Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-09-13
will Rathert Passes Away.

Last week we mentioned the serious
illness of Will Rathert, at Minneap olis,
and on Saturday Cresco relatives re-
ceived the sad news of his death.
The remains were brought to Cresco
for burial and the funeral was held
Tuesday afternoon at the opera house.
his former pastor, Rev. Will Kerwin.
coming from Upton to conduct the
services. 49,,
The following obituary was read at
the funeral: ..r. g..
William Price Rathert, second son
and fourth child of Mr.. and Mrs.
William F. Rathert, was born in Cresco,
Iowa, November 10, 1896, in the pres.
ent family home.
He was educated in the Cresco Public
School from which, while President of
his Glass and Captain of the Foot Ball
Team, he graduated in 1915. During
his High School career, he made con.
stant study of electricity and he made
and installed complete, amateur wire
less set at his home and was often in
communication with other, amateur
operators. He was Vice President of
the Hawkeye Radio Association and
District Manager of the Central Radio
Association.
In the fall of 1916, he entered the
University of Minnesota in the Elec-
trical Engineering Course. After one
year in the University, he entered the
employment of the Minneapolis General
Electric Co. where he remained until
his enlistment.
On September 18, 1917, he was
married to Sarah Leigh Davenport at
the home of the brides parents in
Cresco, Iowa. Following the cere-
mony, they were bsptised in the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, Rev. Will Kir-
win, the pastor, officiating.
On July 16, 1918, he and his brother
Donald volunteered and were accepted
for service in the U. 5. Navy. He COM
menced his course of study on the
following Monday at Dunwoody Insti-
tute in Minneapolis in the Radio
Department. A few weeks later he was
detailed Student Instructor, and after
proving himself proficient he received
his commission on September 2, 1913.
as Assistant Instructor. He was
detailed, with his class, to assist in the
Radio Works at the Dunwoody Naval
Exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.
While conducting his class at the Fair
Grounds on Tuesday, he was taken i'll
and turned over his class to another
instructor. He became rapidly worse
and was taken to the hospital. All
that professional skill could do was
unavailable and on Saturday morning
he peacefully passed away.
He leaves to mourn, wife, father
and mother, two sisters, Mrs. Asa
Farnsworth and Mrs. John Clemmer,
both of Cresco, Iowa, three brothers,
Fred Rathert, of Wolf Point, Montana,
Donald Rathert, of Dunwoody Institute,
Minneapolis. and Raymond Rathert, of
Cresco, Iowa.
:, The deceased was paid most special
honor by having . detachment of ten
of his Naval companions of Dunwoody
sent to Cresco to represent that Train.
ing School at the funeral, one of the
being Ben Davis, another Cres
so boy, in charge of Estienne Barns.
field, Chief Quartermaster. M. E.
Todd, in charge of the Radio Depart
ment at Dunwoody, also attended the
funeral and at the close of Rev. Kir-
wins sermon, gave a short talk in
eulogy Of Will and the appreciation in
which he was held by his associates at
Rev. Normann spoke
briefly for the Red Cross. Music was
furnished by John Patterson, Joe and
Chas. Burgess and Dana Mead, and by
one of the Dunwoody boys, P. A.
Jones, personal friend Of the Rathert
boys. ...
The wife and parents of the deceased
have the sincere sympathy of the en-
tire community, who also feel dis
tinct personal loss in the death of q
young man who was always favorite
with all persons, both young and old.
The opera house was beautifully dec
orated with flags and flowers, and con-
'picuously displayed was the service flag
Of the county with its galaxy of bright
b ue stars, five of which have been
turned TO gold in the defense of their
CARD OF THANKS
For the kindness, sympathy and as
'istance accorded US in our sad bereave-
nent, the death of our beloved hus-
band, son and brother, we desire to ex-
press our sincere and heartfelt thanks.
MRS. VIM. P. RATHERT,
MR.. AnD MRS. w. F. RATHERT
AND CHILDREN.