Sterling BulletinThursday, February 17, 1977Cobbler Dead at 88Louis John Elbl, known by many as just “Louie” died Saturday, in Festus, Mo., where he had been residing the past two years in the home of his son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Bill Elbl.Louie was born in Sterling Dec 8, 1888, to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Elbl Sr., early Sterling settlers. His father migrated to the states from Czechoslovakia, came to Sterling in the early 1880s to work as a bootmaker in the pioneer Sterling firm of Woonacott and Fleeson., Later, his father had his own shop in a little building that stood where the Trueheart Clinic now stands and by the age of 10 Louie was helping with tacking soles and sewing rips.In 1908 Louie attended Sterling College and was well-known as an athlete, being a baseball pitcher and football player. He left school, studied telegraphy and was an agent at the depot at Anness which was near Wichita.
This is where he met his wife, Grace Ashley, and following their marriage, in 1909, they set up house keeping in the depot building at Anness. The building now stands in Cowtown at Wichita. A short time later they moved to Sterling where Louie resumed the trade of being a cobbler. This was his occupation for almost 70 years, retiring in 1972.
As the oldest businessman on Broadway, Louie, with his wife, rode in Sterling’s Centennial Parade in 1972. After his wife’s death in 1974, he went to Missouri to live with his son. In May of 1976 he returned to Sterling to say goodbye to his ancient equipment on which he plied his trade. The machinery, including two stitchers and a large finisher, plus his hand tools, were hauled to Goessel where it became a part of the Mennonite Heritage Complex.
During his many years of business on Broadway and knowing almost everyone in the community, Louie was a great source of information. When anyone needed a bit of information they only needed to visit with the sprightly cobbler.
Louie was a member of the Sterling United Methodist Church and recently received a 50 – year pin from the Sterling Masonic Lodge. He is survived by a son, Bill, Festus, Mo., a daughter, Vivian Goontz, Prescott, Ariz.; seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held in Sterling Monday with burial in the Sterling Community Cemetery.
Sterling Bulletin
Thursday, February 17, 1977
Obituary
Louis J. Elbl
Louis John Elbl, a lifetime resident of Sterling, died Feb. 12 at the home of his son, Bill Elbl in Festus, Mo. He was born Dec. 8, 1888, at Sterling and married Grace Agnes Ashley Feb. 3, 1909, at Norwich. She died March 11, 1974.
Mr. Elbl had been a shoe cobbler on Broadway for almost 70 years, retiring in 1972. He was a member of the Sterling United Methodist Church and recently received a 50 – year pin from the Sterling Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include son, Bill, Festus, Mo; daughter, Mrs. Vivian Goontz, Prescott, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday, Feb 14, at the Porter and Sillin Funeral Home with Rev Bob Baer officiating. Burial was in the Sterling Community Cemetery.
Family links:
Parents:
Louis Joseph Elbl (1862 – 1948)
Anna Mary Beyer Elbl (1870 – 1955)
Spouse:
Grace Agnes Ashley Elbl (1891 – 1974)*
Children:
Vivian G Elbl Goontz (1915 – 1998)*
William Martin Elbl (1924 – 2008)*
Sibling:
Anna Alice Elbl (1886 – 1901)*
Louis John Elbl (1888 – 1977)
*Calculated relationship |
