The Lima News, Nov. 17, 1949
Lima, Allen Co., Ohio
(Contrib. by with permission of Norita Sheperd Moss)

NATHANIEL ISAAC SHEPHERD, 83, retired carpenter, died at 8:15 a.m. in the home of his son Cary F. Shepherd, 1080 Findlay Road.  He had been ill for the past six months.  He was born in Darke Co., OH and resided in Celina, OH for 40 years, before coming to Lima six months ago to reside with his son.
     Besides Cary, he is survived by two other sons, Charles E., Waynesfield and Jesse R., Findlay; a daughter, Mrs. Mary (Margaret) House of Portland, IN; a brother; 12 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren.
     The body will remain at the Chiles and Son Funeral Home until 1:00 p.m. then to be removed to the Montezuma Christian Church for services at 2:00 then to be removed to the Montezuma Christian Church for services at 2:00 p.m.  The Rev. Otto Webb will officiate, assisted by Rev. Earl hart.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.
(See Notes #3 below)

Hazel M. Peak, 100, formerly of 530 S. Mill St., Celina, died at 5:35 a.m., March 8, 2005, at Celina Manor Nursing Home.
     She was born Jan. 15, 1905, in Celina, to Charlie and Minnie Colson Springer.  Her husband, Edward R. Peak, Nieces and nephews surviving include Virginia Curry and Marilyn Niemeyer, both of Celina, and Kathy (Paul) Christenson, Salem, Wis.  A son, Bill, is deceased.
     She formerly worked as a punch operator at Reynolds & Reynolds, Celina, and was a member of Montezuma United Church of Christ.
Services were 11 a.m. today at W. H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Kevin Neumann officiated.  Burial followed at Swamp College Cemetery.
(See Notes#6 below)

HARLAN COLSON DIES OF LOCKJAW
Celina, May 19; Harlan Colson, five year old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Colson of W. Logan St., died at the Otis Memorial Hospital from Lockjaw from which he suffered four days.  Two Weeks ago while at play he fell on a board and ran a rusty nail in to his left knee.  About a week later Lockjaw developed and the child was taken to Otis Memorial Hospital where serum treatment was administered but to no avail.  Funeral today at the Christian Church in Montezuma.  Burial in the Ellis Cemetery.

LYMAN WARD PRESTON
Celina - L. Ward Preston 74, Route 6, Celina, a retired farmer died at 5:50 a.m. Monday at Gibbons Hospital, here after a one week illness.  Surviving are his widow, Plezzie N. (Colson), a son Homer, of Celina Route 2, three daughters, Mrs. Elma Kiser, Celina, Mrs. Opal Menchlofer, Route 1, New Bremen, and Mrs. Goldie Ballinger of Shelby; and six grand-children.
     Services will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Montezuma Church of Christ.  Burial will be in the Ellis Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Vale Funeral Home 3:00 p.m. Tuesday.

A Boiler Explosion Causes The Death of James Colson
JAMES COLSON, of Montezuma was fatally injured by a boiler exploding on the boat used to convey supplies to the Manhattan Oil Company, who are drilling in the reservoir.  The accident occurred Saturday morning at 11:30 o'clock at the landing on the west shore.  The boat was ready to start across the wells with supplies and there were seven men on board including the owner, E. E. Stafford of Montezuma.  Just what caused the explosion will never be known exactly, but it came with such terrific force that the boiler was blown across the bank and the boat was entirely demolished.  The entire crew was hurled into the water but the unfortunate engineer born the brunt of the calamity.  He was picked up a mass of bruised and quivering flesh with a thousand gaping wounds on his face and body.  He was brought to Wintermute & Hattery's office but his injuries were beyond all human aid and from there he was taken home, where death soon relieved him from the awful agony of which he was fully conscious to the last.  He leaves a wife and six children, two of the oldest of whom are married.
   The wreck was viewed by hundreds of people on Sunday and it was a matter of wonder that any should have escaped injury.  Two teams were passing along the bank at the time but by some freak accident the boiler passed between them when the explosion occurred and lodged out of harms way on the side of the road.
   Much sympathy has been expressed for the victim of the accident and for the family who have been deprived of the much needed support of the husband and father.
CLICK HERE to see grave stone
(See Notes #4 below)

Additional Source:
Hillsboro, Ohio Newspaper 1896
Small Steamer Blows Up.
CELINA, O., Sept. 14. - A small steamer used to haul oil well supplies across the reservoir blew up Saturday morning.  James Colson, the engineer, from Montezuma, was hurled through the engine-house into the water.  He was rescued by W. Stafford in a small boat.  Colson is thought to be fatally injured.

Also printed in the Marietta Daily Leader (same as above)
Monday, Sept. 14, 1896, Vol. 2, Page 2

Mrs. Mary Magdalene Colson, daughter of Henry and Jenny (Davidson) Pittsenbarger, born Jan. 4, 1847 in Darke County, Ohio, died Oct. 31, 1919, aged 72 years, 9 months, 28 days.
   She was united in marriage Jan. 27, 1873 to James Colson.  To this happy union seven children were born.
   The husband and two children preceded her in death.  She is survived by five children: Mrs. Minnie Springer, of Celina; Mrs. Plezzie Preston, of Montezuma; James, William and Frank of Montezuma.  She also leaves two brothers, four sisters, 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
   Mrs. Colson accepted her Savior early in life, united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1896.  Later she united with the Church of Christ and according to the Master's teaching was buried with him in baptism.
   She was a devoted Christian, a tender loving mother, with unfaltering faith in her Savior in the hour of Death; she was an inspiration to all who knew her.
CLICK HERE to see her grave stone
(See Notes #5 below)

Lucy Virginia Colson Karafit, 83, 5063 Karafit Road, Celina, died at 7:14 p.m. July 2, 2003, at Community Hospital, Coldwater.
     She was born July 22, 1919, in Mercer County, to Frank and Mertie Mosier Colson.  On Aug. 8, 1937, she married Frank Karafit who died Sept. 1984. 
     Survivors are two daughters, Molly (Ben) Trisel, and Arlene Crumpler, all of Celina; a brother, Dick (Mary Jo) Colson, Celina; six grandchildren, a step-grandchild, six great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
     Deceased is a daughter and son-in-law, Marjorie and Jack Thompson, and a son-in-law, Jerry Crumpler; a brother and sister-in-law, Don and Mary Colson; a sister and brother-in-law, Burnell and Gerald Deitsch; and a grandson.
     She was retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., St. Marys, after w0 years.  She was a member of Montezuma United Church of Christ and the Celina Flower & Garden Club.
Services are 2 p.m. today at Lehman Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Jon Kraner officiating.   Burial is at Burge Cemetery, Montezuma.  Calling is 11-2 p.m. today at funeral home.
(See Notes #7 below)