With the recent passing of JOHN SANDULA SR., of Beaverton,
Michigan, mid-Michigan lost one of its greatest steam men.
Born in Austria-Hungary August 6,1905, John came to this country
as a boy, and grew up in the Gladwin County (Michigan) area. Except
for a number of years in police work, John spent the greater part
of his working life in farming. He retired in 1970. He died on his
birthday, August, 6, 1989, after a long illness.
John married the former Victoria Laszlo in November 1924 in
Gladwin County. She survives him. He also leaves a son, a daughter,
two sisters, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
John was an active member of the Farm Bureau, the Northwest
Michigan Engine and Thresher Club, and of the Saginaw Valley Live
Steam Association.
As an engineer, John was second to none. He delighted in
exhibiting his big Advance and Gaar-Scott engines at various steam
shows, and was always ready to share his knowledge of steam engines
with interested visitors at the shows.
John thoroughly enjoyed meeting fellow steam club members and
steam enthusiasts at the various shows. For a beginner in the steam
hobby, John always proved to be a knowledgeable and mature
advisor.
His memory will long be cherished in our midst.
Submitted by friend and fellow steam club member Elmer G.
Bickel, 2224 Taft St., Saginaw, Michigan 48602.
HERMAN ‘Hermie’ STOCKMASTER, 73, of Bellevue, Ohio died
Tuesday, September 26, 1989, following a sudden illness.
He owned and operated an A.D. Baker, which he showed in Ohio at
National Threshers Show, Wauseon; Findlay Steam Show, Findlay;
Richland County Steam Show, Mansfield; and the Sandusky County
Fair, Fremont.
Stella, his wife of fifty years, survives him. Also surviving
are sons Harold and Francis, both of Bellevue; two daughters: Mrs.
Daryl (Dorothy) Hossler, Bellevue, and Mrs. Roger (Virginia)
Ruffing, Attica, and ten grandchildren.
Mr. Stockmaster, a retired farmer, was a member of St.
Michael’s Catholic Church and the Steam Threshers
Association.
Submitted by his daughter, Dorothy Hossler, 13399 E. C.R.
46, Bellevue, Ohio 44811.
CHARLIE FLINT of Marienville, Pennsylvania passed away in August
1989 at the age of 79.
Charlie was a member of the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society
of Northwestern Pennsylvania and had owned several steam traction
engines over the years. When a boy, he ran his dad’s ZZ
Peerless.
He owned and operated a large steam sawmill in Marienville,
powered by a Skinner engine and 200 HP boiler. His most recent toy
was a model 65 HP Case traction engine.
Charlie is survived by his wife Grace.
LEONARD STEPHENS of Fairview, Pennsylvania passed away in August
1989 at the age of 77.
He was a member and founder of the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine
Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Leonard was a steam expert
and worked on all types of steam engines, including locomotives. He
knew the history of all the steam engine companies. With this
knowledge, he was a wonderful announcer at show parades, where he
would walk out and interview the engine operators and even ask that
they turn their engines around so the audience could see the other
side.
For many years, Leonard preached the sermons on Sunday mornings
at the show. Leonard was also an expert machinist and owned a
Messenger steam engine with upright boiler.
He is survived by his wife Mildred.
The two above obituaries were submitted by Blake Malkamaki,
10839 Girdled Road, Concord Twp. Painesville, Ohio 44077.
RALPH M. KAIN, 76, passed away October 9, 1989 at his home.
Ralph and his brother, Glenn, lived all their lives on a farm owned
by their father at Taylor Ridge, Illinois.
Their father owned a return flue Minneapolis steam engine that
they sold after his death. They later bought a 20 HP top mounted
Avery engine and Avery separator. They also built an undermounted
scale Avery engine. The 20 HP Avery and a rye thresher are shown at
Atkinson, Illinois at the antique engine and tractor show.
Ralph ran steam engines at shows through the years for many
friends. Ralph and Glenn belonged to clubs in the area for many
years. Ralph was named Old Thresher of the Year, at Mount Pleasant,
Iowa in 1982. He will be greatly missed by family and his many
friends.
Submitted by friends and fellow engine owners Arthur L.
Flack and son Gary Flack, New Windsor, Illinois.
