Funeral services for Dr. Robert C. Korff, who had been a dentist in Coldwater since 1889 and who passed away Wednesday evening of last week at 8 o'clock at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Newell P. Maag, in Pratt, Kans., were held at 2:30 p.m. last Sunday in the Methodist church in this city.The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. Oscar Matthew, assisted by Dr. S. A. Fulton, pastor of the Presbyterian church. There were many floral offerings. A male quartet composed of Wallace White, John White, Marvin Plank and Karl G. Ehrlich sang "Crossing the Bar" and "Lead Kindly Light." E. R. Smizer was the organist.
Interment was made in Crown Hill cemetery near Coldwater. The active pallbearers were Donald Booth, Martin Swisher, Dr. H. S. Schultz, D. V. Cooper, J. W. Brewer and John Swaim. The honorary pallbearers were Charles E. Alderdice, Jacob Reiss, Warren Morton, Eyman Phebus, Jay T. Botts and Dr. R. A. J. Shelley.
For some time Dr. Korff had indications of a heart ailment but by being careful he had continued to carry on his dental practice, and his interests in farming and Angus cattle, in which he was greatly interested as a hobby.
Dr. Korff was born March 8, 1876, near Dalton, Mo., and passed away in Pratt, Kans., December 17, 1947, at the age of 71 years, nine month and nine days. He had taken Mrs. Korff to Pratt for her to catch a train for Tulane, Calif., to attend the funeral of their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Robert C. Korff Jr., who had died that morning, and was seated in a chair at the Maag home when death occurred.
Dr. Korff was widely known in this section of Kansas and northern Oklahoma. Following his graduation from the Western Dental College in Kansas City, he spent a year in Wichita and in 1899 came to Coldwater where he established a flourishing dental practice. He was a skilled workman, and his clients came from a radius of many miles throughout the years.
He was interested in the schools, churches and the development and welfare of the community and was a respected citizen, a kind and loving father and a devoted husband. He was always cheerful and had a host of friends. He had been a member of Comanche Lodge No. 295, A. F. & A. M. and of the Methodist church for many years.
In 1901 Dr. Korff was united in marriage with Miss Nettie Steele in Kensington, Kans. To this union were born five daughters - Mrs. N. P. (Kathryn) Maag, Pratt; Mrs. Ray (Louise) Lidikey, Colorado Springs; Mrs. James (Mary) Caywood, Tulsa, Okla.; Mrs. Jackson (Josephine) Barker, Chicago, Ill.; and Mrs. Ed. (Roberta) Jennings, Chattanooga, Tenn. and by two sons - Robert C. Korff Jr., Tustin, Calif., and Charles C. Korff, Garden City, Kans., all of whom, with the faithful wife survive him.
Also surviving are one brother, Gus L. Korff, Kiowa, Kans., one half-brother, James Myers, Sterling, Ill., and 13 grandchildren.
Nettie Louise (Korff) Lidikay, daughter of R.C. Korff. Note: his obituary spells her married name as Lidikey, while her obituary uses the spelling Lidikay.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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