STITES, ALVIN E.(27 Jun 1904-19 Aug 1988)

Taken from the Newsletter Journal of Aug. 25, 1988

Alvin E. Stites

Graveside services for Alvin E. Stites, 84, were held Friday, Aug. 19 at the Newcastle Greenwood Cemetery with Bryan Clark officiating. Mr. Stites died Sunday, Aug. 14 at the Weston County Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was born June 27, 1904 near Newcastle the son of John and Matilda Stites. He was raised in Newcastle, and worked at the LAK Ranch for many years. He was also employed as a truck driver for Skelly Gas Company. He later owned and operated his own garage, and was employed as an automotive mechanic for the City of Newcastle before his retirement. He married Edith Sieger in 1935 at Rapid City. Survivors include his wife of Mountain View, CA, one daughter, Evelyn Kilgore of Tamuning, Guam; one sister, Goldie and three grandchildren and three great granchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, and one sister.

STITES, CLYDE (11 Jul 1876-16 Aug 1893)

Obituary taken from Monday’s Daily (August 21 1893)

FLOATING IN THE RIVER

The body of Clyde Stites Found In The Yellowstone on Sunday

Last evening, about 8:30 o’clock Frank Poole, a fisherman on the Yellowstone, drew to the shore the body of Clyde Stites, who was drowned near Fort Keogh on Wednesday last, while assisting in crossing the Bloom Cattle Company’s trail herd to the north side, ad at once came to town and notified Justice Gibb. It was too lat to go over last night, but early this morning the justice summoned a coroner’s jury consisting of R.E. Campbell, C.S. Wright, J.A. Miner, John Kostelak, Chris. Ramme and William Rose, and they proceeded to the spot to view the remains.

Mr. Poole stated that he had his lines in the Yellowstone a couple of hundred yards above Currier’s ferry on the north side, and about the time mentioned was drawing them in. It was so dark that he did not see anything floating in the water, but suddenly he felt something heavy catch on one of the hooks, and a close inspection revealed the body. Pulling it in close to the shore, he anchored it firmly by one arm to the bank and came to town.

When the coroner and jury arrived the badly swollen and almost unrecognizable remains were laid on the river bank and an examination was made of the clothing, etc. In the left hand pocket of his overalls a jack knife and a purse were found. In the latter was one $10, two $5, two $2 and one $1 bills, two silver dollars and a Columbian souvenir half dollar, $27.50 all told, also a registered letter receipt, dated Newcastle, Wyo., and given to Clyde Stites for a letter addressed to H.S. Peters. Douglass, Wyo., also a half letter sheet containing the following addresses: “Miss Bessie Frink, Fuarry Glen, Bradford Co., Pa.:””Miss Eilen Hati, Wanaha, Ind.;” “Miss Maude Mahoney, Box 26, Polo, Ill.,” and “J.N. Gunnels, Toledo, Ohio.”

After viewing the body the jury repaired to the office of Justice Gibb and an inquest was held. Frank R. Poole was sworn and upon the conclusion of his testimony the inquest was adjourned until 4 o’clock this afternoon for further evidence.

************

From Tuesday’s Daily

LAID TO REST

Completion of the Inquest and Burial of Clyde Stites

Yesterday afternoon the remains of Clyde Stites, the unfortunate young man whose body was found in the Yellowstone the previous day, were quietly buried in the Miles City cemetery, only a few friends following them to their last resting place. At 4 o’clock p.m., the coroner’s jury again met in Justice Gibb’s office, but nothing new pertaining to the case was developed, and the following verdict was rendered:

STATE OF MONTANA,

County of Custer

An inquisition holden at Miles City in the County of Custer, State of Montana, on the 21st day of August, 1893, before me, John Gibb, Justice of the Peace, acting coroner of said countyupon a body found in the Yellowstone river, about one mile from said Miles City, on the 20th day of August, 1893, there lying dead, by the jurors, whose names are hereunto subscribed, the said jurors, upon their oaths, do say to the best of their knowledge and belief that said body was that of Clyde Stites, who was drowned in the Yellowstone river near Fort Keogh, Montana, on Wednesday, August 16, 1893, the same being accidental.

In testimony whereof the said jurors have herunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid.

R.C. CAMPBELL, Foreman
J.H. MINER
C. RAMME
WM. ROSE
JOHN KOSTELAK
CHAS. S. WRIGHT

STITES, D.U. GRANT (11 Sep 1866-31 Mar 1869)

Taken from the original copy of the STITES Family Record which was completed by B.N. Slater-Stites-Riley (Elizabeth Naomi Slater-Stites-Riley)

D.U. Grant Stites (11 Sep 1866-31 Mar 1869)

D.U. Grant Stites Died March 31, 1869, son of Martin V. and Betsy N. Stites

Aged 2 years 6 months & 20 days

STITES, ELMER E.(30 Dec 1874-21 Nov 1942)

Taken from the Newsletter Journal of Nov. 26, 1942

Last Rites For E.E. Stites Held Here Wednesday

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for Elmer E. Stites at the Sedgwick Funeral Home, with Rev. W. L. Wade officiating. Burial was made in the Greenwood cemetery. Mr. Stites, age 67, died November 21 at the State hospital in Evanston as the result of a heart attack. He came here from Blair, Washington County, Nebraska, when a young man and entered into business with his brother George, and sister, Neva, who preceded him in death, and was a resident of his community for nearly 30 years. For the past several years he has been at Evanston. He is survived by two brothers, John and Will of Newcastle and two sisters, Lottie Keller of Pendleton, Ore., and Katie Arbuckle of Portland, Ore., besides many relatives and friends. Sedgwick Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

STITES, FITCH (15 Jan 1871-Aug 1932)

Obituary taken from the News Letter-Journal of Aug. 4, 1932

INMATE OF COUNTY HOUSE KILLS SELF

Fitch Stites Ends Life After Repeated Threats--Ill Health Is Blamed For Deed

STITES, GALEN F.(11 Jun 1911-31 May 1978)

BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Galen F. Stites, 67, of 6200 Richards Rd., died unexpectedly at McPherson Community Health Center, Howell, Mich., Tuesday, May 30. (1978) He was born June 11, 1911, in LaPorte to Newton and Susan (Merchant) Stites and had lived here since 1956. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Army in Europe. He was married to Mary Lichtenauer who died in 1955. In March 1956 he married Beulah Welcome Knapp who survives. Also surviving are one sister, Mrs. Thurl (Grace) Gorden of LaPorte; one brother, Clarence Stites of Florida; four nephews and one niece. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. (Michigan Time) Friday at the Keehn Funeral Home, Brighton, with rev. William E. Brown officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning this afternoon. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Howell.

STITES, GEORGE WASHINGTON (14 Apr 1864-Jun 1937) - Obituary #1

Taken from the Newsletter Journal of June 8, 1937

51-YEAR RESIDENT OF COUNTY DIES OF INFLUENZA SATURDAY

One of Weston County’s earliest homesteaders, George Washington Stites, died at his home in the Blacktail community south of Newcastle about five o’clock Saturday morning, a victim of influenza. He had been ill about eight days. Although Stites was only 73 years old, he had lived in Weston county fifty-one years, having come here at the age of 22 from Nebraska. During his half-century of life spent in this area, Stites had become very well known and well liked. He was admired by his friends for his honesty and willingness to aid others. Mr. Stites was born at LaPorte, Ind., on April 14, 1864. He moved from Indiana to Nebraska in his boyhood and came to Wyoming in 1886 and located on his present homestead where he has specialized in raising thorough-bred horses during the past 35 years. He is survived by three brothers and three sisters, Neva Stites, John Stites and Will Stites, all of Newcastle; Mrs. Lottie Keller of Pendleton, Ore.; Mrs. Kate Arbuckle of Portland, Ore.; and Gove Stites of Douglas, Wyo., and several nieces and nephews. Burial services will be held Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock at the Newcastle Mortuary. Rev. Ralph Snyder of the Methodist Church will officiate.

STITES, GEORGE WASHINGTON - Obituary #2

Taken from the Weston County Gazette of June 10, 1937

INFLUENZA FATAL TO PIONEER RESIDENT

Influenza Saturday claimed the life of one of the earliest pioneer residents of Weston county, George W. Stites of the Blacktail community, south of Newcastle, who died at his home that morning. He had been ill only about a week. Mr. Stites came to Wyoming when only 22 years old and made Weston county his home since 1886, where he took up stock raising on his homestead. He was a great lover of horses and raised thoroughbred stock for the past 35 years. He was held in high esteem by his many friends and was widely known throughout this part of the state. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock from the Newcastle Mortuary and burial made at Newcastle.

STITES, JOHN N.(25 Dec 1862-6 Feb 1944)

Taken from the Newsletter Journal of Feb. 10, 1944

LAST RITES SUNDAY FOR OLD TIME COUNTY RESIDENT

Last rites were conducted Sunday afternoon, Febrary 6, at two o’clock from the Jackson Mortuary here, for John Stites, who passed away Friday, February 4th. Rev. L.A. Baughman conducted the services. John Stites was born in Laporte, Indiana, on December 25, 1862, where he lived with his parents until 16 years of age. During the next two years Mr. Stites worked in Mexico, and then returned to the home of his parents, who had in the meantime moved to Wyoming. After a short time, he went to Canada, where he met Miss Matilda Miller, who later became his wife. They were united in marriage on April 3, 1889. To this union were born four children. From Canada they moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota where they lived a short time before moving to Weston county, Wyoming. They have resided in and about Newcastle for the past 45 years. He leaves to mourn, his wife, Matilda Stites, four children, Mrs. Bessie Murphy, Mrs. Irene McAuley, Mrs. Goldie Lipton of California, and Alvin E. Stites of Newcastle, one brother, Will Stites, Newcastle, two sisters, Lottie Hutchinson and Hattie Arbuckle, both of Portland, Oregon, and a host of friends.

STITES, M. CROVOLA (1 Feb 1862-15 Mar 1864)

Taken from the original copy of the STITES Family Record which was completed by B.N. Slater-Stites-Riley (Elizabeth Naomi Slater-Stites-Riley)

M. Crovola (Feb.1, 1862-Mar. 15, 1864)

M. Crovola Stites Died March 15, 1862, son of Martin V. and Betsy N. Stites

Aged 2 years 1 month & 14 days

STITES, MARY (HART) (3 Feb 1817-23 Sep 1901)

Taken from the original obituary source unknown.

Mrs. Mary Hart-Stites (Feb.3, 1817-23 Sep. 1901) Mrs. Mary Stites died at 8 o’clock yesterday morning at the home of her son, John Stites, residing two and a half miles north of town. Death was due to dropsy and old age. The deceased had been an invalid for over 18 months, during which time she had not been able to leave her room. She was born Feb. 3rd, 1817, in Cincinnati, O., and came here about 1855. Her husband, John N. Stites, died seven years ago. Two sons and two daughters survive her, they being, John Stites of LaPorte, William Stites of New Carlisle, Mrs. Roda Teuscher of Wellsboro and Mrs. Belle Thackary of Chicago, who is now on her way home from a European trip. The deceased was a woman of strong character and the possessor of many friends. The last sad rites over the remains will be held Tuesday morning at 10:30 o’clock at the residence of John Stites, Rev. Geo. C. Moor officiating. Burial at Pine Lake cemetery. Austin Cutler is the funeral director. (Date of death is Sept 23, 1901)

STITES, MARY A. (14 Jan 1868 - 22 Jul 1927

Mary A. Stites - Obituary #1

Obituary taken from the Weston County Gazette of July 28, 1927

Old Time Resident Died Friday

Mrs. Ralph Hackney died at the ranch home on Hay creek early Friday morning after several months sickness caused by cancer of the stomach.

Mr. and Mrs. Hackney have been residents of Weston county for over thirty years and their many friends throughout the country will be grieved to learn of the death of Mrs. Hackney.

Funeral services were held in the M.E. Church in Newcastle at 2p.m. Sunday afternoon and interment made in the Newcastle cemetery.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Ora Ratcliff of Hardin, Mont., and two sons, Orin of Osage and Hershel, who lives on the ranch, several grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

The Gazette joins the friends of the family in extending their sympathy.

Mary A. Stites - Obituary #2 Taken from the News Letter Journal of July 28, 1927

MRS. RALPH HACKNEY DEAD

After an illness of many months, Mrs. Ralph Hackney, wife of Ralph Hackney, wife of Ralph Hackney, old time resident of Weston county died at the ranch on Hay creek Friday, July 22nd. Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in Newcastle Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. M.C. Roberts officiating. Interment was made at Greenwood cemetery.

Mary A. Stites was born January 14, 1868 at LaPorte, Indiana, and departed this life at the family ranch home some 35 miles west of Newcastle, Wyoming, Friday, July 22, 1927, at the age of 59 years and 8 days.

She was united in marriage to Ralph B. Hackney in 1884 at Takama, Nebraska, and to this union, five children were born, two of who have preceded the mother in death. The remaining three, Ora Hackney, Orin Hackney and Mrs. Herchel, together with the husband, Ralph Hackney, being in attendance at the funeral.

In 1891 the family moved to Wyoming and first lived in the vicinity of Douglas and in 1901 they settled in Weston county, Wyoming, where they have since resided.

Mrs. Hackney was a faithful and affectionate wife and mother. Her ideals were high and therefore she influenced her children to go out into the world and become men and women of noble character. She was loved by all who knew her because of her kind and helpful disposition, ever ready to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in time of need or sorrow. She suffered much in her illness, but bore it with Christian patience until the end. She has finished her course and handed in her record and rememberance of what she has been and done should be an inspiration to her family and friends that they may endeavor to follow the same trail which she trod and which leads to the throne of God.

STITES, MRS. MATILDA (30 Aug 1864-23 Oct 1958)

Taken from the Newsletter Journal of Oct. 23, 1958

Matilda Stites Funeral Rites Held

Last rites for Matilda Stites of Sundance were held Sunday afternoon at the McColley Funeral Home in Newcastle. She was 94. The Rev. Howard Cummings of the Assembly of God Church officiated at the services. Music was furnished by Mrs. Howard Cummings, soloist, and Mrs. mark Jones, organist. Pall bearers were L.R. Morris, Ellis Hemler, Ernest Van Buren, Floyd Sweet, Fred Sweet and E.P. Johnson. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Stites died at the Ted Roe residence in Sundance. Matilda Stites was born Aug. 30, 1864 in Germany. She lived in Winnepeg, Canada, prior to moviing to Sundance. She is preceded in death by her husband, John. She is survived by three daughters, Bessie Murphy of San Diego, Irene McAuley of Chicago and Goldie Litfin of Pasadena, and one son, Alvin Stites of Newcastle. Also surviving are three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

STITES, STEWART E.(28 Jun 1944-21 Apr 1968)

STITES, SUSAN A.(1 Mar 1878 - 31 Aug 1878)

Taken from the original copy of the STITES Family Record which was completed by B.N. Slater-Stites-Riley (Elizabeth Naomi Slater-Stites-Riley)

Susan A. Stites (Mar. 1, 1878 - Aug. 31,1878)

Susan A. Stites Died Aug. 31, 1878, daughter of Martin V. and Betsy N. Stites

Aged 6 months

STITES, WILLIAM H.(1853 - 1 Sep. 1934)

Taken from the original obituary - source unknown

William H. Stites, age 81, of New Carlisle, passed away at 11 a.m. yesterday at the Fairview hospital after an illness of a year. Mr. Stites suffered from cancer during the past two months. He was born near Stitesville, moving from there to New Carlisle 45 years ago. He was married in LaPorte to Celia Murrey, who preceded in death 23 years ago. Mr. Stites was a retired farmer and business man. He was a member of the New Carlisle Methodist church. Surviving are a brother, John Stites of LaPorte, and several nieces and nephews. The body may be viewed at the H. C. Amen funeral home in New Carlisle until Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock, and from then until 2 o’clock, Daylight Saving time, at the New Carlisle Methodist church, at which hour funeral services will be held, the Rev. H. L. McBride officiating. Burial will be in Pine Lake cemetery. (Date of death is 1 Sep 1934)