DEATH TAKES JOHN B. HEIDLAGE - Wentworth Justice of the Peace Yields to Sudden Attack of Apoplexy- Was Father of Van Buren Township.

John B. Heidlage, 67 years old, succumbed to a sudden attack of apoplexy last Thursday August 1 (1918)at the home of his stepdaughter, Mrs J.J. Kutz, south of Wentworth. The funeral was held Sunday at the Catholic Church, Pierce City where the body was buried.

A threshing crew was working at the Kutz place Thursday and Mr. Heidlage was there, bantering with the crew about his ability to pitch wheat bundles. He mounted a stack of wheat and threw down a few sheaves, then he suddenly fell on the stack and became unconscious, death ensuing in a few minutes.

The death of Mr. Heidlage removes a familiar figure from the environs of Wentworth and Newton county. For 25 years he had been Justice of the Peace at Wentworth. He had in this time acquired a working knowledge of the law and was regarded as an adviser and friend by hundreds of people He was born in Oldenburg, Indiana of German parentage and came to Missouri about 35 years ago. He settled on a farm southwest of Wentworth and lived there until is death.

He had been married three times, but only had one child, Mrs. Barney O'Hara, who is dead. His third wife survives him and there are two stepdaughters, Mesdames Henry Fehring and John Kutz. Two brothers and two sisters live in Indiana and another brother Henry, lives near Ritchey. There are also three grandchildren. Another brother, Clement, died a short time ago.

Everyone called him "Squire Heidlage". His venerable appearance, his long gray beard, his paternal bearing and his varied information about politics, men and things, brought him another title, "Father of Van Buren Township". He lived and looked the part; indeed t will be hard for Van Buren township to find another who will live and look it so well.