EDGAR D. FLOWERS (Posey) passed into the land of the ‘Golden
Whistles’ on Thursday, October 11, 1990. He was born October
20, 1903 near New Athens, Ohio and was the son of W.R. & Alice
Dicker-son Flowers. He is survived by one son, William, four
granddaughters; Karen Carlier, Charlene Miller, Cheryl Ludwig and
Lori Applegarth, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by his wife, Golda Beck Flowers, in 1988.
A Methodist by faith, he belonged to the Dickerson Methodist
Church. He was active in steam & gas engine shows in Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia, with the Stumptown Steam Threshers
and the Ohio Valley Flywheels (Barrett School) being his home
shows. He spent many days helping establish the present Stumptown
showground’s, buildings, etc. For several years, he shelled
corn to grind into cornmeal from the ‘rodent free’ corn
crib.
Since childhood, he had a long love for steam engines but never
had the opportunity to handle one until he retired and bought the
24 HP Greyhound. This led to a love for gas engines and tractors.
His last 20 years were devoted to the hobby.
He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.
Submitted by his son, William Flowers, Sec. Stumptown Steam
Threshers.
With the passing of ARTHUR G. HECHT, 82, of Frankenmuth,
Michigan, steam hobbyists and steam threshermen of the area lost a
knowledgeable and valued friend.
Arthur Hecht was born on January 8, 1908 in Frankenmuth,
Michigan, where he farmed his entire life. He is survived by
several sisters, many nieces and nephews, several sisters-in-law,
and a brother, Ruben, also an avid steam thresherman.
Arthur died at his home in Frankenmuth on October 29, 1990,
after a lingering illness.
Arthur got into the steam hobby some thirty-five years ago, when
he acquired a 19-65 HP Port Huron steam engine and restored it to
perfection. He exhibited his engine regularly at shows held by the
Saginaw Valley Live Steam Association and by the Thumb Region Steam
and Gas Engine Association. He was a lifetime member of both clubs.
Art also had his engine in the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival Parade
on numerous occasions.
Arthur was a mechanic par excellence and an avid steam
thresherman. Those of us who knew him well often remarked that he
was ‘born with a wrench in his hand.’ As an example, Arthur
designed and built a pump for hydrostatically testing his engine.
To Art, the steam engine was the ultimate in engines. Art
thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of fellow steam club members,
as well as renewing acquaintances at various steam shows in
Michigan and in neighboring states, and in Canada.
Arthur, familiarly known as ‘Little Arthur,’ in contrast
to another Arthur of larger dimensions, enthusiastically shared his
steam knowledge and experience with visitors and friends. For a
beginner in the steam hobby, Art proved to be a knowledgeable and
mature advisor. It was always with a certain degree of enthusiasm
that Art would take a steam buddy or two on some kind of a
‘scouting’ or ‘inspection mission,’ looking up a
new engine arrival in the area, or checking on the progress made in
restoring some historic locomotive (as No. 1225 at Owosso), or
visiting a steam or water powered sawmill he had heard about.
The legacy left by Arthur will long be treasured in our
midst.
Respectfully submitted by a fellow steam club member and
friend, Elmer G. Bickel, 2224 Taft Street, Saginaw, Michigan
48602.
Engine land lost a true friend with the passing of ARLO JURNEY
of Calgary, Alberta, Canada on November 4,1990. Born 77 years ago,
Arlo gained his knowledge of steam and gasoline engines while
farming in the Vulcan, Alberta area.
When the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
began their ‘Pioneera’ tractor shows in the 1950’s,
Arlo’s experience enabled him to operate many of their
machines. Later, in 1972, he became a charter member of Pioneer
Acres club at Irricana, Alberta, contributing greatly to their
success. He was also a charter member of the J.I. Case Heritage
Foundation, and had a wonderful visit with Helen Case Brigham and
Brig during the 1990 Pioneer Acres Show. Always ready to help, with
a warm and friendly smile, he will be missed by many, many
people.
He is survived by his wife Lillian, a daughter Sylva, a sister,
Erma Erb, and her husband Mel, and a stepson, Gary Richardson.
By Tom Kempling, Box 700, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada T0J
0Y0.
