This is a biography of Floyd, and Bill (Billy) from articles in the Walla Union Bulletin from 1954-1968 and extracts of articles from 1966 to 1976. Here is a map to locate Walla Walla. They actually lived in Pomeroy, just north-east from Walla Walla.
Floyd William KOBERSTEIN was born 8 Feb 1912 in Hastings, Adams, Nebraska He died 6 Mar 2006 in Spokane, Washington
Floyd married Mary Jane Alice EPPERSON, daughter of Charles EPPERSON and Edna. Mary was born 12 Nov 1918 in Sterling, Colorado. She died 9 Dec 2006 in Spokane, Washington. They had the following children: Bill L. KOBERSTEIN was born 7 Sep 1944.
Sterling, Colorado where Mary was born is just 50 miles west of Holyoke, Colorado where many of Floyd's father, Frank William died (see note below).
Mary and Floyd lived in Pullman, Washington, where Mary worked as a dental assistant. In 1956, they purchased a theatre in Pomeroy, Washington, which they successfully ran until 1978. Mary worked for the Soils Conservation Service. (Mary obituary)
This article from July 27, 1956 indicates that Bill Koberstein will return from Camp Grizzly near Potlatch Idaho.
Bill was 12 years and two months when he went to camp.
Pomeroy is between Walla Walla, Washington and Lewiston, Idaho. Here is a map.
Here in the September 28, 1956 newspaper Floyd Koberstein drew a deer hunting permit in Garfield and Asotin counties.
In the June 5, 1957 issue Billy is noted as playing taps at the Pioneer Day program for Garfield county.
The May 4, 1966 article announce Bill Koberstein as a comedalist of the Whits End Dual Golf Session.
In the July 29, 1966 column Floyd Koberstein is stated as unopposed as Democrat Assessor in the election.
September 21 1966 article states he was re-elected as county assessor.
From here on we only have extracts of articles from the Walla Union Bulletin.
Sep 22 1966
Incumbents nominated at Pomeroy
"Floyd Koberstein polled 602 votes on the Democatic ticket for county assessor to 387 for William R. Greene, Republican."
Aug 19 1968
Fair Dates Announced
"Pomeroy ... A committee has been appointed by the Chamber of Commerce to review correspondence and do work in the project of securing another doctor. The committee consists of William Cardwell, Ferd Herres and Floyd Koberstein."
Dec 30 1968
Bank Building Permit Issued Pomeroy
"The estate of the late Maurine M. Barlow has been appraised at $197,091, according to papers filed in Garfield County Superior Court. The estate consists of interest in farmland, equipment, bank accounts, stocks and bonds and miscellaneous items. Floyd Koberstein was appraiser and Amos Bartlow, executor."
Dec 7, 1969
Installation by Pomeroy Chamber - Pomeroy
"Floyd Koberstein has sold a duplex on lot 9, block 7 Mulkey's addition to Pomeroy, to John W. Long for a reported $17,000.
Feb 15, 1970
Cattlemen Re-elect N. Keatts - Pomeroy
"During the meeting, reports were given by Mickey Stewart, Washington Cattlemen's executive secretary; Ed Francisco, Washington Beef Commission chairman; Floyd Koberstein, local assessor; Marvin Holloway, Forest Service range management specialist; Dick Brown, county agent, and several local committee chairmen."
Oct 11, 1970
Episcopal Meet Now Under Way
"The 63rd triennial general convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States starts Sunday in Huston, Tex., and runs through Oct. 22. Mrs. Floyd Koberstein, Pomeroy, will be one of three women delegates."
Nov 4, 1970
Keatts Wins in Close Contest - Pomeroy
"Incumbent Democrats Floyd Koberstein, Lester Geiger and David A. Taylor Jr. ran unopposed and were re-elected to assessor, county commissioner for District 3, and treasurer respectively."
Nov 10 1970
Estate Appraised - Pomeroy
"The estate of Bryan Ranch has been appraised at $20,600.59 and includes a house in Pomeroy. National Bank of Commerce is executor. Floyd Koberstein was the appraiser."
Jan 14 1971
New County Officals In Office
"A retirement party was held at the home of county Assessor and Mrs. Floyd Koberstein. Most of the counties in eastern Washington were amoung the guests, which was a retirement party fo rOrville E. Farrish who completed 12 years as Asotin County bassessor Monday. ... Floyd Koberstein sworn in as re-elected assessor, both going on their fourth terms: ..."
Apr 20 1971
Charles Bowne - Pomeroy
"Funeral serviced were held in Pomeroy Monday, for Charles G. Bowne, 64, a former Central Ferry store operator who once served as deputy assessor of Garfield county. ... From 1957 to 1960 Bowne served as deputy asssessor under Assessors Rose Schneckloth and Floyd Koberstein. ..."
Jul 30 1976
Memorial to host NW Elks
"Frank Crump III of Ellensburg, who won the gross title last year in a sudden-death playoff against Bill Koberstein of Pomeroy, will not be back to defend his title. However, Koberstein will play again this year along with Walla Walla's Bob Marr, who won last year's net crown. ..."
Aug 1 1976
Police Log
"Bill Koberstein, 854 Baldwin St., Pomeroy, told police that his golf shoes were stolen from his locked vehicle while it was parked at Veterans Memorial Golf Course Friday."
Sep 8 1976
Pomeroy may close new sawmill operation
"Denied a $3,510 claim from Floyd Koberstein, 232 15th St., for basement damage caused by backed-up sewage. ... "
Sep 19 1976
Several Candidates unopposed in Tuesday primary
"Mrs. Hill is seeking election to the unexpired, two-year term of Garfield County Assessor Floyd Koberstein, who retired in January. She was appointed to the office after serving as deputy for 17 years."
In 1979 they retired to Sunsites, Arizona. Failing health forced a move back to Washington. (Mary obituary)
Quad City Herald, Brewster, WA March 7, 1985: Ray Koberstein of Spokane visited Elaine Hanson.
Social Security Death Index Record Name: Floyd Koberstein SSN: 523-07-0649 Last Residence: 99217 Spokane, Spokane, Washington Born: 8 Feb 1912 Died: 6 Mar 2006 State (Year) SSN issued: Colorado (Before 1951)
United States Obituary Collection Record Spokesman-Review, The (Mar/9/2006) Name of Deceased: Floyd William KOBERSTEIN Death Date: Feb/8/2006
Newspaper Title: Spokesman-Review, The Newspaper Location: Spokane, WA, US Obituary Publication Date: Mar/9/2006 Locations Mentioned in Obituary: Spokane; Hastings, NE
KOBERSTEIN, Floyd William (Age 94) Spokesman-Review, The (Mar/8/2006) Passed away March 6, 2006 Memorial Service Saturday, March 11th, 2 PM Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division, Spokane, WA
KOBERSTEIN, Floyd William (Age 94) birth February 8, 1912 in Hastings, NE; passed away March 6, 2006 in Spokane. A Memorial Service will be celebrated Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. in the Iris Chapel at the funeral home. Inurnment will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to
KOBERSTEIN, Mary Jane Alice (Epperson) (Age 88)
Born November 12, 1918 in Sterling, Colorado to Edna and Charles Epperson; passed away December 9, 2006 in Spokane. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers: John, Kenneth, and Perry; her husband of 68 years, Floyd. Mary and Floyd lived in Pullman, Washington, where Mary worked as a dental assistant. In 1956, they purchased a theatre in Pomeroy, Washington, which they successfully ran until 1978. Mary worked for the Soils Conservation Service. In 1979 they retired to Sunsites, Arizona, where she was active in the Sunsites Country Club and the local Bridge Club. Failing health forced a move back to Washington. She will be missed by her son, Bill; daughter-in-law, Karen; grandchildren: Scott and Kristy, both of Surprise, Arizona; six great-grandchildren; brother, Keith; and numerous nieces and nephews. Private family services will be held.
Spokesman-Review, The (Dec/12/2006)
KOBERSTEIN, Mary J. (Epperson) (Age 88)
Passed away December 9, 2006
Private Family Service will be held
Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, Spokane, WA
Note about Floyds parents:
From "Those Were The Days...." Vol 2; Compiled by The Phillips County
Historical Society, Holyoke, CO, copyright 1988:
FRANK W. KOBERSTEIN
Frank W. Koberstein was born July 5, 1877, in Germany about 50 miles north of Berlin. He was the third child of 10 children born to Henry W. and Amelia Werfel Koberstein. He came to the USA by ship in 1880 along with his parents and three other children. They were six weeks on the water. There were also cattle and a lot of other immigrants on the same ship. They landed at Ellis Island, NY where they were processed. They then went to Iowa for a year where his father got a job helping an outfit thrash watermelons. They could eat all the watermelons they wanted as long as they gave all the seeds back. From there they went to Hastings, NE where his father worked in a brick yard making bricks. They moved to a farm a few years later. Frank started farming on his own, where he batched for a few years until he met and married the school teacher.
Frank and Clara E. Foy were married March 10, 1909. They continued to live on this place and farm until buying the place 4 north and 4 miles west of Holyoke in 1916 and moving there in the spring of 1918. They loaded their belongings in two box cars and immigrated to Holyoke. Dan McGowan immigrated on the same train. The McGowans lived 4 north and 2 1/2 miles west of Holyoke. Frank came with the stock and other things. He also brought his dog. Clara and the four children stayed with relatives and came later on the passenger train to Holyoke where Frank met them with a team and carriage.
At that time they could go one-half mile east from the place and angle across country to Holyoke, There were few fences. Most was open range. Some of their close neighbors were Morris Brees, Munce Hitt, Gust Richardson, and Agnes Arnes families. They were never too busy to stop what they were doing and go help someone sick or in need of help.
Frank and Clara had eight children, the first one died in infancy. The rest of the children, Floyd, Winona, Roy, Faye, L. Frank, Ray, and Emily attended Silver Beam School 2 1/2 miles south of where they lived. At one time there were 37 pupils attending with one teacher. They usually had two or three programs a year, especially one at Christmas time. They also attended high school in Holyoke. There were a lot of good times along with the bad.
Frank and Clara bought a home in Holyoke at 627 S. Phelan and moved into it in the fall of 1945, where they continued to make their home. Frank liked to work in the garden and Clara with her flowers and also her clubs. Clara passed away April 30, 1959, and Frank continued to live at this address until he passed away on April 25, 1966. Both of them were laid to rest in Holyoke Memorial Park. - by Roy A. Koberstein