Person Page - 2191

     Vesta Viola Erdman was born on 24 September 1896, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.¹ She was the daughter of Jacob Joseph Erdman and Christiana Klinger.¹ Vesta Viola Erdman married Harry Claude Umholtz, son of Henry Oscar Umholtz and Mary Ann Strayer, in 1914.² Vesta Viola Erdman died on 8 August 1918, Gratz, Dauphin County, PA, at age 21. Newspaper article:
WOMAN SHOT HER CHILDREN AND THEN KILLED HERSELF
Blaze From Gun Set Fire to Bed Clothes and Mrs. Vesta Umholtz, of Gratz, Was Burned to a Crisp-Two-Year-Old Son Died Instantly and Second Son Not Expected to Live.
Gratz, Aug. 9. -- Mrs. Vesta Umholtz, 23 years old, shot her two young sons and then shot and killed herself on Thursday afternoon at her home in this place. Gilbert Umholtz, 2 years old, received tihe charge of the shotgun in the breast. He died almost instantly. The bullet went clear through the body.
John [Gilbert] Umholtz, 9 years old, is dying, and is not expected to live throughout the night.
The blaze of the gun used by Mrs. UmhoLtz set fire to the bed clothing. Mrs. Umholtz was burned to a crisp when discovered some time afterward.
The tragedy was not discovered until the husband and father returned home from the mines later in the afternoon. He found the door locked, and when he broke it open and went up stairs found the woman in a pile of burned bed clothing.
The two small boys lay nearby, John, the older one, was in an unconscious condition. Dr. G. M. Schminky, the physician, who was called in after Mr. Umholtz returned home said he did not deem it advisable to take the older boy to a hospital, because, he said, he could not stand the ride and would die on the way.
Domestic troubles are said here to have been the cause of the woman killing herself. Residents of the borough claim they knew little of the Umholtz troubles, and were surprised when they heard of the shooting.
Lebanon Daily News (Lebanon, Pennsylvania), 09 Aug 1918, Fri, Page 1.
An article in the Harrisburg Telegraph suggested that Vesta was "crazed by extreme heat." The article noted:
It is said that the woman was a trifle melancholy and that her condition was brought on by the terrific heat. Coroner Eckinger was called on the case and he stated that he thought it unnecessary to hold an inquest.
Harrisburg Telegraph (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), 09 Aug 1918, Fri, Pages 1, 16.^1,3,4 She was buried on 11 August 1918, at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.
A newspaper article reported on the funeral:
Funeral of Mother and Two Children Who Lived at Gratz
Last Sunday morning the largest crowd of people in the history of Gratz and Klingerstown attended the funeral services of Mrs. Vesta Umholtz and her two small children, Abel and Gilbert, when the Rev. Shaffer, pastor of the Reformed Church at Klingerstown officiated. Brief services were held at the home of deceased at Gratz, after which the funeral procession proceeded to Klingerstown where the interment took place.
Last Thursday afternoon, the husband, Mr. Claude Umholtz, returned from the mines and found that his wife had shot herself and two children, sparing her oldest son, Guy. She is also survived by her mother, Mrs. Eardman at Klingerstown, one sister, and several brothers. Mrs. Umholtz was in her twenty second year.
Elizabethville Echo (Elizabethville, Pennsylvania), 15 Aug 1918, Thu, Page 1.^1,5,6

     Harry Claude Umholtz was born on 31 May 1892, Gratz, Dauphin County, PA.¹ He was the son of Henry Oscar Umholtz and Mary Ann Strayer.² Harry Claude Umholtz married Vesta Viola Erdman, daughter of Jacob Joseph Erdman and Christiana Klinger, in 1914.¹
Newspaper obituary:
Harry C. Umholtz
LYKENS - Harry C. Umholtz. 71, of 237 Main St., died today in his home.
He was a World War I veteran and a member of the Lykens American Legion.
He is survived by a brother, Charles Umholtz, of Klingerstown; and two sisters, Mrs. Annie Rothermel and Mrs. Carrie Matter, both of Lykens.
Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home at 406 Market St., with the Rev. H. Linn Finger officiating.
Entombment will be in the Wiconisco Mausoleum. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday after 7 p.m.
The Evening News, July 9, 1963, Page 17.³
Harry Claude Umholtz died on 9 July 1963, Lykens, Dauphin County, PA, at age 71.^1,2 He was buried on 12 July 1963, at Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, PA.^2,1

     Abel Luther Umholtz was born on 27 June 1915.^1,2 He was the son of Harry Claude Umholtz and Vesta Viola Erdman.¹ Abel Luther Umholtz was baptized on 2 September 1915, Saint Michael's Lutheran Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,3 He died on 9 August 1918, Gratz, Dauphin County, PA, at age 3.² He was buried on 11 August 1918, at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^2,4

     Gilbert J. Umholtz was born on 8 December 1916, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.¹ He was the son of Harry Claude Umholtz and Vesta Viola Erdman.¹ Gilbert J. Umholtz died on 8 August 1918, Gratz, Dauphin County, PA, at age 1.¹ He was buried on 11 August 1918, at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2

     Guy Leo Umholtz was born on 21 May 1914, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.¹ He was the son of Harry Claude Umholtz and Vesta Viola Erdman.¹ Guy Leo Umholtz died on 2 January 1923, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 8.¹ He was buried on 6 January 1923, at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2

     Heath E. Erdman was born on 1 August 1973.^1,2 He was the son of Robert E. Graff and Pamela Erdman.¹ Heath E. Erdman died on 15 October 1981, Washington Township, Northumberland County, PA, at age 8, as the result of injuries received in a bicycle-car accident. As one newspaper reported:
Dornsife RD1 boy dies in bike accident
DORNSIFE - An 8-year-old Dornsife RD1 boy was killed Thursday night when he steered his bike into the path of a car that was attempting to pass him, state police said.
The victim, Heath Edward Erdman, lived with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Erdman. The boy, the son of Mrs. Robert E. Graff of Halifax, was riding his bike on Route 49024 about two miles east of here when a car driven by 16-year-old Duane J. Brown, 629 Shamokin St.. Trevorton, attempted to pass him, state police at Shamokin said. Police said the boy turned his bike into the path of the car and was knocked to the pavement.
The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), 16 Oct 1981, Fri, Page 1.
Another paper reported:
Boy, 8, Is Killed As Bike Hits Car
DORNSIFE - An 8-year-old boy was killed when the bicycle he was riding struck a vehicle on Legislative Route 49024 in Washington Twp., state police at Shamokin said Friday.
Police said Heath E. Erdman, 8, of Dornsife RD1, was riding his bicycle eastbound on the legislative route Thursday at 5:50 p.m. when he turned the bike in front of a vehicle being operated by Duane J. Brown, 16, of Trevorton. Brown's vehicle was also going east and was in the process of passing the bicycle when the accident occurred, police said.
The boy was treated at the scene by the LifeFlight unit from Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, police said. He was then transported to the medical center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. Thursday, they said.^1,3,4
Newspaper obituary:
Heath E. Erdman
DORNSIFE - Heath E. Erdman, 8, Dornsife RD1, died Thursday as the result of injuries received in a bicycle-car accident.
The youngster was a second grade student at Line Mountain Elementary School, Leck Kill.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Graff of Halifax; two stepbrothers, Jason and Stacy, both of Halifax; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Erdman, with whom he lived; paternal step-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Graff of Halifax; maternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Bertha Dworchak of Millersburg RD; paternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Mabel E. Erdman of Valley View; and paternal step-great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George R. Graff of Pillow.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Hoover Funeral Home, Millersburg, by the Rev. Ernest P. Leer. Burial will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax.
There will be no visitation.
The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania, 16 Oct 1981, Fri, Page 8.⁵
He was buried on 19 October 1981, at Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax, Dauphin County, PA.^2,1

     Ray T. M. Bixler was born on 15 December 1905, Valley View, Schuylkill County, PA.³ He was the son of Daniel Edward Bixler and Edith Irene Shade.² Ray T. M. Bixler married Violet Reed.¹ Ray T. M. Bixler died on 13 May 1994, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Montour County, PA, at age 88.^4,3
Newspaper obituary:
Bixler rites
Services and interment for Ray T.M. Bixler, 73, of RD1 Hegins, who died Friday at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, will be held at the convenience of the family. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Valley View, Dec. 15, 1920, he was a son of Edith Shade Bixler, Valley View, and the late Daniel Bixler.
He was a retired truck driver for Kocher Coal Co., Valley View.
He was a member of the Hegins Fire Company. His first wife, Violet Reed Bixler, died in 1983, and a son, Glenn, died in 1987.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife, the former Cecelia Osinski; three sons, Dale, Sacramento, Daniel, Valley View, and Terry, Klingerstown; a daughter, Eileen Erdman, RD Klingerstown; three sisters, Margaret Hartman, Gratz, Violet Koppenhaver, Tower City, and Ruth Long, Roseville, Calif; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Pottsville Republican, May 16, 1994, Page 2.³

     Violet Reed married Ray T. M. Bixler, son of Daniel Edward Bixler and Edith Irene Shade.¹ Violet Reed died in 1983.²

     Palmer Forrest Bixler was born on 29 August 1929, Hegins Township, Schuylkill County, PA.³ He married Helen M. Wiest, daughter of Myrtle Naomi Heller.⁴ Palmer Forrest Bixler died on 16 March 2008, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 78.³ He was buried at Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church Cemetery, Valley View, Schuylkill County, PA.³

     Helen M. Wiest was born on 3 December 1935, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, PA.¹ She was the daughter of Myrtle Naomi Heller.¹ Helen M. Wiest married Palmer Forrest Bixler.¹ Helen M. Wiest died on 24 April 2016, Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 80.¹
Newspaper obituary:
Helen M. Bixler, 80, of Hegins, passed away Sunday at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
Born Dec. 3, 1935, in Lykens Township, she was a daughter of the late Donald J. and Myrtle N. Heller Wiest.
Helen lived at the I.O.O.F. Odd Fellows Orphanage, Sunbury, from the age of three to 18.
She was a 1955 graduate of the former Sunbury High School.
Helen was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View.
She enjoyed playing piano, reading and sewing.
Her husband, Palmer F. Bixler, passed away in 2008. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Walter L. Wiest and Calvin L. Wiest.
She is survived by three sons, Craig A. Bixler, Schuylkill Haven, Clark A. Bixler and Clayton A. Bixler, both of York; two daughters, Pamela J. Kline and her husband, Jeff, Hegins, and Polly J. Smith and her husband, Chad, Cressona; three grandsons, Justin Smith, Jonathan Kline and Andrew Bixler; four granddaughters, Jacqueline Kline, Kaila Smith, Sophia Smith and Isabella Smith; nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View, with the Rev. Duane Bardo officiating. A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will take place in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View. Memorial contributions can be made to the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead, 28 Weiser Drive, Womelsdorf, PA 19567. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
Published in Republican & Herald (Pottsville, PA) on Apr. 26, 2016.²
She was buried at Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church Cemetery, Valley View, Schuylkill County, PA.^3,2

     William B. Erdman was born on 1 October 1854, Schuylkill County, PA.¹ He was the son of Elias Erdman and Fromena Brown.¹ William B. Erdman married Catharine Klinger, daughter of David S. Klinger and Barbara Merkel Wiest.² William B. Erdman died on 10 January 1897, Pawnee County, KS, at age 42.¹
Newspaper obituary:
Death of W. B. Erdman.
W. B. Erdman, for several years the popular and accommodating clerk in M. A. W. Jordaan's store, died last Sunday morning of tpphoid fever, aged fortythree years. The funeral services were held his late residence Monday afternoon at two o'clock, under the auspices of Hector Lodge, No. 31, K. of P., of which order he was a valuable member as well as one of its officers. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. S. Stone, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and the remains buried in the Larned cemetery. Mr. Erdman was born October 1st, 1854, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until March 5th, 1886, when he moved to this city. He was married November 6th, 1881, and leaves a wife and five children, three boys and two girls, to mourn his death. During his residence in this city Mr. Erdman made many friends by his unassuming ways and strict attention to business, and his death was a great shock to the entire community. He has long been a member of Hector Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Larned Lodge, A. O. U. W., in which latter organization he carried two thousand dollars life insurance.
Larned Chronoscope, October 15, 1897, Page 3.³
He was buried at Larned Cemetery, Larned, Pawnee County, KS.¹

     Beulah May Erdman was born on 30 September 1884.^2,1 She was the daughter of William B. Erdman and Catharine Klinger.¹ Beulah May Erdman was baptized on 30 November 1884, Zion (Klinger's) Lutheran and Reformed Church, Erdman, Dauphin County, PA.² She married Gabriel Emanuel Starr, son of Peter Geist Starr and Mary Magdalene Herb, circa 1902.^3,4 Beulah May Erdman died on 13 November 1975, Newton, KS, at age 91.^1,5
Funeral notice:
NEWTON, Kan. - Services for Buehlah May (Mrs. Gabriel) Starr. 91, will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Petersen Funeral Home. She died Thursday. Survivors include a son, Solon L. Starr, Abilene, Tex; three daughters, Mrs. Herman Esau, Mrs. Kermit Stratt and Mrs. David English, all of Newton; and a brother, Raleigh Erdman, Cimarron, Kan.
The Wichita Beacon, November 15, 1975, Page 14.⁵
She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Harvey County, KS.¹

     Gabriel Emanuel Starr was born on 17 August 1872, Rough and Ready, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,3 He was the son of Peter Geist Starr and Mary Magdalene Herb.^1,2 According to his obituary, Gabriel moved from Pennsylvania to Kansas about 1893. At the time of the 1900 Census, he was living as a boarder in the household of his soon-to-be mother in law, Katherine (Klinger) Erdman.^4,5,3 Gabriel Emanuel Starr married Beulah May Erdman, daughter of William B. Erdman and Catharine Klinger, circa 1902.^1,6 Gabriel Emanuel Starr died on 1 January 1942, Newton, Harvey County, KS, at age 69.^1,3
Newspaper obituary:
Gabriel E. Starr
Word was received here on Friday morning of the death of a former Schuylkill Countain, Gabriel E. Starr, on New Year's Day at his home in Newton, Kansas. He was stricken with a heart attack.
Gabriel Starr was born at Rough-and-Ready, Schuylkill County, Aug. 17, 1872. He, left this county 49 years ago to locate in Kansas where until a few years ago when he retired hed been employed by the Santa Fe Railroad Co.
His wife was the former Beulah Erdman of the west end and with tbese children survive; Solon Starr, Texas: Regina, at home; Mrs. Kermit Stratton. Mrs. David English, and Erdman Starr, of Newton, Kan. There are these brothers and sisters: Oscar Starr, Klingerstown; Samuel Starr, Valley View; Irvin Starr, and John Starr, Shamokin; Mrs. Lawrence Bai, Lancaster, and Mrs. Francis Shadle of Klingerstown.
Pottsville Republican (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), 02 Jan 1942, Fri, Page 16.⁷
He was buried on 5 January 1942, at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Harvey County, KS.^4,1