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Elizabeth 'Bessie' (Enos) Weimer
(1870-1924)

 

Elizabeth "Bessie" (Enos) Weimer was born on April 13, 1870 near Normalville, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Perry and Joanna (Minerd) Enos.

Bessie married Benjamin Weimer (1856-1902). The couple was 14 years apart in age.

Benjamin had been married once before, to Susanna Fulton (1858-1887), and brought three stepchildren to the marriage -- Eliza Jane Miller, Simon Peter Weimer and Sarah Elizabeth Eutsey.

Bessie and Benjamin produced four known children of their own – Randall Weimer, James A. Weimer, Homer P. Weimer and Bessie Hart. 

Sadly, Benjamin died in 1902 at the age of 46. Details are not yet known.

 

Scullton Road, Normalville, PA

 

Now widowed, Bessie survived her husband by more than two decades. She was a member of the United Brethren Church. 

She resided in White, near Normalville, Fayette County, PA.

Bessie was afflicted with cancer of the breast which metastasized throughout other parts of her body. She died on July 8, 1924, at age 54, at the home of her married daughter Bessie Hart. She is buried near her parents in the Daniel Snyder Cemetery at White near Normalville.

 

~ Stepdaughter Eliza J. (Weimer) Miller  ~

Stepdaughter Eliza Jane Weimer (1879-1901) was born on May 1, 1879 near White, Fayette County.

As a young woman, she lived in Freed, Fayette County.

On Aug. 9, 1900, at the age of 21, she was united in marriage with 21-year-old farmer Quincy Christner "Quince" Miller (1879-1951), son of George F. and Susanna (Christner) Miller. Justice of the peace Cyrus Stouffer officiated at the wedding, which was held in his office. At the time of marriage, Quince lived in Indian Head, Fayette County. 

Tragically, after only 11 months of marriage, Eliza Jane died on the Fourth of July 1901. She was only 22 years of age. The cause of this most untimely death is not yet known. Her remains were placed into repose in the Dan Snyder Cemetery near Indian Head.

Quince lived for another half century. He spent his years farming in the Indian Head area. Suffering from hypertension and hardening of the arteries, Quince was felled by a stroke and died at the age of 71 on Feb. 13, 1951. Interment was in the Sparks Cemetery. Mary Miller of Indian Head signed the death certificate.

 

~ Stepson Simon Peter Weimer  ~

 

Stepson Simon Peter Weimer (1881-1941) was born on June 11, 1881 in or near White, Saltlick Township, Fayette County.

He spent his entire life in the area but may never have married. 

Simon was a longtime laborer. 

In about 1926, when he was age 45, Simon began suffering from organic heart disease. As he aged further, he began to become senile. He was taken into the home of an aunt, Mary Weimer, at Clinton, near Normalville. There, he died of their effects at the age of 60 on Nov. 11, 1941. Funeral services were held at the Clinton Church of God. Burial was in the Dan Snyder Cemetery near White. Roy Weimer of Normaville signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

 

~ Son Randall Weimer  ~

Son Randall Weimer (1891-1918) was born on May 9, 1891. 

He married Pearl Ritenour (1896-1975), daughter of John and Laura (Lyons) Ritenour of Melcroft, Fayette County. They resided in White, Saltlick Township, Fayette County, where Randall earned income as a laborer. 

The couple produced three known children, Earl Weimer, Florence Weimer and Hobart D. (or "Hobert") Weimer. 

In May 1918, tragedy shook the family when Randall contracted pulmonary tuberculosis. Unable to rally, he died just nine days after his 27th birthday on May 18, 1918. His remains were placed at rest in Snyder Cemetery. 

Pearl survived her first husband for an extraordinary 58 years. On Oct. 31, 1920, in the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown, she married again to World War I veteran Roy Laws (1890-1973). They produced three more children -- Marie Ohler, Melvin E. Laws and Ethel M. Rugg.

Roy spent his working career as a timberman. They were members of the Clinton Church of God. On Oct. 31, 1970, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a family dinner at the home of their daughter and son in law, Marie and Roy Ohler. They were pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. He died in 1973 and is buried in Normalville Cemetery. 

Pearl lived for another two years and passed into eternity on March 4, 1975. She rests beside her husband.

Son Hobart D. "Jake" Weimer (1917-2002) was born on Jan. 21, 1917 in White, Saltlick Township. He was a baby when his father died, and he grew up with Roy Laws as his stepfather. At the age of 19, in February 1935, he ran afoul of the law when he and several friends tried to forge signatures on stolen government relief checks. According to a Connellsville Daily Courier story, he and the friends went to the post office in Normalville and obtained a check that had been sent to his brother James. The pals then drove to Ligonier, Westmoreland County, and tried to use the forged checks to pay for gasoline. They were arrested and jailed in Westmoreland County. His first wife was Katherine S. (?) (1921-1983). They  went on to have seven children -- Elmer Weimer, George Weimer, Hobert Weimer, Robin Weimer, Betty Smith, Evelyn Bosley and Minnie DeMarco. The family were members of the Connellsville Church of God and dwelled in Waltersburg and Connellsville, Fayette County. Jake was a longtime steelworker at the Clairton Works of United States Steel. Katherine died on Oct. 1, 1983 at the age of 62. Hobert married a second time to Delores Ramage ( ? - ? ). She had been married before and brought two stepchildren to the marriage -- Arlene Ramage and Ronald Ramage. Sadly, Jake was admitted to the Harmon House in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA, and died there on July 14, 2002 at the age of 85. Pastor Kay Kurtz preached the funeral sermon, with burial in Normalville Cemetery.

Son Earl Weimer made his home in 1970 in Newton Falls, OH. He married (?). They had one known daughter, Wilma Walker Brinski. 

  • Granddaughter Wilma Weimer was twice married. Her first husband was Larry Dale Walker of Normalville. They relocated to Warren, Trumbull County, OH and had six children -- Harold Dale Walker, Barbara Sprow, Alice Stark, Henry E. Walker, Rick L. Walker and Terry A. Walker. After a divorce, Wilma made her home in Burghill, OH while her ex moved back to Normalville. By 1976, she had married again, to (?) Brinski. Tragedy ensued in March 1976 when her son 21-year-old Harold, who had been married just two months earlier, died in a hospital in Warren, Trumbull County after being critically injured in a vehicular accident. His remains were placed into Champion Township Cemetery in Ohio, with Rev. Fred Moore and Rev. William Click, of the Champion Church of God, officiating.

 

~ Son James A. Weimer  ~

 

Normalville Cemetery

Son James A. Weimer (1900-1974) was born on Nov. 8, 1900 near White, Saltlick Township, Fayette County. 

In early adulthood, and not married, he produced a son, Elmer Weimer.

Later, on Nov. 4, 1928, when he was 28 years of age, he married 15-year-old Myrtle Laymon (1913-1989). He was 13 years older than his bride. 

The couple produced 11 children, among them James H. Weimer, Domer Weimer, Melvin Weimer, Gerald T. Weimer, Terry V. Weimer, Homer D. Weimer, Ronald Weimer, Virginia Ulery, Patricia Kay Knopsnider, Ruby Elaine Miller and Judy Ann Johnson.

James was a longtime coal miner in the Connellsville area, and eventually retired from this occupation. They endured the death of their son Ronald in 1969.

He passed away in Connellsville State General Hospital on Feb. 22, 1974, at the age of 74. Rev. John I. Woods officiated at the funeral and burial in Normalville Cemetery. At his death, the Connellsville Daily Courier gave the count of his grandchildren at 23 and great-grandchildren at one.

Myrtle outlived him by 15 years, and died in 1989, at the age of 76. They are buried together at the Normalville Cemetery.

Son Elmer Weimer ( ? - ? ) made his home in Normalville. He may have wed Sarah Eutsey, daughter of James and Mary Ruth (Barnes) Eutsey of White, PA, but this needs to be confirmed. If so, they were married on Sept. 2, 1950.

Son James H. Weimer ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He married Mabel R. Shultz ( ? - ? ), daughter of Bert Johnson of Mill Run, Fayette County. Both husband and wife apparently brought several children to the mixed marriage -- William H. Layman, Sheila (Layman) Yealey and Thomas Shultz. They went on to have a son of their own, Billy Lee Weimer. The family lived in Normalville. In September 1977, they attended the Shultz Reunion at the Indian Creek Valley Community Center, with Mabel elected to the sports committee.

  • Granddaughter Sheila Layman married Larry Yealey, son of Mr. and Mrs. James "Junior" Yealey. They lived in Normalville and had one known daughter, Christel L. Yealey.
  • Grandson William H. Layman married Glada M. Johnson, daughter of Beulah Johnson of Normalville. They livede in Normalville and had one known son, Verlin Roy Layman.

Son Domer Eugene Weimer ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He was united in marriage with Reda Thomas (Jan. 28, 1936-2002), daughter of Henry L. and Emma (Musgrove) Thomas of Bentleyville, PA. They made their home in Scottdale and Everson, Fayette County and were the parents of four offspring -- Eugene W. Weimer, Scott A. Weimer, Susan K. Strickler and an unnamed infant daughter. The baby died at home on Nov. 26, 1959, with burial in Scottdale Cemetery. Reda was active with the First Baptist Church of Scottdale, the Ladies Democratic Committee and the Ladieds Auximilary of the Everson Fire Department. At some point, the couple is believed to have divorced. Reda died on March 16, 2002 in Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant. Rev. James P. Cordell officiated at the funeral service, with burial in Scottdale Cemetery.

  • Grandson Eugene W. Weimer made a home in Everson in 2002.
  • Grandson Scott A. Weimer dwelled in 2002 in Everson.
  • Granddaughter Susan K. Weimer wedded (?) Strickler. She lived in Everson in 2002.

Son Melvin Weimer relocated to Youngstown, Mahoning County, OH and was there in 1969-2011.

Son Gerald Thomas Weimer moved to Orlando, FL. In 2019, he was back in Pennsylvania, making a home in New Castle, Lawrence County.

Son Terry Vincent "Woody" Weimer (1947-2011) was born on Dec. 13, 1947 in Saltlick Township, Fayette County. He made a living working for Greensburg Foundry. He was married and the father of one daughter, Heather Weimer. Terry lived in Normalville and Mill Run over the years. Sadly, he died in Connellsville's Highlands Hospital, just two days after his 64th birthday. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier said that he "was a devoted brother and uncle."

  • Granddaughter Heather Weimer made a home in Florida in 2011.

Son Homer Dean Weimer dwelled in Scottdale, Fayette County.

Son Ronald William Weimer (1935-1969) was born on May 4, 1935 in Saltlick Township. He married Betty ( ? - ? ). They lived in Normalville, and Ronald was employed in Scottdale with Penn Lines Company. Stricken with heart problems, Ronald underwent open heart surgery in December 1966 in Pittsburgh, and returned home. At the age of 34, on May 7, 1969, his heart failed, and he was rushed to Connellsville State Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. . For several years, on the anniversary of his death, Betty placed an advertisement of mourning in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Virginia Lee Weimer married John Ulery of Normalville. She was deceased by 2011.

Daughter Patricia Kay Weimer was wedded to Wendell Knopsnider and resided in Dawson, Fayette County.

Daughter Ruby Elaine Weimer was united in marriage with Joseph Miller of Connellsville. She was deceased by 2011.

Daughter Judy Ann Weimer (1954-2019) was born on May 31, 1954 in Connellsville. She attended grade school in Melcroft. She married Benjamin Johnson Sr. ( ? - ? ) and dwelled in Normalville. They produced these children -- Melinda Stewart, Beverly Ritenour, Keith Johnson, Benjamin Johnson Jr., Myrtle Johnson and James Johnson. Later in life, they helped raise several great-grandchildren. Sadness blanketed the family when Judy died in UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, at the age of 65, on Aug. 2, 2019. At her death, said the Connellsville Daily Courier, she was survived by 23 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Burial was in Normalville Cemetery.

  • Granddaughter Melinda Johnson married Terry Stewart. They live in Republic, Fayette County.
  • Granddaughter Beverly Johnson wedded (?) Ritenour. Her home in 2019 was in Mill Run.
  • Grandson Keith Johnson has resided in Melcroft.
  • Grandson Benjamin Johnson, Jr. is married to Rose ( ? - ? ). They dwell in Normalville.
  • Granddaughter Myrtle Johnson has lived in Normalville.
  • Grandson James Johnson relocated to Irwin, Westmoreland County.

 

~ Son Homer P. Weimer  ~

Son Homer P. Weimer (1896-1974) was born on Sept. 4, 1896.

He married Mildred Learn (1902-1973). The couple resided in Jeannette, Hempfield Township near Greensburg, Westmoreland County. 

Their only known son was William Ward Weimer. Tragically, the son caught cholera combined with meningitis and died at the age of seven months and 29 days on Oct. 30, 1924. Interment was in St. Clair Cemetery near Greensburg.

Homer worked for many years as a custodian at the Church of the Brethren of Southwest Greensburg. 

Mildred died at the age of 71 in 1973.

Homer passed away a year later in February 1974 and was placed into rest in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

 

~ Daughter Bessie (Weimer) Hart  ~

Daughter Bessie Weimer (1898-1970) was born on Aug. 16, 1898 at White near Normalville, Fayette County. 

Bessie married Ray George Hart (1896-1929), son of Fred and Bertha (Firestone) Hart. They dwelled in Bullskin Township near Connellsville.

They produced seven children -- Ray Hart, Winifred Hart, Elizabeth Harford, Jennie Fabian and Daisy Goodwin plus a son and daughter who died in infancy.

Ray is believed to have served in the U.S. Army during World War I. During his term of service, he contracted heart disease which eventually killed him. On Feb. 21, 1929, at the age of 33, Ray died from his affliction. Interment was in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

Bessie outlived her husband by more than four decades. She was a lifelong resident of Fayette County and belonged to the local United Church of Christ. In later years, she dwelled at 526 Poplar Street in Connellsville.

Bessie became seriously ill in April 1970 and was admitted to the Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridien, MS. She died there at the age of 71 on May 9, 1970. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier reported that she was survived by nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

Son Ray Hart resided in East Gary, IN in 1970.

Daughter Winifred Hart married Clarence Hart. They made their home in Cleveland, OH.

Daughter Elizabeth Hart ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was united in marriage with Russell Harford (1914-1976), son of William and Ruth Harford of Fayette County. He was divorced from Viola (Hiles) Bigam and brought a daughter to the marriage, Mildred Jean Harford. Elizabeth and Russell had two children of their own -- Russell Harford Jr. and Mary Ruth Hotte. Russell obtained employment with United States Steel. Circa 1936, he was in the town of Isabella, Fayette County. Elizabeth and Russell in the early 1940s relocated to Gary, IN, where they remained for three decades. He was a member of Local 1014 of the United Steel Workers of America. Upon retirement in the early 1970s, they came back to Fayette County and made their home in the coal mining patch town of Keisterville, near Uniontown. At the age of 62, on Aug. 7, 1976, Russell was rushed to Connellsville State Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Following a funeral service preached by evangelist Dan Smith, he was laid to rest in the Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mill Run. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Fire hall in the steep coal mining town of Isabella, 2023   
  • Step-granddaughter Mildred Jean Harford (1936-1971) was born on March 13, 1936 at Isabella, Fayette County. She "was a lifelong resident of the area and attended the Mennonite Church of Scottdale," reported the Connellsville Daily Courier. She had one daughter, Constance Lou Walters. Mildred's address in the early 1970s was at 125 North Fourth Street in Connellsville. Sadly, her health declined and on July 24, 1971, she was rushed to Connellsville State General Hospital, but was dead upon arrival. Evangelist Dan Smith officiated at her funeral followed by interment in Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Her daughter Constance Lou Walters made her residence in Needham, PA.
  • Grandson Russell Harford Jr. dwelled in Gary, IN in 1976.
  • Granddaughter Mary Ruth Harford was united in marriage with Fejean Hotte. In 1971-1976, their home was in Montreal, Canada.

Daughter Jennie Hart ( ? - ? ) was wedded to John Fabian ( ? - ? ). They lived in Connellsville.

Daughter Daisy Hart ( ? - ? ) married George Goodwin ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1970 was in East Gary, IN.

 

Copyright © 2000, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2014-2015, 2019 Mark A. Miner