Sunday’s Obituary - Oscar Armstrong (1886-1920) part II

Streator Daily Free Press.

Saturday, February 21, 1920, pg 1

READING LOSES FINE CHARACTER

[UNABLE TO READ SEVERAL WORDS] OSCAR ARMSTRONG IS A  ????ABLE LOSS TO HIS COMMUNITY.

  Oscar Armstrong, well known Reading contractor, whose death occurred yesterday at 11:45 as the result of an accident in a strip mine Thursday, is mourned by countless friends all over this section of the state. The tragic death of the young man proved such a great shock to his friends that they were unable to realize that the robust and virile young man had been summoned so suddenly. The fatal accident which occurred on the Miller property at Reading Thursday was most unfortunate. Mr. Armstrong’s death is an irreparable loss to his community which could ill afford to spare such a resident. He was of a very quiet disposition and had an enviable reputation, that he had never been known to utter an oath. During the recent coal shortage he went into the coal business and had leased the Herbert miller strip mine where the fatal accident occurred in which Mr. Armstrong’s neck was broken by a runaway coal car.

  The members of his family were all around the bedside of the injured man when death came to him at St. Mary’s hospital yesterday.

  Oscar Armstrong, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong, was born in Streator, April, 1886. He was married in September, 1910 in Ottawa to Jane Patterson, daughter of Mrs. John Anderson and niece of W.B. Patterson.

  Armstrong survives with one daughter, Phyllis, aged three. He is also survived by his parents and three brothers and one sister, James, Chicago; Clyde, Reading; Ray of Streator, and Mrs. Lulu Defenbaugh, Streator.

       Mr. Armstrong was a member of the Christian Church at Ancona.

One of the most consistent Christian characters in the church. He was upright in all his dealings, reliable and aggressive and had a promising future before him. He was contractor for many hard roads in his township.

  Funeral services will be help Sunday at 2 p.m. from the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson, at 202 E. Broadway to the Central Christian church at 2:30. Interment in Riverview.

Wednesday, February 25, 1920, p2

READING BRIEFS

Large Number of Residents of Township at Armstrong Funeral.

READING-One of the largest crowds ever assembled at a funeral gathered at the Church of Christ in Streator on Sunday afternoon to pay their last tribute of respect to Oscar Armstrong, a highly respected resident of Reading township. Rev. J.W. Camp, pastor of the Ancona Christian church officiated and he dwelt long on the character of the deceased; a male quartet rendered several touching songs. The church was banked with flowers of every color. Interment was made in Riverview cemetery.

  The following relatives from out of town attended the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. James Armstrong, Chicago, Mrs. Clara Burt, Charles Armstrong, Geo. Burt, Paul North, Muncie, Indiana; Carl Holcomb, Virden; Sheriff and Mrs. Ayres and family; Dume Armstrong; Mr. And Mrs. Elmer Armstrong; and Mrs. And Mrs. Fraser, all of Ottawa; Mr. and Mrs. Will Overton, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Overton, Kankakee, Mr. and Mrs. Will Eveley, George and Andrew Scholer, Chicago.