JOHN NORRIS TOBIAS

John Norris Tobias gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. August 17, 1921 in Altoona, Blair County, PA
M. WW II Air Force Veteran (September 1, 1942-February 9, 1946)
D. February 15, 1987 in Marion County, FL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Harold Garst Tobias born in May 17, 1887 in Dayton, Montgomery County, OH, son of Samuel Hamilton Tobias (1849-1907) and Emma John (Darst) Tobias (1852-1913); Veteran (1917-1919), Sergeant, 281st Aero Squardron and 193rd Aero Squadron; Harold died July 24, 1965 in Dayton, Montgomery County, OH; buried in Beavertown Cemetery, Beavertown, Montgomery County, OH

According to the Marion Star (Marion OH) Tuesday, July 27, 1965, page 7:

“Death Claims Father of Prospect Resident – Harold Garst Tobias, father of Thomas N. Tobias Prospect, died Saturday unexpectedly in his home at 20 Gebhart St. in Dayton.  He was a retired salesman.  Surviving are his widow. Zella H.; the son who is owner of Tobias Printing Co. in Prospect; another son, John N. of Round Lake, Ill.; seven grandsons, and two granddaughters.  A son Neil, preceded him in death in 1960.  A Mason, he was a member of Alpha Lodge 729, F & AM and Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton and post 9 of the American Legion.  Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Tobias Funeral Home at 648 Watervliet Ave. in Dayton.  Cremation will follow.  Friends may call at the funeral home tonight from 7 to 9.”

  • Mother: Zella Daphne (Haverstick) Tobias born September 3, 1892 in Alttona, Blair County, PA, daughter of John Martin Haverstick (1856-1934) and Laura (Weaver) Haverstick (1858-1942); Zella died February 18, 1990 in Hilliard, Franklin County, OH

According to the Dayton Daily News (Dayton OH), Thursday, February 22, 1990, page 37:

“TOBIAS, Zella H., passed away Sunday at Glenmont, Hilliard, OH.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Tobias in 1965; 2 sons, John Norris and Charles Neil Tobias.  She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas N. and Sally A. Tobias of prospect, OH; also 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.  She was a long time member of the First Church of Christian Science in Bost, Massachusetts, First Church of Christian Science in Dayton, OH, and Association of Pupils of Lloyd B. Coate.  Memorial Service 7:15 P.M. Thursday, February 22, 1990, at the Tobias Funeral Home, 648 Watervliet Ave. (Belmont Chapel), John West officiating.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Glenmont, 4599 Avery Rd., Hilliard, OH., 43206.”

  • Wife: Iyla Mae (Coon) Tobias born September 15, 1923 in Madison, Dane County, WI, daughter of Francis “Frank” William Coon and Jeannette L. “Jean” (Card) Coon; married John N. Tobias on May 22, 1943 in Palm Beach County, FL; Iyla died November 19, 1995 in Citrus County, FL (See section pertaining to Iyla Mae (Coon) Tobias buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Francis Jean (Tobias) O’Brien born about 1943; married C. Stephen O’Brien (of Rockford IL)
    2. John N. Tobias, Jr. born about 1944; married Phyllis (of Rockford IL)
    3. James N. “Toby” Tobias born October 14, 1950; James died October 11, 1968 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to James N. “Toby” Tobias buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    4. Mary Jo (Tobias) (Makarewicz) Nash; married (1) Reynold Makarewicz; married (2) Michael Nash (of Homosassa Springs FL)
  • Siblings:
    • Baby Tobias born March 8, 1923 in Altoona, Blair County, PA; baby died March 8, 1923 in Altoona, Blair County, PA (premature birth – 7 months)
    • Charles Neil Tobias born March 30, 1924; WW II Korea Air Force Veteran, T. Sergeant; Charles died November 16, 1960; buried in Beavertown Cemetery, Beavertown, Montgomery County, OH

According to the Journal Herald (Daytona OH) Thursday, November 24,1960, page 28:

“Rites Arranged For AF Veteran – Funeral services for Charles Neil Tobias, 36, of 20 Gephart street, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Tobias Funeral home, 648 Watervliet avenue.  An 18-year-Air Force veteran, he died at a base hospital in England on Nov. 16 after a sudden illness.  Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Tobias of Dayton; two sons, LaMar and Charles of Tucson, Ariz.’ Two brothers, Norris of Round Lake, Ill., and Thomas of Prospect. O.  Friends may call at the funeral home tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m.  Burial will be in Bervertown cemetery.”

    • Thomas Neville Tobias born March 26, 1926 in Titusville, Brevard County, FL; married Sally Ann Buckles (1926-1990) on July 8, 1953 in Montgomery, Hamilton County, OH daughter of Kenneth V. Buckles and Dorothy Rosenbeck (Gaessler) Buckles (1902-1969); Thomas died June 13, 2000 in Dublin, Franklin County, OH; Thomas and Sally are buried in Prospect Cemetery, Prospect, Marion County, OH

According to an unnamed newspaper obituary:

“Tom N. Tobias – DUBLIN – Tom N. Tobias, age 74, formerly of Dayton, a longtime resident of Prospect, passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at Windsor Court in Dublin.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Sally, in 1990.  He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law.  Gary, Brian and Belinda and Grant and Sherry Tobias; nine grandchildren Michelle, Carla, Tommy, Sarah, Tracey, Zack, Tyler, Dylan and Taylor and three great-grand-children.  He is a graduate of Marrietta College, a veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired from Richardson Printing.  He was a member of the Lions Club, American Union Lodge NO. 1, F & AM and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 17, 2000, at 5 p.m. at Tobias Funeral Home, 648 Watervliet Ave., Dayton with Joy Erd officiating.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Marion Public Library, 445 E. Church St., Marion, 43302.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Altoona, Blair County, Pa living at 1004 10th St., the household members were:

“Harold G. Tobias, head, age 41, married at age 32, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio, occupation: manager – grocery store; Zella H. Tobias, wife, age 37, married at age 28, born in Pennsylvania, parents born in Pennsylvania, occupation: merchant – conf. store; Norris J. Tobias, son, age 8, single, born in Pennsylvania, Neil C. Tobias, son, age 6, single, born in Pennsylvania; Thomas N. Tobias, son, age 4, single, born in Pennsylvania”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Dayton, Montgomery County, OH living at 1832 Wayne Avenue, the household members were:

“Harold G. Tobias, head, age 52, married, highest grade completed: C-3, born in Ohio, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: salesman – auto sale agency; Zella D. Tobias, wife, age 47, married, highest grade completed: C-5, born in Pennsylvania, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: sales lady – retail department store; Norris J. Tobias, age 18, single, highest grade completed: H-4, born in Pennsylvania, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: messenger – U.S. govt air corps; Charles N. Tobias, son, age 16, single, highest grade completed: H-2, born in Pennsylvania, lived in same house in 1935, building maintenance – NYA project; Thomas N. Tobias, son, age 13, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Florida, lived in same place in 1935; Robert DeGroot, boarder, age 48, widowed, highest grade completed: 3, born in Indiana, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: states temporer – manufacturors of motors”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: John Norris Tobias; Place of Residence: 20 Gebhart St., Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio; Mailing Address: Same; Telephone: K 8527; Age in Years: 20; Date of Birth: August 17, 1921; Place of Birth: Altoona, Pennsylvania; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Zella Tobias, 20 Gebhart St., Dayton, Ohio; Employer’s Name and Address: Wright Field; Place of Employment: Wright Field, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio; Race: White; Height: 6′ 1 1/2″; Weight: 190; Eyes: Brown; Weight: Brown; Complexion: Dark; Date signed: February 15 1942”

According to the U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946:

“Name: John N Tobias; Race: White; Marital Status: Single, without dependents (Single); Rank: Private; Nativity State: Pennsylvania; Citizenship: Citizen; Residence: Montgomery, Ohio; Education: 4 years of high school; Civil Occupation: Clerks, general office; Enlistment Date: 1 Sep 1942; Enlistment Place: Fort Thomas Newport, Kentucky; Service Number: 15117392; Branch: Branch Immaterial – Warrant Officers, USA; Component: Army of the United States – includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of…; Source: Civil Life; Height: 72; Weight: 181”

According to the Capital Times (Madison WI) Sunday, June 6, 1943, page 13:

“Coon-Tobias
   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Card announce the marriage of their granddaughter, Miss Iyla Mae Coon, Chicago, Ill., to Corp John N. Tobias, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Tobias, Dayton, O.
   The Rev. J. G. Robinson of the Presbyterian church, Delray Beach, Fla., performed the ceremony at 7 p.m., May 22, at the home of Mrs. Laura Hand.  The bride wore a yellow suit with blue accessories and a corsage of orchids.  Mrs. Hand was matron of honor and Corp. Robert G. Barrett, Charlotte, N. C., was best man.  A reception followed the service.
   The couple is residing in the Cason apts., 119 N. Swinton ave., Delray Beach.  Corp. Tobias is an instructor at Beca Raton field.”

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1898; (1944 – Dayton, Montgomery County OH City Directory):

“Tobias, Chas N USA (U.S. Army) r20 Gebhart
Tobias, Harold G (Zella H) gage mkr Sheffield Gage Co r20 Gebhart
Tobias, John N (Iyla M) USA (U.S. Army) r20 Gebhart
Tobias, Norris J US Service r20 Gebhart
Tobias, Thos student Parker High Sch r20 Gebhart”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Baraboo City, Sauk County, WI living at 110 9th Ave, the household members were:

“John Tobias, head, age 32, married, born in Wisconsin, Occupation: Lineman – Telephone Co.; Iyla Mae Tobias, wife, age 27, married, born in Wisconsin, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: What country were his father and mother born in?: U.S., What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S8, Did he finish this grade?: Yes; Jean Tobias, daughter, age 07, never married, born in Wisconsin; John Tobias, son, age 06, never married, born in Wisconsin; Lois Fossen, foster child, age 05, never married, born in Wisconsin; Robert Fossen, foster child, age 04, never married, born in Wisconsin; Ralph Waters, foster child, age 02, never married, born in Wisconsin”

According to the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death Files, 1850-2010:

“Name: John Norris Tobias; Gender: Male  Birth Date: 17 Aug 1921; Death Date: 15 Febr 1987; SSN: 274181623; Enlistment Branch: ARMY; Enlistment date: 1 Sep 1942; Discharge Date: 9 Feb 1946.”

According to the Tampa Tribune (Tampa FL) Tuesday, February 17, 1987, page 52:

   “JOHN N. TOBIAS, 65, OF Homosassa Springs died Sunday.  A native of Altoona, Pa., he moved to the area two years ago from Round Lake, Ill.  He was a retired engineer for Bell Telephone; a World War II Air Force veteran; vice president of Riverhaven Fishing Club; a member of the Riverhaven Area Resident Association and Deray Beach Masonic Lodge 171 of Delray Beach.
  He is survived by his wife Iyla M.; a son John N. Jr. of Rockford, Ill.; two daughters, Jean O’Brien of Aurora, Ill. and Mary Jo Makarewicz of Round Lake; his mother, Zella of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, Thomas N. of Prospect, Ohio; and six grandchildren.  Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs, is in charge of arrangements.”

According to the Rockford Register Star (Rockford IL) Saturday, Feb. 21, 1987, page 3B:

   “TOBIAS – John N. Tobias Sr., 65, Homosassa, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1987, in Marion Community Hospital, Ocala, Fla.  Born Aug. 17, 1921 in Altoona, Pa.,  Lived two years in Florida, going there from Round Lake.  Veteran of World War II, serving in the Air Force.  Member of DelRay Masonic Lodge, AF & AM No. 171.  Engineer with Illinois Bell Telephone Co. 35 years, retiring in 1981.  Survivors include his wife, Iyla Mae Coone Tobias; a son, John N. Jr. and his wife, Phyllis, Rockford; two daughters, Mrs. Stephen (Francis Jean) O’Brien, Aurora, and Mrs. Reynold (Mary Jo) Makarewicz, Round Lake; mother Zella Tobias, Columbus, Ohio; a brother Thomas, and his wife, Sally, Prospect, Ohio.  Predeceased by his father, Harold, in 1965, a son, James M., in 1968, a brother, Neal.”
   Services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in MAC GILLIS FUNERAL HOME, 222 N. Rosedale Court, Round Lake, 60073.  Burial in Fort Hill Cemetery,  Round Lake.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. 2-21-1″