WILMETH, Oscar

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona February 26, 1987, page 7 Oscar Wilmeth, 101, of Wickenburg, died Jan. 23 in Valley View Hospital, Youngtown. He was born Oct. 25, 1885 in Effingham County, Ill. He is survived by three daughters, Besse Wright, of Youngtown, Marin Allgaier, of Peoria, Ill., and Maxine Cowie, of San Diego, Calif.; two sons, Robert Wilmeth of Indian Wells, Calif. and Delbert Wilmeth, of Mesa; 20 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. In 1934 Wilmeth was hired as head dairyman at the Pontiac prison (Illinois), a position he retained for 26 years. He also was a carpenter and in 1976 he published his autobiography. In October, 1985, a 100 year birthday celebration in his honor was hosted in Phoenix, attended by 180 guests, including family and friends from all over the county. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Wilmeth and a son, Thomas Wilmet, a well-known Wickenburg businessman. Interment was in Pontiac, Ill.