LLOYD W. (WHITEY) BEECHY, age 71, of Sugarcreek, Ohio passed
away of an apparent heart attack on August 9, 1976. Whitey was a
well known Master of Ceremonies and steam club member. He emceed
the Tuscarawas Valley Pioneer Power Show from its inception 13
years ago. This show was his home show of which he was a trustee
for quite a few years. The Richland County Steam Threshers
Association, The Historical Engine Society, Burton, Ohio, The Old
Steam and Gas Club of Old Washington, Ohio, and was to have emceed
the Stumptown Steam Threshers Show for the first time this
year.
Whitey was probably best known as Master of Ceremonies of the
Swiss Festival at Sugarcreek, Ohio for the past 23 years. He and
his nephew, John McDowell, conceived the idea of using a large D.C.
electric motor as a generator belted to traction engines to test
their power. They called it the ‘Power Eater’ and it
received a lot of attention at the shows in this area. He also was
a Ham Radio operator for many years and had thousands of friends
through his association with antique power shows, radio and the
Swiss Festival. He will be sorely missed by all of his many friends
from all over the United States. Submitted by James E. Sloan, R. D.
#2, Box 76, Dover, Ohio 44622.
JACK WILTMAN of Le Mars, Iowa died January 5, 1977 of a heart
attack at the age of 70. Jack was a long time machine shop operator
and steam enthusiast. He was a well-known steam man and ran steam
engines at many shows and was well known by show goers in the
midwest. Jack was a perfectionist in his work and never did a
slipshod job of anything, if Jack couldn’t do it right, he
didn’t do it.
After farming for many years, Jack worked at the John Deere
plant at Waterloo, Iowa; then he moved to Le Mars, Iowa and worked
at the Plymouth County maintenance shop as a mechanic. Later years
he ran a machine shop of his own in Le Mars. Several years ago Jack
suffered a severe heart attack and was laid up for a few years. The
past years he was again active in steam shows and had set up a shop
in the basement of his home where he sharpened saw blades and did
light mower and chain saw work.
Jack was a charter member of the Pioneer Machinery Club of
Merrill, Iowa, he was also a long time member of the Gas
&Steamers Club of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jack will be
missed by many members, friends and customers, who Jack always had
to stop work and visit with. We as club members will miss Jack at
our Merrill Show and also at the Museum Show at Le Mars. Submitted
by Harry Bonnema, Le Mars, Iowa 51031.
LLOYD KING RICHARDSON, age 69, a Gilliam, Missouri resident,
died January 27, 1977 at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall,
Missouri.
Being a life member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive, Firemen
and Engine Men, his interest in steam engines is shown by the
associations to which he belonged: The Iron Men Album; the Missouri
Steam Engine Association of Boonville, Missouri; the Midwest Old
Settlers and Threshers Association of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and the
Lincoln County Old Threshers Association of Elsbury, Missouri.
His wife, Gladys, shared his interest in steam engines and
always accompanied him when he went to the different shows.
His life as expressed by a friend, Leonard Yarbrough,
characterized the generation to which he belonged when a man’s
word was accepted the same as his bond. He stood tall among his
friends. Submitted by Haston L. St. Clair, Rural Route 1, Box
140-A, Holden, Missouri 64040.
ALLEN H. HANSON, a great champion in the walk of life, lost his
last challenge in this world when he was stricken with a heart
attack and passed away January 20, 1977. Mr. Hanson, from Sherburn,
Minnesota, had been with the Interstate Power Company for years as
one of their key officials. He was also a great enthusiast in the
antique engine world and had many friends. Mr. Hanson was a big man
with a big smile for his loved ones and all of his fellow men. His
passing will cause a great loss that I know time will never ever
heal. From all the engine men who knew Mr. Hanson, I wish to
express our wholehearted sympathy to the family. We are all truly
sorry. Submitted by Nathan Hickok, Amboy, Minnesota.
DALE HEMPFING, 38, of Glen Rock, R. D. #1, Pennsylvania died
suddenly of a heart attack on October 29, 1976. He was an active
member in Maryland Steam Engine Show and the Mason Dixon Steam
Show. He attended other shows in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Canada.
Dale was a school teacher of Spring Grove and a parttime bus driver
for Lincoln Bus Company of Hanover, Pennsylvania. He was in the
Navy for two years. Dale was a devoted husband and a wonderful
friend to a lot of people. He was a community planner and neighbor.
He is greatly missed by all. Submitted by Gene E. Nafe, R. D.
#1, Brodbecks, Pennsylvania.
DANIEL. L. EVANS, 84, Cambridge, Illinois died Friday, January
7,1977 at Hammond-Henry District Hospital at Geneseo. Mr. Evans
operated a sawmill and was a real steam fan. He built steam models
and helped his buddies repair and restore their engines. Don was a
member of our Geneseo Engine Club for many years. Submitted by
Lester L. Roos, 328 N. State Street, Geneseo, Illinois 61254.
ALFRED H. WALDEN, 44, of 132 Center Street, Waverly, New York
died unexpectedly December 30, 1976 at his home. He was a teacher
in the Tioga Central School District and a member of the Waverly
Board of Trustees. He taught Social Studies. He was very active in
many community organizations and was a subscriber of the Iron-Men
Album Magazine. Submitted by Jesse L. Mix, 148 Center Street,
Waverly, New York 14892.
A. E. MAUGANS, 72, Route 2, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin passed
away on October 19, 1976 at his home. Funeral service was held
October 22nd at the United Methodist Church at St. Croix Falls with
Rev. Kendall Anderson officiating. ‘Lonny’, as he was known
by his friends, worked with Alden Morell, Dennie Magnuson and John
Achey to organize the original Gas Engine Club No. 1. He restored
many gas engines and more recently catered to the restoration of
old clocks. He will indeed be missed by many. Submitted by Gilmar
Johnson, Route 1, Frederic, Wisconsin 54837.
GORDON R. WILSON, 59, of Haines City, Florida passed away
suddenly of an apparent heart attack on January 17, 1977. Mr.
Wilson is well-known among the flea market dealers as the Wilsons
have participated in many of the steam and gas engine show flea
markets for the past seven years in many states. Submitted by his
wife, Mrs. Berniece B. Wilson, Box 173, Haines City, Florida
33844.
CHARLES E. SMITH, 51, died December 10, 1976 from a long
illness. ‘Charlie’ of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin was a member of
the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association Branch #2 of
Wisconsin (The Sussex Show). He will be remembered by all for the
exhibit of his 1923 Baker steam engine at our shows. Charlie, along
with his father, Charles F. of Columbus, Ohio always enjoyed the
shows and meetings of the club. Show time will not be the same
without Charlie Jr., but we all will be looking forward to the
Baker engine and Charlie Sr. for more shows to come. Submitted by
The Sussex Show Members.
HAROLD C. FLEISCH, 73, of Eaton, Ohio and owner of Pena Machine
Shop in West Alexandria, Ohio, passed away on April 6, 1976 from a
heart attack. Harold was very well known for his mechanical ability
and his pleasant personality. He was The Iron Man of the Month in
the Iron-Men Album, August 1971 issue. He had repaired steam
engines for men in Ohio and several surrounding states. He made his
undermounted Avery Steam Engine, The Bull Dog, in 1955. He took
this engine to many shows. He enjoyed attending the shows,
including the one in England. He was raised on a farm near Eaton,
Ohio and started working in the machine shop in June, 1929, when he
was married. Over the years at the shop, Harold has met and made
many friends and has solved a lot of their problems. He is very
much missed by his family and many friends. Submitted by his wife,
Mrs. Harold Fleisch, 919 N. Barron Street, Eaton, Ohio 45320.
