Funeral services for Earl Guss, who passed away Wednesday of last week in this city, were held at 2:30 p.m. in the Coldwater Methodist church and were in charge of the pastor, Rev. Oscar Matthew. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney T. Hadley sang "Abide With Me" and "Rock of Ages," accompanied on the organ by E. F. Smizer. There were many beautiful floral offerings.Burial was in Crown Hill cemetery. The pallbearers were Paul Deewall, Charles Gregg, Walter T. Maris of Protection, Albert Oller, Alonzo Atteberry and K. G. Ehrlich.
Obituary. Theodore Earl Guss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Guss, was born April 22, 1885, in Avilla township south of Coldwater on the old homestead. He departed this life after a brief illness November 12, 1947, at the age of 62 years, 6 months and 10 days. His passing was very unexpected. He grew to manhood in this county and was the oldest Comanche county born resident.
On May 29, 1911 Mr. Guss was united in marriage with Miss Grace Willard of Napoleon, Ohio. To this union were born two sons and three daughters. One daughter, Oliver Grace, died when only 15 months of age. The other children who join the faithful mother in the loss of a loving husband and father are: Theodore Earl Jr., Coldwater; Mrs. Ina Robbins, Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Grady Fuller, Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Oliver Gerald Guss, Coldwater. He is survived also by two grandchildren, Marcia Jo Foster of Los Angeles and Elizabeth Barren Fuller of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Mr. Guss lived the life of a pioneer farmer and stockman and early developed one of the best herds of purebred Hereford cattle in this part of the state. He loved children and often played with them as they happened to pass by his home. He believed in honesty and fair play, made many friends and was a good neighbor. He was very much interested in the betterment of the schools and community projects which were for the benefit of all.
His mother preceded him in death September 20, 1947. The many friends and neighbors join the family in their sorrow.
The Western Star, February 4, 1988. Dorothy Martin Guss
Dorothy Elaine (Martin) Guss was born Oct. 1, 1916 in Coldwater. She died Jan. 23, 1988. She was the daughter of Earl and Fern Martin and was the second of four children. She had two brothers and one sister.
She grew up in the Coldwater area and attended her first year of school at the "Old Tin Top School" with her aunt Mabel as teacher. She then attended Coldwater Grade and High Schools. In the fall of 1934 she attended Phillips University in Enid, Okla., for one term.
On May 29, 1938 Dorothy married Theodore Earl Guss, Jr., in Cherokee, Okla. They lived in the Buttermilk area until 1949, then moved to Ted's grandfather's homestead. They lived there until Ted's death in 1978. Dorothy lived on the farm for about one and one half years, then she purchased a house in Coldwater where she lived until her death.
Dorothy belonged to several organizations over the years. They were the B. P. W., Order of Eastern Star, E. H. U., Garden Club, V. F. W. Auxiliary, and Priscilla. She had been a member of the Coldwater Christian Church since the age of 12 and was a member of the Holmes Bible Study.
Dorothy is survived by a sister, Jackie Pavlik, and several nieces and nephews.
Father of Dorothy Elaine (Martin) Guss
EARL MARTIN
The candidates for county clerk at the general election in 1922 were: Earl Martin republican, and R. Z. Shipp, democrat. Mr. Martin was elected, the vote standing - Martin, 929; Shipp, 825. In 1924, Mr. Martin was re-elected without opposition, and at the general election in 1926, he was again the republican nominee, and was re-elected. He is now serving his third term in that office. Mr. Martin was opposed in the 1926 election by John McMoran, democrat. At that time, the vote stood - Martin, 924; McMoran, 570. Mr. Shipp has been a resident of Arkansas City for about four years. Mr. McMoran is still a resident of this county.-- From "About Comanche County's 11 County Clerks", The Western Star, April 13, 1927.
Oliver & Sarah (Vorhis) Guss, parents of Theodore Earl Guss.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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