Elisa Bonner Bessire was born September 10th, 1863 in the state of Bern, Switzerland, and passed away Sunday, November 12, 1944, at the age of 81 years, two months and two days in the Shattuck hospital. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church when she was sixteen and remained a Chrisitan the rest of her life. Sixty-three years ago, September 17, 1881, she was married to Juilus Bessire. To this union were born eight children; six boys and two girls. The first daughter and son were born in Switzerland. The daughter, Ida Lee, passed away in infancy. A son, Carl William, died in May, 1942 in Amarillo, Texas. Her husband preceded her in death on August 9th, 1943. In June, 1885 the family came to America and made their home in Wisconsin. In 1901 they moved to El Reno, Oklahoma and lived there a year before coming to their homestead near Reydon. She was a true pioneer. They moved to Midwat in 1922 and 20 years later to Reydon. She was the oldest charter member of Midway Club. Survivors are: Oscar of LaFarge, Wisconsin; Ernest of Yuba City, California; Clara Forrest of Portales, New Mexico; Eddie and Leo of Reydon, Oklahoma; and Jesse of Allison, Texas. Those and their families, including 22 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. Her daughter Mrs. Clara forrest and three sons, Eddie, Leo and Jesse and their families and granddaughter, Bertha Bessire, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, were at her besdide. She has two grandsons in the armed forces overseas, Pvt. Roy Gene Bessire, Medical Corps and S-Sgt. Bill Bessire, Marine Corps, both in the Southwest Pacific. Serices were conducted at the Community Building November 14th, 1944 at 2:30 p.m. by the Baptist pastor Rev. H. Woodard. Burial was in the White Rose cemetery, Reydon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Pall bearers were: Henry H. Forrest, John M. Chandler, B.F. Scrivner, J.B. Purcell, A.R. Wright and Henry E. Barbee. Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 23-Nov-1944