I have an original. Grandpa graduated in 1921.
Daniel F. Schlotman – High School Graduation Calling Card
On the Go Seniors Admired by Many
(Watseka) — A campaign to locate senior citizens who are “Still Going Strong” was held during May. Older American’s Month, by Volunteer Services and Telecare.
The purpose of the campaign was to show that growing old does not necessarily mean poor health and retiring to a rocking chair. This has been very clearly shown by the response of sons and daughter, grandchildren and neighbors, who submitted 54 names of active older people they admired from 64 to 94 years.
The oldest active seniors mentioned were Pearl Volberding, 94, Watseka, Kate Perzee, 93, Danforth, Scotchie Anderson, 90, Donovan, Wesley Marzahn, 90, Cissna Park. Pearl is active in her church and clubs, Kate still cooks for company, Scotchie gardens and shovels snow, and Wesley is helping his son build a house.
Many of the candidates are still in the labor market as waitresses, Lucy Ray, 72, Onarga and Carolyn Deatrick, 78, Gilman, as businessmen Johnnie Newman, 82, Martinton, as farmers, janitors, cooks at the schools and carpenters. Some mow lawns, repair lawn mowers and operate heavy equipment as a source of income.
At 90, Alta Nolin, Cissna Park, has traveled alone to South America and Europe. Laura Marcotte, 85, Ashkum, another avid traveler, “flies, drives and is fast on foot.” Many of the seniors go to Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania or Florida and Hawaii every year.
The “Going Strong” seniors keep busy in their spare time by gardening, canning, crocheting, knitting, reading, doing church work, odd jobs and helping others. Two seniors like to bowl to pass the time, Roy Nichols, 71, Milford and Carl Fiets, 87, Gilman. C. P. Koonce 75, Watseka, rides a snowmobile while Rollin Boughton at 87 has been bicycling now for 3 years. Babiane Lemenager, 82, Ashkum, enjoys shuffleboard and is a champion at her home in Florida.
Some active seniors are married to an equally active person as is Dan and Clara Schlotman, Sheldon, and Carl and Dora Frey, Gilman.
Clara Ingalls, 70, was suggested by several people since all her activities center around helping other people in the Sheldon area.
Several older people are admired because they remain active and alert to the world around them, though a lingering illness of a close family member is a constant drain on their energies. These people have managed to stay on top of a potentially bad situation.
All these people nominated are living their lives to the fullest with not the slightest though that age might be a hindrance.
Still Goin’ Strong!
Source
The Illiana Spirit, Watseka, Illinois, 8 Jun 1977
Fete Sheldon couple in honor anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Schlotman of Sheldon were honored at a celebration commemorating their 40th wedding anniversary at the Francis Sowers’ home in Donovan.
Mr. and Mrs. Schlotman were married at the Methodist parsonage in Watseka on August 20, 1927. The Rev. Stanley Ward officiated.
The Schlotmans are the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Phyllis Kingdon of Watseka and Mrs. Marcia Sowers of Donovan. They have six grandchildren.
Guests attended the anniversary celebration from Sheldon, Milford, Iroquois and Watseka and Kentland, Goodland and Brook, Indiana.
Source
Iroquois County Daily Times, Watseka, Illinois, date unknown, but their anniversary was 20 Aug 1967
Dan and Clara Schlotman 50th Anniversary
50
1927 Aug 20 1977
This is only a tiny message,
But it’s written just for you
Who found time in your busy life,
To give us a moment or two
We hope that you can feel
As we, light hearted and gay,
And share with us the magic
Of this enchanting day
Dan and Clara Schlotman
Notes
These keepsakes were given out at Grandma and Grandpa’s 50th anniversary reception. They were rolled up and secured with a gold-tone aluminum wedding band. I have one original and I may have one of the rings somewhere, too. The one I got at the time is probably gone, because I played with it.
THANK YOU
Our sincere appreciation to our family, relatives and friends for the lovely cards, flowers, gifts and their attendance that made our 50th anniversary such a special day.
To Phyllis, Marcia, Francis and grandchildren who made it all possible, we say a ‘Big Thank You.’
God bless you all.
Dan & Clara Schlotman
Source
Unknown newspaper, unknown date, but their anniversary was 27 Aug 1977
Daniel Schlotman — Funeral Card
In Memory of
Daniel F. Schlotman
Date of Birth
April 19, 1903
Date of Death
November 6, 1981
Services
2:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 8, 1981
United Methodist Church
Sheldon, Illinois
Clergyman Officiating
Rev. Robert Sabo
Final Resting Place
Sheldon Cemetery
Sheldon, Illinois
Devalk Funeral Chapel
Sheldon, Illinois
Notes
I have one original funeral card. I remember having one as a child, but I suppose I lost it at some point.
Sheldon’s First New House in Seventeen Years
We congratulate the Dan Schlotmans as does all of Sheldon!
They recently moved into the above house on east Concord street and thereby became the first in Sheldon in seventeen years to occupy a new house. The last new house built in Sheldon prior to this year, according to our best information, is the one now occupied by Dr. Hungness.
The house of the Schlotmans is pictured above. It faces south on Concord street and is located between the C. K. Bussert and W. L. McCloud residences in the first block east of the Sheldon grade school.
The house is of a modified Cape Cod style and contains five rooms, bath, a full basement, with provision for two rooms upstairs. The overall size of the building is 26×34 feet with an additional 4 foot projection in front for the vestibule. It is fully lined and covered outside with Johns Manville cement asbestos shingles. The roof is of asphalt composition.
The windows in the house are of the airtight type, fitted with unique balances. Green shutters are very attractive accessories to the outside of the building. An ornamental light is over the front entrance while a small canopy covers the rear door.
Hardwood floors are found throughout the house and the walls are of white coated plaster.
Touring the building we enter the front door to find an entry way four feet wide with a coat closet off to one side. This entire section is eight feet wide. This entry way leads into the living room which is in the southeast corner of the building and is 12 and 1-2 feet by 19 feet. In the northwest corner of the room is a large archway which leads into the dining room, which is in the center of the north side of the house. It is 8 1/2 by 12 1/2 feet and in it we find a built in china closet. In the southeast corner of the room the stairs lead up to the second floor.
From the dining room in the southwest corner you go into a hall which leads to two bedrooms and the bathroom. The bathroom is located on the west side in the center with a bedroom on either side. The bedroom on the north side of the bath is 9 1/2 by 12 feet while the one on the south is 9 1/2 by 14 feet. Both rooms have clothes closets.
Also off from the hall is a broom closet and a linen closet. The bathroom is 5 1/2 by 8 feet. It has a built-in-square tub, large size lavatory, built in medicine cabinet and a towel cabinet at the end of the bath tub.
Going back to the dining room we go east from it into the kitchen which is in the northeast corner of the building. It is 10 by 9 feet. On the south side is the refrigerator and electric range. Along the north wall is built in cabinets and sink, In the southeast corner of the kitchen is the exit to the landing and rear entrance and entrance to the basement.
Along the north side of the basement is the coal bin, a warm air furnace and laundry equipment. A workshop is in the southeast corner. Under the vestibule is a fruit room.
The drive is on the east side of the house and comes along side the rear entrance and leads on to the garage just north and east of the house. It is 12 by 20 feet.
The people of Sheldon should be mighty proud that the Schlotman have made this beautiful addition to our town. And furthermore, they should point with pride to this first house to be occupied in 17 years and built new from the ground up. It may the forerunner (and we hope it is) of a building boom in Sheldon. It is badly needed. Another new house has just been occupied in Sheldon and we shall soon review it for you. We shall also in the near future review two new houses in Iroquois and one east of Sheldon. Watch for them.
Source
Unknown newspaper, but probably the Sheldon Journal, Sep 1939
Madeleine Sowers Taylor — Obituary
Madeleine Sowers Taylor, 93, Watseka, died at 11:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 1997, at Momence Meadows Nursing Center.
She was born Nov. 9, 1903, at Donovan, the daughter of Albert R. and Josie Sallee Blakely. She married Paul Sowers on Oct. 31, 1925, at Watseka, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 22, 1956. She married Floyd Richison in Sheldon on Jan. 19, 1959, and he died Oct. 27, 1965. She married Russell Taylor in Watseka on Aug. 13, 1967, and he died on May 17, 1969.
Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Centennial Christian Church in Watseka. She was active in the Iroquois County Republican Women’s organization and the Iroquois County Home Bureau. She was also a member of the Sheldon Grandmothers Club.
She received her teaching certificate from Illinois State Normal University in 1924, and taught in rural schools. She later worked at the Illinois Driver’s License facility in Watseka and retired June 1976 after working for 19 years in the Iroquois County Clerk’s office.
She is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law: Gordon and Joanne Sowers of Gibson City, and Francis L. and Marcia Sowers of Kentland, Ind.; two daughters and a son-in-law: Kathryn and Carl Petro of Bourbonnais and Alberta Johnson of Milford; two sisters and a brother-in-law: Edna Houghton of Watseka and Marguerite and Murel Preston of Hastings, Mich.; one sister-in-law, Tressa McCarty of Kentland, Ind.; four stepchildren: Fern Pugmire, Lois Korpan, Mary Southard and James Taylor; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Segur-Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Joe Hughes officiating.
Burial will be in Prairie Dell Cemetery at Iroquois.
Memorials may be made to Centennial Christian Church in Watseka.
Madeleine Sowers Taylor Celebrates 90th
Madeleine Sowers Taylor will celebrate her 90th birthday with a family party at Stonecrest Manor in Momence, where she resides.
The party will be hosted by her children: Gordon Sowers, Alberta Johnson, Kathryn and Carl Petro, and Francis and Marcia Sowers.
“Grandma Sowers” counts 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and many close friends into her family circle.
Mrs. Taylor resided in Iroquois County for most of her life, having been retired from the county clerk’s office after serving 19 years.
Source
Watseka Times-Republic, 9 Nov 1993
Sheldon Fun Days: A Grand Parade!
Sunday, July 11, 1976, 2:00
(Spirit Photos by Brent N. Bahler)
Senior King & Queen: Mr. and Mrs. Dan Schlotman
Sheldon Fun Day King and Queen, Dan and Clara Schlotman present trophies to Betty Davenport of Sheldon and Terry Goodman of Early Park for winning floats.
Source
Watseka Spirit, unknown date, but after 11 Jul 1976
Yoicks and Tally-Ho!
Dan Schlotman and Ollie Riker went a-hunting last Tuesday evening in search of eight little foxes Dan had spotted while on his mail route that morning. As they approached the foxes’ den, the pups ran out to meet their mommy, who was just bringing home the groceries. Our gallant huntsmen gave chase and succeeded in capturing one little fellow, which they brought home and fastened in the Schlotman garage.
Reynard Jr., however, decided that he did not wish to suffer a fate worse than death, and so, on Saturday night, he committed suicide by hanging.
When interviewed, all Mr. Schlotman could say was, “Gee, ya shoulda saw the ones that got away!”
Source
Unknown newspaper, but probably the Sheldon Journal, unknown date, but probably the 1940s.