[Welland Tribune March 13, 1940]
A friend upon whom I leaned heavily
Is gone, and I shall miss her counsels true;
Instead of friendly cheer, now dreacfully
A yawning gulf now widens ‘twixt us two
Yet was her soul eternal, let us say,
As all who walk God’s earth, on other hand,
And will she not arise, that certain day
When trumpets call His flock, from every land.
Until that day of meeting, let mine be
A life still lived on well, and selflessly,
Which she would quite approve if she could see;
I know that I a better life can lead
Because she was a friend indeed;
God answered well, when He, a prayer, did heed.
-Dorothy Evelyn White
[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]
The homestead trees are black tonight
Against the winter sky,
And all the happy, eager earth
Has blossomed but to die.
My heart was ever one to sing
With shining field and wood;
The blind and cruel and bitter way
It never understood.
But still above the evergreens
I see the stars burn bright;
And there once more my soul mounts up
Where it is always light.
-Fisher Davidson
[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]
Tribute Paid Memory of Poet, Former Pupil
Fenwick, March 12- A special assembly of staff and pupils of Pelham Continuation school was held on Monday morning to pay tribute to the memory of Miss Ethelwyn Wetherald, renowned poetess and to Miss Evelyn Berry a former pupil of the school.
Miss Wetherald had presented the school with an autographed copy of her last book of lyrics and sonnets, on February 15, 1933, and from this volume two poems were read: “Parting” and “The Soul Knows.”
It is not given to many communities to have the honor of claiming such a famous and well loved person as their own, and while she has passed into that great beyond of which she wrote frequently, her works remain a living monument to the memory of a gracious and lovely lady.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Fellow workers and members of the Welland Hydro Commission this morning attended in a body funeral services for Steve Lapka, whose death occurred at the Welland County General hospital last Friday from injuries incurred in the line of duty as a Hydro lineman last January 10.
The funeral was held from the J.J. Patterson and Sons’ Funeral Residence 19 Young street to St Mary’s church where requiem was chanted by Rev. Father Horvath, assistant pastor of the Church of our Lady of Hungary, of which deceased was a member. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery.
Pallbearers were all fellow workers, J. Taylor, A. Acaster, O. Brown, F. Hartmier, J. Sylie and N. Cobolak.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Many friends, including some from Wainfleet, Long Beach and Buffalo attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Horace Rathfon on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Rathfon died at her residence in Bethel on Thursday in her 61st year. The funeral was held from the late residence to First Lutheran church, Rev. Theo A. Iseler conducted the service. Interment was in Overholt’s cemetery.
During the service Misses Helen and Marguerite Climenhage sang the duet. “The Old Rugged Cross,” accompanied at the organ by Miss Minnie Boneberg, The pallbearers were Emanuel White, George Schleffel, George MacIntyre, Allan Steele, Gordon Doan and William Christmas, neighbors and friends of the deceased.
Among many beautiful floral tributes were those of the Ladies Aid of First Lutheran church and the Bethel Sunshine Class.
[Welland Tribune February 28, 1940]
The funeral of Mrs. Walter Neff, who passed away at her residence, 183 Ash street, Port Colborne, on Saturday, was held yesterday afternoon. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. Wilmer Steele and at the graveside by Rev. A Cusler. Interment was in the Mennonite cemetery Sherkston.
The pallbearers were Earl Michael, Amos Mitchener, George Young, Roy Sherk, Roy Cudney and George Schleffle. Among the many floral tributes attesting to the high esteem in which the deceased was held, was a beautiful floral piece from the Maple Leaf Milling Co.
The funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, N.Y. Sherkston, Ridgeway and the Port Colborne and Humberstone district.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Wellandport, Feb.26- Wellandport’s oldest citizen, Mrs. Nancy Jamieson, widow of the late Emerson Jamieson passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Sutherland on Friday, February 23rd. Deceased who was in her 91st year was a daughter of the late Mathias and Mrs. Robins and had lived her entire life in the townships of Wainfleet and Gainsboro where although of a quiet and home loving disposition she had endeared herself to a multitude of friends. Her husband predeceased her in 1920. To mourn she leaves two daughters, Zelia (Mrs. T, Sutherland) of Wellandport, and Minnie (Mrs. Wm. Nunn) of Fenwick also three grandchildren, John Henderson of Wainfleet, Charles Nunn and Mrs. Theodore Bowman of Fenwick, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was held this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, Wellandport; followed by interment in Hillside cemetery, Ridgeville.
[Welland Tribune February 23, 1940]
Brother Ministers, Friends and Relatives Attend In Large Numbers.
Fenwick, Feb 23- The funeral of Rev. George A. Cropp, superannuated minister of the United Church of Canada, held at Beachville Saturday afternoon, was attended by a large concourse of brother ministers, relatives and friends. Following a private service at the family home, conducted by Rev. P.E. Deeth of Lynden and Rev. W.T. Rose of the Beachville United church, a public service was held in the United church., a public service was held in the united church. Rev. W. Rose conducted the service and assisting ministers were Rev. Roy Johnson, Merritton; Rev. R.R. Elliot, Wellandport, who read the scripture lesson, Rev. William Fingland, Niagara Falls, who represented the Niagara Presbytery, and led in prayer; Rev. D.R. Willliam S, Daniels, Jerseyville, past president of the Hamilton Conference, who represented the conference; Rev. R.M. Geiger of Welland and Rev. C. D. Draper of Tara, intimate friends of the deceased, and Rev Earl Eddy of Hagersville, who closed the service with prayer and the benediction. Other ministers attending were Rev. W.L. Davidson, Tillsonburg; Rev. J. Hampson, Fenwick; Rev W. S. Owen, Rev. N. Godfrey, Rev. F.R. Hendershot and Rev. J. M. Wright all of Brantford; Rev. R.A. Graham and Rev M.P. Smith of London; Rev. Clark Logan, Woodstock; Rev. C.D. Daniels, Ingersoll; Rev. J.A. Jewitt, Cainsville and Rev. J.F. Bewell, St Catharines.
The pall bearers were William Dorland, T.K. Mangnall, Benjamin Holland, Hugh Hacker, William Bremner and Herbert Bremner. Interment was in the Beachville cemetery.
A large number of relatives and friends were present from out of town to pay their last respects to a kindly and respected friend.
[Welland Tribune March 4, 1940]
Mr. and Mrs. J. Kightley Honored at their Home
Mr. and Mrs.James A, Kightley were felicitated on Sunday by their children, grandchildren and friends on the occasion of their 11th Leap Year wedding anniversary at a turkey dinner at their home 129 Regent street.
Covers were laid for 35 persons and the event was one of happy reminiscences. A three-tier wedding cake centred the table. It was topped with two quaint diminutive figures of a bride and groom. Mr.and Mrs Kightley were married on February 29, 1892.
Captain William J. Madden of Penetanguishene. Mrs Kightley’s brother, was toastmaster, and the bride and groom were duly honored. They received many lovely and useful gifts, among others being a chest of silver a fine purse of gold, a handsome table lamp and large bouquets of flowers.
There were many guests from Penetanguishene, Midland, London, Toronto, Buffalo, Stratford, Niagara Falls, N.Y., Hagersville and Welland. Among those present were Captain W.J. Madden and William Madden Jr., and Miss Mary Madden from Penetanguishene, Mr. and Mrs. W. Whatmough of Stratford, Mr and Mrs. E. Fiedler of Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Miss Mae Madden from the Soldiers hospital in London.
[Welland Tribune February 23, 1940]
Steve Lapka’s Death Comes as a Shock – Had been Making Progress
Steve Lapka, 39, lineman employed with the Welland Hydro, succumbed at the Welland County General hospital today from injuries he suffered on January 10 while at work at the Major street sub-station. Friends were shocked to learn of his death, for while his injuries were serious he was apparently making a good recovery and his condition yesterday was reported as being particularly good. His death was attributed to stoppage of the blood vessels in his heart, a condition which developed about 9 p.m. last night, according to his physician, Dr, J, R, Boyd, His death occurred about 9 o’clock this morning.
Lapka was severely burned about the legs and suffered shock while at work on a steel structure at the Major street sub-station, engaged in closing a circuit with a view to making changes to increase power at the plant of Atlas Steel, Ltd. Suddenly there was an explosion and Lapka was enveloped in a sheet of flame.
Deceased was born in Hungary, coming to Welland with his parents at the age of 9. He was a lineman for 23 years, working first for the Welland Electric Co., and subsequently with the Welland Hydro Commission and the Canadian Niagara Power Company at Fort Erie. He returned as a lineman on the Welland staff in September, 1938.
Lapka was popular with his fellow employes, was considered a good workman, and was generally well liked He was a member of the Church of Our Lady of Hungary.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Lapka, with whom he resided at 87 Seeley street.
The remains are resting at the J.J. Patterson and Sons Funeral Residence, 19 Young street whence the funeral will take place on Monday morning.
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