Obituary
The Kokomo Tribune-February 15, 1940

Surnames: Criss, Traxler, Alderfer, Smith

MARY M. CRISS DEAD

Much Loved Woman Expires At Home of Son: Rites Friday Afternoon

Mrs. Mary Magdalene Criss died at the home of a son, O. David Criss, 1623 North Bell street, at 6:30 o'clock Wednesday evening, at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 20 days.
The deceased was born in Defiance, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1863, to David Traxler and Anna (Alderfer) Traxler. When she was just a young girl the family moved to Rochester , Ind., then to Hammond, Ill. She was one of eleven children. At the age of 21 years she was married to Clark A. Criss at La Place, Ill., and to this union nine children were born. Four of those children and the husband preceded her in death.
Mrs. Criss was always a devout Christian. She was associated with the Dunkard church in Illinois. After moving to Indiana in 1901, she became affiliated with the Shiloh Methodist church, six miles west of Kokomo, then moved to Oakland neighborhood and transferred her membership to the church there.
Since making her home in Kokomo she has been a member of the Free Methodist church. She always put her God, family and home ahead of all things, attended church and took an active part as long as her health permitted.
Mrs. Criss leaves a host of friends and many relatives to mourn her passing. Surviving are one daughter, Anna B. Smith, rural route 1, Kokomo; and four sons, Herschel W. Criss, West Middleton; Orville D. Criss,722 30th street, South Bend; Clarke W. Criss, 1228 West Taylor street, and O. David Criss, 1623 North Bell street. She also leaves 13 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Free Methodist church, McCann and Jackson streets, at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon, with the Rev. E. D. Riggs, pastor, in charge. Burial will be in Shiloh cemetery west of Kokomo on state road 22.
The body will be removed from the Ellers mortuary to the home of O. David Criss, 1623 North Bell street, where friends may call any time after 2 p.m. Thursday.