Memories of Olen and Selma Batke Smith

Don Fredrick, nephew of Olen and Selma Batke Smith, remembers:

"I remember well going with my family to Oklahoma for a visit as a child with Olen and Selma Smith who took Bob and I and parents to the State prison Rodeo where prisoners were given prizes for running around in the ring with bulls trying to attach ribbons to horns. At times a tragedy as inmates were gored or thrown in the air by the bulls. I was about age 8 or 9.  I understand this kind of thing is still going on annually in Oklahoma.  Nothing like visiting one of Uncle Olen's oil wells and listening to oil well stories."

Don Fredrick, December 13, 2010

In response to Don's comment, Olen and Selma's son shares his memories:

"Don, I have read, with interest, your comments about your trip to Oklahoma visiting my parents, Olen and Selma Smith.  Dad and Mother loved company, and they had just the tour to take if one is willing, and has the time.  You referred to the McCalister, Okla. prison, SE of Seminole, Okla. about 90 minutes.  Believe the "inmates" continue to entertain during select summer months, as this has been a "Crowd Pleasing/Fund Raising Event" over the years.  Dad and Mother, at one time, had over 100 oil wells.  It was financially more productive to buy select leases with producing and non-producing wells...revamp, buy better equipment, clean out the old holes...price per barrel was on the rise when they, Mom and Dad, were actively working a very successful living over the many years.  Both enjoyed being on the Oklahoma Beef Club, which provided 50 yard line seats at the Oklahoma Home Games, and they also enjoyed traveling with the Oklahoma team for many years on Chartered Flights.  Ran into Dad/Mother, in Denver, inside a large bar, with Dad standing on top of a large table leading the Oklahoma Fight Song to a crowd of Beef Club Members  playing his/Dad's "Boomer Sooner Song Box".  I had flown out to Denver and dating Jackie Sergeant, from Coloma.  Jackie was working for Frontier Airlines, and we were meeting Mother and Dad in Denver...Okla. playing Colorado that weekend.  Dad and Mother loved driving their Cadillac to select Oklahoma games with Dad pushing a button on the Cadillac playing "Boomer Sooner" and getting immediate attention from "friend and foe". 

The picture of the Heart Grave stone in Buchanan is the beautiful resting place for Olen and Selma...That location is among many of Dad's relatives.  I plan to be buried at the feet of Dad/Plot, with Judy expressing interest in being buried at the feet of Mother/Plot.  Buchanan was home for Dad, having been reared their and graduating in Buchanan High School.  Summers in Buchanan, and Winters in Florida worked for them...Mother's cancer cut her life too short.  She was anxious to spend time with her Brothers and Sisters in the Michigan area....as all of them did visit the Oklahoma homestead, and all had fun!

Lots of fond memories of Mother and Dad.  Actually, fond memories of our entire family.  That goes for all of my Aunts/Uncles, cousins.  I loved the Christmas seasons when we would all get together going to Trinity Church, and then to a relative's home after Christmas Eve church...Wonderful times!!!

Roger Smith, December 13, 2010

Smith Burial Place, Oak Ridge Cemetery

Selma Batke, daughter of Henry and Katherine Batke, married Olen Smith.  Both are buried at the Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The new Oak Ridge Cemetery on Front Street, originally 10 acres, was purchased from Warner Hamilton in 1864 for $500, to replace the first known cemetery in Buchanan, "The Old Burying Ground."  The first burials were made in 1867.  Records show that bodies were moved from "The Old Burying Ground" cemetery in Buchanan, to Oak Ridge as late as 1898. 

Oak Ridge Cemetery is located on the western edge of Buchanan, Michigan, between Terre Coupe and Front streets.  Oak Ridge Cemetery currently consists of approximately 45 acres.  There are 5 entrances: two on Front St., two on Terre Coupe, and the Polis St. entrance. Source: Oak Ridge Cemetery Buchanan, MI, Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery, 2005.

Terre Coupe Street Entrance, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, MI
Closest entrance to the Smith graves

 Smith

Olen and Selma Batke Smith are both buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

On the gravestone, shaped with two hearts, is chiseled birth, marriage and death dates.  It reads:   SELMA Jan 27, 1919 - July 24, 1980; MARRIED Oct 24, 1940; OLEN June 9, 1918 - Sept. 13, 1995.

However, there are other documents, including Henry Batke's Declaration of Intention to become an American Citizen, that states Selma's birth year was 1918.

Olen Albert Smith and Selma Batke Smith are buried in Section A, Lot 317.  The GPS coordinates for the grave are: N 41° 49' 24.0"; W 086° 22' 41.9".

Olen Smith Obituary
Olen A. Smith, 77, of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Buchanan, Michigan, died Wednesday, September 13, 1995, at Healthwin Hospital, South Bend, Indiana.

The funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Swem Funeral Home, Buchanan.  Memorials may be made to the City of Buchanan for the Buchanan Commons or Buchanan High School Athletic Department.
Mr. Smith was born June 9, 1918, in Virginia.  He retired as the independent owner and operator of Reclamation Oil Fields after 38 years.  He was a navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors include: two daughters -- Judy Maxwell of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and Cheryl Richeson of Decatur, Alabama; a son Roger Smith of Coloma, Michigan; three step daughters -- Polly Koenegsknect of West Bloomfield, Michigan; Christine Gardner of Noblesville, Indiana, and Linda Morrer of Charlotte, North Carolina; a stepson, John Donley of St. Joseph, Michigan; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Selma Batke, in October 1940 (sic) and by his second wife, the former Agnes Donley, in 1981. 

Tri-City Record, Watervliet, Michigan, September 20, 1995

Selma Batke Smith Obituary
See The Children of Henry and Katherine Batke - Obituaries

Katherine Reck Batke Schmeichel Obituary, 1979

K. Schmeichel

Mrs. Katherine (Batke) Schmeichel, 89, of Route 2, Box 470, Coloma, died Sunday evening at Claremont Nursing Home, Benton Harbor.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Kerley and Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where friends may call beginning at 7 p.m. today.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran church of which she was a member.

Mrs. Schmeichel was born October 14, 1890, in Cortiza, Russia.  Survivors include: five daughters -- Mrs. Katherine Fredrick, Mrs. Alex (Anna) Pesko, Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Jonatzke, all of St. Joseph.  Mrs. Arthur (Mary) Engler of Coloma, Mrs. Olin [sic] (Selma) Smith of Seminole, Okla.; three sons -- William and Henry Batke, both of St. Joseph, Edwin Batke of Coloma; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Lena Kampes of Hamm, West Germany.

The Herald Palladium, Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, MI, October 29, 1979, p. 10, col. 3

The Children of Henry and Katherine Batke - Obituaries

Katherine Batke Fredrick  (1911-1997)

Katherine Fredrick, 85, of St. Joseph, died Sunday afternoon, August 10, 1997, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday Aug. 13, 1997, at Trinity Lutheran church in St. Joseph.  the family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kerley & Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph.  Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies Aid or Hospice at Home of Stevensville.  Burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Shores.
Mrs. Fredrick was born on Nov. 30, 1911, in Ekatrinaslav, Russia to Henry and Katherine (Reck) Batke.  She moved with her family to Canada and settled in St. Joseph in 1924.  She often reflected that her time at Trinity Lutheran School singing in the choir and being a Walther League member were the happiest of her young life.  She was a member of the Trinity Ladies Aid for more than 50 years.   She was married to Herman Fredrick, who preceded her in death in 1977.
Survivors include three children and their families -- Donald (Barbara) Fredrick of Ypsilanti, Mich., Robert (Ruth) Fredrick of Salt Lake City, Utah and Jeannie (Robert) Hartman of Stevensville; a total of nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren were often the focus of her care and attention.  She is also survived by three brothers -- William Batke of Chicago, Henry Batke Jr. of Florida, and Edwin (Barbara) Batke of North Carolina; as well as three sisters -- Mary (Arthur) Engler, Anna Pesko and Ruth Jonatzke of St. Joseph.  A forth sister, Selma Smith, preceded her in heath.
The Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, MI, August 11, 1997, p. 7A, col. 4

Mary Batke Engler  (1914-2008)

Mary Engler, age 94, of St. Joseph, died Friday, July 25, 2008.
Mary was born June 22, 1914, in Canada, the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Reck) Batke.  Her husband of 71 years, Arthur, preceded her in death on July 12, 2006.
A celebration of Mary's life will be held on Thursday, July 31, at 11 a.m., at the Dey Florin chapel of Florin Funeral Services, St. Joseph.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Shores.  Memorials in Mary's name may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Engler was a member of Grace Lutheran church.  She enjoyed flowers, gardening, and in general working outside in her yard.
Mary is survived by her children -- Elaine Bush of St. Joseph and Kenneth (Nok) Engler of Woodbridge, Va.; five grandchildren; three great-granchildren; her sister, Anna Pesko of St. Joseph; and her brother, Henry Batke of Florida.
Besides her husband Arthur, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Charles Engler; two brothers and three sisters.
[Obit provided by Elaine Bush. Newspaper and date unknown]

William Henry Batke  (1915-2005) 
William Henry Batke, age 89, a resident of Lee Manor in DesPlaines, Illinois, died Sunday, June 26, 2005.   Mr. Batke was born August 12, 1915 in Saskatchewan, Canada and immigrated to the US with his family in 1921.  He is survived by his son Bruce of DesPlaines; sisters Mary Engler and Anna Pesko, both of St. Joseph, Michigan; and a brother Henry of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Katherine (Reck) Batke; his wife Edna (Bednark); son, Jerald William and daughter, Cynthia Gibson; three sisters, Katherine Fredrick, Selma Smith and Ruth Marie Jonatzke and a brother Edwin.  Funeral arrangements are private.

[The family believes no obituary was published so I have written a tribute to William reflective of information as of the date of his death.]

Selma Batke Smith  (1918-1980)

Mrs. Olen (Selma) Smith, 61, 413 Beals Place, Seminole, Okla., formerly of St. Joseph and Buchanan, died Thursday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.

Friends may call beginning Sunday at 10 a.m. at Kerley and Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m.  Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan.  Memorials may be made to the American Cancer society.

Mrs. Smith was born Jan. 27, 1919 in Canada.  She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Shawnee, Okla.  Survivors include: her husband; one son, Roger of Chicago, Ill.; two daughters -- Mrs. Jeff (Judy) Jacobs of Atlanta, Ga., Cheryl Smith of Seminole; four grandchildren; four sisters -- Mrs. Katherine Frederick, Mrs. Alex (Anna) Pesko, Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Jonatzke, all of St. Joseph, Mrs. Arthur (Mary) Engler of Coloma; and three brothers -- William and Henry Batke, both of St. Joseph, Edward Batke of Coloma.

The Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan, July 25, 1980

Anna Batke Pesko – Living

Henry Robert Batke (1924-2008)

Henry R. Batke, Jr. 84, Oakland, died Wednesday.  Banfield Funeral Home, Winter Springs.

Orlando

Sentinel, Orlando, Florida, December 27, 2008, page B8

Ruth Batke Jonatzke  (1931-1999)

St. Joseph -- Ruth Marie (Batke) Jonatzke, 68, of St. Joseph died June 20, 1999, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Kerley & Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.  Thursday.  Cremation has taken place.  Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or the Kidney Foundation.

She was born June 5, 1931, in St. Joseph.  She retired from Williams Brothers Paper Box Co.

Survivors include: four sons -- Robert (Gay) Jonatzke of Benton Harbor, Michael Jonatzke of Niles, Steven (Lisa) Jonatzke of Holiday, Fla., and Gerald Jonatzke of St. Joseph; a daughter, Valerie (Keith) Hafer of Sodus; seven grandchildren -- Tiffany Jonatzke, Kristina Lawton, Rebecca Jonatzke, Andrew Jonatzke, Stephanie Hafer, Matthew Jonatzke and Brennen Jonatzke; two sisters -- Anna Pesko and Mary (Arthur) Engler, both of St. Joseph; and two brothers -- Henry Batke of Davie, Fla., and William Batke of Schaumberg, Ill.

Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan, June 23, 1999.

Edwin Arthur Batke  (1933-1997)

Edwin A. Batke, 64, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 1997, at Moses H. Cone Hospital.

Funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 1997, at Christ Covenant Church with Pastor David Longobardo officiating. Burial will follow in Guilford Memorial Park.

Mr. Batke was employed with Bobby's BP and was a member of Christ Covenant Church.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Batke of the home; stepchildren, Derrick Green of Swansboro; Paige Green of Reidsville; three sisters; two brothers; and nine grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at the church Sunday, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 27405 or Teen Challenge, 1912 Boulevard St., Greensboro, NC 27407 or Christ Covenant School Fund, 1414 Cliffwood Dr., Greensboro, NC 27406.

Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the family.

Greensboro News & Record, November 29, 1997, page B3

Fredrick House, 1937

 

Taken March 14, 1937 at the Fredrick House in Benton Harbor, Michigan. From left to right: Katherine Batke Frederick, Frieda Byron, Mary Batke Engler, Lydia Lachman, Adolf Lachman, Selma Batke Smith, Ida Noack, Katherine Reck Batke, Fred Link, Arthur Engler, Glen Noack with baby Gordon Noack, Bill Batke (in back of Glen), Henry Batke Jr. (to Glen's left). On the steps in back: Eddie Fredrick and Henry Batke Sr. Photo courtesy: Don Fredrick