EDWIN M. IRONS, age 64, died March 22, 1977, after having been
in failing health for three years. Ed was an active member and hard
worker in the Boonville Indiana Steam and Gas Engine Club, serving
on the Board of Directors and also as secretary. He and a neighbor,
Agustus Kercher, bought a Keck Gonnerman steam engine, almost
beyond repair. Edwin restored it like new and it was used to thresh
years. In his younger days, he and his father owned and operated a
threshing machine and threshed wheat many years. The steam engine
is now at the show grounds in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He will be
greatly missed. Submitted by his wife, Essie Irons, R. R. #13,
Denzer Road, Euansville, Indiana 47712.
CHARLES E. DITMER, 88, of Greenville, Ohio, and owner of The
Steam Engine Beauty Ship of Greenville passed away February 28,
1977 after suffering a couple of strokes. Charley was well known
around at the different steam shows and he and his son, Sylvester,
organized the Darke County Steam Show. Charley was well known by
his cigar smoking and also called the Advance Man. He is very much
missed by his family and friends. Submitted by his son,
Sylvester B. Ditmer, 318 Hart Avenue, Greenville, Ohio
45331.
R. BEN HAYES, 85, of 106 Linden Street, Eckford Village, Route
3, Homer, Michigan passed away February 21, 1977 after a two months
illness. He was a life resident all his life of this township. He
was self-employed thresher since age 12 of which he was quite
proud.
Sent in by his neighbors, Burdette and May Walker, Route 3,
Homer, 407 Maple Street, Eckford Village, Homer, Michigan
49245.
CLARENCE E. MITCHAM, 76, of Route 1, Box 409, Mead, Washington
died March 5,1977 after a long illness with cancer. He was a member
of Western Steam Friends Assn., Inland Empire Steam & Gas Buffs
and a retired machinist from G. N. Ry. (now Burlington-Northern Ry)
and was a dedicated steam fan, plus teaching square dancing,
writing his experiences, tracing and publishing family history,
etc. Submitted by Walt Thayer, Box 2175, Wenatchee, Washington
98801.
ALFRED MARTIN GUNDER-SON died September 13,1976 in the Osseo
Area Hospital after suffering a stroke two days previously. He was
78. He was best known as owner and operator of Gunderson Chevrolet
in Pleasantville and Osseo, Wisconsin from which he retired in
1971. During his last years, he renewed his interest in steam
engines, an interest he had gained from his father who was a farmer
and thresher. He made frequent appearances at festivals and steam
engine demonstrations with his engines, providing people of our
decade with a glimpse of progress in American agriculture. He
attended many shows every fall and was especially interested in
Strum Steam Engine Days where he displayed his engines every year.
Submitted by Mrs. Alfred Gunderson, Osseo, Wisconsin
54758.