MILTON STAUFER, age 81, of Reedley, California passed away in
his home of a massive heart attack on April 14, 1990. He was born
on the Hopi Indian Reservation at Oraibi, Arizona on July 29, 1908
and at the age of one year his parents moved to Reedley, California
where he spent his entire life. He graduated from Reedley High
School in 1927 and the following year he attended an Automotive
College in Los Angeles. Thereafter he was engaged in farming and
together with his son, Olin, he operated a land leveling business
using heavy equipment for 42 years. He is survived by his wife,
Jessie, and one son. He was a member of the First Mennonite Church
of Reedley.
Milton was deeply interested in old engines and their
preservation. At the time of his death he was a member of Branch 6
and 13 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association. In
addition he was also a charter member of his home Branch 8 having
served as its first news editor. He was a cheerful individual
always willing to assist anyone in the engine club wherever he
could and will be missed by a large host of friends who knew and
appreciated him.
Submitted by a close friend and companion, Menno L. Kliewer,
43138 Road 52, Reedley, California 93654.
THOMAS LASATER of Yuma, Colorado died March 31, 1990, at Yuma.
He was very active in both the Tri-State Antique Engine and
Threshers Show at Bird City, Kansas, and the Old Threshers Show at
Yuma, Colorado. Tom was born July 5, 1911, in Hardy, Nebraska. When
he was three years old the family moved to the Yuma area. As a
young man he worked, for fifteen years, as a mechanic for the
Farmers Implement Company in Yuma. Later he became a carpenter and
for many years built homes in the Northern Colorado area. After his
retirement from construction he restored many small gas engines and
had quite a collection of engines and tractors, his pet being a
little International 0-12 tractor.
Tom and his wife, Leola, were married 57 years, and had one son,
John, who blessed them with grandchildren. They also have several
great grandchildren. Tom will be greatly missed by all his friends
at both shows, as he was always ready and able to help with any
mechanical problem.
Submitted by his friends from Tri State Antique Engine and
Threshers, Mr. and Mrs. DeLoss Thompson, P.O. Box 138, 404 Demick
Avenue, Bird City, Kansas 67731.
CRAIG Q. HOBBS, 72, passed away January 26, 1990. Born near the
crossroads of Kendall in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Craig had
worked on different farms in the area, and at the Raccoon Creek
State Park, from which he retired in June 1979.
Craig was a collector all his life. He had exhibited his
gasoline engines at different shows in the tri-state area including
Hookstown, Meadville, Portersville, Brownsville, Finleyville,
Raccoon Township Volunteer Fire Department, and at West Alexander,
Pennsylvania. Many folks also enjoyed watching ‘Craig
Crank’ at Sistersville, West Virginia, Stumptown and Algonquin
Mill, Ohio, and Portland, Indiana.
Craig is survived by two brothers, three sisters and several
nephews and nieces. He will be missed by all whose lives he
touched.
Submitted by Earl Whitehill, RD 1, Box 29, Georgetown,
Pennsylvania 15043.
