Obituaries

Albuquerque Weekly Citizen Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saturday, February 17, 1900
Asheville Citizen-Times
Asheville, North Carolina
Monday, July 7, 1902

Published in the Sterling City News-Record; January 8, 1932; Vol. 31, No. 34, page 1

Dr. Hezekiah Texas Clark is Dead

Dr. H.T. Clark died at his home in Garden City last Saturday morning, January 2, and was buried the following day at Foster Cemetery. Dr. W.B. Everitt conducted the funeral services at the grave.

Deceased was well known to the people of Sterling City, having resided here for a time.

Dr. Clark was born in Texas, June 10, 1847 and spent his entire life in this state. He was a Confederate veteran and a former Texas ranger. He practiced medicine for sixty years. He was a member of the Baptist Church the greater part of his life.

He is survived by one daughter and three sons. His wife preceded him in death several years ago.


Mrs. Everett, 92, Succumbs

Funeral Saturday at Garden City For Pioneer Woman

Mrs. Malisa Catherine Everett, died at 1:30 p.m. Friday at her home at Garden City at the age of 92 years, 8 months and 16 days.

Burial was at Garden City following funeral services from the Baptist church there beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Mrs. Everett is survived by two daughters, 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

She was born in Mississippi February 6th, and was 21 years of age when the war between the states began. 


PEARL BAKER; AREA PIONEER
(Obit probably from the Big Spring Herald)

Mrs. Pearl Ellen Baker, 93, died in a local hospital at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday (7/4/1972).
Services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday at the Nalley-Pickle Rosewood Chapel, Dr. R. Gage Loyd officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden City Cemetery.

Mrs. Baker was born December 1, 1879, in Ohio. She moved to Glasscock County with her parents in 1887. She was member of the Presbyterian Church.
Her family arrived here from Ohio by train, at a time when Big Spring was a town consisting of only two streets. She often recalled her parents homesteaded a place two miles south of town on what is now the Wasson Addition. They got their drinking water by hauling it from the original “big spring”.

Numerous efforts by the father to dig for water on the homestead failed, so the family moved twenty miles farther south into Glasscock County and there started a ranching operation.
Survivors include a grandson, Marion Carter, Big Spring; a brother, Ben Schafer, Garden City; three sisters-in-law and a number of nieces and nephews.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


J. G. CARTER, 70, PIONEER RANCHER DIED AUGUST 18 (1935)
(Obit from unnamed source, probably the Big Spring Herald)

The announcement of the death of J. G. Carter, pioneer ranchman of Glasscock County, came as a shock to friends throughout West Texas. He passed away at his ranch home at 3:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, August 18, following an illness (a stroke) of but a few hours.

Mr. Carter was born at Massilon, Ohio, April 8, 1865, and came to Austin, Texas, with his parents when he was fourteen years of age. He was a member of the Methodist church at that early age and led a life of a true Christian since that time.

In August 1886, he moved to Glasscock County to make his home and resided continuously in that county where he has always been engaged in the ranching business.

He took an active part in the organization of that county and became its first Tax Assessor. In point of residence he was probably Glasscock County’s oldest citizen as he has made his home there for 40 years.

He was married in 1897 to Miss Lillian Marks, of Bardstown, KY., who survives her husband. He was noble Christian man, a good friend and neighbor, a faithful husband and an indulgent father and many hearts are saddened by his going.

Funeral services were conducted at the First Methodist church in Big Spring at 4 o’clock Monday afternoon by Reverend Peters, pastor of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church. Interment was made in the New Mt. Olive cemetery. Burial arrangements by the Eberly Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Fred Ratliff, John Schafer, Chris Schafer and Joe Calverly of Garden City and Wm. B. Currie and Robt. Piner of Big Spring.

In addition to his wife he is survived by six children: Mrs. Ruth Allen, Mrs. Genevieve Schafer, Mrs. Maud Schafer, Mrs. Alice Covert; Joe G. Carter, Jr., and Temp Carter; fifteen grandchildren, Nathan, Doris, Edith and Joe Allen; Gene, Joyce, Susan, Ben, Clyde, Leonard, Charlie and Dora Lee Schafer; Lillian and Weldon Covert, and Marion Greer Carter. Three sisters also survive; Mrs. Christina Andrews of Austin, Mrs. Laura Kemp of Littlefield and Mrs. Viola Mercer of Ft. Worth. All of the above except the last named sister were here to attend the funeral services.

Mrs. Lewis Kemp and Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ray Kemp of Littlefield; Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hamilton and son Norris; Mrs. Clifton Phillips and son, Clifton, Jr. and Mrs. Christina Andrews of Austin were here to attend the funeral of their brother and uncle.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on April 21, 2002.


JOE CARTER
Big Spring Herald, October 25-26, 1979

Joe Carter, 68, died this morning (October 25, 1979) in a local hospital. Services are pending at Nalley-Pickle Funeral Home. Mr. Carter was born July 18, 1911, in Glasscock County. His parents, the late Joseph and Lillian Carter, were pioneer settlers of Glasscock County. He was born and raised on the Carter Ranch. He spent his entire life there except for his time in the air force during WWII. He had been in the oil business and ranched before taking ill. He married Wilber Mae (Willie) Frizzell, April 29, 1939, in Big Spring. He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian here. Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Marion G. Carter, Glasscock County, Joe G. Carter III, Ira, and Russell L. Carter, Columbus, Ohio; a daughter, Ann M. Carter, Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren; and a brother, Temp S. Carter, Glasscock County; and two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Allen and Mrs. Genevieve Schafer, both of Big Spring. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Maude Schafer and Alice Covert.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


Mrs. Joe Carter Death Victim
(From the Big Spring Herald?)

Funeral Services Held at Garden City Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Joe Carter, 27, wife of Joe G. Carter (2nd) of near Garden City died at a local hospital Monday afternoon at 1:15 of peritonitis. Surviving are her husband, residing on the Schafer ranch near Garden City, and infant child born here on February 24. Other survivors are her mother, Mrs. Pearl Baker, Garden City; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Chris Shafer (Schafer), Garden City; and four brothers, Chris, Jr., John, Bismarck, and Ben Schafer all of Garden City.

Funeral services will be conducted at the graveside Tuesday afternoon at 2 O’Clock, with Reverend W. G. Buchschacher of Big Spring conducting the rights. Burial will be in Garden City Cemetery.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


MRS. LILLIAN CARTER-PIONEER RANCH WOMAN DIES
(Big Spring Herald, July 15, 1956)
Mrs. Lillian Carter, 81, who came to Glasscock County from Kentucky 60 years ago to teach school, died at 1:30 p.m. Saturday (July 14, 1956) in a hospital here. With the exception of a few years’ residence in Big Spring, she lived continuously on the same ranch in the same house she and her husband erected in Glasscock County shortly after their marriage in 1897. Her husband, Joseph George Carter, died Aug. 18, 1935. He came to this area to work as a cowboy. Born at Bardstown, Ky., July 11, 1875, Miss Lilly Marks came to Glasscock County in 1896 to visit an uncle and aunt, the late Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Settles. She stayed to teach at the old Panther Draw School about a mile south of the Settles ranch house. She and Mr. Carter were married June 16, 1897.He managed to save enough from his cowboy wages to buy land of his own and he and his bride constructed their home south of the Ranch Road 33 in Glasscock County.

They lived on Gregg Street in Big Spring for a few years while their children attended school. While living here, she played a prominent role in church and civic affairs and was one of those who financed and established the first free public library in the old city hall building on the corner of the courthouse square. She became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Big Spring in 1906 and maintained that membership throughout the years. Early in the century, she became widely known throughout this area for poems, essays and a weekly news column she wrote, “Along the Garden City Road.” She also wrote feature stories for several newspapers in the East, picturing the early days of West Texas as she and her neighbors lived then. Mrs. Carter pictured the country as one without fences and without mesquite, with plenty of grass and antelope grazed with the cattle. She is credited with implanting in this section many of the cultural traditions of the Old South. And for several years, she served as teacher for her neighbors children as well as her own.

At the time of her death, Mrs. Carter had been seriously ill for 45 days and in failing health for several years. She is survived by two sons, Temp Carter of Asher, Okla. and Joe Carter of Glasscock County; four daughters, Mrs. Ben Schafer and Mrs. Bismarck Schafer, both of Glasscock County, Mrs. Nathan Allen and Mrs. Frank Covert, both of Big Spring. One child is deceased. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Borders, Bardstown, Ky., and Mrs. Nell Montfort, Louisville, Ky.; an uncle, Tom Greer, Bardstown; and two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Vila Mercer of El Monte, Calif., and Mrs. Laura Kemp, Austin; 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Monday in the First Presbyterian Church with the pastor, Dr. R. Gage Lloyd, officiating. Interment under the direction of River Funeral Home will be in the family plot in the city cemetery, beside the grave of Mr. Carter. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. They include Nathan Allen, Jr. Gene Schafer, William Covert, Charles Schafer, Leonard Schafer, William Schafer and Marion Carter. All friends will be honorary pallbearers.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on April 21, 2002.


Notes for Maxine KINCAID
MRS. TEMP S. CARTER DIES,
(Big Spring Herald, February 17, 1955)
SERVICES PENDING-

Mrs. Maxine Carter rancher, died at 4:30 p.m. Thursday (February 17, 1955), following an extended illness. The remains arrived here early this morning in an Eberly-River Funeral coach. The remains will lie in state at the Eberly-River Chapel until time of services, which are pending. Mrs. Carter was graduated from Garden City High School in May 1939 and was married to Temp S. Carter in June 1939 in Big Spring.

Before moving to Asher, Okla. about three years ago, the couple resided in Hagerman, N.M. where Mr. Carter was engaged in ranching. Survivors include her husband, Temp S. Carter, Asher, Okla.; three children, Sterling Carter, Kenna Carter and Mike Carter, all of the home; the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kincaid of Hagerman, N. M.; three sisters, Mrs. James Swope of Ft. Worth, Mrs. William Shaffer of Garden City, and Mrs. Felix Cauhope of Hope, N. M.; one brother, Hugh Kincaid of Carlsbad, N. M. Other survivors include her mother-in-law, Mrs. J. G. Carter of Glasscock County; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Nathan Allen, Big Spring, Mrs. Bismarck Schafer and Mrs. Ben Schafer of Garden City, and Mrs. Frank Covert of Big Spring; and a brother-in-law, Joe Carter of Glasscock County.

Funeral rites for Mrs. Maxine Carter were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Eberly-River Chapel with Robert Waller, Church of Christ Minister of Artesia, New Mexico, officiating. Interment was in the Garden City Cemetery under the direction of Eberly-River Funeral Home. Mrs. Carter, in failing health for a number of years, died Feb. 17, in Asher, Okla. Pallbearers were M. B. Little, John Knox, John Lee Parker, Russell Hobbs, Robert Middleton and Roscoe Gillian.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


TEMP CARTER
(Big Spring Herald, April 28, 1993)

Temp S. Carter, 79, of Garden City died Monday, April 26, 1993, at his residence. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment will follow at the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Texas, under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Temp was born on July 29, 1913, in Glasscock County to Joseph George and Lillian Marks Carter, a pioneer Glasscock County family. He married Maxine Kincaid on June 16, 1939, in Big Spring. She preceded him in death on February 17, 1955. He lived in Glasscock County most of his life except for 16 years when he lived in Oklahoma and New Mexico. He returned to the family ranch in 1968. He had served as a County Commissioner in Glasscock County in the early 1940’s. A Presbyterian, he had also been a Mason. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Kenna M. and Edmund T. Scott of Big Spring. Two sons and daughters-in-law: Mike T. and Sue Carter of Granbury and Sterling M. and Judith Carter of Winston, New Mexico. Six grandsons: Chane Carter, Brian P. Carter, David C. Scott, Michael Carter, Sean K. Scott and Marc Carter. Three granddaughters: Loretta Yarbrough, Kristie Forrister and Meggan Carter. Eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and a nephew Hugh “Woody” Covert. Honorary pallbearers will be William Shankles, Walton Morrison, Hugh Bryan Schafer, A. A. (Gus) Graumann and Roscoe Gillean.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


WILLIE MAE CARTER
Big Spring Herald, May 28, 1992-

Willie Carter, 70, Big Spring, died Tuesday, May 26, 1992 in a San Antonio hospital. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Airport Baptist Church with the Rev. Russell Ray, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Memorial Park under the direction of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home. She was born April 25, 1922, in McKinney. She married Joe G. Carter, Jr. on April 29, 1939, in Big Spring. He preceded her in death on October 25, 1979. She was a member of Airport Baptist Church. She moved to Glasscock County in 1935 and then to Big Spring in 1987. She had been a chapter of the Big Spring Prospector’s Club. She was a homemaker. Survivors include one son: Joe G. Carter, Ira; one daughter, Ann M. Carter, Chula Vista, Calif.; her mother, Annie Frizzell, Rising Star; two brothers: Bob Frizzell, Hobbs, NM and Otis Frizzell, Los Angeles, Calif.; three sisters, Vera Turk, Azle, Maxine Bowden, Rising Star, and Ann Rose, Graham; and three grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by one son, Russell Carter, in 1984. Family suggests memorials to the American Lung Association, P. O. Box 26460, Austin, Texas 7855-0460. Pallbearers will be Phillip Carter, Penny Stone, Marck Schafer, Todd Schafer, Bob Frizzell and Otis Frizzell.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


L. H. Hanson

MIDLAND – L. H. “Bud” Hanson, 94, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, at his residence.

Service was Wednesday in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Garden City Cemetery.

He was born Oct. 20, 1905, in Glasscock County. He was a horse breeder and a Baptist and member of the Midland Suburban Lions Club.

Survivors include two sons, Leonard Hanson of Midland and Bruce Hanson of Big Spring; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 17, 2002.


BERT HILLGER, OLD GLASSCOCK PIONEER, DIES
(From The Big Spring Herald, 8/2/1950

Death Tuesday claimed one of the pioneers who helped develop the Glasscock county area as a ranching empire.

He was Bert Henry Hillger, 65, who came with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Hillger, to Glasscock County in 1891, and remained to operate the family place in the years since their passing.

Mr. Hillger had been in failing health for the past ten months, but his condition took a marked turn for the worse Monday night. He was brought to a hospital here, where he succumbed at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Funeral services are to be held at 2: p.m. Thursday at the Eberley chapel, with the Rev. R. O. Browder, a former Methodist pastor at Garden City, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden City cemetery beside the grave of a brother who died in 1948.

Mr. Hillger was born in Taylor county April 2, 1885. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Bertha Lilly Hillger; two sons, Glenn W. Hillger of Garden City and Lee H. Hillger of Fort Worth; three daughters, Mrs. D. J. Cotter, Garden City: Mrs. H. R. Doty, Midland; and Mrs. B. H. Becknell, San Diego, Calif. A sister and a niece from Houston, Mrs. Matilda Keneval and Mrs. A. O. Bone, also are to be here for the funeral, as are several other nephews and nieces. Other relatives include a sister-in-law, Mrs. J. M. Jordan of Coahoma; a brother-in-law, M. H. Harris of Brownfield. Seven grand-children also survive.

Pallbearers will be Ben Schafer, Chris Schafer, Joe Calverley, Steve Calverley, Sam Ratliff, Walter Teele, W. L. Robinson and Alvin Bates.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


BERTHA HILLGER DEATH VICTIM
(From: Big Spring Herald, Feb. 15, 1972)
Mrs. Bertha Lillie Hillger, 80, died Thursday in a local hospital.

Services are set for 3 p.m. Saturday in the Nalley-Pickle Rosewood Chapel with the Rev. Caleb Hildebrand, Wesley United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery.

Mrs. Hillger was born Nov. 4, 1891, in Bonham. She married B. H. Hillger Jan. 10, 1910 at the ranch home near Garden City. She had come to Glasscock County in 1909 in a covered wagon from Bonham. She was in farming and ranching until she moved to Big Spring in 1950, shortly after her husband died. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, and had been ill for several years.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Vera Mary Doty, Andrews, and Mrs. Eunice Becknell, Mound Valley Kan.: one son, Glen Hillger, Garden City, one step-son Lee H. Hillger, Fort Worth; one sister, Mrs. J. M. Jordan Andrews; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


EMMA HILLGER
(From: Big Spring Herald, Feb. 21, 1982)
Emma Hillger, 96, of Garden City, a pioneer Glasscock County family, died at 12:05 p.m. Sunday in Stanton Nursing Home.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Nalley-Pickle Rosewood Chapel with the Rev. James T. Holman, pastor of St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Midland, officiating. Burial will be in Garden City Cemetery.

Born April 14, 1889 in Paris, Texas, Mrs. Hillger moved to Glasscock County in 1903 with her family. She married George Hillger who died in 1948. A Methodist, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Gladys Haley, in December of 1960.

Survivors include four sons, Jim Hillger of Stanton, Henry Hillger of Garden City, Harvey Hillger and George Hillger, both of Midland; two brothers, Herman Hillger of Mesa, Ariz. and Loran Hillger of Fort Stockton, one sister, Ellen Schafer of Garden City, 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Duane Hillger, Dale Hillger, David Hillgler, Robert Hillger, Allen Haley, Mike Hillger, Scotty Hillger and Jimmy Cunningham.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


G. R. HILLGER FUNERAL SET
(From: Big Spring Herald, Jan. 12, 1948)

Funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Eberley chapel for George Robert Hillger, 64, pioneer rancher of Glasscock county.

Mr. Hillger died at 5:10 a.m. Sunday in a hospital here where he had been rushed for treatment following a heart attack suffered Saturday afternoon at his home 12 miles northwest of Garden City.

He had been a resident of Glasscock county for 57 years and a rancher most of his adult life.

Mr. Hillger leaves his wife, four sons, J. P. Hillger, Henry Hillger, Harvey Hillger, and George Hillger, Jr. all of Garden City: one daughter, Mrs. T. Haley, Sudan, a brother B. H. Hillger, Garden City, a sister, Matilda Knebel, Houston.

Rites were to be in charge of the Rev. Mr. Browder paster of the Garden City Methodist church and burial was to be in the Garden City cemetery.

Pallbearers were to be Ben Schafer, Chris Schafer, Bismark Schafer, Joe Calverley, Steve Calverley, Clarence Sparkman, Jim Ratliff and Walter Teele.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


Benjamin Myers
Benjamin Myers, 74, died August 30 (?), 1904 in Glasscock County. He was born in March, 1830 in Springfield, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Malinda Rinker Myers, on March 23, 1872 and one son, George Myers, on January 13, 1879. He is survived by one son, Solon Myers, and one daughter, Susannah Schafer; four grandchildren: John Schafer, Bismarck Schafer, Chris Schafer and Ben Schafer.
He married Malinda Rinker in Conicville, Shenandoah County, Virginia on September 30, 1853.
He came to Glasscock County with Christ Schafer, his son-in-law, and his daughter, Susannah, in 1887 and filed on a section of land about 8 miles northeast of Garden City on July 25, 1904.
He was buried in the Garden City Cemetery.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


ARLIS DALE RATLIFF
(From The San Angelo Standard Times (2/18/2002)

BIG SPRING — Arlis Dale Ratliff, 77, passed away Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, at 1:05 A.M. in the Midland Memorial Hospital after a lengthy battle with emphysema and diabetes. Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Big Spring at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, with the Rev Jerry Don Cheshire, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Higgins, the Rev. Claude McKiddy, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City and the Rev. Al Stiefer, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Garden City, officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden City Cemetery.

He was born on Sept. 12, 1924, in Lamesa, Texas, and married Barbara Lu Currie on April 1, 1955, in Garden City, Texas. He grew up in Garden City and was a lifelong rancher. He served in the U. S. Army. He also held the office of Glasscock County Commissioner for four years. He and his wife served as Glasscock County Chairmen for the Howard-Glasscock Centennial. He was honored at the Old Settler’s Reunion as Pioneer of the Year.

He was an avid sports fan, loved playing dominoes, and in his early years, was an outstanding roper; he held the highest average in the Glasscock County Roping Club for two years. He was big-hearted, kind and loved people; he never met a stranger. His pride and joy were his family, his wife of 46 years, Barbara Lu, his daughter, Laura Maud Huitt and his grandson, Luke Huitt.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City, where he served as officer in almost every church office, and took great pride in the maintenance of the church yard, a gift he gave to the church for over 15 years. He was also a member of the Men’s Bible Class at the First United Methodist Church in Big Spring, where he attended services for nine years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam Ratliff and Ruthie Lawler Ratliff: his brother, George Ratliff; his sister, Ruby Nelle Barfield and her husband, Jiggs Barfield; and two nieces, Barbara Nelle Fonville and Diana Lu Currie Nichols.

His survivors include his wife, Barbara Lu, his daughter, Laura Maud Huitt and grandson, Luke Huitt, all of Garden City.

Pallbearers are John Sam Barfield, Garden City, Bill Currie, Big Spring, Jerry Jon Currie, Big Spring , Freddy Chaney, Greenwood, Jose Lopez, Garden City, Howard Engle, Adrian, Juan de Luna, Garden City and Michael Hoch, Garden City.

Honorary pallbearers are Lester Ratliff, Big Lake, Derwood Ratliff, Midland, Jay Cunningham, Houston, Dale Cunningham, California, Kent Morgan, Big Spring, John Currie, Big Spring, Jerry Currie, Big Spring, Duane Cox, Midland, Choc Harris, St. Lawrence, Harry Love Calverley, Lubbock, James Currie, Garden City, Glenn Riley, Midland and all of the men of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City.

The family especially appreciated the loving care and concern that was given to Arlis during his illness by Rosie Roberts, Hobbs, N.M.; John Sam and Mary Barfield, Garden City; Bill Currie, Big Spring; Janet and Harry Middleton, Big Spring; Wilma Dean Webb, Midland; Derwood Ratliff, Midland; and Elia Gomez, Midland. Also, a special thanks to Mildred Harris, Billy Nunley, and Dorothy Webster, his telephone and television buddies. We would also like to thank the physicians who took wonderful care of Arlis: Dr. John McKenna, Dr. N.M. Patel, Dr. Bruce Cox, and, the superior nursing staff on the fourth floor of Midland Memorial Hospital and Best Home Health Care of Big Spring.

The family will receive friends at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, from 7:30-9 p.m.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


PFC. BEN M. SCHAFER, JR., WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION
Above is a likeness of PFC. Ben M. Schafer, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Schafer, Sr., of Glasscock County who was killed in the Philippines on 4/4/1945. His parents are in receipt of his Purple Heart awarded posthumously to their son. Ben was just 19 years of age. He was born in Glasscock County, attended school at Elbow, Courtney, and Garden City, being a graduate of the Garden City high school. He was inducted into the army in June, 1944, trained at Camp Walters in California, before being sent overseas to New Guinea about January 1945. In addition to his parents he is survived by two brothers, Charles and Leonard, and a sister Dora Lee. He is the grandson of Mrs. J. G. Carter, of Glasscock County. Following is a letter from his commanding officer, First Lieut. Julius Sakas, of Co., L. 128th Infantry to his mother. April 25, 1945
Dear Mrs. Schafer: —I wish to express my deepest sympathy in the death of your son, Ben, who was killed in action while serving under my command. On the afternoon of April 4, 1945, our company attacked a Japanese position on the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Island. We were subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire. An artillery shell exploded near Ben and a large piece of shrapnel hit him, killing him instantly. His body was brought to the rear and was given a Christian burial in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery No. 1, Santa Barbara, Luzon Philippine Islands. I know no one feels the loss of your son as you, yet I want you to know that you have the sympathy of the officers and men of this organization in your bereavement. While he has relatives and friends who will miss him at home, we who have fought with him will also miss him greatly. We shall always remember him as a soldier we were proud to have in Company “L”. If there are any questions regarding Ben that I can answer, please feel free to write at any time. Sincerely yours, JULIUS SAKAS, Commanding Officer Co. L, 128th Infantry.

REBURIAL RITES SLATED SUNDAY FOR PFC SCHAFER
Big Spring Herald May l, 1949

The body of PFC Ben M Schafer Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben M Schafer, Sr., will arrive here Saturday morning [April 30, 1949] for reburial. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon [May 1, 1949] at the Eberley Chapel. Pfc. Schafer was killed April 5, 1945 [tombstone has April 4}, when his company, 128th Infantry attacked a Japanese position on the Villa Verda Trail, Luzon, Philippine Island, and an artillery shell exploded killing him instantly. He was given a Christian burial in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery No. 1, Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippine Islands. He was born in Glasscock county, attended school at Elbow, Courtney and Garden City, being a graduate of Garden City High School He was inducted into the Army June 12, 1944, and underwent training at Camp Walters and in California before being sent overseas in November 1944. He was 19 years of age at the time of his death. His parents received the Purple Heart awarded posthumously to their son. The Reverend R. O. Browder, Methodist pastor from Rochester, Texas will officiate with the American Legion in charge of graveside rites. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery beside the graves of his brother Clyde, 14, who died in October [7] 1941 and his sister Pansy, 3, who died Jan. 9, 1942 from burns received when fire destroyed the Schafer home. Besides his parents he leaves two brothers, Charles and Leonard and a sister Dora Lee. He is the grandson of Mrs. J. G. Carter of Glasscock County. Pallbearers will be R.C. Schafer, Gene Schafer and Robert Lawson all of Garden City, Clarence Eckert, San Angelo, Garlon Eastman, Andrews and Dub Graham, Stanton.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


BEN SCHAFER
(Big Spring Herald December 14, 1979)

Ben Schafer, 82, died at 5 a.m. today in a local hospital following a short illness. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Nalley-Pickle Rosewood Chapel, with the Rev. Herbert McPherson, Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery. Mr. Schafer was born April 14, 1897, in Glasscock County. He married Maud Katherine Carter October 9, 1924 in Big Lake. She preceded him in death May 30, 1969. He was born and raised in Glasscock County. His parents moved to this area in 1887. He was a rancher and was the last of the Christ Schafer family, which included four sons and a daughter. He was a veteran of WW I, having served in the Army. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. J. C. (Doralee) Newell, Garden City: two sons, Leonard Schafer, Sand Springs, and Charlie Schafer, Winnie, Texas; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


LAST RITES FOR MRS. BEN SCHAFER
(Big Spring Herald, Sunday, June 1, 1969)

Last rites will be said at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the River-Welch Chapel for Mrs. Ben Schafer, age 67, who died here Friday morning at 10:15 a.m. (May 30, 1969). She had been ill since February. Dr. Gage Lloyd, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church where she was a member, will officiate and burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery. Mrs. Schafer was born Maud Katherine Carter on January 25, 1902, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe Carter, pioneer Glasscock County settlers. Surviving her are her husband; two sons, Leonard Schafer, Coahoma, and Charlie Schafer, Winnie; one daughter, Mrs. J. C. (Doralee) Newell, Garden City; two brothers: Joe Carter, Garden City, and Temp S. Carter, Coahoma; two sisters, Mrs. Nathan Allen, Big Spring, and Mrs. Bismarck Schafer, Big Spring; also 11 grandchildren. Nephews of Mrs. Schafer will serve as pallbearers. They are Weldon Covert, Woody Covert, Ronnie Covert, Mike Carter, Joe Carter, Sterling Carter, Gene Schafer, Nathan Allen, Jr. and Marck Schafer.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


Notes for Birdie Mae POINTER
BIRDIE SCHAFER-
Big Spring Herald, Wednesday, June 30, 1993-

Birdie Mae Schafer, Garden City, died Monday, June 28, 1993 in a Sterling City nursing home. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Garden City, with the Rev. Kenneth James, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Garden City cemetery under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Mrs. Schafer was born March 20, 1903 in Palo Pinto County. She married Chris Schafer, Jr. on June 14, 1924 in Big Spring,. He preceded her in death on January 31, 1963. She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Garden City. She graduated from Baird High School and moved to Glasscock County in 1921. She was a rural school teacher for several years. She was a homemaker. She lived in Glasscock County until moving to the Sterling City nursing home in 1992. Survivors include one son, R. C. Schafer, Garden City; one daughter Rosie Roberts, Hobbs, NM; three grandsons; four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by one sister and one brother. Family suggests memorials be made to the First Methodist Church of Garden City.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.

Services for Bismarck Schafer, 76, pioneer Glasscock County rancher, will be held at 2 P.M. Friday at the Nalley-Pickle Rosewood Chapel.
(From The Big Spring Herald, Wednesday, February 7, 1968)
Mr. Schafer, who had been hospitalized for the past two weeks, died here at 4:45 pm

Services will be in charge of the Rev. Pat Bullock, pastor of the Garden City Baptist Church, assisted by the Rev. Bill Golightly, pastor of the Salem Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, the former Genevieve Carter, to whom he married in 1930; two sons, Gene Schafer, Midland, and Marck Schafer, Garden City; two daughters, Joyce Fuller and Susan Walker, Big Spring. He also leaves nine grandchildren; one brother Ben Schafer of Glasscock County; and one sister, Mrs. Pearl Baker, Big Spring.

Mr. Schafer was born June 11, 1891, in Glasscock County, was reared there, and went into the ranching business first with his father, then on his own. For over 60 years he ran the same BS brand.

He could remember how as a lad he helped his father mow grass for hay, so prolific was the cover in those days. There were almost no mesquites, which he attributed to the Comanches having burned off the land. What few stumps were left were in prime demand for fuel.

When he began to help his father, all this country was open range with one drift fence south of Amarillo and one south of San Angelo. Cattle drifted by the Schafer ranch in the winter, and cowboys from more than a dozen ranches would ride the drift fence, cutting out herds and driving them back home to the north in the spring. The Schafer ranch had been established in 1887 when his parents homesteaded land near Garden City. The ranch was noted for its Percheron horses, saddle horses and mules by the hundreds. The Schafer place was for many years the only horse ranch in the area. Later, the horses gave way to Hereford cattle, and until illness forced him from activity not long ago, there was hardly a day the that Mr. Schafer was not in the saddle looking after his cattle. Pallbearers will be his nephews, William Schafer, Leonard Schafer, Charlie Schafer, R. C. Schafer, Hugh Bryan Schafer, Ralph Schafer, Jerry Schafer and Marion Carter.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on May 19, 2002.


CHRIS SCHAFER, GLASSCOCK RANCHER, IS HEART VICTIM
(Big Spring Herald, Friday, February 1, 1963)

Chris Schafer, 68, stricken by a heart attack while at work on his Glasscock County ranch, died Thursday afternoon (January 31, 1963) before he could be brought to a hospital here. Mr. Schafer was one of the bonafied pioneers of this area, having been born in Glasscock County to early settlers. The funeral has been set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Nalley-Pickle Chapel with the Rev. R. O. Browder, associate pastor of the Wesley Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery. Mr. Schafer was working with sheep in the pasture on the family ranch 13 miles east of Garden City when he suffered the attack. His son R. C. Schafer, was with him as were other helpers, and Mr. Schafer was rushed to to Cowper Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. All his life, except for time out for service in World War I, had been spent in ranching. He was born Feb. 25, 1894 in Glasscock County to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Schafer, Sr. After serving overseas in World War I, he returned to Garden City, and was married to Miss Birdie Pointer on June 14, 1924, in Big Spring. He was member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Big Spring and attended the Methodist Church in Garden City. Surviving him are his widow; one son R. C. Schafer; a daughter, Mrs. Rosie Marie Roberts, Andrews, three grandsons; two brothers, Bismarck Schafer and Ben Schafer, both of Garden City; a sister Mrs. Pearl Baker, Big Spring. Pallbearers will be Jerry Curry, Clyde Berry, Ronnell McDaniel, Curtis Palmer, Henry Hilger, James Teale, Lorin McDowell and Troy Cline.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


ELLEN SCHAFER
(Big Spring Herald, January 26, 1996)

Services for Ellen Mae Schafer, 103, Garden City, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 1996 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. Jerry Don Cheshire, pastor of Garden City United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. Mrs. Schafer died Wednesday, January 24, in a Sterling City nursing home. She was born on November 27, 1892 in Paris, Texas and married John Schafer in 1914 in Stanton. He preceded her in death on February 6, 1960. (Actually in 1961-see his obit). She and her parents, Gus and Alveida Hillger, along with five brothers and sisters moved to Glasscock County in 1905. They homesteaded in southwest Garden City. She was a long time member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Garden City. Survivors include 1 son: William Ralph Schafer, Garden city; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The family suggests memorials: the Methodist Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickel & Welch Funeral Home.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on May 19, 2002.


Genevieve Louise Carter Schafer, 90, Big Spring, died Wednesday, May 16, 1990, in a local hospital.
(From the Big Spring Herald)

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Nalley- Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel, with Rev. Flynn Long, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating, and assisted by Dr. Gage Lloyd, a retired Presbyterian minister. Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

She was born December 8, 1899, to pioneer ranchers J. G. and Lillian Carter. Her parents sold their cattle and leased the ranch in 1915, to move to Big Spring where their children could attend a higher level school. She graduated from Big Spring High School, then attended normal school at Canyon to qualify as a school teacher. She taught school at Buena Vista before pursuing her lifelong love of art at Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas and the Chicago Art Institute. She returned to Glasscock County where she married Bismarck Schafer on November 15, 1930. Many of Mrs. Schafer’s paintings depict scenes from the sheep and cattle ranch they owned and operated northeast of Garden City. After her husband’s death, February 7, 1968, she moved to Big Spring. She was a member of Las Artista, Delta Phi Delta, and the Texas Fine Arts Association. She was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include two sons: Gene Schafer, Grand Junction, Colorado and Marck Schafer, Garden City; two daughters: Mrs W. G. (Joyce) Fuller and Mrs. Ray (Susan) Walker, both of Big Spring, one brother, Temp Carter, Glasscock County; ten grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Walker, Brant Schafer, Gene R. Schafer, Todd Schafer, Bill Fuller, Jr., William Gressett and Robert Bambic.
Submitted by Gene Schafer on May 19, 2002.


SCHAFER RITES SET WEDNESDAY
(Big Spring Herald, Tuesday, February 7, 1961)

John F. Schafer, Glasscock County rancher, died about 5:30 p.m. Monday (February 6, 1961) in Big Spring. His funeral will be held Wednesday. Mr. Schafer was born in Ohio, June 17, 1887. He with his parents came to this area the same year. He was married to Ellen Hillger in Stanton, Sept. 7, 1914. Services are set for 2 p.m. in the River Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. R. O. Browder, pastor of the Park Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Trinity Memorial Park. Survivors include his widow; one son, William R. Schafer, Garden City; three brothers, Chris, Bismarck, and Ben, all of Garden City; a half-sister, Pearl Baker, Garden City; four grandchildren.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on May 19, 2002.


R. C. SCHAFER
(From Big Spring Herald, 11/15/99)

R. C. Schafer, 74, Garden City died on Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999 in a Midland hospital. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.17, 1999, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with the Pastor Carroll Kohl, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Garden City Cemetery.
He was born on June 28, 1925, in Glasscock County, and married Emma Cline on Jan. 29, 1950, in Clovis, N.M.

Mr. Schafer was a veteran of World War II. He was a self-employed trucker for a number of years, before entering into the ranching business. His favorite hobbies were playing dominoes and being at the ranch tending to his sheep and cattle.

Survivors include: his wife, Emma Schafer of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Johnny and Linda Schafer and Richard and Linda Schafer all of Big Spring; a granddaughter, Jennifer Schafer of Lubbock; a step-grandson, Chris Laney and his wife Shonda of Houston; one sister, Rosie Roberts of Hobbs, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Birdie Mae Schafer.

Pallbearers will be Marck Schafer, J.C. Newell, Charlie Schafer, Bob Garrett, Bo Bokelman and Marion Wilkerson.

The family suggests memorials to: The American Heart Association, 3525 Andrews Highway. Suite 111, Midland, 79703. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Submitted by Gene Schafer on June 2, 2002.


DEATH CLAIMS MRS. SCHAFER
(Big Spring Herald, Monday, February 19, 1940)

A short illness ended in death at a local hospital Monday for Mrs. Susannah Schafer, 83, pioneer ranch woman and wife of Christ Schafer. A native of Ohio, Mrs. Schafer moved to Howard County in 1887 with her husband and together they settled on a place five miles southeast of town. After one year in this place, they moved to a ranch just over in Glasscock County where they resided continuously for 52 years. Theirs was the typical story of frugal agriculturalist of German extraction who worked long and hard, accumulated slowly by astute management and saving. Mr. Schafer, who suffered a stroke about a year ago, is still confined to his home and will be unable to attend services at the graveside in Garden City Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Theo Graalman, pastor of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Big Spring, will be in charge. In event of inclement weather, rites will be held in a Garden City church. Surviving are the husband; four sons, John Schafer, Bismarck Schafer and Chris Schafer of Glasscock County, and Ben Schafer of Courtney community in Martin County; one daughter, Pearl Schafer, who resides at home; ten grandchildren and one great-grandson. Pallbearers will be Bert Hillger, Will Currie, Henry Currie, Will Hanson, Sam Ratliff and Joe Carter. (Note: Susannah’s daughter was Pearl Ellen Baker, not Pearl Schafer as stated in this newspaper article.)
Submitted by Gene Schafer on April 21, 2002.