At the age of one year he came with his parents to America, settling near Mokena, ILL. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the age of 15 years. In 1881 the family moved to a farm in Buena Vista county.
On October 27, 1887 he was united in marriage to Clementine Johns and they moved to their farm in Elk township where most of his life was spent. After leaving the farm they moved to the family residence in Aurelia.
To this union nine children were born; seven of whom survive. Elmer, the first child, died in infancy. His wife died June 12, 1920. His daughter, Marvel Smith, died June 17, 1929 at Cherokee, Iowa.
April 21, 1941 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma Longwell of Billings, Montana. About a year ago they moved to Kingsley, Iowa.
During his long lifetime William Reckoff has been a familiar figure in his community. Of a somewhat quiet nature he gave of his friendship and time to those who sought it, contributing to the good of the town and community. For several terms he served as a member of the town council at Aurelia, and had a great interest in affairs pertaining to the good of the community.
He was a true friend a hard worker and in the home and family life much loved.
To mourn his loss and cherish his memory remains his widow, 4 sons, Lester of Storm Lake; Emmert of Sutherland; Galen of Sac City, and Pvt. Lloyd Reckoff of Lincoln, Neb. He is also survived by three daughters, Mrs. Nota Coombs of Aurelia; Mrs. Faye Coker of Meriden, and Mrs. Linna Waddell of Aurelia; 12 grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Mahlon Reckoff of Lubbock, Texas; Cpl. Jack Coombs in England on overseas duty; Pfc. Tom Coombs of Boise, Idaho; Joe Coombs of Aurelia; William, Jim, Dick Reckoff of Sutherland; Joy Christenson of Aurelia; Ione Brown of Akron, O.; Betty Phipps of Tallahassee, Fla.; Peggy Yingst of Aurelia; Donna Reckoff of Vancouver, Wash,; also four great grandchildren, Howard and Barbara Brown, Tonny Christenson, Nancy Phipps and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, March 23, at the Wharton Funeral home in Aurelia. Rev. Ed Trigg, pastor of the Aurelia Congregational church, had charge of the services. Burial was at Pleasant Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Ethell Matzdorff and Mrs. Marion Mongan sang, “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “The Old Rugged Cross” accompanied by Mrs. Art Krout.
The pallbearers were W. S. Ammons, O. B. Kast, Mathews, Hanson, Earl Waters, Ira Mann and Herbert Grinkie.
Obituary for William Reckoff, transcribed from the Cherokee Daily Times, Cherokee, IA, 04/17/1944
At the age of one year he came with his parents to America, settling near Mokena, ILL. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the age of 15 years. In 1881 the family moved to a farm in Buena Vista county.
On October 27, 1887 he was united in marriage to Clementine Johns and they moved to their farm in Elk township where most of his life was spent. After leaving the farm they moved to the family residence in Aurelia.
To this union nine children were born; seven of whom survive. Elmer, the first child, died in infancy. His wife died June 12, 1920. His daughter, Marvel Smith, died June 17, 1929 at Cherokee, Iowa.
April 21, 1941 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma Longwell of Billings, Montana. About a year ago they moved to Kingsley, Iowa.
During his long lifetime William Reckoff has been a familiar figure in his community. Of a somewhat quiet nature he gave of his friendship and time to those who sought it, contributing to the good of the town and community. For several terms he served as a member of the town council at Aurelia, and had a great interest in affairs pertaining to the good of the community.
He was a true friend a hard worker and in the home and family life much loved.
To mourn his loss and cherish his memory remains his widow, 4 sons, Lester of Storm Lake; Emmert of Sutherland; Galen of Sac City, and Pvt. Lloyd Reckoff of Lincoln, Neb. He is also survived by three daughters, Mrs. Nota Coombs of Aurelia; Mrs. Faye Coker of Meriden, and Mrs. Linna Waddell of Aurelia; 12 grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Mahlon Reckoff of Lubbock, Texas; Cpl. Jack Coombs in England on overseas duty; Pfc. Tom Coombs of Boise, Idaho; Joe Coombs of Aurelia; William, Jim, Dick Reckoff of Sutherland; Joy Christenson of Aurelia; Ione Brown of Akron, O.; Betty Phipps of Tallahassee, Fla.; Peggy Yingst of Aurelia; Donna Reckoff of Vancouver, Wash,; also four great grandchildren, Howard and Barbara Brown, Tonny Christenson, Nancy Phipps and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, March 23, at the Wharton Funeral home in Aurelia. Rev. Ed Trigg, pastor of the Aurelia Congregational church, had charge of the services. Burial was at Pleasant Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Ethell Matzdorff and Mrs. Marion Mongan sang, “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “The Old Rugged Cross” accompanied by Mrs. Art Krout.
The pallbearers were W. S. Ammons, O. B. Kast, Mathews, Hanson, Earl Waters, Ira Mann and Herbert Grinkie.
Obituary for William Reckoff, transcribed from the Cherokee Daily Times, Cherokee, IA, 04/17/1944
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement