Appendix 6: Obituary of L.A. Barkus
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR L.A. BARKUS SATURDAY
Final Rites for World War I Veteran at Mansfield Funeral Home
Final rites for another Malvern World War I veteran were held Saturday when services for Louis A. Barkus were held in the Mansfield Funeral home. The Rev. L. C. Hall conducted the service.
Music for the service was furnished by Mrs. Roy Donner. An unusually large display of flowers surrounded the flag-draped casket. Rev. Hall, using the theme of "Suffering," delivered a fitting sermon. Former friends and associates of Mr. Barkus served as pall bearers: Ed W. Knight, Roy Donner, Ed Benton, Sam Boord, Hurb Benton, Dr. W. M. Hiett, J. H. Beckwith and Lloyd Landis. In charge of flowers were Mrs. E. D. Hering, Mrs. E.W. Knight, Mrs. Vern Dunn and Mrs. Mildred McCausland.
Following is a life history and tribute written by F. R. Chantry:
"Louis A. Barkus was born at Glenwood, Ia., Nov. 9 1889. Two years later the family came to Malvern and here in Malvern, with the exceptioon of the time spent elsewhere during World War I, he resided throughout the rest of his life. He started to school here. All through his boyhood years he attended earnestly to the matter of securing an education. This training, aided by good home influence, and his own native ability, prepared him to play the role that he did as an honored and respected citizen. Upon completing his school work he engaged in various types of employment for a few years until he became a part of the personnel at the Landis Hardware store. For a period of 15 years he assisted in this work. Later with his brother George he engaged in the automobile business maintaining an agency and garage for the Chevrolet Motor Corp.
"In January, 1914, Lou was elected to membership in the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department. His good qualities were such that very soon he was chosen captain of the company and faithfully discharged his duties as such, so long as his health permitted. Thereafter and until the time of his passing he was a member of the social committee. In this capacity, his cooperative spirit, his good cheer and his kindly humor contributed to the happiness of every member.
"He was a member of Masonic Silver Urn Lodge at Malvern, having been raised Jan. 17,1918.
"On June 1, 1918 he enlisted at Omaha in the 11th regiment of the U. S. Marine. He served at Paris (Parris) Island, S. C., Guantanamo, Cuba, Quantico, Va., and in France. At Quantico, when volunteers were asked for overseas duty, Lou promptly responded, was accepted and sent to France where he remained until the end of the war. On Aug. 11, 1919 he received his honorable discharge and returned to his home in Malvern.
"He was a charter member of the American Legion Post No. 520.
"In 1910 (actually it was 1920), on July 5, he was married to Edith Bushnell who throughout every remaining day of his life was his loyal and loving helpmate. One daughter, Betty Lou, came to bring happiness into their lives. The companionship that existed between Lou and Betty Lou was beautiful. He loved his little girl, was proud of her teen age scholastic attainments and of her success as a young woman in the world of business. His devotion to family will be a happy memory long treasured by his wife and daughter.
"In addition to his wife and daughter and a host of friends he leaves to mourn his passing his 81 year old mother, Ella Barkus; two sisters, Mrs. Ed Jefferson and Mrs. Carl Newquist, all of Omaha; and four brothers, Fred of Glenwood, William A. of St. Joseph, Mo., Harry of Santa Barbara, Cal., and George of Omaha. His father, William A. Barkus, preceded him in death in 1916; a sister Elsie in 1914.
"Things that stood out in the character of Lou Barkus were love of family, loyalty to friends, a deep appreciation of kindnesses shown him, courage and patience in suffering that is seldom equalled. No day passed without his remarking some kindness shown him by some one of his many friends.
"At different times he was a patient in the veterans hospitals, both in Lincoln and Des Moines. While there he exhibited optimism and unfailing courage. He was an inspiration to others who suffered even less than he.
"Truly can it be said: He was a good soldier to the end."
Out of town relatives and friends attending the services were Mrs. W. A. Barkus Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Ed Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Newquist, Petty Officer 1/c and Mrs. Harry Haupman, Mrs. Don Jefferson, Mrs. Harry Jefferson, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Carroll and Mr. and Mrs. George Barkus, all of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Barkus Jr. and threee children of St. Joseph, Mo; Fred Barkus of Glenwood; Mrs. W. A. Rush, Miss Ruth Bushnell and Mrs. Albert Matthews of Beatrice, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Ranne and Donna and Sgt. and Mrs. Sowers of Council Bluffs; Harry Barkus of Santa Barbara, Cal.; Paul Jefferson of Omaha; Misses Betty Lou Barkus and Ima Jean Parkhurst of Des Moines; Mrs. Margaret Gohlinghorst and Lawrence Gohlinghorst of Tabor and Mrs. Bertha Angus and two children of Strahan.
Card of Thanks
On our behalf we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the many acts of kindness shown during our recent bereavement.
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Barkus and family