ROBERT AND MILDRED PATTON ages 66 and 64 Mt. Orab, Ohio Rt. 2,
both members of The Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Association were
killed instantly in an accident involving their motor home and a
tractor trailer September 3rd at the intersections of Rts. 28 and
27 at Deerfield, Indiana. They were on their way home from The
Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Reunion at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
and had only been able to attend our show at Georgetown, Ohio,
Portland Indiana and Mt. Pleasant. They had sold their farm about
two years ago, had bought a motor home and enjoyed attending the
shows and camping with their many friends. Bob had bought a John
Deere D tractor this year and was able to run it at our show this
year. He used to thresh with steam and tractors and enjoyed running
an engine very much. They will both be missed by their many
friends.
Submitted by Ray Roberts, Box 20, Route 3, Mt. Orab, Ohio
45154
IRVE J. STURM, 90 of 100 Central Avenue, Great Falls, formerly
of Melt, Montana died in October 1974 at a local hospital. He was
reared in Iowa and homesteaded near Big Sandy, Montana as a young
man. As a mechanic he operated garages in Windham and Stanford in
the Judith Basin. He used big steam tractors in the Basin for
moving houses, one engine to pull the house and the second one to
hold back, going down the hills. He moved many houses from the coal
mining town of Lehigh to Windham or Stanford. 35 years ago he moved
to Belt, Montana and opened Irve’s Garage. After retirement, he
helped Walter Mehmke restore most of the Mehmke collection of
steamers.
Submitted by Elmer W. Gray, Box 171, Belt, Montana 59412
M. DEAN FULLERTON, 81, of Burgettstown, RD3, passed away
suddenly on September 8, 1974 at his home. He was born in Hanover
Township and had been a resident of Smith and Hanover Townships,
Washington County his entire life. In August, 1956, he and two
other dedicated owners of steam traction engines from Washington
County, moved at their own expense, their engines to the Hookstown
Fair Grounds, to participate with them during their annual fair.
The engines were displayed daily and were engaged in demonstrating
their usefulness on the farm, before many interested and fascinated
spectators. His brother, Clark, now 83, was one of the owners. From
this small beginning, the Tri-State organization was formed.
Beginning in 1957 and for 15 years, Mr. Fullerton turned his
well-kept farm over to the Association, where they held successful
exhibitions each year in September.
Submitted by Paul F. Crow, Charleroi, Pennsylvania
WILLIAM (BILL) BIXLER passed away September 4, at the age of 77,
after a heart attack. Bill threshed and ran steam engines from the
time he was a young man. Of all the engines he ran, his favorite
was the Huber. He was a member of the Tuscarawas Valley & The
National Threshers Steam Clubs. Bill had many friends and made
friends wherever he went. He will be missed by many.
Submitted by Roy A. Calame, R.D. 2, Orrville, Ohio
