by Laurel | November 19th, 2011
I have seen several references to Margaret’s surname being Walther, and several others indicating it is Walter, including the memorial inscription below on this Forestdale tombstone. Over the years I have seen quite a few tombstones with spelling errors in the inscriptions, not to mention the countless spelling errors in the local papers — anyone know which surname is accurate in this case?
19 November 1939
Bollenbach Tombstone
Mrs. M. W. Bollenbach
Mrs. Margaret (Walther) Bollenbach, 72, of 26 Washington Avenue died this afternoon at the Holyoke Hospital after a short illness. She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and the Ladies’ Aid Society. She was born in Austria in February 1867, coming to this country 50 years ago and residing here for the last 48 years. She leaves three sons, Sergt. Philip Bollenbach of Langley Field, VA; Albert F. Bollenbach of Holyoke; and Otto A. of Wilmington, Delaware; three daughters, Mrs. Charles Moffatt, Mrs. John H. Long and Mrs. Alvin M. Schmitter all of Holyoke, nine grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The body is at the Alger funeral home.
Adapted in part from The Springfield Republican.
