Frank X Haitz

Frank X Haitz
Maplewood Cemetery, Ripley, Ohio

Frank was the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Germann) Haitz. A requiem high mass was intoned at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ripley, Ohio on August 26, 1950. The Reverend Father Gregory Sturm officiated. 

Frank's wife, the former Lottie Sullivan, preceded him in death five years earlier. She is buried next to him. He was survived by two brothers, George and Joseph, both of Ripley and by two sisters, Anna Serwna of Ripley and Barbara Spiller of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Frank Haitz Rites Held Saturday
The Ripley Bee, 31 August 1950
Page 1, Column 7

Obituary of George Haitz, brother of Joseph

It's been a while since my last post and a lot of things have happened since.  I am happy to announce that my youngest son and daughter-in-law are expecting a little girl in early March. This will be a very special birth as their daughter, Caroline Grace, was born prematurely in the summer of 2013 and lived only a day.  While we still grieve for Caroline, our family has prayed for this baby for a long time and continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and successful birth.  This little girl will be my eighth grandchild!

Also since my last post, this state experienced a record rainfall resulting in flooding that devastated parts of Columbia and the surrounding area. It was so nice to see people pulling together, providing clothes, food, water, and other supplies to those who needed them.  After eleven days of being under a boil advisory, all of Columbia now has clean water to drink.  It will be a long while until all the roads are fixed and a full recovery is made for those who lost belongings, houses, and businesses. 

Maplewood Cemetery
Ripley, Ohio

Today's obituary is for George Haitz, Sr. who was born in 1867.  He was the brother of Anna Serwna, who lived to be one hundred, and my great grandfather, Joseph Haitz. 

George was 85 years old when he died March 3, 1953 at the home of his son, Leon, who lived on Bradyville Pike near Ripley.  He was a widower and a retired farmer.  Two other sons survived him, George Russell and Nick both of whom lived in Ripley.

A requiem high mass was intoned by Father Gregory Sturm in St. Michael Catholic Church on Friday, March 6 with burial in Maplewood Cemetery.

Find A Grave Memorial 

"Requiem High Mass for George Haitz, Sr.," obituary, The Ripley (Ohio) Bee, 12 March 1953, page 6, column 5, George Haitz, death, 3 March 1953, Ripley, Ohio. 

Anna Haitz Serwna, a Haitz Family Centenarian

I saw on the Geneablogger's Facebook page that today is National Centenarian's Day, and it just so happens that the obituary information I recently entered into my Roots Magic software is that of Anna Haitz Serwna who lived to be just a month over 100 years old so this post is in her honor.  

Maplewood Cemetery
Ripley, Ohio

Anna was the sister of my great grandfather, Joseph Haitz.  She was the second of ten children of her parents, Francizkus Xavier (Frank) and Elizabeth (Germann) Haitz and the first to be born in Ohio.  Her older sister, Elizabeth, had been born several years earlier, 1859, in Boston, Massachusetts.   

Anna lived all but two years of her life in and near Ripley, Ohio.  Her marriage to Joseph Serwna was performed at St. Michael Catholic Church on October 24, 1891 by Father John B Dickham.  She and Joseph, a Huntington Township farmer, would eventually have a family with five children.  Joseph preceded her in death in 1959.

For her 100th birthday, September 9, 1963, just about one month shy of her death, she attended a party in her honor complete with family, festivities, and a birthday dinner.   

Her death occurred at 5:00 AM on October 13, 1963 in Norwood, Ohio at the home of her daughter, Anna Roebel with whom she lived.  In addition to Anna, she was survived by another daughter, Mrs. John Helbling (Mary) of Aberdeen and three sons, Joseph and Frank of Ripley, and Martin of Norwood.  She also left a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A requiem high mass took place in St. Michael Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 15 with the Reverend Father Paul Cornwell officiating.  Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.