Obit: Staves, George T. (1867 - 1926)
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Surnames: STAVES RAETHER SMITH

----Sources: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 01/23/1926

Staves, George T. (6 FEB 1867 - 16 JAN 1926)

George T. Staves was born at Kingston, Wis., Feb. 6, 1867, and died at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Jan. 16, 1926, at the age of 58 years, 11 months and 10 days.

When he was three months old he moved with his parents to the farm in the town of Cleveland (Jackson Co., Wis.), where his entire life was spent. He was the son of William and Ellen Staves, both of whom preceded him to their Eternal Home. He was only eighteen when his father died, and George, at that early age assumed, with his mother, the responsibility of the farm.

On March 8, 1893, he was united in marriage with Ida J. Raether. To this happy union were born eight children: Erven, Mrs. Mattie Smith, William, Harry, Kenneth, Freddie, who died in infancy, Lawrence and Donald. Mr. and Mrs. Staves were most devoted to each other, throughout their wedded life; no sacrifice ever being too great for one to offer for the other.

Mr. Staves was one of five children: William and Alice, who died in early childhood, Mrs. C.D. Fowler of this village (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.), and Mrs. Ella Raether, who passed on to her reward in 1916. Besides his wife, children, and sister, there are seven grandchildren, and numerous relatives and friends to mourn his departure.

Mr. Staves was a kind neighbor and friend, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was most public spirited and had the welfare of the community at heart. He served as treasurer of the Oaks School District for twenty-four years, and had been treasurer of the Spring Brook Cheese Company since its organization, with the exception of one year. At the time of his death he was a stockholder and director of the Humbird First State Bank. In all these positions he was an interested, earnest and conscientious worker. He was a charter member of the Humbird Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Staves had been gradually failing for the past six months. On December 10, he was taken to the Sacred Heart Hospital at Eau Claire. After thorough examinations and tests he under went an operation for intestinal abscess. For some time after that strong hopes of his recovery were anticipated by his friends, but two weeks ago he became much worse and since that time he endured great suffering, but bore his intense pain patiently and bravely. Mrs. Staves was at his bedside continuously through his illness, with her untiring faithfulness and love. During the last two weeks, his sister, Mrs. C.D. Fowler, was constantly with him, and in sisterly affection helped care for him. The faithfulness of his children was shown by their almost daily visits to the hospital. He always awaited these visits with joyful anticipation.

Mr. Staves sincere longing was that he might return to his own beloved home to die. During the closing days of his life he talked with his loved ones of the great Eternal Home to which he was going, and said God was revealing to him that all was well and he wanted them to meet him again in that Home over there.

We do not consider it necessary to write an extended obituary for one who has lived for over half a century in this vicinity.

The kindness and attention and the many floral offerings received during the long weary days of waiting for the Death Angel, attest more fully than any words that could be written to the sincerity of the love and esteem in which he was held by his friends and neighbors.

The funeral services were held at the town hall Tuesday afternoon, at which a very large crowd of relatives, friends and neighbors assembled to pay their last respects to the departed. The Humbird Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America attended in a body.

A most impressive sermon was preached by Rev. L.L. Litchfield, pastor of the Methodist Church. He spoke words of helpfulness and comfort to the bereaved family. The pallbearers were Mr. Staves’ six sons. One of his last request to them was that they carry his body to its resting place. He was laid to rest in a profusion of flowers in the family lot at the Garden Valley Cemetery.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Staves and Laurence Staves of Milwaukee, Mr. Harry Staves and Mrs. Grace Semple of St. Paul, Mrs. F.A. Shute of Altoona, Miss Ellen Raether of Marshfield, Mrs. Ella Herrien and Mr. Scot Raether of Neillsville, Mr. and Mrs. W. Phillips of Eau Claire.