Abraham M Thorf
News Examiner, Thursday, 18 August 1966, page 1
RITES HELD
Abraham M Thorf, 75, Montpelier business man and World War I
Veteran, died at 8 am August 11, of a heart attack in the Bear Lake Memorial
Hospital. Mr. Thorf who had been ill for several months, was at the Fair store
when stricken with the fatal attack.
He was born July 17, 1891 in Perovo, Russia and when a boy accompanied his parents to Huntington West Virginia. Mr. Thorf was employed at the National Levine store in Rexburg several years prior to enlisting in the Army, shortly after the United States entered World War I. A Supply Sergeant with Company B 361 Infantry Mr. Thorf was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the armed enemy at Gesnes, France on November 8, 1918. General John C Pershing signed the citation. Sergeant Thorf, although badly wounded, crawled 500 meters under heavy shell fire to deliver important papers to his company commander.
Mr. Thorf, who returned to Rexburg following World War I and married Lillian Lewis February 1, 1922 in Salt Lake City and on February 10, Mr. Thorf became associated with the Fair Store operated by Sam Lewis, pioneer Montpelier merchant. In 1936 Mr. Thorf took over management of the business which duties he performed until his death. He belonged to Post 63, American Legion and King Solomon Lodge Nov 27 AF & AM.
Besides his widow he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. R W (Betty Lou) Jack and Renee Thorf both of Pasadena California, three grandchildren and one brother, Paris Thorf of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The funeral was at 11 am Saturday in the Matthews Mortuary chapel. H G Nuckols presided and remarks were by L K Anderson and L S Wedel gave the benediction. Max Haddock accompanied by Mrs. Lester Armatage sang. Military honors were observed at graveside by Post 63, American Legion, with Eugene J Grimes acting as sergeant at arms and Glen Burgoyne and Lloyd Hill, comprising the firing squad. Leland Tufts and Vern Dunn, color guard and Phil Perkins sounding taps and presenting the casket flag to Mrs. Thorf.
Pallbearers were R L Collipriest, Paul Richelson, Freddie Parker, Kenneth Regnier, E E Gass and Richard L Perkins.