DR. M.L. KILE TAKEN BY DEATH; VICTIM OF SUDDEN HEART ATTACK

Stricken by a heart attack shortly after supper last Wednesday evening, Dr. M.L. Kile, Creighton optometrist and resident of the city for 25 years, passed away about 10:30 o’clock. News of his death the following morning stunned friends and acquaintances for he was in apparent good health the previous day, being at his office until six o’clock in the evening.

Death occurred after the attending physician had gone and at a time when it seemed as if he was resting easier and was about to fall asleep.

The passing of Dr. Kile removes from the community one of its leading citizens. For well over a quarter of a century he practiced optometry here and while of later years, he maintained only his office here, he had previously conducted part time offices at Center, Verdigre, Lynch, Niobrara, Verdel and Orchard. Eventually, he restricted his practice.

Devoted to his family, loyal to his friends, upright in his dealings, he won for himself esteem and respect that only such attributes can win. He was a Master Mason for over 40 years and was a charter member of the Creighton Lions Club. His death is the first to occur in that organization.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 10 o’clock. There were brief rites at the home, followed by services at the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. L. W. Grandy, Wayne, church pastor, officiated.

Floral tributes were profuse and beautiful. The bouquets included one from Creighton business and professional men. Business hours were closed during the services.

The church edifice accommodated less than half those who assembled to pay their last respects to the deceased. Services at the grave were in charge of the Creighton Masonic Lodge. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.

The obituary follows:

Milford L., the son of Ransome Kile and Mary Powers Kile, was born February 26, 1867 at Lowell, Indiana and passed away April 17, 1935 at the family home in Creighton, Nebraska. He was 68 years, one month and eighteen days old at the time of his death.

As a boy of 12, he moved with his parents from Indiana to Griswold, Ia., where the family lived four years. In 1883, the Kile family moved to Nebraska, locating west of Plainview. Their first house in Nebraska was a sod one.

He grew to manhood on his father’s farm and subsequently learned the jeweler’s trade. In 1900, he came to Creighton and opened a jewelry and watch repair department in Campbell’s Drug Store. Later he studied optometry and in 1913 disposed of his jewelry business to devote full time to the practice of that profession. He was actively engaged thus, up to the day of his death, having his Creighton office for a period of 22 consecutive years.

On February 9, 1905, he was united in marriage to Maude Buckmaster of Creighton. She, with her three children, are left to mourn. The children are Dr. Marvin W., who followed in his father’s profession, of Lincoln; Miss Mary, teaching at Wayne and Miss Dorothy, attending college at Wayne.

His mother passed away in 1907; his father, a Civil War veteran, in 1933 at the age of 97. Five brothers also preceded him in death: Dr. Wm. Kile of Plainview, who passed away in 1912; L. E. Kile of New Raymer, Colo., whose death occurred in 1928; and three, who died in infancy. The deceased was the second youngest of the six sons.

Dr. Kile was a member of the Episcopal Church and was actively affiliated with Creighton Lodge and Civic organizations, as well as the associations identified with the advancement of his profession.

(additional: Dr. Kile was the father of Mary Wardell, Merle Wardell’s second wife. Merle first married Enid Grace Jensen, child of Nels Martin and Anna (Truhlsen) Jensen. Nels was Soren Jensen’s 5th child.) ~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial # 92547212