Obit: Billington, Allen #2 (1876  - 1959)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Billington, Sharpe, Backus, Lincoln

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 05/07/1959

Billington, Allen #2 (29 SEP 1876 - 27 APR 1959))

Funeral services for Allen Billington, a resident of the Village of Withee (Clark Co., Wis.) for 48 years and a retired businessman, were conducted at 2:00 o’clock Thursday, April 30.  The Rev. Cecil Ward, pastor of the Methodist Church at Withee conducted the final rites held in the church.  During the service vocal numbers were sung by the parish choir and a duet by Mesdames Glen Buchanan and Harris Johnson.  Burial was made in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Victor Jessen, John Blunck Jr., Lloyd Murphy, Edgar Albert, Arno Vater, and Emil A. Hansen.  Honorary pallbearers were: A.R. Martin, John Scheuerman, John Blunck Sr., George Funk, Jess Capes, Glen Buchanan and Tom Haas.

In charge of the numerous floral offerings were Miss Natalie Scherf and Mesdames C.I. Tormey, Edgar Albert, John Jalling, Martin Paulsen, and C.O. Albert.

Mr. Billington passed away suddenly and quietly at his home at 1:15 p.m. April 27^th, 1959, when he suffered a heart attack.  He was 83 years and 7 months of age, having been born Sept. 29, 1876 at Ithaca, N.Y.

He received his education in the Ithaca school system and after graduating from high school enrolled at Cornell preparatory school where he continued his education.  On Dec. 9, 1902 he was united in marriage to Mary Pearl Lincoln in a ceremony performed at Aurora, Ill.  The couple moved to their present home in Withee 48 years ago.

Allen Billington was engaged in business in the village for many years as plumber and tinsmith, in addition to being an active promoter of civic affairs.  An illness forced his retirement from business several years ago but after undergoing surgery he was able to regain his health, which enabled him to enjoy his retirement with his devoted wife and numerous friends at his home.  There were no boundaries in numbering his friends, as everyone fortunate enough to meet him was impressed by his congenial smile and mild sincere manner.  He was devoted to his wife, family and church.  In his late years when he was handicapped in getting about by the loss of a leg he found happiness to the things about him.  The activities about the school which he observed with interest from his vantage point across the street, the weekly rehearsals of the church choir which were held every Monday in his home, community affairs and activities were related to him daily by the frequent visits of his many close friends and in the summer months the activities of his beloved Milwaukee Braves.

Mourning his passing are his widow; two daughters, Mrs. Wallace (Anna Leone) Sharpe, Fairfield, Mont.; and Mrs. Norman (Mildred) Backus, Valparaiso, Ind., and several grandchildren.

Among those from out of town here to attend the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Norman Backus and children, Valparaiso, Ind.; Mrs. Wallace Sharpe, Fairfield, Mont.; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Klein and daughter, Spencer; Mrs. Herman Blunck and Mrs. Russell Haire, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Backus, Mrs. H.C. Backus, Miss Mildred Backus, and Mrs. Mary Sweitzer, Chippewa Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Backus, Eau Claire; Mr. and Mrs. Corwin Guell, Mr. and Mrs. John Misfeldt, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Wilhelm, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Murphy, Thorp, and Mrs. Harold Nowak, Loyal.