FRANK W. STARK, Billings, Missouri, passed away February 13,
1978 at the age of 78. For many years, he had threshed, hulled
clover and graded roads with steam in and around the Billings area.
In later years, he used gas tractors but never lost his love for
steam.
At the time of his death, he owned a 20-40 Model G Oil Pull and
a 20 HP Advance Rumely Steam Engine.
He was a charter member of the Ozark Steam Engine Association,
Springfield, Missouri and he enjoyed all engine shows very much and
made as many as his health would permit.
Dad was a retired farmer and businessman, having been the dealer
for John Deere equipment and Belle City threshers.
He enjoyed all steam engine magazines and had a complete
collection of the Iron Men Album. Lovingly submitted by his
family.
LLOYD B. PAHLMAN of Charity Acres Farm, Easton, Maryland, passed
away at Easton Memorial Hospital on March 28, 1978 at the age of
73.
Mr. Pahlman worked as a mechanic in his early life. In the early
1930s he founded the Talbot Lumber Manufacturing Company, a sawmill
operation, which he still headed at the time of his death.
In the late 1940s he expanded into agriculture, forming Pahlman
Farm Enterprises, and was president of this corporation.
Mr. Pahlman was a charter member and vice president of the
Eastern Shore Threshermen’s Association. During the show he
operated the sawmill and used his double cylinder Frick steam
engine for wheat threshing.
He also displayed his Titan gas tractors and 1926 Dodge car, and
took part in many other activities of the association.
In addition, he used his steam engine to power the wheat
threshing at the annual Delaware State Fair.
Each September Mr. Pahlman held a threshing bee on his farm in
Easton. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many
friends.
Submitted by James C. Frampton, 114 Prospect Avenue, Easton,
Maryland 21601.
HAROLD T. PARISH, SR., of Madison Center, Michigan died March
8th, 1978 at Bradenton, Florida, where he and his wife lived during
the winter months. He and his son, Harold, Jr., who preceded him in
death, operated a grain elevator and trucking business. As a hobby,
they had a Frick Steam traction engine and a Huber steam traction
engine and several antique tractors which they enjoyed taking to
the National Threshers Association shows.
Submitted by a friend, Laurel D. Runals, La Grange, Ohio
44050.
CHESTER DUNHAM of Foxwarren, Manitoba, Canada, died suddenly in
his home last fall, 1977. The day he passed away, he just finished
restoring a gas tractor. All that was left was the painting.
Chester had worked with steam engines since his childhood. He fired
his father’s 15 HP Case portable in 1920. His dad bought a
25-75 Cock o’ the Marsh in 1924, then a Sawyer Massey in 1928.
He was in charge of the engines. They threshed with steam up until
World War II, gave up due to lack of help. He then bought a
‘D’ John Deere. He had also moved a large house with a
steam engine. Chester gave his willing help to the Manitoba
Agricultural Museum at Austin, Manitoba since 1966. He looked after
the 25-75 Nichols & Shepard. He restored the road roller. Last
summer, after the show, he helped clean up for the winter. He did
very well for his age. Chester will certainly be missed by us at
the museum.
Submitted by Bob McMillan, Box 52, Miami, Manitoba, Canada R0G
1H0.
CARL HENRY NETZER of Billings, Missouri passed away November 17,
1977 at the age of 73. He was a member of Branch 16 of the Early
Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association and the Ozark Steam Engine
Association of Springfield, Missouri and was very active in both
clubs up to the time of his death. He was always ready to do his
share to put on a show. Carl owned several gas tractors at the time
of his death, and he will be greatly missed.
Submitted by Charles A. Stark, Route 2, Box 167A, Republic,
Missouri 65738.
ELLIS A. WILEY, 72, of 6181 Morning Road, N.E., Mechanics-town,
died at Salem Community Hospital, December 26th, following a short
illness. Mr. Wiley was born in North Washington, Pa., July 22,
1905. Among his accomplishments were his installation of steam
pipes and boiler as part of the Carroll County Historical
Society’s restoration of the Algonquin Mill at Petersburg. He
will be sadly missed by friends and family.
Submitted by Mrs. Ellis A. Wiley, 6181 Morning Road, N.E.
Mechanicstown, Ohio 44651.
OLIVER F. KESLER of Alameda, California died on March 1,1978. He
was an avid steam and gas engine fan and enthusiastically attended
our California and Oregon Steam-Ups and Gas-Ups and Swap Meets and
was a member of Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association,
Branch 13, Sacramento, California. He built several steam water
tube boilers and steam engines of 3 to 5 HP that were highly
efficient and operational and he was an expert welder by profession
and livelihood.
He still had a few of the gas ‘chuggers’ that we used to
take to the shows here in California and all who knew Oliver knew
they had to perform with precision and dependability. I never knew
him when he had his motorcycles, but many have told me he was never
one to eay anyone else’s dust and rode them up into his 65th
year of life. His automobile of late years, in which we attended
the activities, is a 1957 Ford with a high performance 404 racing
engine and which he kept tuned up to a perfection and ready to go
at all times. Yes, Oliver will be sadly missed.
Submitted by Wilbur A. Shaar, 1429 Benton Street, Alameda,
California 94501.
CHARLES ‘SHORTY’ SCHENCK of Pompano Beach, Florida died
February 27,1978 at age 77. Charley was a long time member and
former board member of the Gold Coast Railroad Club in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida. Charley ‘fixed up’ the Case steam
traction engine, faithfully, at the Gold Coast, every Sunday, rain
or shine, for many years. He was born and reared in the
Middlesboro, Ohio area. ‘Shorty’ (also called
‘Dink’ by many friends and relatives) started helping
around steam engines at the age of 9. His ‘first love’
among steam engines was the ‘Bolser,’ which he ran as a
young man for uncles and other relatives in Ohio. He enjoyed his
Iron Men Album immensely.
Submitted by a Gold Coast Railroad Club member and friend of
‘Charley’ Fred Neumann, 1099 Southwest 4th Street, Boca
Raton, Florida 33432.
GEORGE LOOMIS of Mondovi, Wisconsin, passed away in December,
1977. He was one of the best steam engine men I have seen operate
the big engines. He bought and restored several steam engines, gas
engines and old tractors. In earlier years he operated the steam
engines for the threshing crews in the West. He also had a museum
at his rural home in which he had many antiques on display and also
‘steamed up’ his engines for the enjoyment of the museum
visitors. I know he will be missed not only by his family, but by
all his steam friends.
Submitted by a friend, C. J. Woychik, Whitehall, Wisconsin.
ROBERT TINGLE, 52, of Shelbyville, Indiana died unexpectedly
last January during the great blizzard. He suffered a heart attack
while trying to walk to his shop at the height of the storm.
Bob was a popular member of the Pioneer Engineers Club of
Indiana and was a past director in the club. For many years he
helped with the sawmill. Two years ago, Bob finished his fine model
of a Reeves engine and brought it to Rushville. He was an avid
collector of antiques and owned the Tingle Manufacturing Company
which made muzzle loading guns.
Bob was a great friend to all who knew him. He will be missed by
all this summer.
Submitted by Jerry Moorman, R. R. 6, Box 159, Greensburg,
Indiana 47240.
