Loretta Jane Blake

George E. Sims was born April 5, 1865, in Mount Pleasant Twp., Racine Co., WI, and died December 28, 1902, in Nebraska at age 37. He is the son of John Franklin Sims of Nelson, Madison Co., NY and Adelia Spencer of New York.

Loretta Jane "Etta" Blake was born February 12, 1868, in the Borough of Bloody Run, Bedford Co., PA, and died March 17, 1942, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 74. She is the daughter of Charles Tipper Blake of Morrison's Cove, Bedford (now Blair) Co., PA, and Sarah Ann Taylor of Hopewell Twp., Bedford Co., PA.

George E. Sims and Loretta Jane "Etta" Blake were married October 3, 1888, in Greene Co., IA.

Wilmer Louis "William" Killian was born March 8, 1913, in Scotts Bluff, NE, and died July 1987 in Moore Co., NC, at age 74. He is the son of Louis A. Killian and Lenore (Sims) Killian. Both Lenore and Robert lived in Los Angeles, CA, in August 1930, when they traveled to Hawaii, and his name was given as Robert Killian, with the same birth date.

George E. Sims and Loretta Jane "Etta" (Blake) Sims were divorced by 1898.

Charles E. Hutchins was born May 1861 in Monroe Co., IL, and died between 1920 and 1930 in Unknown. He is the son of David Hutchins of Unknown and Eliza Benedict of Unknown.

Berttana Terbush was born about 1864 in Unknown and died Unknown. She is the daughter of William C. Terbush (Born August 25, 1839, in New York; Died April 6, 1923, in Atlantic, Cass Co., IA) and Mary Rebecca Felt (Born January 12, 1842; Died September 4, 1918, in Atlantic, Cass Co., IA).

Charles E. Hutchins and Berttana Terbush were married December 7, 1884, in Atlantic, Cass Co., IA.

Charles E. Hutchins and Loretta Jane "Etta" (Blake) Sims were married April 26, 1898, in Des Moines, Polk Co., IA, being the second marriage for each.

Charles E. Hutchins and Loretta Jane "Etta" (Blake) (Sims) Hutchins had one child:

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 14, 1880 shows John Sims (age 46) born in New York to New York-born parents is a Farmer living in Mount Pleasant Twp., Racine Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Adelia Sims (age 41) born in New York to New York-born parents, who is Keeping House. Two Sims children are also living there, born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents: George Sims (age 15); and Gesse Sims (age 10). They live next to Taylor's Orphan Asylum.

George E. Sims and Loretta Jane "Etta" (Blake) Sims were divorced by 1898.

Loretta Jane "Etta" (Blake) (Sims) Hutchins died March 17, 1942, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 74.

Wilmer Louis "William" Killian was born March 8, 1913, in Cedar Bluffs, IA, and died July 1987 in Carthage, Moore Co., NC (age 74). He was married. Mother: Lenore Killian.

The Pilot, Southern Pines, NC, March 3, 2006

Madeline O. Killian

Madeline Pauline O'Connor Killian, 90, of Carthage and Whispering Pines, formerly of Santa Barbara, Calif., died Wednesday (February 22, 2006) at St. Joseph Of The Pines Health Center in Southern Pines.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at Carthage United Methodist Church in Carthage with the Rev. Chuck Plowman officiating. Burial will be in the Killian family grave site in Cross Hill Cemetery in Carthage.

Mrs. Killian was born May 1, 1915, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Major James O'Connor and Christine Docken. She graduated from West High School in Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota. In 1957, she received an honorary Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Commonwealth University in Los Angeles, Calif.

"As a person with broad interests, Mrs. Killian demonstrated accomplishments unusual for her time and place," said a family member.

At age 21, she became a social worker with Minneapolis Social Services, rising to Director of the Homeless Men's Bureau.

"A tireless advocate against exploitation of the homeless, she became known as the woman who disrupted and quashed several communist-led rallies to recruit homeless men as strike breakers during labor negotiations and disputes," said a family spokesperson. "Also, Mrs. Killian organized a meeting between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Sister Kenny regarding her methods of treatment of polio-stricken children. The then Miss O'Connor was later introduced to President and Mrs. Roosevelt."

Mrs. Killian married Wilmer Louis Killian of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 10, 1938, with a formal wedding in Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Killian were married for 49 years.

After their marriage, the Killians moved to California, first to Los Angeles, then Whittier, and later to Santa Barbara. Through the years, Mrs. Killian's activities included starting a restaurant business, a commercial ceramics business, designing and building several homes and apartments, and general real estate practice.

After World War II, Mrs. Killian built the first multi-unit apartment home in Los Angeles, which was designed expressly for severely handicapped World War II veterans and their families. This was her contribution to the war effort, and also honoring her brother, John, a five-year NCO Army Infantry Combat Veteran. Also during the war years, Mrs. Killian wrote devotional material for "Our Daily Bread," "The Open Door," and other inspirational magazines.

During the 1950s, Mrs. Killian organized the formation of two Lutheran churches.

G. E. established a facility designated as the Technical Military Planning Operation (TEMPO). She became the manager of publications with a 26-member staff, publishing hundred of technical materials. She was one of the only two women managers in G. E.'s worldwide organization.

Keenly interested in politics, Mrs. Killian became a tireless worker with various political causes. Then-Governor Jerry Brown offered her several political appointments in Sacramento. She was present at the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Mrs. Killian's Montecito home was a California 1885 Victorian in an ever-ongoing restoration. This house was used as the movie set of the 1964 TV series, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", starring Hope Lange, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Edward Mulhare.

Mrs. and Mrs. Killian retired to Whispering Pines in 1981, where Mr. Killian passed away at home in 1987. Mrs. Killian volunteered at the Whispering Pines Thrift Shop and belonged to the Whispers Club of Whispering Pines. She was a member of the Carthage United Methodist Church. She loved to sing and dance. At various times she sang with Glee Clubs and Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist choirs.

In 1998, Mrs. Killian and her son purchased a 1910 Victorian home in Carthage, another continuing restoration. During her latter days, she commented, "Had I been born just 20 years later, what interesting things I could have done! Women today can do anything!"

Mrs. Killian was both a polio and cancer survivor.

Mrs. Killian is survived by her son, Major Michael John Killian of Carthage; her brother, Major John Docken O'Connor of Camp Verde, Ariz.; her niece, Robin Suzanne O'Connor of Camp Verde, Ariz.; and several beloved cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carthage Historical Museum, P.O. Box 216, Carthage, NC 28327.

Simon Funeral Home of Southern Pines assisted the family.