Obituary

S.E. (Ed) Elyea
Samuel Edwin Elyea, son of Charles and Pearl Dawdy Elyea, was born August 29, 1894, at rural Jewell, and died January 3, 1994, at Belleville Health Care Center, at the age of 99 years, four months and five days.
The family moved to Backus, Minn., in 1915, Mr. Elyea traveled in a railroad car to take care of livestock and watch over other family possessions. He and his older brother, Harry operated a combination barber shop and pool hall in Backus.
He was united in marriage to Hazel Manion, July 23, 1917, at Norton, and to this union six children were born.
He was drafted in August 1917 and was stationed at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Ia., and later in Augusta, Ga. He was the head cook for the officers mess. A fire destroyed his business while he was in the service. He received an honorable discharge in January 1919.
He returned to Kansas where they engaged in farming near White Rock, later moving to Formoso. In February 1929 the family moved to Belleville, where he worked for P.H. Jorgensen Produce for over 25 years. Most of this time he drove a truck on a route in North Central Kansas and South Central Nebraska, also making trips to Hutchinson, Kanopolis, Kansas City and Denver, Colo., hauling eggs produce.
His wife, Hazel died June 17, 1959.
He was united in marriage to Frances Walter, January 2, 1963.
He was a 75 year member and past commander of the American Legion Post #133 of Belleville, a member of the first Baptist Church of Belleville, and after his retirement, the Men's Christian Fellowship breakfast group.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Hazel; one son, Keith Elyea; two grandchildren, Diane and Phillip Elyea; six brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Frances of Belleville; sons, Doyle of Bullhead, Ariz., Hugh of West Des Moines, Ia., Fred of rural Belleville; two daughters, Mrs. Max (June) Scofield of rural Belleville; Mrs. Russ (Julianna) Sifers of Overland Park, a brother, Dale of Backus, Minn.; sisters, Stella Skeesuck of Grand Rapids, Minn., Bula Coonts of Snohomish, Wash.; 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, on step-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held January 6 at the First United Methodist Church of Belleville, conducted by Rev. David Walters. Graveside services were by Robert E. Gordon Post #133, American Legion of Belleville. Interment was in Belleville Cemetery.
Source: The Belleville Telescope, January 13, 1994.