Amos Raymond Keller Gwinn

Uncle Amos was always one of my Dad's favorites. I've been told that Dad was named for Uncle Amos, the Raymond becoming simply Ray. That being the case, I, too, am named for him, being a Junior to my dad's Ray. There are at least two more of the "Ray" line in the next generation, both girls with "Rae" for a middle name, one named for me, one for my dad.

With that said, here's the obituary of Amos R. Gwinn as it appeared in the Chariton Leader in 1969. Note that all references to "Austin" are in Minnesota, not Texas.

Chariton Leader
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1969
Page Three
Obituaries
GWINN – Amos R. Gwinn was born may 30, 1911 in Lucas, Iowa, the son of Amos K. and Lulu Gwinn.
He attended school in Lucas where he resided until March 1936, when he moved to Austin. He was united in marriage with Winnifred A. Smith April 25, 1938 in Austin. Mr. Gwinn was an employee of George A. Hormel Co. 27 years and an active member of the Moose Lodge.
Amos Gwinn died of a heart attack en route to St. Olaf Hospital Dec 2, 1969.
Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. Dec 6 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Rev. Harvey Johnson officiating. Interment was in Grand View Memorial Gardens with Worlein Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Pallbearers were Leslie Hansen, Charles Dockham, Frank Larweek, John Cahill, Sidney Heiny, Jack Green.
Relatives attending the funeral came from Lucas, Chariton, Des Moines, Derby, Woodburn, Iowa, Napa Calif., Blooming Prairie, Brownsdale, Fairmont, Lansing, Albert Lea, Minneapolis.
Mr. Gwinn is survived by his widow, two sons, Raymond Gwinn, Napa, and Michael Gwinn, Austin; two daughters, Mrs. Phillip (Mercedes) Nordstrom, Austin, Miss Sandra Gwinn of Owatonna; seven grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Frank Robins, Hot Springs, Calif., Mrs. Ambrose Taylor, Lucas, Mrs Ellen Gray, Chariton, Mrs. Phillip Roberts, Derby; three brothers, John Gwinn, Chariton, Andrew Gwinn, Osceola, Floyd Gwinn, Lucas.
He was a kind and devoted father and he will be missed.

Andrew Albert Gwinn Obituary

It's been a while since I posted. I ran across this yesterday along with some other older obits and thought it would be a great start to get back at it. Uncle Andrew was my Grandfather's brother. - Ray

Chariton Leader
September 24, 1985
Page 12
Obituaries
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Gwinn
Andrew Albert Gwinn, son of Amos Keller Gwinn and Lulu Randolph Gwinn was born Feb. 21, 1909 in Lucas County, and passed away at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines on Sept. 15, 1985, at the age of 76 years, 6 months and 25 days.
Andrew was united in marriage to Cleo Kent on Feb. 28, 1931 at Chariton, and to this union three daughters and two sons were born.
Andrew attended Chicquipin and Spring Hill schools. He was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1933. He has been a loyal member, and served faithfully in the priesthood office of Elder for many years.
Andrew farmed until 1944, when he and his wife bought the Ottawa Store. In 1947, he was employed by the Chariton Wholesale as a warehouse worker and then as a truck driver, until 1956. Andrew and Cleo operated the Ottawa Café and several cafes in Osceola, then moved to Chariton in 1972.
Andrew leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Cleo; daughter, Marilyn and husband Sonny Slack of Des Moines, daughter, Donna and husband Don Hall of Lucas, son, Alvin and wife Daisy of Independence, Mo., daughter, Charlene and husband Jim Morrison of Lucas, and son, Andy and wife Kay also of Lucas; 23 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Floydie of Lucas; two sisters, Maude Taylor of Chariton and Maymie Roberts of Derby; a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, John, Amos and Bill; and three sisters, May, Ellen and Laura.
Services were held Wed., Sept 18 at the Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton with Evangelist John W. Blackstock officiating. Burial was in the Chariton Cemetery. Pall bearers were Ellsworth Johnson, Herman Johnson, Wayne Watkins, Joe Smith, Neil Alexander and Trefor Jones.