Milo Roger Anderson, 94, of Ursa passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016, at Blessing Hospital, Quincy.
Milo was born Nov. 9, 1921, in Ursa, to the late Chester Wayne and Hazel (Lewis) Anderson. He married Billie Peters on June 12, 1999, at Ursa Christian Church. Billie of Quincy survives.
Milo graduated from Mendon Township High School in 1940 and graduated from Gem City Business College in Quincy. He took a civil service position in Washington, D.C., at the beginning of World War II and on Oct. 3, 1942, enlisted in the Navy Reserve. The Navy sent Milo to California, where he intercepted radio messages sent from our enemy, Japan. He also served in Washington and Guam. He was discharged Feb. 26, 1946, and returned to Washington and worked for the government for about a year.
Milo's love for Ursa and his family brought him back to the Midwest, and in 1946, he purchased a small cafe and service station along the highway. His success with his business led him to build a new cafe across the street in 1949. Milo owned and operated Anderson's Cafe for over 21 years, and it is still a favorite place to gather for not only the local Ursa residents but for also those passing through. In 1959, he was elected and served a justice of the peace for Ursa Township. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for a short time and then began a 14-year career with Prairie Farmers Magazine, selling insurance. He traveled from coast to coast with his mother, Hazel, in their motorhome.
Milo was a lifetime and very active member of Ursa Christian Church, Bear Creek American Legion and a charter member of the Ursa Lions Club, where he was a Kevin Jones Fellow. Milo had a keen interest in the history and genealogy of his family as well as the history of the Ursa area and its residents. He, along with his wife, Billie, organized the North Adams Historical Society. He researched and wrote a book on his mother's family titled "My Mother's People" and another book titled "Ursa Township, Its People and Neighbors."
In addition to his wife, Billie, Milo is survived by one sister, Vivian Cannell of Mendon; one niece, Susan (Merle) Kenady of Timewell; nephews, Brent (Vickie) Cannell of Mendon, Bruce (Mary) Cannell of Quincy, and Curtis (Lois) Cannell of Laramie, Wyo.; two first cousins, David (Emily) Lewis of Quincy and Larry Lewis of Quincy; several nieces and nephews; and Billie's sons, Kent, Mark and Craig Peters and their families, all of the Chicago area.
He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Henry Cannell.
SERVICES: 11 a.m. Monday, July 11, at Ursa Christian Church with the Rev. Bill Mitchell conducting. Interment will be in New Providence Cemetery, near Ursa, with military honors conducted by Bear Creek American Legion and Taps played by David Lewis.
VISITATION: 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.
MEMORIALS: Ursa Christian Church or North Adams Historical Society.
ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home.
Obituary contributed by Sue Whitaker
Milo Roger Anderson, 94, of Ursa passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016, at Blessing Hospital, Quincy.
Milo was born Nov. 9, 1921, in Ursa, to the late Chester Wayne and Hazel (Lewis) Anderson. He married Billie Peters on June 12, 1999, at Ursa Christian Church. Billie of Quincy survives.
Milo graduated from Mendon Township High School in 1940 and graduated from Gem City Business College in Quincy. He took a civil service position in Washington, D.C., at the beginning of World War II and on Oct. 3, 1942, enlisted in the Navy Reserve. The Navy sent Milo to California, where he intercepted radio messages sent from our enemy, Japan. He also served in Washington and Guam. He was discharged Feb. 26, 1946, and returned to Washington and worked for the government for about a year.
Milo's love for Ursa and his family brought him back to the Midwest, and in 1946, he purchased a small cafe and service station along the highway. His success with his business led him to build a new cafe across the street in 1949. Milo owned and operated Anderson's Cafe for over 21 years, and it is still a favorite place to gather for not only the local Ursa residents but for also those passing through. In 1959, he was elected and served a justice of the peace for Ursa Township. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for a short time and then began a 14-year career with Prairie Farmers Magazine, selling insurance. He traveled from coast to coast with his mother, Hazel, in their motorhome.
Milo was a lifetime and very active member of Ursa Christian Church, Bear Creek American Legion and a charter member of the Ursa Lions Club, where he was a Kevin Jones Fellow. Milo had a keen interest in the history and genealogy of his family as well as the history of the Ursa area and its residents. He, along with his wife, Billie, organized the North Adams Historical Society. He researched and wrote a book on his mother's family titled "My Mother's People" and another book titled "Ursa Township, Its People and Neighbors."
In addition to his wife, Billie, Milo is survived by one sister, Vivian Cannell of Mendon; one niece, Susan (Merle) Kenady of Timewell; nephews, Brent (Vickie) Cannell of Mendon, Bruce (Mary) Cannell of Quincy, and Curtis (Lois) Cannell of Laramie, Wyo.; two first cousins, David (Emily) Lewis of Quincy and Larry Lewis of Quincy; several nieces and nephews; and Billie's sons, Kent, Mark and Craig Peters and their families, all of the Chicago area.
He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Henry Cannell.
SERVICES: 11 a.m. Monday, July 11, at Ursa Christian Church with the Rev. Bill Mitchell conducting. Interment will be in New Providence Cemetery, near Ursa, with military honors conducted by Bear Creek American Legion and Taps played by David Lewis.
VISITATION: 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.
MEMORIALS: Ursa Christian Church or North Adams Historical Society.
ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home.
Obituary contributed by Sue Whitaker
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