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Ilo Katherine Smith

Ilo Katherine Smith

Female 1906 - 1974  (67 years)

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  • Name Ilo Katherine Smith  [1, 2
    Born 30 Apr 1906  Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Gender Female 
    Died 9 Mar 1974  Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Buried 12 Mar 1974  TMP South Lawn Crematory/Adair Funeral Home, Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • At the time of the 1930 Federal census, Ilo was listed as single, and living in Oscoda, Iosco County, Michigan, as rooming in the Alvin Dunsmore home, along with two other teachers.

      It is possible that she married briefly at some point as a young woman. In the "Marriages" section of the family bible belonging to her sister Avis, "Ilo and Dale Shelterly" are listed as witnesses to the 1926 marriage of Avis to Ben F. Benkelman.

      Tom McLemore-who later married Ilo's niece Bonnie-said that Ilo told him she had been married briefly, but had never told her niece about this marriage. There was a Dale B. Shelterley listed on the 1930 census, in Sebewa, Ionia County, Michigan. He was listed as single, and age 22, some six years younger than Ilo. He would have been 18 in 1926, so this could be a possibility. Dale was a son of Ozro B and Lillie C. Shelterley.

      Ilo married Robert Shelden later in life. She never had children. Her second husband had grown children from a prior marriage.

      Her niece, Bonnie, recalls that Ilo worked as a cartographer for the Greyhound bus line. She later became a travel agent, and traveled overseas extensively. She lived in Chicago in the late 1950's and invited a co-worker, Hans Penner, and his roommate at the University of Chicago-Tom McLemore, to Thanksgiving dinner. This is where Tom and Bonnie met.

      Ilo lived in Indiana in the 1970's and taught school. It was through another teacher that she met her husband, Bob Shelden. She loved to work with her hands, and her apartment was full of crafts she had made. Her great-nieces, Melinda, Melissa, and Leigh adored her.

      Ilo and Bob moved to Tuscon when they retired. They resided at 3737 North Country Club Drive. Ilo died of breast cancer at the University of Arizona Hospital in Tuscon. Bob later remarried.
    • (Medical):Pericarditis, Breast Cancer
    Person ID I103  Strong Family Tree
    Last Modified 22 Dec 2020 

    Father William Bertis Smith,   b. 20 Jun 1868, Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 May 1940, Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years) 
    Mother Ida Alice Elliott,   b. 13 Dec 1866, Seneca County, Ohio Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jan 1946, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Married 11 May 1898  Odessa Township, Ionia County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 4
    Documents
    Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 2 of 4
    Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 2 of 4
    Family Register page listing her parents, William Bert Smith and Ida Alice Elliott
    Family ID F17  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Charles Robert "Bob" Shelden,   b. 27 Sep 1912, Shelby, Richland County, Ohio Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Mar 1980, Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 67 years) 
    Last Modified 9 Dec 2006 
    Family ID F105  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 30 Apr 1906 - Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 9 Mar 1974 - Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 12 Mar 1974 - TMP South Lawn Crematory/Adair Funeral Home, Tuscon, Pima County, Arizona Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Smith, Ilo Katherine ca 1907
    Smith, Ilo Katherine ca 1907
    The youngest daughter of Bert and Ida Smith, Ilo was born in Grand Ledge, Michigan in 1906
    Herbert, John Jacob and Ella Children plus two unknown
    Herbert, John Jacob and Ella Children plus two unknown
    The children of John and Ella Herbert, Odessa Township, Michigan, with their first cousins, Avis and Ilo Smith, (L to R): Cevilla, Gurtha, Avis, Ilo, and John Bernard. Names were written on the back of the photo.

    Elliott, Ida Alice with her daughters and granddaughter ca 1938
    Elliott, Ida Alice with her daughters and granddaughter ca 1938
    From left to right:
    Ilo Smith, Bonnie Benkelman (granddaughter), Ida Elliott Smith, and Avis Smith Benkelman. Appears to have been taken in Grand Ledge, Michigan.
    Smith, Ilo Katherine ca 1930's
    Smith, Ilo Katherine ca 1930's
    Ilo's degree was in education, and she initially worked as a teacher. She later worked as a cartographer for Greyhound bus lines, and then as a travel agent. Later in her life, she returned to teaching as her career.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Smith, Ilo Katherine
    Smith, Ilo Katherine
    Daughter of Bert Smith and Ida Elliott, only sibling of Avis Smith Benkelman

    Documents
    Grand Ledge, Michigan High School
    Grand Ledge, Michigan High School
    Avis and Ilo Smith were both graduates of Grand Ledge High School, which was located just a few blocks from their home
    Smith, Ilo Katherine
    Smith, Ilo Katherine
    Eaton County, Michigan Birth Certificate, recorded May 8, 1906 by Lola Stokes, Registrar
    Smith, Ilo Katherine (Mrs. Robert Shelden)
    Smith, Ilo Katherine (Mrs. Robert Shelden)
    State of Arizona Death Certificate
    Smith, Ilo
    Smith, Ilo
    Thank you note from Ilo to her eldest niece, probably written in early 1960's
    Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 3 of 4
    Smith, Avis Augusta Bible Records, p 3 of 4
    Children's names, listing Avis and her sister, Ila

  • Sources 
    1. [S285] Quitclaim Deed, State of Michigan, County of Eaton, dated 15 Dec 1937.

    2. [S81] Family Register, The Holy Bible, National Bible Press, Philadelphia, Pa. Presented to Avis Smith by her parents, December 25, 1920.

    3. [S378] State of Arizona, Department of Health, Division of Health Records and Statistics.

    4. [S149] Bennett, Lavonne (lib@iserv.net)-Ionia County, Mich. Genealogist and Researcher, Supplied by LaVonne Bennett (Reliability: 3).