Newspaper article 1941:
Oldest Deer Hunter Expires at Custer
Custer--Funeral services will be held at the Brethren church in South Custer Tuesday morning for William Saxton, 90, who died at the home of his son, R.A. Saxon (sic), with whom he had made his home. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery.
He was born in Darke county, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1850, being one of a family of nine. All the others preceded him in death. When a young man he married to Catherine Ann Coppess and they made their home near Union City. Sixty years ago they came to Michigan and 45 years ago to Eden township, where they built a home.
Mr. Saxton won the distinction of being the oldest deer hunter in the state when the season was in progress last fall.
He is survived by seven children, R.A. Saxton of Eden, William, jr. of Ludington, O.J. of Riverton, Mrs. Bessie Quinn and Mrs. Byron Conklin, also of Ludington; Mrs. J.H. Reinoehl of Eden township and Mabel McKenzie of Custer; twenty-five grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
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Ludington Daily News, p7, col 4,5,6, Saturday, 7 June 1941:
Last Rites Held For Wm. Saxton
Custer.-
The Brethren church in South Custer was filled with sorrowing relatives and friends Tuesday afternoon, May 27, when funeral services were held for William Saxton who had been a faithful worker in the church for nearly fifth (sic) years.
Rev. J.E. Ulery of Onekema, a friend of the family for 35 years, spoke words of comfort to the family, taking his text from the Psalmist David when he said, "I shall be satisfied when I awake." He compared death to a sleep from which we shall someday awaken and said that he knew in his heart that the work that Mr. Saxton had accomplished would be rewarded. "Life is beautiful, when it has accomplished a purpose," he said, in part, "Our time is reckoned by span of years but God's is reckoned by the good we do. Mr. Saxton, although not rich in money has left a wealth of accomplishments and a heritage in humanlife of such a large family which would seemingly live on in the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren." Rev. Ulery spoke of the joy he received of working in the church with Mr. Saxton and the inspiration received from him.
Assited in Service
Re. Homer Kriacofe (sic) and B.A. Miller assisted with the service. Mrs. Kenneth Kibby, Mrs. Grace Hull, John Hauk and Harold Fitch sang beautifully "Does Jesus Care," "The City Four Square" and "Lead Kindly Light," Miss Myrtle Fitch playing their accompaniment.
The great wealth of beautiful flowers told of the esteem in which the family is held in the community and also spoke their mute words of sympathy. Mr. Saxton was carried to his rest by six of his grandsons, D.W. Saxton, Wayne Saxton, John McKenzie, John Reinoehl, Bill Conklin and Donald Quinn.
William Saxton was born in Ohio and would have been 91 years old had he lived until November. When a young man he was married to Miss Catherine Ann Coppess also of Ohio and they continued to make that state their home for a few years. About sixty years ago the family moved to Michigan settling first in St. Joe county, later in Berry county and coming to Mason county in the spring of 1895, living first on the farm now owned by Mr. Marx where Mr. Saxton took a lease for four years to clear the land and then crop it. Four years later he purchased the farm, cleared away a large enough patch of woods to build the house which was their home until the death of Mrs. Saxton three years ago.
Members of Church
Mr. Saxton and his wife were both members of the Brethren church and continued their work in the Brethren church in South Custer where he helped with the building, serving as Deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and was teacher of the Young Married Peoples' class for several years. Besides being active in the church Mr. Saxton was also interested in the community welfare serving on the school board in the Marble district and holding various township offices.
Forty-one years ago he started selling nursery stock for the Hawley Nursery of Hart and despite his advanced age he was active in this work until his death. It was during this time that he won a large acquaintance of friends as he went from house-to-house in the county. Most of the orchards in Summit and Riverton townships are trees which he sold. Being of a jovial nature and delighting so much in his work, he will be missed from his travels through these townships.
Home with Son
After the death of Mrs. Saxton three years ago, he still lived in the same community, making his home with his oldest son, R.A. Saxton. Three weeks ago he was taken ill and during this time his children were with him watching closely as his strength seemed to fail. However he kept his jovial spirits and tried to assure them he would be out again, but he slept peacefully away at five o'clock on May 23. He enjoyed so much his family associations and was never so happy as when they were all near. The Saxton reunions of which he had been president since the organization started was always a joy to him.
He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. John Quinn and Mrs. Byron Conklin of Ludington, Mrs. Mabel McKenzie of Custer, Mrs. John Reinoehl of Eden, three sons, R.A. Saxton of Eden, William of Ludington and O.J. of Riverton, 25 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, several neices (sic) and nephews and a large circle of friends.
Coming from away for the services were Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Saxton and daughter, Patty, Mrs. Harry Nordan and Beverly Blocher of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Morgan and Mrs. Leonard Boyla of Monroe; Ed Saxton of Greenville, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Baird, Mrs. Ethel Prez and Mrs. Rosemary Whipple of Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Hawley of Hart, Mr. and Mrs. Omar Baird from Ludington. Mr. Baird is a nephew of Mr. Saxton.