Note from Bob Jones:
I was just looking at the Illinois State Death Index. It shows date of death for Fred S. Whitson as April 28, 1946.

Wayne County Press
Fairfield Illinois
date unknown

Fred S. Whitson, 68, veteran Fairfield Barber, passed away unexpectedly at his home on South First street here about 9:30 o’clock Sunday evening following a heart attack. Mr. Whitson was not known to have been suffering with a heart ailment.

He had worked at his shop all day Saturday, as usual, and on Sunday evening he and Mrs. Whitson had been calling at the home of neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Withrow. Shortly after returning home he complained of a hurting in his chest and took some soda for what he thought was indigestion. A few moments later, Mrs. Whitson returned to the dining room where she found him slumped over his chair dying.

She ran to the porch and called for help. Neighbors immediately summoned Dr. D. A. Gershenson but death occurred before he arrived.

The body was taken to the Nale funeral home where it will remain until two-thiry o’clock Thursday afternoon when funeral services will be held at the First Methodist church by Dr. C. L. Peterson. Burial will follow in the Maple Hill cemetery. Fairfield stores will close for the funeral hour.

Mr. Whitson was born in Johnsonville on April 27, 1877, son of John D. and Elmira Sill-Whitson. He attended school in the community of his birth.

In November 1911 he was married to Gertrude Jefferis at Springfield. To this union, one daughter, Martha Lou, of St. Louis, was born.

Mr. Whitson was a member of the First Methodist church in the city and a member of the Fairfield Masonic lodge.

In September 1910, he came to Fairfield and bought the Webber Brothers Barber shop in the Press Office building and has continued the operation of it ever since. Since October 1920 he has been assisted by Curtis Bradley, who will continue to operate the shop for the widow and daughter.

Surviving are the widow and daughter; one sister, Mrs. Florence Win, of Yukon, Mo.; and two half-brothrs, Rufus Whitson, of Geff, and Wilbert Whitson, of Cisne. One brother, Walter, is deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Rober Jefferis, of Norwood, Ohio are here for the funeral.