Obit: Catlin, William R. (1868 - 1935)

Contact: Audrey Roedel
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: CATLIN WELSH LEWIS IMUSLUND HUTCHINS

----Sources: The Loyal Tribune 25 April 1935

Catlin, William R. (24 AUG 1868 - 18 APR 1935)

The community of Loyal was overcast with sorrow when the death of Mr. William R. Catlin was made known last Sunday. Mr. Catlin’s friends were much concerned over a sudden heart attack last Thursday evening; and when, Friday, he was taken to Owen hospital, their interest in his condition was keen. To the many inquiries Saturday, however, the reports gave a feeling of hope which made the sad news of Sunday the harder to sense as real.

Mr. Catlin has not been well for several months, but only those who knew him best had the slightest realization of his true condition. To most f us, he came and went, as ever, a thoughtful, earnest, yet fun loving, kindly neighbor, and we little thought how near he was to the border land.

Mr. Catlin was born August 24, 1868, at Cedarburg, Ozuakee County, Wisconsin, and passed away Sunday, April 21, 1935, at the age of 66 years, 7 months and 28 days.

At the age of fifteen Mr. Catlin came to Clark County where he has since made his home. In 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Welsh of Loyal. They made their home for twenty-eight years on their farm on the Spencer road four miles east of Loyal. In this home they raised their family of six children. For the last sixteen years Mr. and Mrs. Catlin have lived in the village of Loyal.

The home circle had not before been broken by death; thus Mr. Catlin leaves to feel this great loss, his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Lewis of Loyal and Mrs. Clarence Imuslund of Eau Claire, and four sons, Pearl of Loyal, Lynn of Wisconsin Rapids, Claude of Beaver, and Haskel of Loyal. There are twenty two grandchildren and one great grandchild bereft of the influence of a splendid grandfather.

There also survives him, his two brothers, Frank of the town of Unity, and Otto of Neillsville, and a sister, Mrs. Clarence Hutchins of the town of Unity.

Mr. Catlin has been a Modern Woodman for forty years.

He was a faithful active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Loyal.

The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Reverend A. N. Chapman officiating, and Misses Elma Prior and Genevieve Thurbur and Mr. H. P. Wanner furnishing the music. Burial was in the Loyal Cemetery.

The pall bearers were Messrs O. D. Poulton, Milton Philpott, Guy Cole, Ray Prior, Albert Davel, and Arthur Darton.

The quiet unassuming nature of Mr. Catlin would seek no extensive eulogy, but he would cherish the respect and good will of his fellowmen. These are his without restraint or limit. High praise is due his integrity of life and uprightness of character. His was a soul of honor. The high qualities that marked his years among us may well be remembered and pondered. And he was called a "friend" by many.

As one friend remarked, "Only a few days ago he was waving his greetings on the street." His last farewell to Mrs. Catlin was a gentle wave of the hand.

And so we feel

"With a gentle smile and a wave of the hand

He has wandered into the unknown land,

And left us thinking how very fair

It needs must be since he lingers there.

And you, oh you, who wildly yearn

For the old time step and the glad return;

Think of him still as the same, I say;

He is not dead; he is just away."