JEROME VANDEVENNE of R.R. 3, Sombra, Ontario, Canada was killed
as the result of an antique tractor accident on August 22,1981, at
the age of 69.
Jerome was a well-known farmer who lived on County Road 2 about
three miles east of Sombra. He was very interested in collecting
and restoring old tractors of which he had several rare and unusual
makes. He was a member and a director of the Western Ontario Steam
Threshers Association, and was in charge of the tractor display at
the show each year. He was also a member of the Richmond, Michigan
Antique Engine and Threshing Association.
This very popular man had one of the largest funerals ever seen
in this area. He will be missed by everyone.
Submitted by Francis Peers, 29 N. River Road, Wallaceburg,
Ontario, Canada N8A 4R3.
REGINALD KEMP of R.R. 3, Tilbury, Ontario died suddenly on
August 17, 1981 at the age of 77.
Reg and his brother, Russ, were timbermen and sawmill operators
for many years. At the time of his death Reg was still engaged in
manufacturing wooden handles for almost any tool as well as
operating a hardware outlet.
Reg attended and was an active helper at most of the steam shows
within driving distance of his home. Reg was interested in all
sorts of antique steam and gas engines and along with his brother
had a large collection, as well as their own private museum of
small items. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Submitted by Francis Peers, 29 N. River Road, Wallaceburg,
Ontario, Canada N8A 4R3.
ANDREW FISCHELS, 77, of Waterloo, Iowa, died of cancer on August
9, 1981 in St. Francis Hospital. He was born and grew up on a farm
in Black Hawk County, married Stella Bovy, and raised a family of
ten children.
A long career in iron work began first as a molder at Headford
Brothers and Hitchens in Waterloo. He soon went into the wheel
foundry at John Deere, and then into the general foundry. Pig iron
was his specialty. Fischels invented the water-cooled cupolas which
subsequently replaced all standard cupolas in the plant. He retired
as supervisor of the general foundry at John Deere in 1962.
Upon retirement he became involved in carpentry, and in a home
workshop began building grandfather clocks. Over the years he built
175 clocks.
Steam power had been used extensively on the family farm and his
interest in it continued. He operated the steam engine for a
threshing ring for many years. This sustained interest resulted in
the formation of the Cedar Valley Steam Engine and Antique
Equipment Club, which began with only three members. That club in
turn evolved into the Black Hawk Steam Engine Club, which was the
nucleus of Antique Acres as it exists today.
He, and other collectors in the area established the Acres as a
permanent place to house and display their equipment. The club has
grown to include 50 stockholders, and Andrew was president for the
past 11 years. Antique Acres is a frequent site for Northeast Iowa
tractor pulls and the members hold an annual four-day Old Time
Power Show. This man, his life and his works, will long be
remembered by those who knew and loved him.
Submitted by Bob Fischels, 218 Joanne, Cedar Falls, Iowa
50613.
FRED MOTE of Clinton, Ontario passed away on December 2,1980 at
the age of 80. He had worked on the steam locomotives at the New
York Central Yards in St. Thomas, Ontario. When the steam trains
went out he moved to Bayfield, Ontario where he operated a sawmill
and a cedar post business. Later he moved to Clinton, Ontario.
He operated his shingle mill at many of the shows in Ontario and
Michigan. He owned a Robert Bell steam engine and a Port Huron
engine as well as several antique tractors which were familiar
sights at many of the shows. He was a past president of the Huron
Pioneer Threshers at Blyth, Ontario.
He bequeathed the Robert Bell steam engine and the shingle
sawmill to the Elgin County Historical Association.
He will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends at
the shows.
Submitted by Francis Peers, 29 N. River Road, Wallaceburg,
Ontario, Canada N8A 4R3.
