Levi Franklin Steadman, the second son and second child of William J. and Josie Steadman, was born near Coldwater on April 10, 1903, and death came to him at Kiowa County Hospital, Greensburg, Kansas, on September 26, 1975 at the age of 72 years.Levi spent nearly all of his childhood in the Comanche county area with the exception of two years his family spent in Rogers, Ark. He attended the elementary school at the Three Mile school south of Coldwater and one year of high school at Coldwater.
He was married to Dora Metzger Case on June 10, 1925 in Coldwater. He and Dora had two children, both daughters, Phyllis and Barbara.
His life was spent in farming and ranching in this area. Before his marriage he worked for the Johnson ranch. In 1942 he began farming in the area of his present home, moving to his present home in 1950.
He was so busily involved in his life's work, he had little time for hobbies or pastimes. If he had a pastime, it was the joy he gave and received from his grandchildren.
He did serve his community on the school board, the election board, and Farm Bureau board.
Levi was a member of the First Christian church of Coldwater. He was a deacon. He attended and faithfully served until his health would not permit him to do so.
Levi and his one sister, Pearl, were the only Steadman children to reach adulthood, leaving him with a small family. However, upon his marriage to Dora, who was from a large family, Levi adopted into his heart all her family whom he enjoyed as brothers and sisters as his won. He and Dora opened their home to some of her brothers who lived with them and attended school.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dora, in 1960, and by all family: His parents and three brothers and two sisters, including his sister, Pearl before mentioned, and by two grandchildren.
Survivors are his two daughters, Phyllis and husband, Herbert Rafler, Wilmore, Barbara and husband, Bob Bayne, Coldwater, one stepson, Clifford Case, and wife, Inez, Clarksville, Ark., and one stepdaughter, Agatha Allred of Coldwater, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Also brothers and sister-in-law, August, George, Frank, Eddie, Bennie Metzger, Sophie Redwine, Katie Burrows, and Emma Parsons, and many friends.
Steadman - Case Levi Steadman, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Steadman, and Mrs. Dora Case, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Metzger, were united in marriage on June 10, 1925, in this city, Probate Judge M. M. Cosby officiating. The couple went to Dodge City on the following day on a visit with relatives. They will make their home in this county, the groom having a crop of wheat on one of the Jacob Reiss farms. The Star wishes Mr. and Mrs. Steadman a long, happy and prosperous married life. -- The Western Star, June 19, 1925.
(Dora Case was the mother of Lt. Clifford E. Case, USNR, a WWII F6F Hellcat fighter pilot who won the Air Medal. She was the sister of August A. Metzger, Jr. and the daughter of August A. Metzger, Sr. Lizzie Amelia (Tingler) Metzger.)
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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