ARMIN R. BACKS 19 Jun 1899-24 Oct 1969 Washington Co., IL The funeral of Armin R. BACKS, 70, of R.R. 1, Venedy, IL will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday from St. Salvator Lutheran Church, Venedy, to the church cemetery. The Rev. Eldon Winker, pastor, will officiate. Friends may call at the Moll Funeral Home, Okawville, IL until 11 a.m. Tuesday when the body will be taken to the church. Mr. BACKS, a retired farmer, died at 8:45 p.m. Friday at Washington County Hospital, Nashville, IL where he was admitted Thursday afternoon. He has been in failing health for six months. A son of the late Henry and Caroline BACKS nee HELMKAMP. He was born at Okawville on 19 Jun 1899. He married Emilie GOING at Okawville on 28 Nov 1920. Surviving, besides his wife are four sons. Melvin BACKS, South Holland, IL; Vernon BACKS, Peoria; Roland BACKS, who is in the Air Force and stationed at Chico, CA; and Norbert BACKS, Columbia, MO. A brother Harry F. BACKS of Waterloo; a sister, Irene, wife of Albert Steinsieck, also of Waterloo; and four grandchildren. A son, Raymond, preceded him in death.

FRED [FREDERICK] BACKS 4 Apr 1839 - 29 Aug 1914 Washington Co., IL Fred BACKS died on 29 Aug 1914 in Washington Co., IL after a lingering illness. He was born 4 Apr 1839 in Prussia, Germany and reached the age of 76 years. He married Louise MARTELSMEIER on 20 March 1862. He leaves a wife, Louise; three sons; Henry and Louis BACKS of Washington Co., IL and William BACKS of MO; and three daughters, Mrs. Anna [Fred] BENING of Sweet Springs, Saline Co., MO; Mrs. Alvina [Martin] GARLING and Mrs. Augusta [Fred] SCHILLING of Frogtown,[rural Okawville, IL; and several grandchildren. The remains were interred in the Oelzweig Cemetery, also known as Olive Branch Lutheran Church Cemetery, Frogtown, rural Okawville, Washington Co., IL. Rev. E. KOCH conducted the funeral services.

HENRY WILLIAM BACKS 22 Oct 1868 - 22 Feb 1956 Washington Co., IL Henry William BACKS was born east of Okawville, Washington Co., IL on 22 Oct 1868. He was the son of Fred BACKS and his wife Louise [nee MARTELMEYER]. He was baptized 15 Nov 1868. Rev. WOLBRECHT confirmed him in 1882 at Olive Branch Lutheran Church, Okawville. In 1894 he married Anna SCHMIDT who preceded him in death in 1895. This union was blessed with one son Harry. On 1 Nov 1896 he again entered into holy wedlock with Caroline HELMKAMP who died 12 Oct 1944. To this union two children were born; Irene and Armin. He died Wednesday, 22 Feb 1956 attaining the age of 87 years and 4 months. He leaves to mourn his death two sons; Harry BACKS of Washington D. C. and Armin BACKS of Venedy, IL; and one daughter, Mrs. Irene [Albert] STEINSIECK of Waterloo, IL. One son-in-law, Albert STEINSIECK, one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Armin BACKS of Venedy, IL, five grandsons, one brother Louis BACKS; and one sister Mrs. Alvina GARLING both of Okawville, IL. Also six sister-in-laws, Mrs. Louise [William] BACKS of Sedalia, MO; Mrs. Mary [Louis] BACKS and Clara HELMKAMP of Okawville, IL; Mrs. Rose MEYER of Ladue, MO; Mrs. Emma HARBLE, Wood River, IL; Mrs. George HELMKAMP of Spokane, WA and one brother-in-law, George HELMKAMP of Spokane, WA. Two sisters and one brother preceded him in death. William BACKS of Sedalia, MO, Mrs. Augusta SCHILLING and Mrs. Anna BENING of Okawville, IL.

LOUIS BACKS Louis BACKS, 86, who spend his long life in the Covington and Okawville communities, peacefully entered rest at 10 a.m. Monday, 14 March 1960, in the Washington Springs Nursing Home at Okawville. His passing followed by only a few months the demise of his beloved wife, Mary, with whom he had shared 62 years of married life. Mr. BACKS was born in Covington township on 20 March 1873, the son of Fred and Louisa [MATTELSMEIER] BACKS. He was baptized and confirmed in Olive Branch Lutheran Church. He married the former Miss Mary KURTZ at Olive Branch on 25 February 1897 and they resided on a farm near Covington. Upon retirement in 1928 they moved to Okawville, where they became well-known citizens, admired for their activity and resourcefulness despite their advanced years. A number of months ago they took up residence together in the nursing home and Mary passed away there on 13 October 1959. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. BACKS, who now mourn his departure, are Richard of Jennings, MO, Edwin L. BACKS of Covington and Edna, wife of Arthur HORSTMAN of Pagesdale, MO. Other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Martin GARLING of Okawville; one son-in-law; two daughters-in-law; nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and many friends. Two brothers: William BACKS and Henry W. BACKS; and two sisters: Anna [BACKS] BENING and Augusta [BACKS] SCHILLING preceded him in death. Departed is lying in state at the Rixman Funeral Home, Okawville, until noon Thursday, afterwards in Olive Branch Church, where he maintained his membership, Rev. Martin TRAVIS is the officiating minister at the two o'clock service today. Burial will be made in the Church Cemetery.

MRS. LOUISE BACKS [NEE: MARTELSMEIER OR MARTELSMEYER] 6 Aug 1843 - 17 Nov 1933 Washington Co., IL Mrs. Louise BACKS nee MARTELSMEIER was born 6 Aug 1843 in Westphalia, Germany, where she was baptized and confirmed. At the age of 16 years she came alone to the United States, landing at New Orleans. She located in the vicinity of Okawville, Washington Co., IL and on 20 Mar 1862 she was married to Fred BACKS, who died in 29 Aug 1914. This happy union was blessed with seven children; four sons and three daughters. One child dying in infancy and one daughter, Mrs. Anna [Fred] BENING of Sweet Springs, Saline Co., MO, also preceding her in death. After the death of her husband, Mrs. BACKS lived several years in Addieville. Later she stayed with her children. First with her son Henry, and the last 11 years with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Alvina [Martin] GARLING. Surviving her are three sons, William BACKS of Sedalia, MO; Henry of Oelzweig, rural Okawville, IL; and Louis BACKS of Covington, IL; and two daughters, Mrs. Augusta [Fred] SCHILLING and Mrs. Alvina [Martin] GARLING of Oelzweig, rural Okawville, IL; also 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. During her invalidism she received the tenderest care from her loved ones. She entered rest 17 Nov 1933 at the advanced age of 90 years, 3 months and 11 days. Funeral services were held Monday 20 Nov 1933 in the Oelzweig Lutheran Church, also known as Olive Branch Lutheran Church, Frogtown, rural Okawville, IL. Rev J. Heseman officiating with interment in the Oelzweig Cemetery.

MRS. LOUISE CAROLINE BACKS [NEE: KURTZ] Louise BACKS 82, Marshall, MO died Sunday, 26 February 1956 at 8 a.m. She was born 5 July 1873, in Okawville, Washington County, Illinois and was the daughter of Henry and Anna [NOBE] KURTZ. On 21 February 1905 she married William BACKS in Okawville, IL. She and her husband moved to Sweet Springs over 50 years ago and to Sedalia, Pettis County, Missouri in 1923. Mr. BACKS died 19 years ago, on 1 November 1937. Louise then moved to South Grand from a farm on Rt. 4, where they had resided and from there went to Marshall about a year ago. Mrs. BACKS was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Elda BRAUER of Stover, MO; Mrs. Evelyn SNYDER of Marshall, MO; and Mrs. Clara SNYDER, Strathmore, CA. One son; Fredie died in Infancy. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the Rev. Walter F. STRICKERT, pastor, to officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The body will remain at the Gilespie Funeral Home until time for services.

MARY LOUISE BACKS [NEE: KURTZ] Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m., at the Olive Branch Lutheran Church near Okawville for Mrs. Mary Louise BACKS, 88, who died Tuesday 13 October 1959 at the Washington Springs Nursing Home at Okawville. She was the daughter Henry and Anna [NOBE] KURTZ. Burial will be made in the Church Cemetery. Rixman Funeral Home is in charge. She was the former Mary KURTZ and is survived by her husband, Louis BACKS, two sons and a daughter. Richard of St. Louis, MO; Edwin of Covington and Mrs. Edna HORSMAN of St. Louis, MO.