Surnames: Picus, Glover, Rellis, Conovitz

----Sources: The Loyal Tribune 08 May 1941

Picus, Benjamin (1883 - 29 APR 1941)

Benjamin Picus, a widely known merchant, died suddenly at his home Tuesday, April 29, 1941, at 3 P. M. of a heart attack. He had been in poor health for the past six years.

Mr. Picus was born in Russia in September, 1883. He came to America when he was 16 years old, arriving in Princeton in 1899.

He became associated with his brother, William, in the mercantile business in Berlin and Black River Falls, and in February, 1910, he came to Loyal and purchased the Harry Kilbourn store.

Enlarging the building on several occasions, he also enlarged his business, owning stores in Greenwood, Neillsville, Marshfield, and Unity, and at the time of his death still owned the store in Loyal.

All who knew Mr. Picus knew of his ability, but only those who knew him intimately, or those whom he had befriended, knew of his generosity to those lacking in necessities of life. When upon the arrival of Mr. Picus in America, a stranger befriended him, then a sixteen year old boy, he resolved never to turn away one in need, and many there are who tell how well he kept that resolution.

He was married in 1908 to Jesse Glover in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, Ralph, who is a merchant in Spencer, and Leon and Sidney at home; a granddaughter, Joan Picus, Spencer; a brother, William Picus, Owen; and three sisters, Mrs. N. Rellis, Princeton; Mrs. Conovitz, Flushing, N. Y.; and a sister in Europe. One brother and sister preceded him in death.

Mr. Picus was formerly a member of the Village Board.

Masonic rites were conducted Thursday morning at 10:00 o’clock at the Picus home. From there the body was taken to Wausau where Rabbi Greuen officiated at a 2 P. M. service in the cemetery in which interment was made.

Mr. Picus was a member of the Mount Sanai congregation of Wausau.

Hal Voight, Orin Trindal, Henry Rottjer, Roy Hales, Ray Prior, and Roy Pengelly acted as pall bearers for the home rites, and Wausau friends served as pall bearers at the cemetery.

The flowers were carried by Mrs. Hal Voight, Mrs. G. W. Nelson, Mrs. Henry Rottjer, Mrs. O. W. Trindal, Mrs. Perry Volk, and Mrs. Harold Hills. Many members of the local Masonic and Eastern Star organizations and other friends accompanied the relatives to the cemetery.

Relatives and friends from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Picus, Spencer; Mr. and Mrs. William Picus, Owen; Mr. and Mrs. Morris Picus, Friendship; Mrs. Nye Picus and Mrs. Brandt, Adams; Mr. and Mrs. Al Glover and son, Kenneth, and Mr. A. Glover, Waupaca; Mr. and Mrs. A. Levin, Wausau; Mr. and Mrs. I. Svirnoff, Mrs. Bertha Svirnoff, Mrs. Cohen, Miss Eva Clouse, and Mrs. Hattie Richardson, Neillsville; and Mr. Hastings Baird, Greenwood.