Frank Andrew BRIDGE

Obituary: Frank A. Bridge, 77, of 933 Greenview Dr., owner of Frank A. Bridge Oil Co., since 1942 and for many years one of Springfield's leading jewelers, was killed about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in an automobile accident three miles west of Martinsville. From 1922 to 1947, Mr. Bridge owned and operated the Bridge Jewelry Store and in 1952, Mr. Bridge re-entered the jewelry business when he opened "The Diamond Shop" which he operated until 1955. He was born in Shelby county the son of Herschel and Ella Bridge. He was a member of Central Lodge No. 71 AF & AM, Springfield Chapter No. 1 R.A.M. Springfield Council No. 2, R.N.S.M., Elwood Commandery No. 6, K.T., Springfield Consistory Court No. 20, R.O.J., Past Popentate of Ansar Temple, Past director of Court No. 20. Mr. Bridge was named director of Court No. 20 in 1954 and was elected illustrious potentate of Ansar Temple in January of 1950. Surviving are his wife, Pearl B.; one daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Epperly of LaGrange; one sister, Mrs. George Oxnam of St. Louis, Mo. and two granddaughters. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel with Rev. Floyd Strater officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Illinois State Journal, July 31, 1968, page 4. His daughter from his 1st marriage to Mary Ellen Bridge was Mary Eleanor Epperly (married name). Mary Eleanor's daughters were Eleanor Jane VanAlest (married name) and Barbara Jo Bean (married name). Source - Betty Sowarsh. His father was a farmer born in Ohio. His mother was born in Illinois. He was 1 of at least 5 children. Source - 1920 Illinois census.

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