James M. Knowles opened a mortuary on South Main in Yuma in October 1918 and operated it until May 1932 when he sold the business to Paul Morris. During its years of operation his wife, Marion, kept a scrapbook containing the obits of "customers". Marion Knowles' scrapbook is currently held by the Yuma Museum. A copy of the museum's index to the obits in the book follows.
If you have been looking for a circa 1918-1932 obit and haven't managed to find it this index listing may help. If you find an obit you need contact museum board member Arlene Glenn, glenn@plainstel.com and ask for a copy.
Transcriber's notes:
The first two columns of the list that follows are from the index put together by museum volunteers for the obits and death notices in the book. While most appeared in the Yuma Pioneer and can be found in other sources, some apparently are from papers whose back issue morgues didn't survive and are unique to this collection. Page numbers from the scrapbook are shown here only as a chronological reference for approximate dates.
I added a year of publication column to the index taken from Pat Oestman's obit books and from her "Items of Interest from the Yuma Pioneer" for the obits Pat listed.
Lee Zion
Name Page Year/Remarks
Aagenson, Seibert 60 (1926 Severin?)
Adams, Lovina 127 1933
Allen, Emma 98 1930
Alloway, inf. of Walter 6 1919
Armagast, son of Pete 81
Armstrong, Edward 97 1930
Armstrong, Corporal Frank 8 1919
Armstrong, Minnie 81 1928
Arnold, Lawrence 6 1919
Atherton, Alverta 60 1926
Atkinson, Ruth 65 1927
Atwood, Louis G. 78 1932
Aubert, Henry 4 1918
Auld, Luther 73 1930
Auman, William E. 13,15 1920
Axsom, Ora 99 1930
Baliff, Jeannie 98 1930
Banks, Leona 86 1930
Barnett, Infant 103
Bartlett, Dale 71 1927
Bauher, Harold 25 1921 Harold Baugher
Baxter, James W. 23 1921
Beaver, Pauline 55 (1924 Koleen?)
Beeson, William E. 51 1925
Beeson, William P. 106 1931
Bedford, Donald 98 1930
Bekemeyer, Lawrence 37 1922
Bennett, DeWitt C. 36 1922
Bennett, Ellen 81 1928
Bennett, Mary J. 76 1928
Bennett, Norma Lee 78
Berry, James H. 69 1927
Bettis, Francis 11 1920
Bickel, son of Geo. 9 1919 Loren
Billsborrow, Eliz. 3 1919
Billsborrow, Geo. W. 46,47 1925
Bingaman, Claude 22
Bingaman, Elizabeth 23 1921
Blach, Kathryn 124 1931
Blakeley, Evelyn 12 1920
Blivan, Nois 51 1925
Booth, Hulda 45 1924
Boyd, son of Chas. 42 1924 Oliver
Boyce, John 45,46,49 1924
Branaum, Wiley May 70 1929
Branaum, William 81
Breckenridge, Walter 55 1925
Bretthauer, Paul 7 1919
Briscoe, James R. 61 1927
Broadlson, Edna 23
Brockmeier, Mrs. Henry 103 1931 Sophia
Brower, Gerry 99,100 1930
Brower, Margaret 37
Brown, Gladys 48 1925
Brown, Dr. James M. 60 1926
Brown, Henry C. 70 1927
Brown, Mrs. Amos 85 1929 Bertha
Bruce, Coleman 92 1929
Bruffy, Elmer 22
Buchanan, Charles 85,93 1929
Buchanan, Jennie 15 1920
Buchanan, Virginia 48,52 1924
Buckles, Mrs. Nelson 100,105 1930 Carrie
Burcher, Will 97 1930
Burkhart, Albert 68 1927
Bushing, Erich 50 1925 Erich Busing
Bushner, Mary 112 1931
Busing, Herman 95 1930 Johann "Herman" Busing
Busing, Johanna 95 1930 Johann Herman Busing
Busing, John Henry 69 1927
Butts, William 108 1931
Campbell, Calvin 90 1930
Campbell, Mrs. Ray 59 1926 Edith
Carter, son of Adam 22 1921
Case, Elijah 65 1927
Casy, Walter 29 1922 Walter Casey
Catchpole, Marcellus 64
Chadwick, Chester 24 1921
Chadwick, Eliz. 37 1923
Chandler, Winifred 11 1920
Chapman, Wm. R. 21 1921
Church, Elmer J. 81 1928
Church, Ivan 82 1928
Churchill, Inf. of Okal 64 1927 Doris May
Clement, John 57 1926
Cochrane, Dica 15 1920 Dicy Jane
Coleman, Sherman 45 1924
Colpitts, Mary Ann 26 1922
Comstock, Frank 3 1918
Conley, Emma 96 1929
Conover, Elizabeth 25 1921
Conover, Jack 49 1925 Vernon F "Jack" Conover
Conover, Vernon F. 49 1925
Cox, James A. 103 1931
Cox, John A. 101
Cox, Theodore 73 1930
Crawford, James 48 1924
Crisp, John R. 96 1929
Cross, Jacob E. 13 1920
Cross, Margaret 104 1931
Cross, Maggie 105 1931 Margaret Cross
Cross, Walter 104 1930
Crowley, Charles 94 1930
Crumb, Lloyd E. 21 1921 Lloyd Crum
Currie, Mrs. A.H. 54 1925 Lillian
Custer, Elnora 72 1931
Davis, Dewey 3 1918
Davis, Infant 9 1919 Paul
Davis, John L. 47 1924
Davis, Nancy 78 1932
Densmore, Harry 18 1921 Harry Dinsmore
Dermond, L.S. 92 1930
Dermond, Dona 92 1930
Desmond, Dr. Dennis 98 1930
Didericksen, Morris 31 1922
Dinsmore, Scott 42 1923
Douglas, Lyle 61 1927
Dowler, Albert 3 1918
Downs, B.W. 77 1928 Wooster B.
Driscoll, Keith 28 1922
Droege, George 97 1930
Dudley, Holly 89 1929
Dunn, Ora Alice 88 1929
Eastman, Ruth 71 1931
Elsey, Elizabeth 111 1932
Enos, Almyra 78 1928
Erickson, Raymond 38 1923
Erion, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 39 1923 Henry & Clara
Estep, Infant 31 1922
Evans, John E. 99 1933
Eversole, Teressa 91 1929
Eyestone, Mrs. Howard 49 1924 Jesse B.
Fadenrecht, Ed 90 1929
Fagan, Catherine 36 1923
Fagan, Henry 17,36 1923
Fallon, Harrison 62 1922
Fast, Anna 107 1932
Fast, Lena 63,107 1927
Fast, son of Chris 48 1924
Felkey, Henry 14 1920
Ferguson, Emma 44 1923
Fisher, Anna 32 1922
Fithian, Henry 38 1923
Flack, Marie 86 1929
Fletcher, David 91 1929
Flynn, Arthur 22,25 1921
Flynn, W.F. 50 1925 William F.
Force, Donald 64,68 1927
Force, Thelma 72 1930
Ford, Glenna 20 1921
French, Alwilda 76 1928
French, Thelma 85
Friedofer, Wm 51 1925
Frits, W.O. 8 1919 William Otto
Fritts, Edward 80 1928
Fry, Luther 4 1919
Funk, Jennie 24 1921
Gardner, Edith 16 1920
Gardner, Mrs. Bert 12 1920 Nora B.
Gassoway, David 22 1921 Daniel Gassoway
Gay, Bessie 20 1921
Gearhart, Rosa 51 1925
Gerdts, William 99,100 1930
Geweke, Mrs. Herman 107 1932 Clara B.
Gill, children of John 8 1919 (Son age 5 & baby 8 mon.)
Gilmore, Helen 67 1927
Gleason, Baby 67
Glenn, Emmaline 83 1931
Gordon, Rena 14 1920
Gross, Grandpa 95
Guenther, Luela 16 1920
Gum, Daniel 5 1918
Gwinn, Harold 93 1930
Hahn, Mrs. George 75 (1928 Bertha wife of Godfrey?)
Ham, infant 33 1922 Barbara
Hamilton, infant 20 1921 Son of James F.
Hampsher, Oscar 48 1924
Hampsher, Rose 112 1933
Hand, Everett 4 1918 Royal Everett
Harrison, Georgia 104 1931
Hartwig, Robert 60 1926
Hathaway, Bobby Jean 76 1928
Hathaway, Doris 20 1921
Haver, Myron 15 1920
Haverland, Sam 57 1926
Haworth, Emily 81 1931
Heath, Mary 4 1918
Heckler-Dowling, Adeline 15 1920 Adeline (Heckler) Dowling
Henner, Anna 77 1927
Henry, infant 64 1927 Virgil
Heyer, Albert 119,122 1932
Himes, infant 64 1927
Himes, Mrs. Albert 65 1927 Vestia
Hill, Cyrus 11 1920
Hill, John 76,80 1928
Hobbs, Frank 24,28
Hoch, Walter 71 1927
Holmes, Jesta 47 1924
Hopgood, Baby 75 1928 Son of Ty
Hoyer, Rev. Ad. H. 69
Hudiburg, Bernice 75
Huey, Maude 26 1922
Hunter, Robert 75 1928
Hunter, Samuel 27 1921
Huston, John A. 60,61 1927
Hutchinson, Barbara 84 1929
Hutt, Melvin 93 1930
Idler, Mrs. Chas. 49 1924 Catherine
Ingle, W.H. 63 1927
James, Frank 56 1926
James, Mary 7,12 1919
Jensen, Kristine 78 1928
Jessup, Harriet 2 1918
Johnson, Frank 70
Johnston, Pearl 36,40 1923
Jones, Donald 60
Jones, Joseph 27 1922
Kellog, infant 49 1924 Virginia
Kelso, Doyt 42 1923
Kennedy, Raymond 62 1926
Killelea, Thomas 14 1920
Kindel, Calvin 72 1931
Kirwin, Donald 23 1921
Kisling, Katherine 18 1920
Kite, Mrs. Robert 47 1924 Rebecca
Klassen, Patricia 64 1927
Klinsman, Henry L. 57 1926
Knabe, Minnie 58
Knowles, James 115-117,138 1933
Knowles, Marion 140 1956
Knox, Melissa 21 1921
Kofed, Marjorie 8 1919
Koger, F.M. 89 1929 Francis M.
Kohlman, Otto 40 1926
Koons, Amanda 65 1927
Koop, Mrs. Jacob 94 1930 Sarah
Korf, Edwin 94
Korf, infant of F. 33 1922 John Albert
Korf, Vera 23 1921
Kramer, John L. 28 1922
Kramer, Victor 19 1921
Kunz, Caroline 59 1926
Knuz, John 104
Kyger, infant 30 1922
Lambert, Ruth 45 1924
Landauer, Katherine 18 1919
Langley, Viola 22 1921
Langley, Wayne 42 1922
Larsh, Charles 66
Lawrence, no name 32 (Andrew? 1922)
Layher, Christina 107 1932
Layher, Walter 108 1932
Leake, Mrs. Harry 56,62 1926
Lee, Jane 28 1922
Leeper, Wm. H. 18 1920
Lensert, Edward 36-39 1923
Lett, Letitia 85 1929
Lett, Marie 101 (1930 Sadie Marie?)
Lewein, Benjamin 33,62 (1922?)
Lewein, Henry 37 1923
Lewis, James 45 1924
Linderman, Bernard 15 1920 Bernard Lindgerman
Lindsey, Fred B. 52 1925
Lindsey, infant of Arba 54 1925
Link, Elizabeth 26,31 1922
Liston, Mary M. 104 1931
Liston, Rachel 88 1929
Lofton, James B. 68 1928
Loppe, Mary Emma 59,61 1926
Lovelace, William 107 1931
Ludlum, George 59 1926
Mabray, Ben D. 27,40 1922
Marble, Anna 38 1923
Martin, Mrs. Joe 98
May, Herman Jr. 133
McCall, Mrs. Duncan 2 1918 Pauline "Lena"
McCasland, Cecil 91 1929
McCasland, Joseph 46 1924
McClanahan, Eva 54 1924
McClanahan, William 104 1931
McClung, Jerome 14 1920
McClung, Kenneth 74 1928
McClung, Louis 14 1920 Jerome L "Louis"
McCracken, Cora H. 44 1924
McDonald, son of Ed 37 1923
McKinnon, Callie 110 1931
McNichols, William A. 52
McQuire, Eva 81 1929 Eva McGuire
McQuown, Robert 102 1931
Mead, John R. 3 1919 John R. Meade
Meier, infant 101 1931 Bonnie Jean
Mekelburg, Albert 109 1931
Mekelburg, Ben 10 1920
Mekelburg, Sophia 6 1919
Millen, Gwinney 89 1929
Miller, Blanche 87 1931
Mitchell, Ethel 79 1928
Morin, Albert 109 1931
Morris, Mary 38,44 1923
Moyer, Elizabeth 45 1924
Mumm, Mrs. William 64 1927 Alice
Musil, Joseph L. 43 1923
Myers, Lillie 9
Neifert, John 110 1931
Neikirk, Phoebe 65 1927
Nelson, Charles J. 30 1922
Nelson, George 13 1920
Nelson, Ronald 75 1928
Newbanks, Noble 74
Nicolaus, Mrs. Andrew 72 Lena Mary Nickalaus
Nielsen, Phillip 104,106 1931
Niewig, Edna 95,96 1929
Nikkel, Henry P. 11 1920
Nutter, Louis 6
Odell, Helen 127
Olson, Mrs. Albert 49
Otta, Mrs. Charles 78 1928 Ida F.
Ottele, Nick 71
Owen, Mary Anna 4 1918
Pagel, Albert Jr. 37 1923
Pagel, Mildred 95,97 1930
Paul, Stephen 58,59 1926
Percy, Charles 21 1921
Percy, J.C. 18 1921 Jerry C.
Perkinson, Joe 1,19,20 1921
Perkinson, Nancy 7 1919
Perry, Elvirra 103 1930
Peterson, Elden 112,131
Petrie, Emily 94 1930
Petrie, infant 8 1919 Child of Leslie
Petrie Leslie 33,35 1922
Petrie, Norman 76 1928
Pickens, William 44 1923
Pixley, James J. 50 1925
Pleasants, B.F. 67
Powell, Robert T. 122 1932
Prather, Mrs. E.S. 97 1930 Mamie A.
Purcell, May 133
Purdue, Dr. P.F. 5 1919
Ray, Emma 10 1919
Ray, Mrs. James 60,61 1926 Clara E.
Reasoner, John R. 51 1925
Reasoner, William 58
Reller, Anton 2
Redd, Clyde 65,67 1927
Reynolds, James H. 19 1921
Richard, Ina 103 1931
Richardson, James 60 1926
Rising, D.W. 46 1924 Dennis W.
Rising, Jessamine 106 1931
Rising, Nellie 21 1921
Roberts, Josephine 63 1927
Robinson, Ella May 92 1930
Rudd, Luella 98
Rudnick, Mary 23
Rusk, Joseph 23,24 1921
Russell, James 102 1931
Ryan, John Edward 92 1929
Ryan, W.F. 20,30 1922 William F.
Salzman, Esther 35
Sanner, Elizabeth Hall
Alexander 72 1927
Schmaltz, Mary 70 1928
Schroder, Tillie 34 1922
Scott, Don 32 1922
Scott, Fred 35 1923
Scott, Sarah 2 1918
Sears, Jack 67 1927
Seward, Anna 16
Sewell, Mrs. M.A. 6 1919 Nora
Shackley, Lyman 25
Shade, Harry 64 1928
Shadley, H. 83 1928 Harry C.
Sharp, Mrs. Chas. 77 1928
Shea, Dennis 10 1919
Sheard, Thomas 120 1932
Shefford, Harriet 2 1918
Shepherd, W.T. 94 1929 William T.
Sherman, Nancy 42 1923
Silvius, J.S. 92 1929 Joseph S.
Sipes, Daisy 52 1925
Sipes, Ralph 52 1925
Sirois, Dr. James 100
Sizer, Clara 12 1920
Slyh, Frank 8 1919
Smith, Cassander 29 1922
Smith, Mrs. A.D. 72 1927 Bernice M.
Smith, John H. 77 1928
Smith, son of Aleck 50 1925 Edward H.
Snodgrass, infant 23b 1921
Soper, Samuel 3 1919
Southwell, Charles 91 1929
Spelts, John R. 26 1922
Spelts, Martha 26 1922
Speth, William 135 1932
Sprout, Melvin 8 1919
Stalgren, Ruth 84 1929
Stallsworth, David L. 89 1929
Stallsworth, Ida 13 1920
Stallsworth, J.H. 47 1924 John Henry
Stallsworth, Jesse 46,56 1924
Stanton, Edith 13 1922
St. Clair, infant 19 1921 Venda G.
Stebbins, Mrs. E.E. 97 1930 Eliza E.
Stender, Louis 58 1926
Stenson, Edith 67 1928
Stevenson, Charles 60 1926
Steward, Anna 16
Stewart, infant 106 1931
Stiles, Earl Jr. 57,59 (1926 Earnest E?)
Stiles, John 90 1929
Stiles, Mrs. John 67 1928 Anna M
Stone, Leona 71 1927
Stone, Lyle 102,105 1931
Stone, Mrs. William 48 Anna
Stoner, Orena 4 1918
Stuck, Ina E. 120 1930
Sullivan, Nora 88 1930
Swan, Christina 13,55 1920
Swearinger, Winfred 52 1924
Sweiger, Daisy 31 1922 Daisy Sweger
Sylvius, Joseph 92,93 1929 See Silvius, J.S.
Tackitt, Ollie 4 1918 Ollie Tackett
Tanke, Iona 23 1921
Taves, Mrs. Cornelius 120 1932 Sarah
Taylor, Harriet 84 1929
Taylor, Mary 62 1927
Thomas, Lavina 9 1919
Thompson, Jens 58 1926
Tilton, Alice 3 1918
Tracy, Mrs. William 85 1929
Tribalhorn, Paul 73 1927
Tribbett, Ardath 4 1919
Tribbett, infant of Ed 63 1927 Howard E.
Turner, Mrs. H.O. 54 1925 Susan J.
Tuttle, Thomas 7 1919
Ulrich, Katie 15
Van Matre, Burnice 82
Vincent, Mabel 73 1927
Waechter, Martha 108 1931
Wagner, Nancy 15 1920
Ward, Nathan 60 1926
Waters, Mrs. E.L. 84 1928 Clarissa A.
Watmore, Velda 25,27 1922
Watson, Clyde 72 1927
Watson, Dorothy 30,72 1922
Weaver, Mrs. Samuel 74 1928 Caroline
Wegner, Esther 35,58 1923
Weiler, W.H. 90 1929 William H.
Weir, Martha 43 1923
Weldon, Roy 20 1921
Wheeler, Franklin 73 1927
White, Anna 13 1920
Whitefield, Lulu 11
Whitney, Albert 49 1924
Widgery, James 55 1924
Widgery, Oliver 36,58 1923
Widgery, Ralph 49,77 1928
Wildman, A.E. 21,22
Williams, Bertha 73 1927
Williams, Emma 80 1928 Emeline
Williams, Mary 69 1927 Dr. Mary
Williams, Sarah 88 1929
Wilshusen, Dora 26 1922
Wilshusen, Fredericka 26 1921
Wilson, Mrs. M.A. 48 1925 Mary Ellen
Wilson, Mrs. W.E. 16,17 1920 Estie E
Wilson, Robert 71,77
Wilson, Trena 87,105 1931
Wimmer, Mary 90 1929
Wolf, Harry Jr. 81 1928
Wood, Wm. R. 63 1924
Woods, J.A. 9 1919
Woods, John R. 45 1924 (a.k.a Wm. R.)
Woodward, Henry 47 1925
Woodward, Phoebe 64 1927
Workman, Rachel 107 1931
Worley, Harold 80 1928
Worth, Mrs. Charles 96
Wright William 87 1931
Wright, James 64 1926
Wright, Mrs. A.J. 10
Wurtsmith, Henry 22 1921
Wurtsmith, Rosana 64 1927
Wyett, Mrs. John 18 1921 Hanna M.
Yates, Dr. Harry B. 36 1923
Yost, Ralph 38 1923
Young, Joseph 29 1922
Zwirn, Charles 14 1920
Return to Yuma County data.