Eloy's first resident pioneer, John Arnold Alsdorf, 75, passed away at Hoemako Hospital in Casa Grande last Thursday afternoon after a few weeks' illness. The man who was a familiar part of the Eloy scene since he arrived in
1919 was stricken suddenly when it appeared he was on the road to recovery from a recent operation.
Mr. Alsdorf, one of the most respected of the laymen in St. Helen's Catholic parish, was signally honored by his Excellency, the Most Rev. Daniel J. Gercke, bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, who presided at the funeral mass on Monday.
The Rosary was prayed for Mr. Alsdorf on Sunday night at 8 o'clock in the Valley Funeral Home by Rev. Jaul J. Rook, pastor of St. Helens'.
At the conclusion of the Rosary, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Pinal County held the traditional Chalice dedication service for the deceased Fourth Degree Knight. The beautiful golden Chalice, with Mr. Alsdorf's name inscribed, will be sent to relatives in Holland, who in turn will place it in some Mission Chapel where it will be used daily for the Holy Mass in perpetual memory of Sir Knight John A. Alsdorf. The Chalice dedication
ceremony was conducted by Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Leo Delgado and Fred Andrew, both former Grand Knights of the Pinal Council. The Fourth Degree Knights also formed an honor guard for Mr. Alsdorf for the remainder of the wake.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Helen's. Celebrant of the Solemn Requiem High Funeral Mass was the Rev. Paul J. Rook, and Deacon was the Rev. Robert Murray, Catholic chaplain at Princeton University who is presently visiting in Casa Grande. Sub-deacon of the Mass was the Rev. William Waldron, assistant pastor of St. Anthony's in Casa Grande and chaplain of the Pinal County Knights of Columbus. Presiding in the Sanctuary for the Funeral Mass, with Bishop Gercke, were the Very Rev. Sylvio J. Ross, V.F., pastor of St. Anthony's church in Casa Grande, and Dean of Pinal County; and the Very Rev. Walter F. Rosensweig, chancellor of the Diocese of Tucson.
Bishop Gercke delivered the eulogy at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass, and prayed the final Absolution prayers. The burial was held at Eloy Memorial Park, with the Rev. Father Rook officiating assisted by the Rev. Waldron. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who served as pallbearers were Albert Cruz, of Casa Grande; Fred Andrew, Leo Delgado, Carlos Mendoza, Steve Poli and Santiago M. Rosales, of Eloy.
Mr. Alsdorf, who lived alone at his ranch two miles south of Toltec, is survived by two sisters and several nephews in Holland. An aunt of Mr. Alsdorf is a Dominican Nun in Holland.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence Alsdorf, and a Catholic priest, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Matthias Alsdorf. He had no relatives in the United States.
During the past few years since his retirement as owner of The Broadway Store in Eloy, Mr. Alsdorf traveled quite extensively, and made two trips to Holland, where he was born April 28, 1884.
He came to Eloy in the fall of 1919 from Phoenix, where he had been associated with Armour and Company's milk condensing plant.
Mr. Alsdorf became a partner in the Cotton City Land company which had been formed by three Chicago promoters. The company had purchased a half-section of desert land from Frank Trekell, California banker, and had subdivided it into a well-planned town which they named Cotton City.
Alsdorf served as manager, and opened a general store. He also served as the struggling little community's second postmaster, the first being a George Stronach who helped establish mail service.
A few months after Alsdorf arrived on the scene, his three partners left, and from early in 1920 until after 1922 Alsdorf was the only established resident. The name Cotton City was not used for long, partly because the depot was named Eloy and when mail service was obtained, the post office was so designated.
Mr. Alsdorf assisted in establishing St. Helen's mission in Eloy and donated the land upon which St. Helen's church and youth center were built several years ago.
1919 was stricken suddenly when it appeared he was on the road to recovery from a recent operation.
Mr. Alsdorf, one of the most respected of the laymen in St. Helen's Catholic parish, was signally honored by his Excellency, the Most Rev. Daniel J. Gercke, bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, who presided at the funeral mass on Monday.
The Rosary was prayed for Mr. Alsdorf on Sunday night at 8 o'clock in the Valley Funeral Home by Rev. Jaul J. Rook, pastor of St. Helens'.
At the conclusion of the Rosary, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Pinal County held the traditional Chalice dedication service for the deceased Fourth Degree Knight. The beautiful golden Chalice, with Mr. Alsdorf's name inscribed, will be sent to relatives in Holland, who in turn will place it in some Mission Chapel where it will be used daily for the Holy Mass in perpetual memory of Sir Knight John A. Alsdorf. The Chalice dedication
ceremony was conducted by Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Leo Delgado and Fred Andrew, both former Grand Knights of the Pinal Council. The Fourth Degree Knights also formed an honor guard for Mr. Alsdorf for the remainder of the wake.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Helen's. Celebrant of the Solemn Requiem High Funeral Mass was the Rev. Paul J. Rook, and Deacon was the Rev. Robert Murray, Catholic chaplain at Princeton University who is presently visiting in Casa Grande. Sub-deacon of the Mass was the Rev. William Waldron, assistant pastor of St. Anthony's in Casa Grande and chaplain of the Pinal County Knights of Columbus. Presiding in the Sanctuary for the Funeral Mass, with Bishop Gercke, were the Very Rev. Sylvio J. Ross, V.F., pastor of St. Anthony's church in Casa Grande, and Dean of Pinal County; and the Very Rev. Walter F. Rosensweig, chancellor of the Diocese of Tucson.
Bishop Gercke delivered the eulogy at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass, and prayed the final Absolution prayers. The burial was held at Eloy Memorial Park, with the Rev. Father Rook officiating assisted by the Rev. Waldron. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who served as pallbearers were Albert Cruz, of Casa Grande; Fred Andrew, Leo Delgado, Carlos Mendoza, Steve Poli and Santiago M. Rosales, of Eloy.
Mr. Alsdorf, who lived alone at his ranch two miles south of Toltec, is survived by two sisters and several nephews in Holland. An aunt of Mr. Alsdorf is a Dominican Nun in Holland.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence Alsdorf, and a Catholic priest, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Matthias Alsdorf. He had no relatives in the United States.
During the past few years since his retirement as owner of The Broadway Store in Eloy, Mr. Alsdorf traveled quite extensively, and made two trips to Holland, where he was born April 28, 1884.
He came to Eloy in the fall of 1919 from Phoenix, where he had been associated with Armour and Company's milk condensing plant.
Mr. Alsdorf became a partner in the Cotton City Land company which had been formed by three Chicago promoters. The company had purchased a half-section of desert land from Frank Trekell, California banker, and had subdivided it into a well-planned town which they named Cotton City.
Alsdorf served as manager, and opened a general store. He also served as the struggling little community's second postmaster, the first being a George Stronach who helped establish mail service.
A few months after Alsdorf arrived on the scene, his three partners left, and from early in 1920 until after 1922 Alsdorf was the only established resident. The name Cotton City was not used for long, partly because the depot was named Eloy and when mail service was obtained, the post office was so designated.
Mr. Alsdorf assisted in establishing St. Helen's mission in Eloy and donated the land upon which St. Helen's church and youth center were built several years ago.
Eloy's first resident pioneer, John Arnold Alsdorf, 75, passed away at Hoemako Hospital in Casa Grande last Thursday afternoon after a few weeks' illness. The man who was a familiar part of the Eloy scene since he arrived in
1919 was stricken suddenly when it appeared he was on the road to recovery from a recent operation.
Mr. Alsdorf, one of the most respected of the laymen in St. Helen's Catholic parish, was signally honored by his Excellency, the Most Rev. Daniel J. Gercke, bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, who presided at the funeral mass on Monday.
The Rosary was prayed for Mr. Alsdorf on Sunday night at 8 o'clock in the Valley Funeral Home by Rev. Jaul J. Rook, pastor of St. Helens'.
At the conclusion of the Rosary, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Pinal County held the traditional Chalice dedication service for the deceased Fourth Degree Knight. The beautiful golden Chalice, with Mr. Alsdorf's name inscribed, will be sent to relatives in Holland, who in turn will place it in some Mission Chapel where it will be used daily for the Holy Mass in perpetual memory of Sir Knight John A. Alsdorf. The Chalice dedication
ceremony was conducted by Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Leo Delgado and Fred Andrew, both former Grand Knights of the Pinal Council. The Fourth Degree Knights also formed an honor guard for Mr. Alsdorf for the remainder of the wake.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Helen's. Celebrant of the Solemn Requiem High Funeral Mass was the Rev. Paul J. Rook, and Deacon was the Rev. Robert Murray, Catholic chaplain at Princeton University who is presently visiting in Casa Grande. Sub-deacon of the Mass was the Rev. William Waldron, assistant pastor of St. Anthony's in Casa Grande and chaplain of the Pinal County Knights of Columbus. Presiding in the Sanctuary for the Funeral Mass, with Bishop Gercke, were the Very Rev. Sylvio J. Ross, V.F., pastor of St. Anthony's church in Casa Grande, and Dean of Pinal County; and the Very Rev. Walter F. Rosensweig, chancellor of the Diocese of Tucson.
Bishop Gercke delivered the eulogy at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass, and prayed the final Absolution prayers. The burial was held at Eloy Memorial Park, with the Rev. Father Rook officiating assisted by the Rev. Waldron. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who served as pallbearers were Albert Cruz, of Casa Grande; Fred Andrew, Leo Delgado, Carlos Mendoza, Steve Poli and Santiago M. Rosales, of Eloy.
Mr. Alsdorf, who lived alone at his ranch two miles south of Toltec, is survived by two sisters and several nephews in Holland. An aunt of Mr. Alsdorf is a Dominican Nun in Holland.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence Alsdorf, and a Catholic priest, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Matthias Alsdorf. He had no relatives in the United States.
During the past few years since his retirement as owner of The Broadway Store in Eloy, Mr. Alsdorf traveled quite extensively, and made two trips to Holland, where he was born April 28, 1884.
He came to Eloy in the fall of 1919 from Phoenix, where he had been associated with Armour and Company's milk condensing plant.
Mr. Alsdorf became a partner in the Cotton City Land company which had been formed by three Chicago promoters. The company had purchased a half-section of desert land from Frank Trekell, California banker, and had subdivided it into a well-planned town which they named Cotton City.
Alsdorf served as manager, and opened a general store. He also served as the struggling little community's second postmaster, the first being a George Stronach who helped establish mail service.
A few months after Alsdorf arrived on the scene, his three partners left, and from early in 1920 until after 1922 Alsdorf was the only established resident. The name Cotton City was not used for long, partly because the depot was named Eloy and when mail service was obtained, the post office was so designated.
Mr. Alsdorf assisted in establishing St. Helen's mission in Eloy and donated the land upon which St. Helen's church and youth center were built several years ago.
1919 was stricken suddenly when it appeared he was on the road to recovery from a recent operation.
Mr. Alsdorf, one of the most respected of the laymen in St. Helen's Catholic parish, was signally honored by his Excellency, the Most Rev. Daniel J. Gercke, bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, who presided at the funeral mass on Monday.
The Rosary was prayed for Mr. Alsdorf on Sunday night at 8 o'clock in the Valley Funeral Home by Rev. Jaul J. Rook, pastor of St. Helens'.
At the conclusion of the Rosary, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Pinal County held the traditional Chalice dedication service for the deceased Fourth Degree Knight. The beautiful golden Chalice, with Mr. Alsdorf's name inscribed, will be sent to relatives in Holland, who in turn will place it in some Mission Chapel where it will be used daily for the Holy Mass in perpetual memory of Sir Knight John A. Alsdorf. The Chalice dedication
ceremony was conducted by Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Leo Delgado and Fred Andrew, both former Grand Knights of the Pinal Council. The Fourth Degree Knights also formed an honor guard for Mr. Alsdorf for the remainder of the wake.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Helen's. Celebrant of the Solemn Requiem High Funeral Mass was the Rev. Paul J. Rook, and Deacon was the Rev. Robert Murray, Catholic chaplain at Princeton University who is presently visiting in Casa Grande. Sub-deacon of the Mass was the Rev. William Waldron, assistant pastor of St. Anthony's in Casa Grande and chaplain of the Pinal County Knights of Columbus. Presiding in the Sanctuary for the Funeral Mass, with Bishop Gercke, were the Very Rev. Sylvio J. Ross, V.F., pastor of St. Anthony's church in Casa Grande, and Dean of Pinal County; and the Very Rev. Walter F. Rosensweig, chancellor of the Diocese of Tucson.
Bishop Gercke delivered the eulogy at the conclusion of the Funeral Mass, and prayed the final Absolution prayers. The burial was held at Eloy Memorial Park, with the Rev. Father Rook officiating assisted by the Rev. Waldron. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus who served as pallbearers were Albert Cruz, of Casa Grande; Fred Andrew, Leo Delgado, Carlos Mendoza, Steve Poli and Santiago M. Rosales, of Eloy.
Mr. Alsdorf, who lived alone at his ranch two miles south of Toltec, is survived by two sisters and several nephews in Holland. An aunt of Mr. Alsdorf is a Dominican Nun in Holland.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence Alsdorf, and a Catholic priest, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Matthias Alsdorf. He had no relatives in the United States.
During the past few years since his retirement as owner of The Broadway Store in Eloy, Mr. Alsdorf traveled quite extensively, and made two trips to Holland, where he was born April 28, 1884.
He came to Eloy in the fall of 1919 from Phoenix, where he had been associated with Armour and Company's milk condensing plant.
Mr. Alsdorf became a partner in the Cotton City Land company which had been formed by three Chicago promoters. The company had purchased a half-section of desert land from Frank Trekell, California banker, and had subdivided it into a well-planned town which they named Cotton City.
Alsdorf served as manager, and opened a general store. He also served as the struggling little community's second postmaster, the first being a George Stronach who helped establish mail service.
A few months after Alsdorf arrived on the scene, his three partners left, and from early in 1920 until after 1922 Alsdorf was the only established resident. The name Cotton City was not used for long, partly because the depot was named Eloy and when mail service was obtained, the post office was so designated.
Mr. Alsdorf assisted in establishing St. Helen's mission in Eloy and donated the land upon which St. Helen's church and youth center were built several years ago.
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