The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, February 25, 1909 The announcement is made of the death of WALTER WHITLATCH, at his home in Columbia, on Monday morning. This will be hailed by genuine grief by his acquaintances and he was widely known -- few in either Marion or Lucas Counties were better known than he. He was a true nobleman in every sense of the word and met every obligation of life courageously and well, just in his contact with men, upright as a neighbor and citizen. He had been in declining health for months but was well advanced in age and had well accomplished his life-work. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Columbia, Feb. 23 -- WALTER WHITLATCH, an old and highly respected citizen of Marion County, died at his home, two miles east of Columbia, Monday morning, Feb. 22, 1909. For several years the deceased has been in declining health. One year was spent in southern California in hopes of a benefit, but for the past six months there has been a rapid decline, and all that loving hands and medical aid could do was of no avail. Deceased was born in Indiana in 1834, resided in Marion County since 1843, and at the time of his death was aged 75 years, 1 month and 20 days. He was first married March 24, 1859. To this union were born six children. The mother and three children have preceded him to the Beyond. MRS. WILL MADDY died Oct. 15, 1887; GEO. WHITLATCH, Dec. 12, 1882, and MRS. W.O. CLOUD, June 11, 1901. Three remain to mourn the loss of a loving father: A.V. WHITLATCH of Belinda; MRS. J.N. MADDY, of Columbia, and MRS. ORA DAVIS, of Lafayette, Colo. Deceased was again married, Sept. 4, 1898, to MRS. GWENNIE LONG, who has been a faithful and devoted companion to him through all his declining years. Our community has lost a good man, an honest and upright neighbor, a friend to all mankind and one who will be greatly missed from our midst. Funeral services were held at the home at 11 o'clock, Tuesday, Feb. 23, conducted by Rev. Smith, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Columbia Cemetery by the Masonic Lodge, of which he was a member. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert May 23, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net