DAN KIEKHAFER, 63, of Colfax, Wisconsin, passed away on January
19, 1994. He was born March 31, 1930, in rural Colfax, and was a
lifetime resident. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean
conflict and was employed at UW Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin as a
master carpenter.
Dan was an avid gas engine collector and model maker, but will
be remembered most for his incredible workmanship on building a
1/6 scale, working model of the Phoenix steam
log hauler. He spent around seven years taking measurements, making
his own castings, etc., for this wonderful piece of history. A full
size log hauler and Dan’s model were the featured machinery at
27th annual show in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1990. Every detail
was painstakingly done and nothing was overlooked as were the
beautiful restorations on his gas engines and other model making.
He was a member of the Chippewa Valley Antique Engine and Model
Club of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and the Hungry Hollow Steam and Gas
Engine Club of Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Michael; stepson Chris;
stepdaughters, Sue and Katheryn; brother, Gordy; sister, Karen; and
four grandchildren.
Dan will be sadly missed by his family, friends and fellow
engine buffs, but the good Lord above must have been having
problems with his engines and needed an expert Dan was an
expert!
Submitted by Randy Ackley, 21321 County X, Cadott, Wisconsin
54727.
GLENN ASHCRAFT, 74, of Route 2, Mannington, West Virginia, Wyatt
Community, died December 27, 1993 at United Hospital Center,
Clarksburg, West Virginia following a sudden heart attack.
Glenn was born June 17, 1919. He was retired from Galis
Manufacturing Company in Fairmont, West Virginia and was a lifetime
farmer. He is survived by his wife, Carrie, of 54 years, and one
son, Robert.
He had gas engines most of his life and had attended many engine
shows in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia,
which he enjoyed so much.
He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.
Submitted by Robert Ashcraft, Route 2, Box 358, Mannington, West
Virginia 26582.
GARY L. LINEWEAVER, 49, of Bridgewater, Virginia passed away
December 18, 1993.
Gary was an avid collector of gas engines, tractors, toy
tractors, and owned a 1931 Model ‘A’ Ford pickup.
He was a member of the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Company Steam
and Gas Meet. Gary devoted much time, knowledge and equipment to
help further the show. He was very active in many civic clubs and
organizations.
He and his wife Linda could be found touring many steam and gas
shows, showing his tractors and gas engines, and on the Glidden
Tour with his Model ‘A’ pickup.
In addition to his wife Linda he is survived by two daughters,
Amy and Jan. His cheerfulness and ability to help will always be
remembered.
Submitted by Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Company Steam and Gas
Meet.
The following obituaries were supplied by Francis Peers, Western
Ontario Steam Threshers Association, 29 North River Road,
Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada N8A 4R3.
OLIVER WILL of Corunna, Ontario, Canada, died on May 1, 1993 at
the age of 80. His wife Reta died in 1977. He is survived by two
sons, Burvel and Leonard, and five grandchildren.
Oliver was a retiree of Ontario Hydro. He was very active in the
Western Ontario Steam Threshers. He served as president in the
years of 1970 and 1971.
He collected and restored gas engines and tractors which he and
his family displayed each year at the Western Ontario Steam
Threshers Show at Brigden.
CECIL BOWLES, age 90, of R.R. #3, Petrolia, Ontario, Canada died
on May 27, 1993. He is survived by one daughter, Shirley Russell,
and four grandsons, Jeffrey, Daniel, Paul and James, and two
great-grandchildren. His wife Annie predeceased in 1981.
Cecil farmed most of his life on the 12th line of Moore
Township. He liked to attend auction sales and had a great interest
in restoring antique farm equipment.
He was a member of the Western Ontario Steam Threshers for many
years. He displayed his antiques each year at the annual show in
Brigden.
He will be missed by his family, friends and fellow
collectors.
ERNEST ROADHOUSE of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, passed away on
August 19, 1993 at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife
Cora.
He farmed on the family farm near Blyswood, Ontario. His family
owned a Waterloo steam engine and threshed in the Blyswood area for
many years.
When Ernie retired, he sold his farm and move to Chatham. He
built a model of a 65 Case steam engine which he took to the shows
in the area. He enjoyed steam engines and antique machinery and was
always ready to help at the area shows which he attended.
CHARLES CALLUM, 87, died suddenly at his home at R.R. #1,
Corunna, Ontario, Canada, on October 9, 1993. He is survived by
four sisters and three brothers.
He was a retired employee of Union Gas Company. He was a member
of St. Paul’s Masonic Lodge, Sarnia and the Bruce Chapter of
the Royal Arch Masons, Petrolia. He had been very active in the
Western Ontario Steam Threshers Association and had served as a
director for many years. Charlie was secretary of the club from
1969 until 1978. He was also an honorary member. He was a very
popular man and will be missed by all who knew him.
DONALD MONROE KILMER died suddenly of unknown causes on his farm
near Brady, Nebraska on December 3, 1993. He was born January 31,
1914, near Western, Nebraska where he attended high school and was
a star player on a winning basketball team.
He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Agronomy at
the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture. He taught
agriculture in the Veteran’s Program after WWII and later
worked in soil conservation. In 1954 he purchased the farm near
Brady which he operated until his retirement in 1979. He continued
to live on it until his death, renting out the land.
In 1984 he began collecting single-cylinder gas engines, a hobby
he pursued diligently for the rest of his life. He traveled
extensively throughout the Midwest and occasionally beyond, adding
to his collection. At his death he owned well over 100 engines.
His hobby enriched his retirement years in many ways. He made
friends and widened his circle of acquaintances as he showed his
engines at city centennials, county fairs and other celebrations.
He was also an avid attendant at engine sales, shows and swap
meets. His engines will be sold at auction later this
year.
Written by his sister, Helen Pompion, also of Brady, Nebraska.
Sent to us by Rod and Grace Epping, R.R. #1, Box 71, Funk, Nebraska
68940.