A free monthly electronic newsletter for the VAN BIBBER, VANBIBER,
VAN BEBBER, VANBEBER, VANBABER, VANBEVER
and VANBEVERS families.
Vol. 6 No. 3 - January 2003
Our condolence goes out to our cousin Barbara Van Bibber McClelland and her family members. Barbara lost her step grandfather Chester Allen "Buddy" Harris on December 28th. Buddy was the son of Grover Cleveland Harris and Ruthie Elizabeth Mariah Van Bibber. Ten days later she lost her father Donald "Don" Van Bibber who died on January 7th. Our prayers are with you and your family during your time of loss.
Go ahead and hit that print button or click the mouse to scroll on down. Your first edition of the news letter for the new year is here for your viewing. Enjoy!
Your Editor,
Gary R. Hawpe
CONTENTS:
NEW SUBSCRIBERS:
This month we have six new cousins subscribing to the newsletter. Two each from the branches of Isaac Van Bibber and Louisa Sharp, and Solomon Van Bibber and Mary Bryson. We lost six subscribers because of invalid addresses. We continue to have 607 subscribers receiving the newsletter.
ADDRESS CHANGES:
INVALID ADDRESSES:
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
James
VanBebber, Sr. and Hannah Hoover
James
VanBebber, Jr. and Nancy Ann
Ferrill
George Noah
VanBebber and Mary G.
Jackson
Frances Marion VanBebber and Ila
Jeffery
Earl Martin VanBebber and Mildred Louise
Simpson
Richard Earl VanBebber and Sally Jane Watson
Erik Richard VanBebber and Casie McCartney
STOCKTON BASEBALL PLAYER RECALLED BY FAMILY,
FRIENDS AT MEMORIAL
It was a sunny, blue-skied summer day in 2001 when Erik Van Bebber played in the last professional baseball game of his tragically shortened life.
On the same Stockton baseball diamond where he played the final innings of the game he loved, Van Bebber was memorialized Sunday by friends and family, who mourned the untimely death of a young, spontaneous father and celebrated the life of a man beloved by many.
Erik Richard Van Bebber, 29, was killed in a car wreck Feb. 14. The father of three young children, Donovan, Khalie and Bailey, and husband to Casie Van Bebber, Erik Van Bebber was a veteran outfielder for Stockton's Club Mexico baseball team.
He died at the top of his game, in baseball and in life, said his father, Richard Van Bebber.
Of the hundreds of visitors who came to see Van Bebber's memorial at Billy Hebert Field in Stockton's Oak Park, a handful of his teammates, friends and family members recollected their memories of him.
The stories drew laughter and tears from the diverse audience under a clear blue sky, on a day that was perfect for baseball, said Van Bebber's teammate and friend, Jim Ryan.
Stories of Van Bebber's antics on and off the field echoed into the park's warm air from a microphone at home plate.
"I remember the first home run that Erik ever hit in his life -- he ran the first three bases really slowly and then sprinted from third-base to home plate and slid into home head first," Tom Huston, a former teammate of Van Bebber's said, recalling the moment with a melancholy smile. "Erik was the kind of guy who didn't care too much about the rules -- he brought that craziness and passion to our team and his game."
Van Bebber's defiance of convention was true in almost everything he did.
"Most rules don't make a lot of sense, so Erik made his own and lived by them," said Van Bebber's older brother Brian Ross, the Lodi News-Sentinel's business page editor.
From the beginning of his baseball career, Van Bebber's coaches and teammates could tell he did things in a different way.
"Erik came out to play baseball at 18," said Van Bebber's former manager, Jerry Ryan. "He was 150 pounds with long hair. He was a wannabe hippie from Santa Cruz and looked like he couldn't hit a ball to save his life. He proved me wrong.
"He's the kind of guy you want to have 15 of -- he put 120 percent into every practice."
Van Bebber's "craziness" on the field was equally apparent in his career path.
One story about Van Bebber described a day when he went to work, expecting to be fired when he got there for missing a few days the previous week, but also expecting to get his $50 daily check for working that day.
"I didn't call them to quit and they didn't call me," he said to Jason Doyle, a former teammate, who recalled the moment to the laughter of the crowded stands.
"He didn't think about repercussions or consequences," Doyle said from the home plate microphone, with uniformed baseball players lining the first and third base lines of the freshly groomed field.
As unpredictable as Van Bebber was on the field and with his work, his family and friends always knew what to expect off the field: Consistent and genuine friendship and love.
"He used to call me on my cell phone at least two times a day, just to tell me a funny joke or something," Ross said. "Erik could relate to all people, from toddlers to 90-year-olds. He was easy to get along with and easy to love -- he had a real ease about him."
"You can see who Erik was by the friends that he had and the love that he had for all of them. He loved so many people," Richard Van Bebber said.
Erik Van Bebber used to tell his father that he didn't want a steady job because he wanted to be there for his children.
"He wanted to give all his time to his family and kids and I'm glad for every minute he spent with them," Richard Van Bebber said.
"He was an exceptional father and husband," Casie Van Bebber said.
Erik Van Bebber's brother, Daniel Van Bebber, who played some songs on his guitar to begin and finish the memorial service, remembers his brother as a dynamic man and a great friend.
"He was a father who lived selflessly for his kids. He was a baseball player who lived for the game; and he was a brother and a best friend," Daniel Van Bebber said.
By Nicholas Grudin/News-Sentinel staff writer
Lodi News-Sentinel -- Lodi, California -- February 25, 2002
Submitted by Gary R. Hawpe --
[email protected]
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Mathias VanBibber and Margaret Robinson
David Campbell Robinson VanBibber and Jane
Ann Williams
John Campbell
Robinson VanBibber and Catherine
Taylor
Ira VanBibber and Eliza Jackson
Theodore "Dode" Van Bibber
EULOGY OF THEODORE (DODE) VAN BIBBER
March 28, 1930
November 30, 2001
THE LIFE OF THEODORE VAN BIBBER
Dode was the youngest child born on March 28, 1930 to Ira and Eliza Van Bibber. He was born in the Van Bibber home at Mica Creek.
Dode was baptized by Reverend R. Stringer in front of the Big House. His Godparents were his brother and sister, Pat and Kathleen.
Leta, his eldest sister, taught him basic reading and writing skills. This was for a year in Minto then he was self taught.
As a young lad, Dode had his own dog team and hunted and trapped at Diamond Lake. He worked with JJay surveying for two years and he also worked on the Pelly Ferry with Old Jake Smith for three summers. Forestry was also a large part of Dode’s life as he worked for Forestry at the Heckell Hill Forestry Tower for fifteen years. Another job that Dode held was the Elevator Operator for the Federal Building in Whitehorse.
Dode was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 12. When the Polio epidemic came to the Yukon in the 50’s, and at the age of 21 Dode was the first in the family to get Polio .
Alex made arrangements for Dode to go to Denver, Colorado, USA for MS treatment. He spent every winter there for many years.
The Family paid Dode’s expenses to go to the Philippines with Dr. Branigan and his group.
Dode moved into the Macaulay Lodge in the late 1980’s. He was the very first resident for the Thompson Center and moved there on September 9th, 1993. It was in these two places where Dode made many life long relationships with the staff and residents. Everyone enjoyed Dode’s stories and singing. (And the All Night Milkshake Parties.)
For the Van Bibber Family Dode has been the one to always demonstrate the Van Bibber humor and good nature even though he suffered from a life long disability. His courage and unflagging good humor is his gift to the rest of us. We have so much to be proud of. Dan says, "That when you are feeling real bad and had a tough day all you had to do was go and see Dode and he would make you feel so good."
Thank you Dode.
We love you and miss dearly.
Submitted by Ruby Van Bibber --
[email protected]
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Martha
VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
Isaac Yoakum
and Mary Davis
Marcellus
Yoakum and Sarah Ann
Cawood
David M. Yoakum and Rachel M. Moyers
Alvis Greer Yoakum
CARPENTER, 105, OUTLASTS BUILDINGS
HE CONSTRUCTED IN ET, AREA
JACKSBORO -- At an age when most people are drawing Social Security, Greer Yoakum was starting out with a new bride.
That was 42 years ago.
At an age when most people are pushing up daisies, Yoakum was climbing scaffolds, doing carpentry work.
That was 18 years ago.
At an age that nearly nobody lives to see, Yoakum built a picnic shelter in his backyard.
That was eight years ago.
Today he will celebrate his 105th birthday.
There won't be a big celebration. After all, birthdays are really nothing new for Yoakum.
"We're just going to have dinner with the family," said Ralph Yoakum of Jacksboro, one of Greer Yoakum's four children still living. I've got three sisters---Kathryn Denny of Monticello, Ky., Juanita Byrd of Sumter, S.C., and Freda Byrd, who lives here in Jacksboro.
Yoakum has received a birthday card from President Reagan. In other years, greetings have come from former President Carter and Nixon.
"He's a staunch Republican, but he appreciated hearing from President Carter," Ralph Yoakum said, "Back during the 1930's, I became a Democrat. He's always said every family had a black sheep and I'm the one in ours."
Yoakum was a builder and proud of it. As he sits in the picnic shelter he constructed at age 97, he can point out a half-dozen or so houses that he built in his neighborhood.
During this time, Yoakum needed little more than basic tools to put together a solid building. He's not much taken with modern architecture and construction techniques.
He said those involved in extensive training to do carpentry "are trying to make me out a damn liar. I've built more houses in Campbell and Claiborne County than anybody, and I did it without any education. I didn't need all they try to teach in school today."
Yoakum was born in the little Claiborne County community of Pleasant in 1879. His first job was hoeing corn for 15 cents a day. But his talent with a hammer and nails led to carpentry work. Before his ability was fully recognized he worked around Claiborne County for 75 cents a day. Later, his pay was raised to $1 a day.
In 1900 Yoakum hiked 10 miles across the Cumberland Mountains to Mingo Hallow, a coal mining area. He went to work as a carpenter's helper. Within a few weeks, he became foreman and his pay went to $5 a day.
After nine years, the mines played out. Yoakum moved to Powell Valley, bought 200 wooded acres and went into business for himself. He sawed timber from his property, finished the boards and used the lumber to build houses in the area.
A few years later, Yoakum and his first wife, Lillian, moved to Campbell County. During the 1920's Yoakum worked on the Presbyterian Church in La Follette. No one realized that Yoakum, who was then in his 40's would last longer than some of the construction.
Forty years later, when Yoakum was 87, he was hired to do some remodeling work at the church. This was to be his last job. He fell from a scaffold and broke his hip. When he recovered, he supervised the work.
Now, Yoakum lives with his second wife, Ada, who married him when he was 63 years old. She was 40. They have been married 42 years.
Nobody, not even Yoakum, knows how many houses he built in a career that spanned nearly three-quarters of a century. His work was mostly in Claiborne and Campbell Counties, but he also built houses in Virginia and Kentucky.
Chances are that he has outlasted more than a few of them.
By Stan DeLozier
The Knoxville News-Sentinel -- Knoxville, Tennessee -- April 30, 1984 -- Monday -- Section B -- Page #1.
From the files of the late Earl Wilson Quintrell.
Note: The first wife of Alvis Greer Yoakum was Lillian Van Bebber the daughter of Andrew Carter Van Bebber and Martha Melvina Beason. Alvis Greer Yoakum died on December 20, 1986 at the age of 107 years. (GRH)
CALIFORNIA DEATH RECORDS
The following are five deaths from the California Death Records, between the years of 1940 and 1997, who have a Van Bibber connection.
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Olive VanBibber and Nathan Boone
Sarah
Wilcoxon Boone and Winfield Scott Mullen
Wright
Mahala Olive Wright
and Joseph E.
Hall
Edward W. Hall and Louisa Cox
Bradley Wright Hall
Last Name: Hall
First Name: Bradley
Middle: Wright
Birth Date: December 1, 1917
Mother
Maiden: Cox
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death
Place: San Mateo County
Death Date: October 31, 1980
Age: 62
years
--------------------
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Martha
VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
Isaac Yoakum
and Mary Davis
John Yoakum
and Rachel
Grimes
Hughy Graham Yoakum and Nancy Emeline
Branstetter
Henry Clay Yoakum and Hermione E.
Foss
Clara Louise Yoakum and John Ericcson Claghorn
John W. Claghorn
Last Name: Claghorn
First Name: John
Middle: W.
Birth Date: October 8, 1929
Mother
Maiden: Yoakum
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: Illinois
Death
Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: May 10, 1969
Age: 39
years
--------------------
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Olive VanBibber and Nathan Boone
Jemima Boone
and Henry Zumwalt
Van
Zumwalt and Jemima Frances Elizabeth
Murdock
Margaret Vandonia Zumwalt and Edmond Davis Griffith
Erda Edmond Griffith and Lucy Campbell
Last Name: Griffith
First Name: Erda
Middle: Edmond
Birth Date: November 25, 1892
Mother
Maiden: Zumwalt
Father Last: Edmond
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: San Francisco County
Death Date: February 13, 1958
Age:
65 years
--------------------
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Jacob
VanBibber and Sarah Miller
Nancy VanBibber and Moses Haney
James VanBibber
Haney and Tabitha Miller
Ida Ellen Haney and James Henry Keith
Virgil William Keith and Minnie Ethel Simmons
Last Name: Keith
First Name: Virgil
Middle: W.
Birth Date: November 9, 1901
Mother Maiden:
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Riverside
County
Death Date: September 12, 1971
Age: 70
years
--------------------
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
James VanBebber, Sr.
and Hannah Hoover
Isaac VanBebber and Hannah Long
George VanBeber and Mary
Elizabeth Tinsley
William M. VanBever and Emily Jane Howard
Mary Catherine
VanBever and James L. Decker
Charles Christopher
Decker
Last Name: Decker
First Name: Charles
Middle: Christopher
Birth Date: July 16, 1888
Mother
Maiden: VanBever
Father Last: Decker
Sex: M
Birth Place:
Missouri
Death Place: San Diego County
Death Date: October 30,
1955
Age: 67 years
OBITUARIES:
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
James
VanBebber, Sr. and Hannah Hoover
Isaac
VanBebber and Hannah Long
George VanBeber and Mary Elizabeth
Tinsley
James VanBever and Mary Ann
Robbins
Amanda Jane VanBever and Nathaniel L.
Willeford
Walter Willeford and Marie Edna Sunderman
Ben W. Willeford
BEN W. WILLEFORD
Ben W. Willeford, 65, of 676 Isaacs Road, Camden, died Saturday, Nov. 24, at his home after an extended illness.
He was employed as an electrician at Miami University in Oxford and was a member of America Legion Post 377 in Camden.
Survivors include one son, Ben E. Willeford of Camden, one daughter, Kim Hamilton of Eaton; his mother, Mary E. Willeford of Camden, five brothers, Edward and Carl Willeford, both of Union City, Ind., Fred, George and James Willeford, all of Camden; three sisters, Rose Castello of Union City, Ind., Bertie Elliott of Camden and Mary Ann Surguy of Brookville, Ind.; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 27, at R.C. Nein and Sons Funeral Home, Camden, followed by burial in Fairmont Cemetery there.
Submitted by Carol Hardin and Taylor Willeford --
[email protected]--------------------
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
Ruth A.
VanBibber and George Washington Hensley,
Sr.
Sarah Ellen Hensley and
William Henry
Lightner
George Washington Lightner and Anna Callihan
Henry Allen Lightner and Junie Pearl Vaughn
HENRY ALLEN LIGHTNER
Henry Allen Lightner, son of the late George and Anna (Callahan) Lightner, was born in Fleming County, Kentucky on August 29, 1900 and departed this life at Brown County General Hospital, Georgetown, Ohio on March 6, 1977 at the age of 76 years, six months and six days.
Early in life he accepted Christ as His Savior and was a follower of the Lutheran faith. He was united in holy matrimony with Junie Pearl Vaughn on February 22, 1930 at Georgetown, Ohio. This union was blessed with nine children. Their entire life together was spent in the community of Ripley.
Henry was, by trade, an accomplished and skilled carpenter. He was a dedicated employee of Harry C. Gill, contractor, for over 25 years. His services were terminated when illness struck him in 1968.
You cannot say, you must not say
That he
is dead. He is just away!
With cheery smile, and a wave of his hand
He was
wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs
must be, since he lingers there;
So think of him faring on, as dear
Is the
love of There as the love of Here,
Think of him still as the same, and
say
He is not dead, he is just away.
-----James Whitcomb Riley
Henry was well known in the community and always extended his trust and friendship to one and all alike. He was a good husband, father and neighbor-----always willing to extend himself, regardless of the circumstances.
Left to mourn his passing are: his wife, Pearl; son, Henry Rudolph, Ripley; daughter, Betty Ann, Aberdeen; daughter, Eva Lanter, Mt. Orab; daughter, Barbara Waits, Mt. Orab; daughter, Deloris Griffith, Aberdeen; son, Lewis, Bethel; daughter, Wanda Perraut, Aberdeen; sister, Geneva Wagner, West Union; 25 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by two sons, John Edward and George Allen.
Submitted by Wanda Perraut --
[email protected]--------------------
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
Nancy
VanBibber and Moses Haney
Aaron Haney and Melissa Jane Claypool
Mary Matilda Haney and John Pilote
MRS. MARY MATILDA HANEY MORRISON PILOTE
Mary Matilda Haney was born Dec. 30, 1858 at Keosauqua, Iowa. She attended the public schools with the thought of becoming a teacher. On Dec. 18, 1875, she was united in marriage to Salathial Morrison with whom she lived until his death some eleven years ago. To this union two sons were born, William Aaron of Boulder, Colo., and Orry Charles of Carroll, Iowa. In 1887 she was married to Mr. John Pilote who survives her. Mrs. Pilote was a very active woman in social and charity work. She was a member of Lynd Chapter No. 27 O. E. S., Keosauqua, Ia., for a number of years. She loved her associates and enjoyed the work and teachings of this order. She was in attendance upon its meetings whenever it was possible. She was a member of the M. E. church of Pittsburg, Iowa, for forty years. During this time she was constantly active as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir or some important committee. From the graces and sacraments of the church she was seldom absent. She cherished the interests of the church above all else, in her own language, "It was the dearest spot on earth to me."
Failing health gradually compelled her to withdraw from the many activities with which she identified herself. Three years ago a large cystic goiter from which she suffered began a slow disintegration and about the same time heart trouble developed. This gradually grew worse. She sought relief in the Methodist Hospital at Des Moines and after a few weeks treatment her trouble yielded and she improved greatly. Some months ago she suffered a relapse and in October went to her son, Dr. Morrison, in Carroll. She was at once place in St. Anthony's Hospital where everything that science and medical skill could do for her was conferred by the Carroll Clinic and her every want was ministered unto by a day and night nurse. Despite the skill of the doctors and the care of the nurses her trouble refused to respond to treatment and she gradually grew worse until Nov. 29th she lost consciousness. From then on she slept most of the time until Dec. 2nd at 1:30 p. m. she answered the summons which called her from mortal life. There is much of good that may be said of every life that has closed. Motherhood is a priceless gift and she possessed it
to a marked degree. Few mothers have made greater sacrifices for their children than she made. Few mothers who have been left widows have tried harder to safeguard their interests. The passing of this life removes an old settler from the county, a friend and neighbor from the community, a faithful worker from the church and a devoted mother from a happy home. Her passing is beautifully told in the lines of the poet. "With a slow and noiseless footstep come that messenger devine. Leaves the vacant chair beside me, takes a mother, wife and mine."
We wish to extend to friends and neighbors our sincere thanks for kindness extended to us at the death and burial or our wife and mother.
John Pilote and Children
~~~~
Note: Mary Haney Morrison Pilote was the oldest child and daughter of Aaron and Melissa Claypool Haney. Date of death: December 2, 1919. She is buried at the Pittsburg Cemetery, Van Buren County, Iowa.
Submitted by Valorie Richards --
[email protected]--------------------
John VanBibber and Martha __________
Absolam VanBaber and Francis A. Dickson
Andrew
VanBibber and Elizabeth
Joiner
Mina May VanBibber
and Ottie Hubbard
Lora Lavern Hubbard and Hubert Davis
LORA L. DAVIS
Lora L. Davis, 77, Wood River, formerly of Hardin County, died 12:40 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001, at her son's residence in Carbondale.
She was born to the late Otie and Mina (Vanbibber) Hubbard.
Services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, 2001, at Hosick Funeral Home in Rosiclare with Bro. James (Buddy) Hubbard officiating. Burial will be in Lavender Cemetery in Herod. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001.
She was a homemaker and a member of the First Assembly of God Church of East Alton.
She is survived by her husband Hubert, Wood River; son Lowell (Eileen) Sturgill, Carbondale; three brothers, James (Juanita) Hubbard, Herod; Otis Hubbard, Cave-in-Rock; Gene (Opal) Hubbard, Elizabethtown; three sisters, Betty (Jim) Holland, Elizabethtown; Marcella (Jim) Belt, Elizabethtown; and Christine (Herb) Vinyard, Harrisburg; three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Earl Hubbard, and an infant daughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to TIP Hospice and left with the funeral home.
The Daily Register online -- Harrisburg, Illinois -- October 11, 2001
Submitted by Gary R. Hawpe --
[email protected]--------------------
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Peter VanBebber and
Ellinor VanBibber
Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
Calvin
VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza
Ellen Ramsey
Charles Elliott VanBebber and Nina
Rennison Taylor
NINA VAN BEBBER
Final rites were conducted at 11 a.m. this morning for Mrs. Nina Van Bebber, who died Saturday in a Ukiah hospital.
Mrs. Van Bebber, a longtime resident of Willits, followed her husband in death by only a few months. Charles Van Bebber passed away last fall.
The Rev. John Foster of the Willits Methodist church was in charge of the services that were conducted at the L. P. Anker mortuary.
Graveside services in the Willits cemetery were under the auspices of the Willits Rebekah Lodge.
Mrs. Van Bebber was born at Bodega Bay on May 4, 1888.
Surviving are her three sisters, Dorothy Fahy, San Francisco; Della Vandevanter, Fortuna; and Ethel James, Willits; a brother, Arthur Taylor, Sacramento; a daughter, Ila Johnson, Fort Bragg, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
~~~~
Note: Date of death is September 1, 1962
The Willits News -- Willits, Mendocino County, California -- Wednesday -- September 5, 1962
Submitted by Ted Van Bebber --
[email protected]--------------------
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
John
VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
James
VanBebber and Elizabeth Betty
Yoakum
Peter VanBebber and
Esmerald
Maybee
Park Anderson VanBebber and Sallie Annie Shackelton
Norman Park VanBebber and Gertrude Ann McKeowen
EX-PETALUMA MAYOR NORMAN VAN BEBBER, 87
Former Mayor Norman Van Bebber, a native of Petaluma who remembered playing in the city's cobblestone streets in the early part of this century, died Sunday in Petaluma. He was 87.
Van Bebber, who took over his father's plumbing business and later was a real estate property manager, used to gripe about the way the city was run, he said in a 1989 Press Democrat interview.
``Well, if you can do any better, why don't you run for office?'' his friends would tell him. Finally, he did.
Van Bebber was a city councilman from 1957 to 1963 and was mayor the following two years.
When he came into office, Van Bebber said the heyday of the poultry industry was over and the city was stagnating as it struggled to attract new commerce and industry.
During his tenure he successfully pushed for annexations that expanded the city's boundaries, even though he described himself as an advocate of limited growth.
He was also involved in the first purchase agreement with Sonoma County to buy water from the Russian River's Coyote Dam in Mendocino County.
During his years on the council, Van Bebber helped draft and adopt a master plan for the city's growth and was a believer in turning the Petaluma River from a mistreated swamp into a tourist attraction, now one of the city's prime goals.
In the 1989 interview, he also advocated the future development of a high-speed passenger rail system from Sonoma County to San Francisco to alleviate the Highway 101 traffic problem.
Van Bebber was born in a home on Fair Street in 1911. He remembered delivering The Argus Courier newspaper early in the morning, grabbing pumpkins at the free farmers' fair ``and rolling them down Mary Street,'' a sloped then cobblestone street near Hill Plaza Park.
An Eagle Scout, he graduated in 1923 from a junior high school since torn down and in 1927 from St. Vincent High School. He then graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College.
He said he wanted to go on to a university, but economic times held him back.
``Those were Depression days and the family, like many others, just didn't have much money,'' he said.
Instead, he worked in Sacramento, Alameda and San Francisco before going into the mail order business in Humboldt County with a brother-in-law before returning to Petaluma in 1940.
His father, Park Van Bebber, started a plumbing business in the basement of a home at 15 Howard St. in Petaluma that the family bought in 1920.
Van Bebber took over the plumbing contracting business in 1940 and operated it for more than 20 years.
He was married to his late wife, Gertrude Van Bebber, for 56 years.
He is survived by his son, Ronald G. Van Bebber of Santa Rosa; daughter, Carol Lynne Chastain of Pinole; and five grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to funeral services at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 40 Fifth St., Petaluma. A visitation will be held Wednesday in Petaluma at Parent-Sorenson Mortuary from 5 til 8 p.m.
Entombment will be held privately at Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma.
For those who prefer to make memorial contributions, the family suggests The Boy Scouts of America, 2240 Professional Drive, Santa Rosa 95403.
The Press Democrat -- Petaluma, California -- January 12, 1999
Submitted by Gary R. Hawpe --
[email protected]--------------------
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Peter
VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
Peter
VanBibber and Catherine
Ridenour
Olive VanBibber and
Thomas Ives
Fulfer
Isaac Joseph Fulfer and Josie Catherine
Ford
Mollie Louella Fulfer and Andrew Kelsey
Wylie
Harmon Pleasant Wylie and Nora Isabell Bailey
Ruby Hazel Wylie and Orville Henry Parsons
RUBY WYLIE PARSONS
STRAWN - Funeral services for Ruby Wylie Parsons, 89, of Lindsey, Okla., and formerly Mingus will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Strawn Church of Christ with Weldon Smith officiating.
Burial will be in ExRay Cemetery in Strawn.
Parsons died Monday, Aug. 21, in Lindsey.
She was born Sept. 19, 1910, to Nora Isabell Bailey and Harmon P. Wylie in the ExRay Community in Erath County. She married Henry Parsons on March 24, 1926, in Stephenville, and he preceded her in death in 1959. She was a homemaker and a member of the Strawn Church of Christ.
Survivors are two daughters, Hazel Franklin of Breckenridge and Peggy Watson of Lindsey; one son, Wylie Parsons of Ranger; two brothers, Dean Wylie of Strawn and Bailey Wylie of Killeen; two sisters, Ola Mae Cole of Strawn and Janie Gibson of Tampa Bay, Fla.; one half-brother, Jackie Carter of Temple; and 13 grandchildren.
Edwards Funeral Home of Strawn is in charge of arrangements.
Stephenville Empire-Tribune -- Stephenville, Erath County, Texas -- August 23, 2000
Submitted by Vanessa Deshazer --
[email protected]
RECENT DEATHS:
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
Solomon H.
VanBibber and Mary Jane
Bryson
Noah Bryson VanBibber
and Elizabeth Ann
Carter
Benjamin Franklin VanBibber and Sarah Harriet
Lash
Ruthie Elizabeth Mariah VanBibber and Grover Cleveland Harris
Chester Allen Harris
CHESTER A. "BUDDY" HARRIS
Chester A. "Buddy" Harris, age 81, of Warsaw, MO, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2002, at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton. On July 17, 1921, he was born in Smithville, MO, one of nine children born to Grover and Ruth VanBibber Harris. He grew up in Smithville and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17, serving for 16 years. On May 27, 1953, he was united in marriage to Hattie Mae VanBibber; she preceded him death. They lived in Denver, CO, where he was a sheet metal worker. On February 6, 1995, he was married to Elinore Couch; they made their home near Warsaw. He was a member of the Fredonia Baptist Church of Warsaw, a life member of the V.F.W. Post #4043 of Liberty, and the Sheet Metal Union #9 of Denver, CO.
He is survived by his wife, Elinore of Warsaw; one daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Dale VanZandt, and one son, Donald VanBibber, all of Lake View, AR; seven sisters, Nina Shannon, Mary Warren, Frances Reeves, Alberta Hall, and Sarah and Buddy Elliott, all of Liberty, Wilma & Ed Shannon of Napton and Della and Clay Clapp of Marceline; eight grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Prayer services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2003, at Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Cremation Interment will be Saturday, January 4, at Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, AR. Memorials may be made to the Fredonia Baptist Church, c/o Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw, MO.
Kansas City Star -- Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri -- December 30, 2002
Submitted by Barbara McClelland --
[email protected]--------------------
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
Jacob VanBibber and Sarah
Miller
Solomon H. VanBibber and Mary
Jane Bryson
Noah Bryson
VanBibber and Elizabeth Ann Carter
Benjamin
Franklin VanBibber and Sarah Harriet
Lash
Archie Thomas VanBibber and Hattie Mae Tarter
Donald Starling VanBibber
DONALD "DON" VANBIBBER
Donald "Don VanBibber, Midway, AR (formerly of Parkville, MO), passed away January 2, 2003, in Warsaw, MO. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003, at Burns Funeral Home Chapel, Yellville, AR, with Jeff Elliott officiating; burial in Fairview Cemetery, Flippin, AR. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the cemetery or a charity of your choice.
Mr. VanBibber was born August 12, 1940, in Parkville, MO, to Archie Thomas and Hattie Mae (Tarter) VanBibber. He was a retired sheet metal mechanic. He was a member of the National Guard in Colorado for six years, retired Walmart associate of Mountain Home, AR, member of the Sabers Car Club of Denver, CO, for over 20 years, 25-year member of the International Sheet Metal Workers Union. He was a Methodist by faith. He had been a resident of Midway, AR, since 1995.
Survivors include his daughter, Barbara McClelland of Fontana, KS, and Tia Wymore of Kansas City, MO; sons, Richard VanBibber of Cameron, MO, Todd VanBibber of Excelsior Springs, MO, and Thomas VanBibber of Midway, AR; sister, Arlene VanZandt of Lakeview, AR; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; nieces, Dalene Johnson, Karla Elliott and Tenna Torway.
Submitted by Barbara McClelland --
[email protected]--------------------
Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Martha
VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
Isaac Yoakum
and Mary Davis
William Wylie
Yoakum and Nancy Elizabeth
Poff
Pryor
Lee Yoakum and Abby Gail
Rowland
Lessie A. Yoakum and Albert Phillips
Erma Jean Phillips and Gene Harper
ERMA JEAN HARPER
Mrs. Jean Harper
, 76, of Polo, MO, died December 19, 2002, at her residence. Born August 19, 1926, in Ray County, MO, Mrs. Harper was a resident of both Ray and Caldwell counties all her life. Mrs. Harper was a member of the Baptist faith.She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lessie (Yoakum) Phillips and nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by her husband, Gene of the home; a son, Kenny of the home; three sisters, Pearl McElwee and Mearl Fitzwater, both of Polo, MO, and Nadine Berry of Altamont, MO.
Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service, Polo, MO; burial in Bethel Cemetery, Polo. Friends may call after 12 noon Saturday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. (Arrangements: Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service, Polo, MO)
Kansas City Star -- Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri -- December 21, 2002
Submitted by Gary R. Hawpe -- [email protected]
--------------------
RECENT BIRTHS:
Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
John Jesse VanBibber and Rachel Greenlee
Elizabeth Greenlee VanBibber and Richard
Tillis
Miles Tillis and
Nancy Kimberling
Peter
White Tillis and Viola Victoria Gard
Walter Gard Tillis and Dorcas Woodruff
Selma Betty Tillis and Glenn Maurice Reedy, Jr.
Danny Tillis Reedy and Susan
Wilkin
Diane Selma Reedy and Chris Wayne Flowers
Paige Selma Flowers
I would like to announce the birth of my new granddaughter. Paige Selma Flowers was born on December 13, 2002 at 1:01 p.m. in Clinton Memorial Hospital, Wilmington, Ohio. She weighed 7 lbs and 1 ounce, and was 19 inches long. Mother and daughter are doing fine. Paige is the 5th great granddaughter of Richard Tillis and Elizabeth Greenlee Van Bibber.
Submitted by Susan Reedy -- [email protected]
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS:
James VanBibber and Sarah Molly Bradburn
Harvey Westly Van and Ida Florence Lewis
Audrey Eliza Van and John Edward
Miron
John Van Miron and
Kathryn Kaye
Davis
John
Davis Miron and Tammie Marie Sintkowski
John Thomas Miron
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to my grandson John Thomas Miron. He was born on January 14, 1993 and will be ten years old this month. John is the 3rd great grandson of James Van Bibber and Sarah Margaret Bradburn. Happy Birthday from Grandma!
Submitted by Kathy Miron -- [email protected]
REUNIONS:
VAN BIBBER/PARKER REUNION
The VanBibber/Parker family reunion will be held at Sunset Cabins Farms in Whittier, NC. July 13-20, 2003. This is the family of Elza Curtis VanBibber and Helen Luttrell. Any and all are welcome, come by have some lunch and meet some cousins!
For additional information contact Esther Parker Beckwith --
[email protected]
QUERIES:
Background; My interest is in finding ancestors of Parker Davis Bryan (1818-1863) born in Shelby Co., KY. Parker's wife was Lucinda Maupin (1818-1897) born in Clay Co., KY.
Parker and Lucinda Bryan are found in the 1850 census of Ray Co., MO with three children.
In this same census are listed Lemuel Boone and wife Nancy with several children, several Maupin relatives plus Vincent Bryan with wife Mary and several children, Benjamin Bryan with wife Sarah plus children and Rebecca Campbell age 84, Thomas W. Bryan with wife Jane and children. There are several McQuistion families and several VanBibber families too.
Because all these surnames can be linked to Daniel and Rebecca Bryan Boone I feel that we should be able to tie Parker Davis Bryan to the Boone/Bryan family but have never found a tie. I have been told that Parker's father was William Bryan but have no proof.
So my question is: Can anyone tie these people together and does anyone tie to the Boone/Bryan family for Parker Davis Bryan?
Also interesting to me in that census is the fact that Wiley Mayes shows as Wiley Maze with wife Susan and a large family. Next door is found Thomas D. Maze with wife Elizabeth.
I am a descendant of Johnson Mayes (1817 - 1900) and his first wife, Leta Edwards. Johnson and Wiley were both sons of Thomas Daux Mayes and Elizabeth Bridges.
Thomas D. Maze/Mayes shown in the 1850 Ray Co., MO census married as his second wife Barbara VanBibber shown at age 19 in that census living with her parents, William and Elizabeth VanBibber/Vanbebber.
Submitted by Jim Hopper -- [email protected]
--------------------
I descend from Andrew Davis Simmons and Helen Manerva Yoakum who were my great grandparents. Helen was the great granddaughter of George Yoakum, Sr. and Martha Van Bebber.
I am researching the Simmons family and would like to hear from anyone who may connect or have information on them.
Submitted by Inez Burr --
[email protected]--------------------
My good friend, John (Jack) Bowlus Van Bibber died last August 22, 2002. I am the executor of his estate. Although I and other close friends knew Jack for several decades, none of us have full knowledge as to his family. Jack was a very reticent individual when it came to these matters.
In order to finish probating his will for his small estate, I need full information as to his relatives. I know he was born on January 3, 1922 in Springfield, Ohio to Louis Van Bibber and Glenna Bowlus Van Bibber.
The Court wants a family tree from somebody who has knowledge showing:
It must be clear how each individual in the family tree is related to Jack.
I greatly appreciate whatever information that you may be able to provide. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the estate's lawyer in New York, M. David Distler at 212-564-3311 or you can write him at 350 5th Avenue, Suite 2501, NY, NY 10018-2501 or e-mail him at
[email protected]. I can be reached at 212-375-7155 or e-mailed at [email protected]. Thank you so much for any information you can provide.Sincerely,
Margot Luce
NOTICES:
GOT A GOOD ONE THIS MONTH FOR YOU ALL
Kent Barbee is a sixth generation Daniel Boone grandson, through his mother Opal Tunnell Barbee. He is also a Barbee-Tunnell family historian and archivist. Kent recently returned to Santa Barbara from a visit to Weldon Springs and Defiance, Missouri. He grew up on the Busch Wildlife Area from 1949 to 1959, originally surveyed by the Boone party and purchased around 1820 by Francis Howell, Andrew Zumwalt, William Hays and Susanna Boone. As a child he had grown up running in the same woods and paths as his grandfather.
Along with his father, Willard Barbee, they had discovered a hunting cave with "Nathan Danil Boon" carved into the walls, several lost graveyards and stones, the Andrew Zumwalt Station, and one of the Lewis & Clark encampments. His family were friends with the owners of the Nathan Boone farm and spent many days and nights there. The Boone farm is now owned and operated by Lindenwood University.
He met with a group from the New Melle Historic Society and in this meeting discovered a treasure. A historian named J. W. Schiermeier who writes and published a compiled group of articles from the Cracker Barrel Country. There are currently four very thick volumes. This is a treasure chest for Boone, Van Bibber, Zumwalt, Stephenson, and the historians looking for the Kentucky migration to this area.
On a side note. The very historic Andrew Zumwalt Station, lost since 1840, and rediscovered in 1953, is now the dam of a state fishing lake. Boone, Van Bibber, Stephenson, Howell gravestones have been bulldozed under lakes and several just erased. Kent was about to get photos of the original site, without the stones, and which family member it was. Does anyone know of Jules Van Bibber in 1832?
[email protected] for anyone who has an interest in the texts or history of the area.Submitted by Kent Barbee --
[email protected]--------------------
SOUND OFF:
From: [email protected] (David Brown)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Gary,
I haven't read through the Newsletter yet. I'm still overwhelmed by Earl's death! What a loss! His information about our family made our correspondence fabulous. His attention to details. His willingness to list his sources! But most of all, his friendliness!
His first letter to me was sent on 16 February 1988! I have 26 letters, all typewritten, consisting of several pages each, all having pertinent details of my family history. But the narratives about his searches was just as interesting!
Thanks again for what you have done for me and so many others.
Dave
From: [email protected] (Deboria Duvall)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Gary,
How very sad I was to hear of Earl's passing! I like everyone else that knew him, will miss him. I was most fortunate in not only meeting Earl and his mother, Hattie, but I had the good fortune to have Earl, Miss Hattie and Miss Hazel VanBebber all in my home at the same time. It was like having all
the past VanBebber family here at once, they could talk about the past as if it was now. I loved to just sit and listen to them talk to each other. The information they had in their heads was like an encyclopedia of family history. He and his mother, as well as Miss Hazel were at our family reunion
several times. I have also gone to Miss Hazel's home and visited her, and was able to copy a lot of her research on our family which her and Earl had put together. I am still able to visit Miss Hazel's daughter, who is a cousin of mine, so I have first hand access to Miss Hazel's material which I am coping. My biggest mistake was not taping her and Earl's conversations when they were here.
THANKS, for the great job you are doing with the NEWS LETTER, with it's information for all of us.
Sincerely Grateful,
Nadine
Deboria N. VanBebber Duvall
From: [email protected] (Charles Ross)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Gary,
You did a wonderful job commemorating our friend, Master Chief Yeoman Earl Quintrell. It has been said that one is never dead as long as anyone remembers them. Many thanks to you for doing a splendid job with the VB Newsletter. Many thanks for your heartfelt article on Earl.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Charlie
From: [email protected] (Lori Hogan)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Hi Gary,
Been out sick for a couple of weeks and actually just today opened up the newsletter. I am very saddened to learn of Earl's passing.
Your opening letter of the newsletter was a beautiful tribute to him. Both Earl and all his good work will not be forgotten.
Thank you for continuing as Editor, I really do enjoy it. You know it was this very newsletter that got me hooked on family research. It was a simple query using a search engine, "Haney, Greenup County KY" that led me to the newsletter and I've been hooked ever since.
Best wishes for a wonderful new year.
Lori
From: [email protected] (Cheryl Tilly)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Gary,
Thank you for caving in to guilt at abandoning the newsletter. Your research has been multiplied by sharing it through the newsletter. Your knowledge and expertise make you our chief Van Bibber resource now that Earl is gone. The torch has definitely been passed to you. When the time is right someone else will be there to hand off to. Thanks so much for continuing, I look forward to the newsletter every month.
Cheryl Tilly
From: [email protected] (Valorie Richards)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Gary,
I was really happy to see that you are staying on as our editor of the Van Bibber Family Newsletter. You do such a great job and it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Valorie Richards
From: [email protected]
(Linda Jones)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Hi Gary!
It is so good to hear that you are going to carry on with the newsletter -- you probably don't realize just how wonderful it is for so many. Thank you!
Linda Jane Zirkle Jones
From: [email protected] (Carl & Loretta Van Bibber)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Thanks so much for the work you have done on the newsletters. We enjoy them so much. Thanks again!
Carl and Loretta VanBibber
From: [email protected] (Barbara McClelland)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Hi Gary,
I am glad that you have decided to stay with the newsletter. I realize how much work this is for you, but as others have said, I really don't know who else could do the unreal job that you have done. If there is anything that I can do to help just let me know. I hope your holiday season was a good one!
Barbara McClelland
From: [email protected] (Kathy Miron)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Hi Gary,
I would like to say I am very glad to hear you are staying on as the editor of our family newsletter. I am sure that everyone out there who receives it would miss it if we didn't get it anymore. Keep up the good work.
Kathy Miron
From: [email protected] (Marcie Gross)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Hello,
Happy to hear your continuing the newsletter! You do an excellent job and I know how much extra effort and work goes into this! It's much appreciated!
Thanks, so much! Marcie Schooler-Gross
From: [email protected] (Al & Jacque Olson)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Olson household. Gary, thank you for all the work you put into the newsletter and web site.
Al & Jacque Olson
From: [email protected] (Alice Spriggs)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
I am happy to see you plan to continue as editor--I do hope it was your choice.
Regards, Alice Spriggs
From: [email protected] (Susan Van Bebber)
To: [email protected] (Gary Hawpe)
Gary,
I've never "talked" to you before this (this is Susan, Charles van Bebber's wife), but I just wanted to thank you for stepping up to the challenge of staying on as editor. I know that Charles really appreciates getting the newsletter, and it would have been VERY sad if it had been allowed to end. I thought I'd send along my thanks on his behalf.
Susan
Van Bibber Website:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~blogan/