Recovered Homer Tanner Family Papers & Photos

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Documents for the Homer Tanner Family that we wish to get to a family representative [these were being thrown away, but saved].
Besides the 4 photos in this blog, Don Count's daughter, Amy, found some unlabeled family pictures in trash in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. It is Don & Amy's wish that these items can be given to someone in the family that might want them.





The first 2 photos are the front & back of a 1942 postcard sent to Private Robert Tanner based at Camp Dalfrone, La. from a friend, William Stadler of 1627 West Florida Street, Evansville, IN.

The next photo is a newspaper obituary for Homer Tanner who died at age 65 at his home (617 S. Rotherwood Ave. in Evansville. Surviving is the widow, Nettie; daughter, Mrs. Beatrice Sieffert [Seifert]; sons, Ashford & Robert H., all of Evansville. Also, a brother, sister & 3 grandchildren.

The last photo is a very nice Memory Card for Lucy E. Tanner born 04 Oct 1840 - died 01 Dec 1917 [No other identifying info included]. The card was copyrighted in 1908 by F.H. Wendell, Leipsic, O.

Before posting this blog, I decided to spend part of the last 2 days doing some casual research via some great resources online. The Browning Online Database revealed a transcription of Homer Tanner's obituary that included his date of death... 18 Sep 1934. I found Homer's wife Nettie from this source, as well, listing her late husband as Homer Tanner, foreman at Graham-Paige, died 1934. She was living at 9 Mary St. as was her daughter "Miss Betty Tanner" - son Robert of Evansville also survived her. She died 14 Jan 1963 buried at Oak Hill Cemetery arranged by Johann Funeral Home. Checking the Oak Hill Cemetery Database, I found Nettie & Homer buried in Section E, Lot 63, Graves 4 & 5. Ashford H. Tanner's obit is in the Browning Database with death 10 Jun 1954 (age 57) address R. 1, Newburgh, IN; funeral home was Johann and he was buried in Boonville's Maple Grove Cemetery. He was a Representative of Howell Scales Co., St. Louis, Mo. He was the "former owner Independent Scales Works, here American Legion" Wife: Thelma Tanner, Teacher, Henry Reis, Evlle; sis: Mrs. Betty Seifert, Eville; foster son: Chas Christmas, home; mother: Mrs. Nettie Tanner; br: Robt Tanner, all of Evlle.

After finding this info, I went to Find-A-Grave and found Ashford & Thelma in Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville, IN. He was b. 1896- d. 1954 World War I Veteran. She was b. 1906 d. 13 Oct 2002 Evansville Teacher. Her obit from Browning Database listed her as 96 years old, High School Teacher, retiring in 1972. Taught at North & Henry Reis High Schools, recreation dept. as supervisor of archery, St. Mary's Guild, Worthy High Priestess of White Shrine, Daughters of Nile, Eastern Star, archery champ 4 years, preceded in death by husband Ashford H. Tanner in 1954. Charles Christmas of Newburgh was her nephew.

From Ancestry.com, I found Ashford's WWI Draft Registration Card of Jun 1918. He was 21 living with father at 611 Green, Evansville. Ashford was born 13 Aug 1896 in McClean Co., KY same as his father.

In just a few hours, I had collected a lot of information to help us locate a family member. In Ancestry.com, I found a very good family tree with lots of sources that matched what I had found. Lucy E. Tanner's maiden name was Woodward and was listed as Homer's mother! I sent a message to the owner of this family tree, a few hours ago that we had some papers & photos, the family might want. We are hoping there are others that might have an interest in this material. Contact me [John G. West] at jgw.mylines@gmail.com