Maried Ellen Gittinger in 1888.

Mother of Ralph A. and Bryant O. Sears.

Married Margaret A. Kob on June 5, 1901.

Father of Harold Dodge Sears.

Obituary

Augustus Dodge Sears was born August 11, 1859, in Decatur County, in Center township, Decatur County, Iowa, and departed this life May 31, 1904, aged 44 years, 9 months, and 20 days.

The residence of deceased has been from his birth in Center township, this countyHe remained at home, a helpful, cheerful and dutiful son until 1888, when he was united in marriage to Ellen Gittinger. He then moved to what is known as the Goodson farm to establish a pleasant and happy home. To this union were born two sons, Ralph A. Sears, and Bryant O. Sears. When Bryant, their youngest son was born, God saw fit to call the mother home, leaving the husband and little sons in sadness because of their loss. The father and little ones then made their homes with his mother and relatives.

June 5, 1901, he was joined in marriage to Mrs. Margaret A. Kob after which they resided in their pleasant home up to the time of his death. To this union was born one son, Harold Dodge Sears.

For nearly a year and a half Mr. Sears has been a great sufferer. Every effort was made to restore health and strength but only temporary relief was secured. Last September, he, with his wife and baby, when to Excelsior Springs, Mo., in search of health. Even there he suffered much, but though he suffered he found joy and peace in Jesus, his Savior, December 9, 1903, and was received into the Presbyterian church in that place. He longed to come home and go once more to the little chapel where his loved ones worshipped to tell them what a blessed Savior is God's only Son. He was a great lover of home, always there, always cheerful, gentle and loving; thinking first of the welfare of others and to look after their comfort was a joy and pleasure to him. He was a model and devoted husband, free from all bad habits, and leaving an example for his children worthy of their imitation.

Those who survive him are his wife and three sons; his mother, three brothers, George W., Frank W., and Samuel W. Sears; and three sisters, Mrs. Edith B. Keein, Mrs. Anna G. Caster, and Miss Mary A. Sears. Among his last words to his loved ones was the exhortation to "be good."

Funeral services were conducted on Thursday afternoon, June 2, by Rev. W. A. Montgomery, of the Leon Presbyterian Church, assisted by Rev. Mrs. Gibbons, of the Brethren Church. The body was laid to rest in the Franklin Cemetery. The large concourse of friends and neighbors in attendance bore a silent testimony to the high esteem in which he was held in the community.

~ Transcribed from obituary clipping from Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa. Thursday, June 9, 1904. Newspaper clipping came from Zana (Curry) McKibben's collection of newspaper clippings. TLMP 4/2/2024 ~