ERNEST F. BROCKER, of Hadley, Michigan, passed away on February
19, 1988 at the age of 79.
He was a retired Teamster, having driven 40 years for E & L
Transport of Dearborn, Michigan.
He was also a long time steam engineer, running and firing steam
engines in and around the Hadley area for 50 years.
For many years, he and his partner, Dan Maxfield, ran a 22 HP
Huber, and together owned two Port Huron engines.
His greatest love was firing up his 65HP Case for various
parades and during the fall season, he and his son-in-law and
grandsons would take family members for wagon rides to see the
beautiful fall colors of the area trees.
He also was a regular attendee of the National Threshers Assoc.
Show, starting at the Blaker farm to its present site at Wauseon,
Ohio. During his lifetime he had visited all of the major
midwestern shows, and also those in our area as well.
Ernest had been a member of the old Saginaw Valley Live Steam
Association and in later years, the Thumb Gas and Steam Engine
Association.
He is survived by his wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 3 sisters, 13
grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was truly an ‘old thresherman’, and those of us who
were privileged to know him have lost a good friend and steam
engineer. He will be missed by all.
Submitted by Dennis M. Emory, 4391 Stewart Road, Metamora,
Michigan, 48455.
LUTHER MUMM of Sidney Illinois passed away January 14, 1988. He
would have been 98 years old on July 8th of this year. His wife
died 14 years ago.
Luther was a farmer. He ran a corn shelter and threshing
machine. He owned his first corn sheller when he was 18 years old.
The photo shows him (fourth from left) in front of his first
outfit.
Submitted by his son, Vernon Mumm, Box 237, Sidney,
Illinois.
GLEN BLAKESLEY, 80, died at his home January 24, 1988.
He was born May 27, 1907, 16 miles south of Forsyth, Montana, on
Rosebud Creek Ranch, the son of Ike and Mayme Philbrick
Blakesley.
He attended the Pleasant Hill grade school for seven years on
Rosebud Creek, one year of school in Rosebud and four years of high
school in Forsyth, graduating in 1926.
He lived on Rosebud Creek until spring of 1922 when he came to
Forsyth and began working with the Blakesley Cigar Store which his
father operated. He served in the Army in World War II.
On November 30, 1930, he was married to Dorothy Larson in
Harvey, North Dakota. His wife died in 1971.
He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed old cars and building and
collecting models. He built and operated a Case steam tractor. He
also owned a Case steamer and thresher he displayed and operated at
the Rosebud County Fair for over 40 years.
He loved all animals and birds. He was a member of the Forsyth
Young Men’s Club and VFW. He was a lifetime member of
W.M.S.T.R.
Survivors include two sons, Bruce and Noel, of Oregon City,
Oregon; a brother, Max, of Forsyth; seven grandchildren and five
great grandchildren.
Submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Don Bradley, Box 151, Forsyth,
Montana, 59327.
WARREN R. BOMBERGER, of Sargent, Nebraska, died December 20,
1987, at the age of 93 years.
He had restored engines, as well as old tractors, farm equipment
and small items, in his retirement years. He had a Case 65HP in the
local fair parade in July, 1987. He did his last custom threshing
with a steamer in 1938.
He looked forward to each issue of the Iron Men Album and had
corresponded with many readers.
Dad always said you weren’t a real engineer unless you could
eat steam cylinder oil on your pancake in the morning.
Submitted by his son, Marlin R. Bomberger, Box 393,
Sargent,Nebraska, 68874.
JAMES H. ALVORD, a resident of the Toledo, Washington area since
1937, died December 22, 1987 in an Olympia hospital at the age of
70. He was born January 19,1917 in Pendleton, Oregon, and had been
a small engine mechanic.
Alvord belonged to the Toledo Presbyterian Church, Western Steam
Friends, Musicians Union, and was involved in the Boy Scout
program.
He also was a contributor on the work force of the Cowlitz
Prairie Threshing Bee, operating a 6 HP power upright engine
running a cord-wood saw.
Surviving are his wife, Ruby; a son, Don; five grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Francis Borte, 1049 Tucker Road, Winlock,
Washington, 98596.
It was with much sadness that the family, friends, and many
acquaintances of DON DILLON, Wayne, Ohio, acknowledged and paid
tribute at his sudden passing on January 18, 1988 at the age of
81.
He was a lifetime farmer and very active participant in
community activities. Don was co-founder of the Ashtabula County
Antique Engine Club and served diligently as President and gave
generously of his time, talents and facilities. His farm served as
the Club’s show site for the past 6 years. He enjoyed
collecting steam and gas engines as well as early farm equipment.
Along with the restoration and display of his equipment there was
always time to help other collectors having difficulty or needing
assistance.
Don also owned and operated the Dillon Hardware, Plumbing and
Heating in West Williamsfield, Ohio for many years. A founding
member of the Wayne Volunteer Fire Department, he completed 35
years of service, including several as fire chief, retiring in
1978. During his years as fireman, he was also a member of the
Ashtabula County Firemen’s Association, and served as President
for 4 years and as Coordinator of the County Fire School. As a 4-H
Advisor, he was in charge of and leader of the Wayne Boys Club. An
active member of the Windsor, Ohio Historical Society and also the
Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival Committee, his presence
and equipment displays were always centers of attention at the
Annual Bridge Festival each October.
With Don’s passing Engine Club enthusiasts extend our
sympathy to his wife, Edythe, and family and we will cherish the
memories of the times we were privileged to share with him.
Submitted by Francis L. Day, Sec., Ashtabula County Antique
Engine Club, Box 151, Andover, Ohio, 44003
CHARLES J. DECKER passed away on July 9, 1987. He was a lifelong
resident of the Toledo area. He is survived by his wife, Janet. He
had been sick and nearly blind for several years.
Charles as a young man was employed by the C.C. Banting
Manufacturing Company, maker of the Greyhound Steam Traction
Engine. He remained with the company through the Depression, when
Banting Manufacturing went out of business and became an Allis
Chalmers dealer. When they went out of business in 1954, he went to
work for the Andersons.
He kindly shared with me his knowledge of the Banting
Manufacturing Company, the Greyhound Steam Engine, and several
original Greyhound books.
He will be missed by his wife and many friends.
Submitted by William Flowers, Route 1, Box 332, Adena, Ohio,
43901.
