I am doing descendant research on the lines of John Kelly STEVENS (b
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co, IN, abt 1855, moved to Fort Wayne abt 1890), and
his in-laws, John T. KELLY (from Ireland to Fort Wayne abt 1868) and family.
John KELLY's son Patrick had several children, all of whose family I am
currently collecting obits and other info on. Included in this group was one
for his daughter Mildred KELLY's husband, Willard BRITTEN. Oddly enough,
though a Fort Wayne resident, Willard Britten's obit was not included in the
Allen Co obit index, and one may never have been published (though I have no
way to access the newspapers to confirm this myself).
Through a long process, full of mishaps, someone helping me finally found an
obit for Willard from his hometown, which I thought I'd reprint here, in
case anyone else needs to find this in the future:
From the Iron County Reporter, Iron River, Michigan, published July 13, 1988
(he d June 25, 1988):
"Willard Britten
Fort Wayne, Ind.--Willard Britten, 74, of 443 Ruth Street died June 25 at
Lutheran Hospital. He was born June 25, 1914, in Iron River, the son of the
late Richard and Jennie Britten. He grew up in Iron River and attended local
schools and then moved to Fort Wayne, where he worked for Zollner Corp.
until retirement in 1980. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, and
he was married to the former Mildred Kelly, who preceded him in death in
1986.
He is survived by 3 daughters, Marla Curry and Jeanne Britten, both of Fort
Wayne, and Carol Whitacre of New Haven; a son, Richard of Fort Wayne; 3
sisters, Violet Weinert of Globe, Ariz., and Carol Lahti and Vivian
Erickson, both of Iron River; and 6 grandchildren. He was also preceded in
death by a son, Dennis, in 1983, and 2 brothers, Richard and Warren.
Services were held June 29 followed by burial in the Catholic Cemetery in
Fort Wayne."
If any members of this list are based in the Fort Wayne area and know of any
of these descendants and could help me connect with them, I'd appreciate any
leads. Also, would like to hear from anyone working on these lines.
Jacqi