ERNEST FLETCHER

Ernest Fletcher, for years a guest at the Crowell Home, passed away last Friday evening at the age of eighty two years.

Deceased was an early settler in this county, and for years was active in the teaching profession, and later was a rural mail carrier out of Herman.

After the death of his wife, he took up his residence at the Crowell Home.

Funeral services were held from the Crowell Home, and later from the Baptist church on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. T. J. Reese officiating, and interment was made in the Herman cemetery.

#2 September 23, 1937 - The Pilot-Tribune

REV. FLETCHER DIES AT AGE 83

RETIRED BAPTIST PASTOR HAD LONG SERVED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

The Rev. E. M. Fletcher, 83, retired Baptist minister and a resident of Washington county since he was 14 years old, died at the Crowell Home for the Aged here Friday. He had lived at the home since 1926.

Member of the Blair Baptist church at the time of his death, holding the rank of Deacon Emeritus, the Rev. Mr. Fletcher had served the Baptists of Washington county more than 30 years when he retired 11 years ago. He was stationed at Herman for many years, and in addition to his church duties found time to teach school and serve as a rural mail carrier.

Ernest M. Fletcher was born in North Searsmont, Maine, March 16, 1854, and came to Nebraska with his parents in 1868. He was educated in the common schools and Blair high school.

He was married to Miss Etta Ermina Beard July 17, 1889, and to them was born a son, who died at the age of three years. Mrs.Fletcher died April 4, 1925.

Mr. Fletcher was ordained as a Baptist minister at Irvington March 22, 1895 and at once began ministerial duties that were to make him prominent in eastern Nebraska for many years. He entered the Crowell Home October 1, 1926, and had resided there since.

Surviving him are a daughter by adoption, Mrs. W. W Smith of Choteau, Montana; a brother, Ed Fletcher, of Herman, and other relatives.

A large throng of friends and members of his former congregation gathered at the Blair Baptist church Monday afternoon to pay their last respects at funeral services. The Rev. Thomas J. Reese, pastor of the Blair church, officiated. Interment was in Herman cemetery.

Note: The Vig Notes at the Danish American Archives has his wife listed an Etta Ermina Beard. Her Find a Grave # is 177747707. From the Washington County marriage records:7/17/1889 FLETCHER, ERNEST M, BEARD, MINNIE.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave #206520200