Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-12
ERICf.CK5RbERe,
JEWELER, CkLLEl
Pioneer Moline Merchant Expires 6,
Lutheran Hospital, Where He Had
Been Since Tuesday.
BUSINESS 40 YEARS
Starts Out on His Own Resources as a
Young Man and Makes Good-Pop.
ular in Home City.

Following confinement of but a
few days at the Lutheran hospital in
Moline, Eric A. Okerberg, pioneer jew
eler of that city, died at 1880 this morn
ing. He was removed to the hospital
Tuesday evening of this week, when
his condition became of an alarming
nature. His death was due to compE-
cation of heart disease and dropsy. He
had been ailing for more than year,
but it was not until after the Christ
mas holidays this year that his all
ment was considered serious.
Passing Of Mr. Okerberg brings to a
close career of practically 40 years
of activity in the jewelry business. He
learned the trade under his father, the
late Eric Okerberg, who established
himself in the business in Moline in
1850. AS boy just out of the public
knowledge under his fathers tutor
ship. Having mastered the business
which he had chosen as his life work,
Mr.. Okerberg started out on his own
resources. He first went to Loop City,
Neb., where he engaged in business
for himself, and after several years
Their he removed to Glenwood Springs,
Colo, and conducted a jewelry estab-
lishment there for some time.
He was in business in other cities of
the west before he returned to Moline
rs years ago to take over his fathers
business on Third avenue. The elder
Okerberg died in 1903 leaving his son
in absolute control of the store. The
avenue until Dec. /, 1914, when he
leased the storeroom in the new Sohr-
beck building, 1903 Fifth avenue
Mr.. Okerberg was born in Moline
May IS, 1859, and he lived there all
his life with the exception of the years
he was in the west He was a big,
wholehearted fellow with many friends
and business man of integrity. He
never married.
Besides his aged mother, Mrs. Jo-
hanna Okerberg, who resides in Rock
Island, he is survived by brother and
five sisters-Mrs. Emma Almgren, Chi
cago; Mrs. A. Nelson, Rockford; Mrs.
Jennie Anderson, Silvis; Frank, De-
Kalb; Mrs. Rose Heine, Chicago, and
Mrs. Nellie Okerberg, who resides with
her mother.
Mrs. Lucinda Jane 3enker.
Mrs. Lucinda Jane Benker, 3015
Eleventh avenue c, Moline, passed
away at the residence at this morn
ing. Death came after brave fight
against complication of diseases, ex-
tending over a period of three years.
Lucinda Jane Crepts was born in Eaton
county, Mich, May "a, 1861. Her mar
riage to c. F. W. Benker took place
at Bay Field. Iowa, March II, 1889.
The deceased came to Moline % years
ago, and had since made Moline her
home. Many friends mourn her pass
ing.
Surviving are the husband and four
children, Mrs Davis Yeater Of Stan
wood, Iowa Mrs. William L. Peterson
and Leroy Benker of Moline and Earl
at home. Seventeen grandchildren,
one brother, Henry Crepts of Cedar
county, Iowa, and three sisters, Mrs.
William Schaffer of Nichols, Iowa Mrs.
John Bryant of Ionia, Mich, and An
META Crepts OF Ionia, Mich, are also
| bereaved. Mrs. Berker was member
Of Moline Court Of Honor, No. 100.
Funeral will be held from the home
1t 2:30 Monday afternoon. Burial will
be in Riverside cemetery.
Mrs. Harry A. Martin.
! Mrs. Harry A. Martin died at 1920
last night at her home, 140l II Thirtieth
street, following an illness since
Christmas with a complication of all
ments. Her maiden name was Sadie
Marvin and she was born in Rock Is
land, May II, 1890. She was united in
marriage to Harry A. Martin, Oct. 80,
! 1907, in this city In 1913 the family
moved to Davenport, but returned to
Rock Island to live last spring. Be-
sides her husband she leaves two chill
dren, Russell and Dorothy; four broth
ers, Leo Charles. Ernest and George
Marvin, and a sister, Mrs. William
kitteIson, all of Davenport.
Funeral services will be held Mon
day afternoon at o'clock at KnOx's
chapel, Rev. W. G. Oglevee officiating.
Burial will be in Chippiannock ceme-
terry.