We are looking for an obituary for George W. Turner who was born 5/16/1865 in Dallas Co, MO, died 1/30/1943 (possibly 1944) in Soap Lake, Grant Co, WA and is buried at the Waterville Cemetery in Waterville, Douglas Co, WA. George was married to Rachel Engle and they had 13 children.

We are hoping George's obituary will show a family connection. Any help would be appreciated.
Ginny

First, not sure what "family connection" you are trying to obtain, you should post that for the researchers that will find this inquiry.

Second, I did find him in a family tree on Ancestry as posted by a "PapaDS". He indicates the death was in 1944. I sent a message to this unknown person (Why do people post family trees or inquires and do not identify themselves for research?). Hopefully he will come forward.

Now for an obituary. The years of the early 40's, obits were not as common as today, but far more than in the early 1900's. Their "may" be one, IF, there was a family member or friend that would pay for it, IF they had been in the area long enough to have a social connection to the area. There might be a death notice, but they were not more than just an advertisement for the funeral home.

So, if you want to try:
The Washington State Library has a free research program where they will look for information in the archives, in this case the newspaper microfilm for an event, such as an obituary. They will look up to an hour and send you the results. Contact them at: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/ask.aspx . Depending on the amount of requests, it could take up to a couple of weeks.

Ron Bestrom

Thank you for replying to my post.

George may be our great-grandpa's brother. I appreciate your checking on Ancestry and would appreciate hearing if you hear from PapaDS.

I've seen George's death year as 1943 and 1944. On www.wags-web.org/obits/40/t.html is reference to a newspaper George's obituary was published in, granted it may be an advertisement, but it's worth checking. I contacted the library, they do have the newspaper and should be able to send me what they find in a few days. What a great service! I didn't know it was available.

Thank you Ron!

Ginny

Received a copy of George's obituary today from the library. (Excellent service!) It lists his wife and children, it does not list his parents.

Ginny, sorry for the delay in responding; perhaps you've had better luck with others by now. George is my great grandfather, his daughter Edna married Clyde Smeltzer my grandfather. He is buried in the Waterville Cemetery in the Mausoleum with my grandparents and a great uncle. I do have some information from a death certificate; and perhaps can help you or refer you to another researcher. The obit is most likely in the Waterville Empire, but I now live on the east coast and until its on line won't seek it out! I do have pretty good family details. Let me know specifics and we'll see what we can do.
David Smeltzer - email papads@aol.com