Grand Island Independent, Tuesday, November 15, 1921

SUDDEN DEATH OF ED LECHNER

Well and Favorably Known Young Business Man Passes Away

Edward L. Lechner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lechner, passed away late Thursday afternoon at the St. Francis hospital after an illness of only one week. The funeral was held Saturday morning at 9:30 from St. Mary’s Catholic church, a large number of the many friends of the deceased and of the family attending.

Edward Lechner was born in Grand Island on October 30, 1890, and had, therefore, reached the age of 31 years and 10 days. In his youth he had attended the St. Mary’s Catholic school, taking the entire course. He then began work as a clerk for William Veit, grocer, and his faithful services as such led his employer to engage with him in a partnership. This partnership for some years conducted two stores – one on Second street and the other on South Green, known at the time as the Uneeda Grocery. The latter was particularly under the direction of Mr. Lechner. About four years ago he disposed of his interests in the store and entered, with Mr. Veit, the insurance and real estate business. After the death of his associate in business about two years ago, Mr. Lechner, for a time, was engaged with the Nebraska State bank, then re-engaging in the insurance business with Mr. Anthony, this business being continued up to the time of his death.

About eight years ago he was united in wedlock to Miss Meta Pepper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Pepper, which union has been blessed with three children. Edward, aged 6 years, Geraldine and Elizabeth, the latter being but three months of age. Besides his beloved wife and children he leaves to mourn his loss both of his parents, at present residing in Omaha, five sisters, and two brothers. One of the sisters resides at Lincoln, one in St. Louis, and one brother lives in Omaha. All of these were present excepting the brother residing at St. Louis, who was unable to come.

For the past year, Mr. Lechner has been the secretary of the Grand Island Liederkranz society, which duties he had always attended with the highest degree of faithfulness and diligence, and his re-election at the annual meeting in a few days, would have been a certainty. He was also a prominent and active member of the local lodge of Elks, members of both of which organizations attended the funeral in a body.

The Rev. Father Marrin officiated in the celebration of the mass and delivered a very impressive address, dwelling upon the uncertainties of life and paying a touching tribute to the virtues of the deceased, as husband, father and son.
The services were interspersed with several beautifully rendered numbers by the choir and a solo by Mr. Willis Lyman. The wealth of floral tributes sent to the home of the departed one gave evidence of the high esteem in which he had been held. The friends of his boyhood days, the business acquaintances of his later years, and all who lived near him and knew him, attest the lovable disposition of the man and the uprightness that marked all of his dealings with his fellow men.

To the bereaved ones there has gone out the marked sympathy of the entire community which, itself, has lost one of its most promising young business men.