Death Notices & Obituaries A Surnames LaPorte County Indiana GenWeb

Important - please read before continuing your quest for ancestors.

Updated on July 8, 2007
Effective 2006 - In Accordance with US GenWeb rules in cautioning GenWeb Coordinators to be careful of copyright infringement, we will not put any more obituaries on line, unless they are 1950 or before. Obits from 1951 to the present can be posted on the Rootsweb Query Boards.

In the summer of 2000 we started maintaining the LaPorte County Cemeteries and Research site. At that time all obituaries donated were placed with their appropriate cemetery. Then in February of 2006 we volunteered to maintain the Genweb for this county. Therefore many of the obituaries that were previously on line are also located where we originally placed them with the proper cemetery that the deceased was interred at.

Adlain, Mary J - Mrs. Mary J Adlain an aged lady, who has been an invalid for a long time, died yesterday, aged 87 years. Mrs. Adlain was the mother of Mrs. Henry Freeman. The funeral will occur tomorrow. Rev E H Smith officiating.

Ainsworth, James - La Porte Daily Herald Argus Wed Aug 21, 1935, page 2 - James Ainsworth, three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Ainsworth rural route 4 is recovering from the effects of a rattlesnake bite suffered about noon yesterday. The child was walking in a field with his father when the reptile struck him on the right ankle. The father killed the snake immediately and then obtained medical assistance for the boy. He was removed to the Holy Family hospital where his condition was described as favorable today.
Michigan City Evening Dispatch Thurs Aug 22, 1935, page 1
  Youth Recovers Following Bite By Rattlesnake The child was walking in a field with his father when the reptile suddenly emerged from a clump of bushes and struck him in the right ankle.
     La Porte Daily Herald-Argus Friday Aug 23, 1935, page 2

The condition of little James Ainsworth three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Ainsworth rural route 4 is still in a serious condition as a result of a rattlesnake bite suffered by him Tuesday afternoon. Although he is expected to recover he is not yet out of danger it was said today.   La Porte Daily Herald-Argus, Mon Aug 26, 1935 page 1 - Bite of Snake Fatal to Child
James Ainsworth, 3, victim of rattler here Little James Ainsworth, three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Ainsworth, residing two miles east of Bald Hill on rural route 4 passed away at 2:40 this morning in the Holy Family hospital here from the effects of a rattlesnake bite suffered by him last Tuesday noon. The child was walking in a field with his father when the snake struck him on the right ankle. The father killed the reptile after it had struck. Medical assistance was obtained and the boy was rushed to the Holy Family hospital. His condition grew steadily worse. He lost consciousness at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon and never regained it. Surviving are his parents, one brother Joseph Jr. and one sister Vivian Lee. Funeral services will be held at 2' o clock Wednesday at Culter Brothers chapel here.
La Porte Daily Herald-Argus, Tue Aug 27, 1935 page 2
Ainsworth Funeral
The Rev. A.C. Van Rie will officiate and burial will be in Patton Cemetery. Chesterton Tribune, Thu Aug 29, 1935 page 1
  Dies from Rattlesnake Bite James Ainsworth, 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Ainsworth, living near La Porte, died Monday from the effects of a rattlesnake bite suffered a week ago Tuesday.

Albertson, Elizabeth   - The Acorn, Three Oaks, Michigan, Jan 9, 1903
  Mrs. Elizabeth Albertson was born March 20, 1831, at Ashtabula, Ohio and succumbed to a stroke of paralysis at her home in Galena township, Jan. 1, 1903, at the age of 71 years.
Early in life she joined the New Light church and lived a good and honorable life, working hard and cheerfully for her family and for the good of her neighborhood. Her children and grandchildren will miss the work of her motherly hands and her smile of welcome.
Funeral was held at the Hesston church on January fifth and the services were conducted by Eugene Davis. Interment was made at Foster's cemetery.

Albrecht, George W. - Obituary: January 23, 1939 - George W. Albrecht, 79, 1710 Michigan avenue, died suddenly at his home last night shortly after 9 o'clock. He was born here on March 26, 1859, and had lived here practically all his life. He was married in September 1898 to Lena Walters who survives. Mr. Albrecht was a member of the First Christian Church, the I.O.O.F lodge and Macabees. Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters, Mrs. Bess C. Harlow of Philadelphia, Pa., Mrs. James McCann of New York City, and Mrs. May Meier, at home; three grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the O.M. Haverstock chapel. The Rev. Clayton Wilson will officiate and burial will be in Patton Cemetery. The remains may be viewed this evening at the funeral home.
Obituary donated by: Chris Kale Corcoran - mjcckc@zbzoom.net

Albrecht, Mrs. Lena - Obituary 4-18-1940 - Mrs. Lena Albrecht, 1710 Michigan avenue, widow of George A. Albrecht, who died in January of 1939, died at 11 pm, yesterday in the Fairview hospital. She had been ill for the last three years. She was 79 years old. Mrs. Albrecht was born in LaPorte on August 28, 1860 , the daughter of John and Hannah Wilk, and lived here all her life except for several years spent in Chicago and in Rochester, Ind. She was married in LaPorte to Mr. Albrecht. Mrs. Albrecht was a faithful member of the First Christian Church. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. James McCann, New York City; Mrs. Bessie Harlow, Philadelphia, PA; and Mrs. May Meier, 1710 Michigan Ave, LaPorte with whom Mr. & Mrs. Albrecht made their home for 25 years; three grandchildren, Mrs. Harold Kale of LaPorte, and Miss Dorothy Harlow and Winton G. Harlow both of Philadelphia; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, John and William Wilk of LaPorte, and one sister Minnie Layton of LaPorte. Funeral services will be held at Cutler Brothers chapel at 2pm. Saturday with the Rev. Clayton Wilson officiating. The body may be viewed at the chapel Friday evening from 7 to 9 o'clock. Burial will be in Patton Cemetery.
Obituary donated by: Chris Kale Corcoran - mjcckc@zbzoom.net

Albring - - Mrs. Mary Albring died Monday at her home in Laporte from blood poisoning.Westville Indicator, June 15, 1905

Allen, Nathan, - The La Porte Daily-Argus, La Porte, Indiana, Tuesday, March 23, 1920 page 3
  Nathan Allen aged 88, and an old soldier, died Sunday at home in Westville. The funeral was held today with burial following in the Westville Cemetery.

Alsop, Allsop, Charles - The Evening Bulletin, Saturday, 21 October 1899  -   Chas. Allsop died at 11:00 o'clock yesterday at the home of his son-in-law, Benj. Bunton of inflammation of the stomach. The deceased was 48 years of age and leaves a wife and six children. The funeral will occur at 11:00 o'clock tomorrow morning at Sauktown from the Methodist Church. Rev. Whitely officiating. W. C. Weir is in charge.

Anderson, Helma - M.C. News - 23 April 1902
  Helma, 7-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson, 430 Greeley avenue, died last night of inflammation of the bowels. Funeral Thursday at 2 p.m. from the family residence. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have lost two of their children at about the same age, both of whom were blind. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery.

Andresen, Mrs. Marian - LaPorte Argus-Bulletin, LaPorte, Indiana, Friday, February 1, 1901

Mrs. Marian Andresen, wife of Martin Andresen, passed away at 7:30 o'clock this morning at her home on Michigan avenue. She was ill six days, death being directly due to congestion of the brain. Marian Marston Andresen was born in Canandaigua county, N.Y., April 15, 1840. When but a child she came to this city with her parents and had since resided here continuously. In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Andresen were married. Mrs. Andresen was a member of the First Baptist church in which, she was received about forty years ago. Her life had been one of usefulness and with its close many have been bereft of a true friends. The only surviving relative is the husband, Martin Andresen. The funeral services will be held Sunday morning at 9:30 o'clock from the residence, Rev. G.C. Moor officiating. The remains will be buried in the Foster cemetery.

MARTIN ANDRESEN DEAD - Michigan City Evening News January 27, 1915 P. 1, Col 2   
  Well Known Laporte Citizen Stricken Suddenly - Martin Andresen, 65, well known citizen of Laporte, died very unexpectedly this afternoon of heart failure. The deceased is survived by the wife and one child. Mr. Andresen was employed as bookkeeper for Samuel Fox and Sons. He worked this morning and went home at noon in his usual health. The fatal attack came on shortly after dinner when Mr. Andresen was preparing to return to his office. Burial in Foster Cemetery.

Antiss, William E. - Niles Daily Star Sep. 1929
  William Anstiss former Buchanan resident expires Indiana papers carry news of the death of William E Anstiss for many years a LaPorte county politician and Deputy sheriff who was found dead early Monday morning in his quarters at the LaPorte county building. Older residents here will remember Anstiss as a son of Joseph Anstiss a pioneer drayman of Buchanan and a resident for many years at 208 S. Portage. William Anstiss was born and grew to young manhood hereafter leaving here he went to LaPorte and was appointed to the county Sheriff force and gained a wide reputation through his work in the case of Belle Gunness murderess of eleven people. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in which he held several degrees and also the Odd Fellows, Knight Templars, Shriners, Maccabees, Elks and Moose, The Masonic Lodge of LaPorte was in charge of his funeral. He had no family and was believed to be about 60 at the time of his death.
  Another write up for the same individual-   
  THE LAPORTE DAILY HERALD ARGUS 3 SEP 1929 PHOTO OF ANSTISS INCLUDED
    Bill Anstiss Deputy is dead, Heart attack fatal to prominent public officer Funeral services for William E Anstiss 60 former LaPorte county Sheriff and present Deputy sheriff and for a quarter of a century prominent in county and city politics will be held at the sheriffs residence in the county jail tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 o'clock Mr. Anstiss died of a heart attack as he prepared to retire early yesterday. Members of the city police department will attend the services in uniform and will serve as pall-bearers. Burial will be in Patton cemetery with full Masonic rites. One of the most colorful political figures in the county’s history, Mr. Anstiss had been serving since January1 as deputy sheriff under sheriff Tom McDonald ,Republican elected last fall. From young manhood the deputy sheriff lived in LaPorte, for many of those years as a public officer. Sheriff finds body with Deputy sheriff Lefler Anderson. Mr. Anstiss returned from Hudson Lake at 1o'clock yesterday morning He retired to his room in the jail building and prepared for bed. Apparently death came as he was ready to get into bed as the covers had been turned back. Sheriff McDonald found the body Monday morning. Mr. Anstiss had been carrying on his duties as turn-key at the jail and was apparently in good health. Born Jan 1 1869 on a farm in St. Joseph county son of Joseph P and Louisa Frame Anstiss. Mr Anstiss as a lad attended school in Buchanan, Mich. .As a young man he came to LaPorte and went to work in the old LaPorte carriage company, where he was a finisher. He was united in marriage about 1895 in LaPorte to Miss Fannie Greer who died Feb. 12 1912. The family resided on Patton street and on Virginia Ave. in this city.
    Worked on Gunness case Mr Anstiss began his political career as a deputy sheriff under sheriff Smutzer 1907-11. It was during this time that the notorious Gunness murder case occurred and Mr. Anstiss worked for months and even years on the mystery making trips to distant states on information that Mrs. Gunness was alive. From 1911 to 1913 Mr. Anstiss was a partner with Smutzer in the garage business. From 1913- 1917 under the McGill administration he was chief of police in LaPorte. In 1917 Mr. Anstiss went to work for the state fire marshals office. Jan,1,1919 and was reelected taking office again on Jan 1 1927. After retiring from the sheriffs office in 1923 he became chief adjuster for the Indiana Mutual Insurance company and in 1927 he purchased the Kuesport Detective agency at South Bend.Ill health compelled him to sell that and he returned to LaPorte the same year. He became deputy sheriff on Jan 1. His survivors are his son William G Anstiss Jr. of Michigan city a sister Mrs. Elsie Davis Grand Haven MI., his mother Mrs. Louisa Anstiss Grand Haven two grand daughters, Mildred Fay and Marjory Ruth of Michigan city and nieces and nephews. Mr. Anstiss was a member of the following, Excelsior Lodge no41,F.&A.&M. LaPorte chapter no. 15,Royal Arch Masons, LaPorte Commadnery no. 12 Knights Templar, LaPorte council no.32,R& S.& the Hammond temple of Shriners Elks, Moose and Mccabees and Odd Fellows all here. The body may be viewed at the sheriff’s residence this evening and until the time of the funeral. E.E Ebbert is in charge of arrangements. At the grave the Excelsior lodge of Masons will conduct Masonic rites. The local Knights Templar will form an escort of honor. The Rev. Alpha H Kenna will officiate. (He is buried in Patton Cemetery.)  Contributed by: Brett Hardesty at Bhardest1@aol.com

Arnst, Miles – MC News, Galena Township, February 20, 1900
Miles Arns(t), father of Mrs. Asa A. Heckman of this place and of Frank Arns(t) of Michigan City, died last Friday of dropsy after a long illness. His funeral was at Hesston Sunday. Burial in Hesston Cemetery.

Arnst, William Henry - Michigan City News, March 20, 1929
  William Henry Arnst, 322 1/2 Franklin street, died this morning at 6:15 o'clock following an illness of two weeks. Death was attributed to old age. Mrs. Arnst was a retired farmer. The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Clara Keene of this city and two grand daughters, Mrs. W.D. Carter, of Michigan City, and Mrs. Glen Anderson of Chesterton, Ind. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Funeral services will be held at ??.?? o'clock Friday afternoon in the Wilbur Funeral home and at 2:30 o'clock at the Heston church in Heston, Ind. The Rev. E.J. Egly will officiate. Burial will be in Heston, Ind. Friends may view the body in the Wilbur funeral home Thursday afternoon and Friday up until the time of the funeral.

Atkin, Mrs. and Mr. Prosser - Michigan City News, October 7, 1908, Page 5
  Two Deaths Mourned: Coincidence Found in Death of Mrs. Atkin and Mr. Prosser Monday, Oct. 5
  "Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Atkin are mourning the loss of their mother and father respectively. Mrs. Alvina Atkin's death was noted in Saturday's News. After receiving word of the death of his mother, Mrs. Atkin was notified of the death of her father, George Prosser, who passed away in LaPorte Saturday. Mr. Prosser was 60 years of age and is survived by eight children. The funeral services were held this morning and the last sad rites over the remains of the late Mrs. Atkin took place this afternoon. Both funerals were held in LaPorte, although Mr. Prosser was interred at Door Village cemetery."
Informant Steve Peterson - see our donations page for email address

AUSTIN, A.B. (Capt.) - The Daily Argus-Bulletin, LaPorte, Indiana Feb 16, 1906
  Captain A.B. Austin, a well-known pioneer resident of LaPorte county, died at 1 o'clock this morning at his home in Galena township. He has been afflicted with kidney trouble for a year and for some time has been in a serious condition so that his death was not unexpected by his friends.
He was born in Galena township, April 17, 1839, and was a son of Sands H. Austin, who came to Indiana from Vermont. His father died in 1840 and the mother passed away in 1890 leaving four children, Harriet, Pauline, William S., and Alexander B.
He was educated in the district schools and completed his enumeration at Hillsdale college, which he was attending when the civil war broke out. He enlisted in Co. D, 4th Indiana Infantry, and served throughout the rebellion. He was promoted soon after enlisting and became commander of Co. C, and was commissioned a captain in recognition for services in the battle of Missionary Ridge. He fought in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Iuka, Cortuth, Raymond, Vicksburg, Champion Hill, aggregating 63 engagements.
He took an active interest in the G.A.R. being a member of Hathaway Post at Rolling Prairie. He was married in 1869 to Miss Amanda Hudson, and seven children were born to the union the surviving ones being Archibald C., Hatie, widow of Charles Long, Eva M. Franklin C., and Adda B.
The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at his home. The burial will be at the Foster cemetery. Weir & Siever are the funeral directors.

Austin, Amanda M. (Hudson) - December 31, 1925
    Amanda M. Austin, who died at Rolling Prairie Christmas Day was buried at the Foster cemetery Monday afternoon. She was born in Galena township, July 8, 1845. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hudson and was the last member of a large family.
She was married to Capt. A.B. Austin of Galena township on Dec. 21, 1869 and this union lasted until his death in 1890. She was the mother of seven children of whom two, an infant and Col. Eddy Austin, have preceded her in death. The five remaining are: A.C. Austin, Harriet Long, Eva M. Harker, F.C. Austin, and Addie B. Fargher. She also reared two grandchildren, Geneva Long Martin and Effan L. Austin. Ten other grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive. Of her childhood schoolmates at ??? school, only one survives, Isaac F. Martin of LaPorte. Friends of Mrs. Austin say that her aim in life was to help mankind, to be a friend to the friendless and a mother to the motherless.
The Rev. Alpha Kenna of LaPorte officiated at the funeral. Many floral pieces expressed the feeling of the community to Mrs. Austin.

AUSTIN, ARCHIBALD C. - unknown newspaper in La Porte, 9 September 1929
  Archibald C. Austin, age 57, of Rolling Prairie died Sunday morning at 8:55 at his home, following an illness of four months. Mr. Austin has for the past several years been Justice of the Peace at Rolling Prairie and was well known for his activity in real estate and insurance circles. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Austin, Mr. Austin was born in this county and lived here all his life. He was a member of the Gleaners. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Myrtle Austin; five sons, Effon, Flavius and Cletus Austin of Chicago and James and Richard Austin of Rolling Prairie; two daughters, Juanita Austin of Chicago and Kathryn Austin of Rolling Prairie; a brother, Frank Austin, and three sisters, Mrs. Harriet Long of Michigan, Mrs. Eva Hacker of Rolling Prairie and Mrs. Addie Fargher of Rolling Prairie.
  Funeral services will be held at the Rolling Prairie Christian church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, daylight saving time. Burial will be in Rolling Prairie cemetery with Cutler Brothers in charge.

Austin, Effie Imes - Westville Indicator: Thursday May 11, 1899
  Effie Imes Austin, wife of Archibald C. Austin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Imes, 27 years old died Sunday 7 May 1899 Internment - Westville Cemetery. (Obituary) - Contributed by Steve Austin and submitted to me by Gloria Arndt at prairiefarm@csinet.net

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