The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
December 10, 1949 - Saturday, pg. 2

Joseph Marvin Hollis Rites Held Wednesday

Tampico - Funeral services for Joseph Marvin Hollis, 73, who came to his death Monday morning, Dec. 5 at the home of his son, were held Wednesday afternoon at the Melvin funeral home in Sterling. Rev. Hollis Wharton of Walnut, former pastor of the Tampico Methodist church officiated and was assisted by Rev. Henry Austin of the Tampico Methodist church.

Mrs. Archie Yarde, Sr., and Mrs. Vesta Anderson sang "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Burial was in the Riverside cemetery with Ray Scott Sr., Herbert Plautz, Robert Eller, Harry Butler, Bliss Loudenburg and Lue Beachler serving as pallbearers. Those having charge of floral tribute were Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Pierce, Mrs. Raymond Cordes and Mrs. Robert Eller.

Friends and relatives attended the service from Woodhull, Osco, Kewanee, Prophetstown, Tampico, Walnut, Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls.

Joseph Marvin Hollis was born Sept. 27, 1876 on a farm south of Prophetstown, the son of Wesley and Sarah Francis Hollis. When a small boy the family moved to Iowa returning in a few years by covered wagon. He received his education in various Whiteside county schools and Brown's Business college at Sterling. He was a member of the Tampico Methodist church and Masonic lodge 936, Rock Falls.

Oct. 17, 1901 he was united in marriage to Ida May Lane at the home of her parents south of Rock Falls by the Rev. Fred Stone. They farmed in the vicinity of Rock Falls all of their active years with the exception of a few years in Minnesota. In 1941 they quit farming and moved to Tampico where they resided until her death in 1946, after which he made his home for the winter with his daughter, then moved his trailer home out to his son's home where he was living at the time of his death.

He is survived by his son Lester and daughter, Mrs. Cecil (Mayme) Fritsch; six grandchildren, Bette Hollis, Elden, Billy, Donna, Gary and Nyla Fritsch and two sisters, Mrs. Nane (Pearl) Kensinger of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. Fred (Dollie) Nielsen of Miami. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and one sister.

Mr. Hollis was a faithful and loving husband and father and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

ibid
December 6, 1949 - Tuesday, pg 2, col. 2

J. M. Hollis Found Dead At Son's Home

J. M. Hollis, 73, was found dead from a shotgun wound at 5:15 p.m. Monday at the farm home of his son, Lester Hollis, Route one, Rock Falls.

Coroner John T. Meyer conducted an inquest at three o'clock this Tuesday afternoon in the Melvin funeral home.

Funeral rites will be held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Melvin funeral home, the Rev. Hollis Wharton of the Walnut Methodist church officiating. Interment will be in Riverside cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after seven o'clock this Tuesday evening.

Joseph M. Hollis was born September 27, 1876 in Rock Falls, the son of Wesley and Sarah Hollis. He retired from farming in 1941 and moved to the home of his son, Lester Hollis, where he had since resided. His wife, Ida, precded him in death in 1946.

Mr. Hollis was a member of the First Methodist church of Tampico and of the Rock Falls Masonic lodge. He is survived by a son, Lester; one daughter, Mrs. Cecil Fritsch of Tampico; two sisters, Mrs. Pearl Kensinger of Detroit, Mich.,and Mrs. Dolly Nielson of Miami, Fla., and six grandchildren. His parents, wife and one sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, preceded him in death.