The funeral services for Elza Orville Holmes were held at the Hatfield Funeral Home in Coldwater, Kans., on Saturday, January 21, 1967 at 1:30 p.m.Donald C. Booth was the organist and accompanied Mrs. Betty Brass, who sang "God Understands" and "Does Jesus Care".
Pallbearers were Gary Rankin, Duane Rankin, Donald Hubbard, Jim Booth, Dean Gregg, Wendell Brown, Nelson Butz, and Ernest Parker.
Interment was in the Crown Hill cemetery, Coldwater, Kans.
Obituary. Elza O. Holmes, son of Curtis and Sophia Elizabeth Holmes, was born August 1, 1879 at Stockton, Kans. He grew to manhood on the family farm near Parker, Kans. He taught school at La Cygne, Kans., before coming to Comanche county in 1900. He was a funeral director and owner and operator of the Holmes-Ferrin Clothing Store and Dry Cleaning in Coldwater.
He served with the Grave Registration service in France from 1919 to 1920. He was a member of the Order of Eagles.
He married Carrie Ethel Ferrin February 6, 1906 at Wilmore, Kans., and to this union was born four children; Mrs. Helen McKinney of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Helene Gregg, Wilmore, Kans.; Mrs. Elizabeth Rankin, Hamilton, Texas; one son, Elza O. Holmes, Jr., Lawrence, Kans.
He leaves to mourn four children; 10 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren. Also one brother, Orlo S. Holmes of Las Vegas, Nev.
He spent the last two years in the Pioneer Lodge and passed away at the Comanche County Hospital January 19, 1967.
Draft Registration card: Elza Orville Holmes of Coldwater, Comanche County, Kansas.
United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
Also see: "Elza Orville and Carrie Holmes" and "Elza O. Holmes, Jr." in Comanche County History, pages 451 and 452. Both histories include family photos.
ELZA HOLMES WRITES FROM FAR AWAY FRANCE, The Western Star, November 11, 1921.
WWI News Articles from Comanche County, Kansas
"Early Day Memories" by Alice (Eyerly) Ferrin, The Wilmore News, October 31, 1939.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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