Joseph R. Neff

Joseph Neff, 78, of three miles west and a half mile north of Wakarusa, died at midnight Monday at the St Joseph hospital Mishawaka afternoon while helping feel a tree on his farm.

Mr Neff was assisting a neighbor, Ralph Clipp, cut down the tree when he was caught under a limb. It was necessary for Mr Clipp to cut away the limb of the tree before he could free Mr. Neff. Mr Clipp then went to the Neff home, obtained an automobile and returned for the injured man. Mr Neff was given first aid treatment at his home and then removed to the hospital.

He suffered a broken left leg, four broken ribs, cuts and bruises about the head and internal injuries. Shock suffered from the accident hastened his death.

Joseph R Neff was born near Orville, Ohio, in Tuscarwas County, in the year 1853, and died at the hospital in Mishawaka, Jan 11, 1932, at the age of about 79 years. He came to Indiana as a young man and hired out to John K Weldy and later to John Barkey as a farm laborer.

It was while he worked for Mr Barkey that he became acquainted with Miss Susannah Brenneman to whom he was married Nov 10, 1878. They lived together for more than 53 years and most of this time on the farm where he lived when he met with the accident that caused his death.

There were no children born to this union, but upon the death of Mrs Neff's sister, Mrs Saloma Overholser, they took into their home two of her girls, Susie and Manerva, and gave them parental care and a good home.

He leaves a sorrowing wife, who is very feeble and the two nieces.

Some years ago he was converted and with his wife and two nieces he united with the Mennonite Brethren in Christ church at Wakarusa. As long as their health permitted they attended the services regularly.

Services will be conducted this Thursday afternoon at the Olive church at 1:30 o'clock in charge of Rev A B Yoder assisted by Rev W H Moore. Burial in the Olive cemetery.

Wakarusa Tribune 14 Jan 1932

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 8 2017, 7:49:30 UTC