 1960, along with the picture of Reg, as he was best known, which is reproduced again today. This story in part was as follows:“R. E. Button, a Colusa businessman since 1917 and one of the few remaining full-time leather craftsmen in the state, will end more than 32 years of public service Monday noon when he retires from the office of constable here. “Button became Colusa constable in April 1944 when he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of the late William Sweetland. He was re-elected to subsequent terms until he chose not to run this spring. He has been constable for more than 16 years.“He served for 16 years as a city councilman, taking the post in 1924 and continuing in office until 1940. He was mayor of the City of Colusa from 1936 to 1938.“Button, who will be 76 years old on January 19^th, said he will continue with his leather goods business as a hobby. He does custom leather work and will turn out almost anything a customer may want in the way of a special item. He is a saddle-maker, does canvas work, and auto upholstery work. His shop is at 139 Fifth Street, and his customers come from the entire northern Sacramento Valley.“Button said he is the only Colusan running the same business today who was operating that business when he first came here 43 years ago. Before coming to Colusa, he was a piece work craftsman making double and single buggy harness in a Sacramento factory.“I came to Colusa for two days and I’m here yet,” he chuckled. He explained he came to attend the funeral of a friend who was in the harness business and to help straighten out his affairs. He was persuaded to manage this firm, the Mason Harness Store, and later purchased it. He was president of the city chamber of commerce for a year during the 1920s.”Reg did continue to operate his leather goods shop as a hobby for several years after his retirement as constable in 1960. He remained exceptionally alert and active until several years ago when failing health forced him to get around with the aid of a walker. Despite this, he was a faithful attender of Masonic and Shrine meetings with his son-in-law, Cressey Wescott, who will conduct the Masonic services for Mr. Button Friday.Reg was a member of the Colusa Lodge No. 240 of Masons for 54 years and rarely missed a meeting until illness forced his hospitalization. He was also a 50-year member of Colusa Chapter No. 60, Royal Arch Masons, Colusa Commandery No. 24, Knights Templar, and Ben Ali Temple of the Shrine. Additionally, he was one of the first Shriners to join the Western Sacramento Valley Shrine Club formed here some 23 years ago and always delighted in attending the club’s monthly dinner meetings held in this area. He was also a long-time member of the Episcopal Church.Mr. Button is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Cressey (Violet) Wescott, Mrs. Addison (Gladys) Jacobson and Mrs. Ralph (Regina) Hiegel, all of Colusa, five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. The services Friday will be followed by interment in East Lawn, Sacramento, next to his wife, Elizabeth, who preceded him in death. [Colusa Sun Herald, August 1976. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik]

EDDY, EBENEZER THOMAS
Captain Eddy Passes Away – One of the Foremost Pioneers of Colusa County Dies in His Home at College City
Tuesday night at his home near College City, Captain Ebenezer Thomas Eddy passed “over the river to rest under the shade of the trees.” He was of English descent, the family being represented in America by two brothers, Samuel and John, who came over and settled at Plymouth, Mass., 1720. They were on the historical vessel “Handmaiden” out from London. In 1730 this same Samuel became one of the original founders of the town of Middleboro, Mass. Two of his descendents subsequently served in the Revolutionary War. Ebenezer Wood Eddy of Oneida County, New York, and Hulda Cobb of a family that came to this country in 1738, were the parents of Capt. E. T. Eddy, the subject of this sketch, he being the youngest of nine children, and until last night the only surviving one of them. Capt. E. T. Eddy’s history is interwoven with that of the Sacramento Valley as advanced here. Capt. Eddy was born in New York 88 years ago the fourth of next October. From the age of 11 to 16 years, he went to Hawkinsville School. He was away then until 1834 when he returned to his native county and learned the shipbuilding trade at Brownsville. Later he built three schooners for himself and managed them as mate and captain, sailing to and fro on and over all the Great Lakes, except Superior. Continuing marine pursuits for 20 years, he tired of the waters and resolving to go the California, he went to Chicago, got an outfit and thence to Missouri for a start across the plains. In 1850 he left St. Joseph and proceeded along the old trail. It was the first of April, and August fourth he reached Hangtown and entered upon a mining scheme for gold. It was not successful and then drifted to Marysville and continued to work. In 1852 we find him on Grand Island which he named from the grandeur of the scenery. In 1854 he built Eddy’s Ferry, the first swinging ferry built in California, he having taken the idea from the management of the ships. It was of sycamore gunwales and flooring of oak, timber being taken from his surroundings. This was a genuine homemade ferryboat, and it was sold by the shipbuilder to Mr. Deffendorf in 18__, and is said now to be the same as owned by A. A. Thayer and still operated. He took a partner with 1500 acres of land and farmed. When in 18__ they divided, he went to Dry Slough where he had a ranch which he cultivated until 1897 when he went to live with his son Mulveen Eddy near College City where he died last night. From the time of the war to 8 years ago, he was a Republican in politics. He was from that time an Independent. During the war, he was deputy assessor of revenue, and for many years served as public administrator in Colusa County, being the first one this county had. He became a member of the IOOF in New York and was a member of the Colusa Lodge from which he was demitted. Miss Caroline, daughter of Asa C. Ackerman of Jefferson County, New York, was married to him in that state where she remained until 1858 when she joined him with her children, and was a resident of Colusa County until her death January 3, 1905 in College City. Of their children, but two lived to maturity. One still lives in College City, and the Captain was with him up to the time he died there. The other, William, was in the Civil War as a member of the California Calvary, acting as drum major. After the war, he went east and on the ship, Carrie Wright, returning he died of smallpox and was buried at sea. A man and an old pioneer have left us for the life to come and make that rank and file one less. They were one and all a grand army of soldiers, right-thinking men and filled with the courage of their convictions. “We shall not look upon their like again.” The sons of such sires are and should be proud of their pioneer fathers. They should emulate their virtues and follow in their footsteps. Capt. Eddy was a fair type of these, of men who are going and have gone. These men with honesty, they were true patriots, loving home, family, and country. Their very vices leaned to Virtue’s side. None can be perfect, but all can be men, manly and true-hearted, men that are men and of this number was Capt. E. T. Eddy who will be laid away Thursday at College City beside the wife of his youth. [NEWSPAPER: unknown, 5-21-1907. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik]

FOSTER, JEANETTE M.
Jeanette M. Foster

Jeanette M. Foster died Wednesday, May 16, in Hillhaven Convalescent Hospital. A native of Syracuse, N. Y. , she was 90. Mrs. Foster was a homemaker and a 14-year Woodland resident. She formerly lived in Colusa. She is survived by her sons, Clifford McCormick of Fairfield and Merle McCormick of Guinda; daughters, Olga Borders of Colusa, Norma Cleland of Woodland, and Barbara Martin of Sacramento; brothers, Elywn Newell and Claude Newell, both of Whitehall, N. Y.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday, May 20, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Kraft Bros. Chapel. A graveside service will be held Monday, May 21, at 11 a.m. in the Colusa Cemetery. The Daily Democrat, May 18, 1990 Submitted by April Hennes

JACKSON, JOHN JACK LINCOLN
JACKSON FUNERAL TOMORROW
Funeral services for Jack Lincoln Jackson, who passed away yesterday at Arbuckle will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the Arbuckle Baptist Church, Rev. George B. Noag officiating. Services will be under direction of J. D. McNary & Son. Jackson was born March 25, 1960, in Iowa, and had lived in Arbuckle 13 years. Surviving are his wife, a son, and a daughter. [Colusa Daily Sun, April 13, 1921.Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik]

PHILLIPS, John Riley

Pioneer Resident of Colusa Passed Away Wednesday, Jan. 20 – Father of Mrs. Wm. E. Rowe of this City – Deceased Was a Resident of State Over Forty Years

Mrs. Wm. E. Rose returned Sunday from Colusa where she had spent the past two weeks during the recent illness and subsequent death of her father, John Riley Phillips. Mr. Rowe went up Sunday to bring her home. Mr. Phillips, who was a pioneer resident of California, passed away at the home of his daughter in Colusa on Sunday morning, January 20, 1929, at the age of nearly 77 years. He had been a resident of Colusa forty years and was a well known and highly respected citizen of that community where he was considered a successful business man. He had conducted a store there for many years, retiring from active business some time ago because of his declining years. He was born at Bradford, Illinois, February 17, 1852. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Marguerite Dunkelberger at North Judson, Indiana. Two years later they came to California, settling at Colusa. Mrs. Phillips passed away several years ago in Colusa, and he had been residing of late years with his daughter, Mrs. Dean Buffum, in Colusa. Left to mourn his loss are one son, Charles Phillips of San Francisco, and four daughters, Mrs. Wm. E. Rowe of Roseville, Mrs. Claude Peart of Venice, Mrs. Archie Kidd of Sacramento, and Mrs. Dean Buffum of Colusa. One sister, Mrs. A. J. Tead of Phoenix, Arizona, also survives, as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in Colusa Wednesday afternoon, January 23, at 2 o’clock, with J. D. McNary & Son, funeral directors, in charge. Interment was in the Colusa Cemetery. [Roseville Tribune and Register, Wednesday, 1-30-1929. Submitted by K. Marynik)

ROBINSON, L.V.
Colusa, May 30th.— Hon L. V. Robinson, County Judge of Colusa county, died today. The funeral will take place tomorrow, under the auspices of the county officers and members of the Bar.
[Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 3, Number 84, 31 May 1877. Submitted by Robyn G.]

SIMMONS, SAMUEL
Succumbs to His Injuries.
COLUSA, Feb. I.— Samuel Simmons, a farmer, died this morning from the effects of injuries received in a runaway last Monday.
San [ San Francisco Call, Volume 85, Number 64, 2 February 1899. Submitted by Robyn G.]

SUMMY, F. Lenora "Kate"

"F. Lenora "Kate" Summy died Jan. 9, 2007 in Chico. She was born Jan 28, 1910 in Sycamore, Colusa Co. Calif. to Verne and Jim Hall. She was a member of the pioneer Burtis-Stinchfield family that settled in Bridgeport, later Sycamore, in the late 1850's.

In 1935, Kate worked as a nurse at Harlan Hospital in Arbuckle. She married William A. "Bill" Summy of Meridian she lived in Sutter co. for 70 years before moving to Durham in 2003.

Kate is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Mike) Hislop of Durham; nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Bill Summy in 1966; son, Kenneth in 2007, and six siblings.

At her request, there will be no funeral. Relatives and friends are invited to lunch at Joe's Canton, 511 Reeves Ave., Yuba City, January 26 at 2 p.m. RSVP to Kathryn (530) 345-8569 by Jan. 24.

Memorial donations may be made in Kate's name to the Butte Humane Society in care of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home. View obituary and send condolences online at nbcfh.com. " Colusa Sun Herald, Jan. 18th,2008. Submitted By April Hennes

Death of an Editor's Wife.

Colusa, Nov. 22.—The wife of Charles B. Whiting, editor of the Colusa Herald, died of consumption this afternoon, aged 35 years.

[Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 86, Number 82, 23 November 1893.Submitted by Robyn G.]

Died on a Boat.

Orloff Johnson, a Swede, aged thirty years, a deck band on the steamer Ceres, died yesterday afternoon on board the steamer Harritt, from Colusa. The body is at the Morgue.

[Daily Alta California, Volume 29, Number 9983, 8 August 1877 .Submitted by Robyn G.]

Fatal Accident at Maxwell-

COLUSA, Cal., March 4.— John Prine of Maxwell accidentally shot himself through the stomach Wednesday, from the effects of which he died this (Thursday) morning. The deceased was cleaning a pistol when in some way it was discharged, the ball entering the pit of the stomach. He was a half -brother of David Prine, one of Colusa County's prominent farmers.

[San Francisco Call, Volume 81, Number 95, 5 March 1897. Submitted by Robyn G.]