John Brendan Toner

Notes:

The Sabine County Reporter
May 25, 2011
Page 1

Toner retiring; to be honored with reception

On Wednesday, May 25 Sabine County will say goodbye to one of its dedicated public servants as County Extension Agent John Toner retires after 25 years of service.

In honor of Toner's work, the public is invited to celebrate his many years of work at a retirement party to be held Tuesday, May 31, on the second floor of the Sabine County Courthouse from 2 to 4 p.m. During the event people are encouraged to come out and wish Toner well over cake and coffee.

Obituary

John Toner, 71, of Rosevine, Texas passed away Friday, November 15, 2019 at CHI Hospital in Lufkin, Texas.

John was born in Rosevine, Texas on January 30, 1948 to Francis James Toner and Mildred Alyne Fuller. He was a graduate of SFA, receiving his Masters in Agriculture and going on to become a Sabine County Extension Agent for Texas Agriculture Life Extension Service. John was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in Vietnam. He was a member of the VFW and served as a member of Farm Bureau.

John is survived by his wife, Melaine Toner of Rosevine, Texas; sons, Shane Toner and wife, Betsy, of Nacogdoches, Texas and Brendan Toner and wife, Lindsay, of Nacogdoches, Texas; daughter, Tara Bragg and husband, Danny, of Pineland, Texas; sisters, Kitty Mazzola and husband, Michael, of Orange, Texas, Camille Fuller and husband, Preston, of Orange, Texas, Frances Lewis and husband, Eddie, of Orange, Texas, and Ramona Darnley and husband, John, of The Woodlands, Texas; and grandchildren, Shelby, Peyton, Brantley and Brenlee.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr St., Hemphill, Texas.

Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at First Baptist Church, 301 Mann St, Hemphill, TX with Bro. Floyd Wright officiating.

Burial will follow services in Rosevine Cemetery in Rosevine, Texas with Jack Fuller, Chad Fuller, Frank Fuller, Hunter Lewis, Michael Mazzola, Nick Darnley, Alex Darnley, Adam Moore, Jes Harrington and Michael Bellard serving as pallbearers.

Condolences may be left and guestbook may be signed at www.starrfuneralhome.com.

Copied from the Starr Funeral Home website
Also published in the Sabine County Reporter, November 20, 2019, Page 5

A photo gallery in the November 9, 2022 issue of the Sabine County Reporter (page 12), "Veteran's Salute 2022," noted John Toner of a Veteran of the US Navy, and included his photo.

John married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living

Francis married Mildred Alyne Fuller on 30 Nov 1946 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Mildred (daughter of James Herman Fuller and Ruth McCroskey) was born on 12 Jan 1925 in Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas; died on 7 Feb 2011 in Orange, Orange County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Starr Funeral Home

Mildred Alyne Fuller Toner,86, our beloved Mother, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2011 at Baptist Orange Hospital in Orange, Texas. She peacefully departed this life with her devoted family by her side.

Mildred was born in Rosevine, Texas on January 12, 1925 she was the eldest child of James Herman Fuller and Ruthie Mae McCroskey.

Mildred grew up in Sabine County and graduated from Rosevine High School as Valedictorian. In order to attend Texas Women's University in the fall she also continued for six more weeks of instruction at Pineland High School and graduated from there as well. After a year of attending college at Denton, TX, Mildred transferred to Stephen F. Austin and continued college to become an educator. Unfortunately, World War II began and Mildred was needed to teach school at Brooklyn High School because many teachers were drafted.

Mildred left there, as many young women did, and joined the war effort by moving to Dallas to work in an aircraft factory and later to Beaumont to work at Bethlehem Steel. During the intervening war years she met her sweetheart, Francis James (Buddy) Toner in Beaumont, Texas, while working in the office at the port. Following the war, Mildred joined Buddy in Indianapolis , Indiana where he was attending Butler University and they were united in marriage. She became a part of an extended and loving Irish family. Buddy transferred to Texas A & M University where he would study to become a mechanical engineer. They left College Station to live in Beaumont, TX where in the early years of her marriage Mildred would quit her teaching job at Chenier Business College to become a fulltime mom. Mildred and Buddy would travel the United States as he worked for various companies as an engineer and plant manager. Finally ending up back in Orange, Texas they bought a home and enjoyed raising and educating their five children. As her children all entered school, not one to be idle, she held various jobs working in the offices at Sears, JC Penney and her son-in-law Michael Mazzola's Insurance office.

Always a lover of knowledge, when her oldest children began college she again felt an urge for higher education and attended Lamar University. She also felt it was very important to give back to the communities in which she lived and was a member of the Red Cross as a Gray Lady at Orange Memorial Hospital and a lifetime member of the PTA supporting teachers and education.

Mildred was a member of the Church of God her entire life, a devoted Christian, who participated fully at the churches in Orange and Rosevine (in later years) holding secretarial and Sunday school leader positions. After the death of her husband she built a home in Rosevine on the land where she was born. While living in Rosevine she worked as an Avon saleslady who achieved the Silver Circle Status within the company.

During her years in Orange and Rosevine she was always there to help care for and cheer on her children and grandchildren assisting her family in every way possible. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Francis James Toner, two sisters: Narvalyn Ellison, and Ola Jean Ford, four bothers: Conrad Fuller, Bobby Joe Fuller, and David Fuller and Kenneth Fuller. Those left to survive Mildred are her children: John Brendan Toner (Melaine) of Rosevine, Kathleen Ruth Toner Mazzola (Michael), Mary Camille Toner Fuller (Preston) and Frances Patrice Toner Lewis (Eddie) of Orange and Ramona Jean Toner Darnley (John) of The Woodlands. Also surviving are three brothers: Roland Fuller (Betty) of Nacogdoches, Herman Fuller (Jr.)(Charlene) of Rosevine, and Francis Dwain Fuller (Oquilla) of Houston. She is also survived by her beloved Uncle Ray McCroskey (Cortez) of Sarepta, LA.

Mildred leaves behind her 16 beloved grandchildren: Jack, Hunter, Shane, Chad, Rebel, Brendan, Amy, Amber, Jennifer, April, Patrice, Michael, Nick, Alex ,Tara, and Frank, and her 17 adorable great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 12 at 2:00 PM at Starr Funeral Home in Hemphill, TX. The family will be receiving friends from 10 AM until the funeral begins. Interment will follow in Rosevine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Rosevine Church of God or a charity of your choice.

Starr Funeral Home
510 Starr Street
Hemphill, Texas 75948
(409)787-3331
www.starrfuneralhome.com

Copied from the Orange Leader online
Also published in THE SABINE COUNTY REPORTER on February 16, 2011

Francis married Katherine Donnelly. Katherine was born before 1905 in Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Herman suffered from tuberculosis, and spent some time at a hospital in San Angelo when his children were still young. His wife and their eldest children, ranging in age from 14 to 10 had to bring in the crops while Herman was hospitalized. James Roland Fuller recounted that "what kept us going beyond our own best efforts was the help and encouragement of the good people of the county, especially their friends and neighbors in Rosevine, who came to help work the crops. Many of them pledged one days work each week, as needed, even while busy with their own crops. With their help and the grace of God we were able to survive."

When Herman returned, he was not able to farm. He traded his animals and equipment to a local store owner as a down payment on the store. He also was hired by the Rosevine school district to pick up and deliver students to the school. Ruth also helped at the store. As the years passed, Herman regained enough strength to operate stores and service stations throughout east and southest Texas.

The following obituary was excerpted from the
SABINE COUNTY REPORTER HEMPHILL, TEXAS
13 August 1970

Funeral services for James Herman Fuller, 66, of Rosevine were held 2 pm Thursday at the Rosevine Church of God, Pastor Bill Miller, officiating, assisted by Rev. Tommy Long and the Rev. C.D. Sachtleben. Burial was at the Church Cemetery under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home of San Augustine.

Pallbearers were Earl Williams, Ira Drawhorn, Bill Baber, Kenneth Baber, Keith, Tommy and Jim Fuller and Johnny Toner.

Fuller died suddenly at 11 pm Tuesday in San Augustine. He was a native of Sabine County, a member of the Church of God, and retired merchant.

Survivors were his wife, Julia, 6 daughters, Mrs. Mildred Toner and Ola Jean Ford of Orange, Narvalyn Ellison of Rosevine, Mrs. E.J. Cox of Houston, Mrs. Bill Baber of Beaumont, Mrs. Roland Bigley of Kingsville [the last three women were his stepdaughters]; seven sons, Conrad Fuller of Pasadena, James Fuller and Herman Fuller Jr. of Rosevine, Bobby J Fuller of San Augustine, David Fuller of Bronson, Dwayne Fuller of Baytown and Winfred Wright [step-son] of Port Neches. He was also survived by sisters Nina McLemore of San Augustine, Tera Cousins of Carthage, Bertha Williams of Conroe, and brother Joe Fuller of Rosevine, and by 40 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

(Courtesy of Kay Parker McCary of Sabine County)

(Research):
Census Listings:

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 6
Enumerated April 14, 1930
ED 202-8 SD 19 Sheet 7A Stamped 98
139-143
Mc Croskey, Robert Head M W 52 m20 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
McCroskey, Maud Wf F W 42 M17 Miss Miss La
McCroskey, Fred Son M W 19 S La Ga Miss Laborer General Farm
McCroskey, Roy Son M W 16 S La Ga Miss
McCroskey, Ray Son M W 11 S La Ga Miss
140-144
Fuller, Herman Head M W 24 m19 Tx Tx Tx Laborer Hauling Co
Fuller, Ruth Wf F W 23 M18 La Ga Miss
Fuller, Mildred Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx La
Fuller, Narvaline Dtr F W 3 S Tx Tx La
Fuller, Conrad Son M W 1 S Tx Tx La

James married Ruth McCroskey about 1924. Ruth (daughter of Olive Robert "Bob" McCroskey and Maudie Alva Roberts) was born on 11 Jan 1907 in Pollock, Grant Parish, Louisiana; died on 9 Dec 1967. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Not able to find death record.

Notes:

Married:
At one time, Ruth's parents were sharecroppers for Joseph T. Fuller (Herman's father), and that is how Ruth McCroskey and Herman Fuller met.

Notes:

At the time of the 1900 census, he was living between his older brother William and his wife's parents, John and Jane Fullen.

The following obituary was published regarding the death of Joseph Fuller:

Funeral services for Joseph Thomas Fuller, 81, were held at the Church of God at Rosevine, Thursday, November 30 at 2:00 o'clock. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Grover Eddings, in Rosevine on Tuesday, November 28 at 7:00 pm after a prolonged illness.

Services were conducted by Rev. C.S. Singleton officiating and assisted by Rev. Clarence Howell. Burial was in the Rosevine cemetery under the direction of the Wyman Roberts Funeral Home.

Mr. Fuller moved to Texas at the age of two. He was born at Malvern, Arkansas November 4, 1869. He was married to Alice Pointer March 27, 1917. He had been a member of the Church of God for the past 37 years.

Surviving are: wife, Mrs. Alice Fuller; four daughters: Mrs. V.E. McLemore of San Augustine, Mrs. Grover Eddings of Rosevine. Mrs. O.H. Williams of East Bernard, Mrs. W.D. Cousins of Sarepta, LA; two step daughters Mrs. Denton Kerr of Houston, Mrs. Hamp Woods of San Augustine; three sons L.A. of Hemphill, Herman of Rosevine and J.S. of San Antonio, five step-sons: Enlow Birdwell of San Augustine, Estes Birdwell of Chinquapin, Oscar Birdwell of San Augustine, W.M. Pointer of Big Lake and M.B. Pointer of Corpus Christi; 23 grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, 29 step grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were: Dale Tisdale, Buddy Pointer, Fred Ellison, Elo Finderson, Henry Marshburn and Louis McDonald.

(Research):
Census Information:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 6
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 6B
99-99
Fuller, Joseph Head W M Sept 1870 29 M 11 Ark Ark Ark Farmer
Fuller, Ola Wf W F Feb 1874 26 m 11 7/6 Tx Tx Tx
Fuller, Alonzo Son W M July 1890 9 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Nina Dau W F Nov 1891 8 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Price Son W M Feb 1894 6 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Brooks Son W M Mar 1895 5 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Ethel Dau W F Feb 1897 3 Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Bertha Dau W F Feb 1900 5/12 Tx Ark Tx

1910 Federal Census
Texas, Sabine, Precinct No. 6
Enumerated 11 May 1910 Fred Berryman
SD 2, ED 122, Stamped 148
215-215
Fuller, Joe T Head M W 40 M2 0 Ark Ga Ga Farming
Fuller, Blanche Wife F W 28 M2 0 4/4 Tx Tx Tx
Fuller, Alonzo A Son M W 19 S Tx Ark Tx Farming At home
Fuller, Price J Son M W 17 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, John B Son M W 15 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Ethel Dtr F W 13 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Bertha Dtr F W 10 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Tera M Dtr F W 8 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Herman Son M W 6 S Tx Ark Tx
Birdwell, Vertie O Step Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Birdwell, Oscar E Step Son M W 2 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Justice Precinct 6
Enumerated 2 January 1920 by Jesse L. Mosley
SD 326 ED 173 Sheet 1A
3-3
Fuller, Joseph Hd M W 50 M Ark Ga Ga Farmer
Fuller, Alice J Wife F W 35 M Tx Tenn Tex
Fuller, Bertha L Dtr F W 19 S Tx Ark Tx Teacher
Fuller, Tera M Str F W 12 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Herman J Son M W 16 Tx Ark Tx Farm Laborer
Fuller, Jos S Son M W 8 S Tx Akr Tx
Pointer, Edna A StepDtr F W 18 S Tx Tx Tx
Pointer, Mannie Stepson M W 8 S Tx Tx Tx

(Medical):arteriosclerosis, Rheumatoid arhritis

Joseph married Viola "Ola" Fullen on 22 May 1889 in Sabine County, Texas. Viola (daughter of John W. Fullen and Jane Allen) was born on 29 Feb 1872 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 1 Mar 1907 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in McMahan's Chapel Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Evon Tisdale gave Melinda McLemore Strong a brown dress with black ribbons that had belonged to Viola. It is in very fragile condition.

Her tombstone is inscribed "Resting in Heaven"

Notes:

Married:
J.T. Fuller and Viola Fullen were married by S.D. Harp, J.P. Beat No 6, Sabine County, Texas on May 22, 1889. A copy of their marriage certificate was filed on the 8th day of June, 1889 by W.T. Arnold, County Clerk for Sabine County.

In his "Farm Corner" column (clipping not dated), Joe Combs wrote: "Recently (I) had the pleasure of meeting Lonzo A. Fuller of Hemphill. He was at the desk of Otis A. Fullen, president of the Security State Bank. The thought occurred that changing the last letter of either name would change the name to either Fuller or Fullen. Being a little curious a few questions were asked, and it developed that Mr. Fuller and Mr. Fullen are related. "Yes," said Mr. Fullen, "we came from the same stock. In fact, Mr. Fuller's great grandfather was also my great grandfather. Right there the Fullers and the Fullens got mixed up in such a way that most of them in the Hemphill region are kinfolk." Mr. Fullen explained further that one of the families often became enamored of one of the other families, and a marriage took place. The fact that only one letter of the alphabet had to be changed to make the bride's name fit that of the groom's may or may not have had its influence upon courtships. Mr. Fuller is a builder in the Hemphill region, and also does some farming. He said that his great grandfather was somewhat of a builder also. He says the first house ever built in Sabine County that had a brick chimney was built by great grandfather Fuller sometime about 1840. "That old house just wouldn't fall down," says Mr. Fuller, "and fire finally had to get rid of it. And as proof of the quality put in brick chimneys of that day, the old chimney is still standing as a silent reminder of a day that is gone." {Note: Since John Fuller didn't move to Sabine County until 1870, it is most likely that it was Lonzo's other great grandfather John/James? Fullen who built the above mentioned house in 1840...proof that those pesky "n's" and "r's" are indeed easily confused}.

Joe and Viola Fuller had eight children before Viola died in 1907. Joe married twice more, to Blanche Birdwell (a widow with children). Blanche and Joe had two children of their own before she died. Joe's final marriage was to Alice Pointer, also a widow with children, in 1917. He and Alice were married for over 30 years until his death.

Notes:

James R. Fuller, in his autobiography, wrote that his uncle Ray McCroskey told him "that his father and two of his brother's left their hometown of Sparks, Georgia and traveled to the Chicago World Fair. On their way home, they ran out of money in Pollock, Louisiana, a booming sawmill town. They were all able to get jobs their, and settled in that area for a time. Though two of the brothers later moved to Jasper, Texas, Bob remained in Pollock a bit longer, and it was there he married Maudie Alva Roberts. "

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDT9-37Z
name: Olive Robert Mccroskey
death date: 12 Feb 1948
death place: Precinct 6, Sabine, Texas
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 71 years 9 months
estimated birth date:
birth date: 12 May 1876
birthplace: Georgia
marital status: Married
spouse's name:
father's name: D.C. Mccroskey
father's birthplace: Georgia
mother's name: Mary Roberts
mother's birthplace: Georgia
occupation: Farmer
place of residence: Bronson, Sabine, Texas
cemetery: Rosevine Cem.
burial place: Bronson, Texas
burial date: 14 Feb 1948
additional relatives:
film number: 2218831
digital film number: 4031424
image number: 2899
reference number: 9195
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Olive Robert Mccroskey, 1948

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Louisiana, Beauregard Parish, Merryville
Enumerated 16 Mar 1920
SD 7 ED 109 Sheet 17A
318-330
McCroskey, Olive R Head m W 41 M Ga Ga Ga Grader Lumber Mill
McCroskey, Maud Wf F W 31 M Miss Miss La
McCroskey, Ruth Dtr F W 12 S La Ga Miss
McCroskey, Fred Son M W 9 S La Ga Miss
McCroskey, Roy Son M W 6 S La Ga Miss
McCroskey, Ray Son M W 1 S La Ga Miss

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 6
Enumerated April 14, 1930
ED 202-8 SD 19 Sheet 7A Stamped 98
139-143
Mc Croskey, Robert Head M W 52 m20 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
McCroskey, Maud Wf F W 42 M17 Miss Miss La
McCroskey, Fred Son M W 19 S La Ga Miss Laborer General Farm
McCroskey, Roy Son M W 16 S La Ga Miss
McCroskey, Ray Son M W 11 S La Ga Miss
140-144
Fuller, Herman Head M W 24 m19 Tx Tx Tx Laborer Hauling Co
Fuller, Ruth Wf F W 23 M18 La Ga Miss
Fuller, Mildred Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx La
Fuller, Narvaline Dtr F W 3 S Tx Tx La
Fuller, Conrad Son M W 1 S Tx Tx La

Olive married Maudie Alva Roberts before 1907 in Pollock, Grant Parish, Louisiana. Maudie was born on 9 Feb 1888 in Mississippi; died on 14 May 1956; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Not able to find death record.

Notes:

Married:
They met in Pollock, Louisiana, a booming sawmill town.