Ely Family Blog: March 2012

Families in Auburn knew each other quite well spanning generations. Such was the case for the Dovel Family with the Kerns and McPherrens and later the Elys and Steinheiders.

Elmer and Gertrude Dovel moved to Auburn about 1910 when plumbing was a growing business. Apparently Elmer was highly skilled and soon established his own business. They lived in a large house at 1412 N Street. They had three children, Irvin "Tiny" Dovel, Inez Dovel Steinheider, and Doris Dovel. They were active in the Methodist church, Auburn Schools, and community activities.

Tiny's Cafe, later became Darling's

Tiny was the oldest child, three years older than Gene Ely. He worked with his dad in the Phillips 66 gas/oil business. In the early 1950s Tiny expanded his operations by adding a restaurant near the viaduct, called "Tiny's Phillips 66 Drive-In." Initially, it was like a truck stop, but everyone in town gathered there. The first building had three food booths and a counter, with the end stool reserved for Tiny himself. Later, they expanded with the large square building, and at some point they got rid of the gas pumps.

Gene ate lunch with the boys at Tiny's for many years. In fact, Tiny had a special room for his buddies to eat together with him. Tiny weighed over 300 pounds, and thus personally advertised for the quality of the food in his establishment. After every school event, kids flocked to Tiny's for something to eat, jukebox music, and most importantly "to be seen." Going to Tiny's was just as important as going to the game... home or away.

After Tiny's death, the Darling family bought the business and operated it for many years. Although officially the name had changed, to this day, people who understand Auburn's history prefer to call it "Tiny's."

A license plate decoration ca 1955

Tiny had a unique business sense. He was called a Phillips 66 jobber, whatever that means. He always wore overalls, specially made for a man of his size, so he had them embroidered with "Phillips 66" on the back. He had every type of advertising trinket such as matchbooks, pencils, pens, and later T-shirts. I've seen some of them on e-bay as collectibles. We had dozens of such items over the years in our house. On some he listed his business phone number, in the days before Auburn had dial phones. What was it? "66" of course!!

Inez Dovel was an accomplished musician specializing in piano. As a young child, she was the accompanist for many church events and nearly all school activities. When the McPherren family moved to Auburn in 1930, she and Marge became friends and often shared the duties of accompanists.

Inez was a year ahead of Marge and Gene at AHS. Here she is as a senior in 1932. It's amazing how recognizable she is.

After attending college, Inez married Roy Steinheider and they returned to Auburn where they had one son, Robb. Roy was in the insurance business and Inez taught piano to future musicians in her home at the corner of 16th and J. Of course, the Ely children were among those chosen. She was known as the best piano teacher in town, and also the toughest. I felt additional pressure to perform since she was friends with my mother. It didn't seem to bother Anne or Joe that much, though!

When the Ely family needed an organist at the Catholic Church for a wedding or special occasion, Inez was happy to fill in. And from time to time, Marge would help Inez out at the Methodist Church too.

Inez Steinheider about 2005

Here is the on-line obituary I found from 2008.

Inez Steinheider, age 94 of Auburn, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. She was born December 26, 1913.

Inez's parents were Elmer and Gertrude (Robertson) Dovel. Inez graduated from Auburn High School and University of NE and attended Christian College in Columbia, MO. She married June 4, 1937 to Roy Steinheider in Auburn, NE. They had 1 son, Robb. Inez and Roy lived in Auburn, NE. Roy died in 1997. Inez entered the Good Samaritan Center where she died at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 4 days.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother Irvin.
Survived by son Robb and wife Sue of CA. grandson Fritz and wife Amy of IN. 6 grandchildren and a sister Doris Dovel.
Graveside Memorial Services held Dec. 9, 2008 at Sheridan West Cemetery near Auburn, NE. Inurnment of ashes followed.

Laura Ely Kerns (Gene Ely's mother, born 1883) was the second of thirteen children of James W. and Alice Crowley Kerns. She had a sister, Tessa, born in 1889 who died of diphtheria in 1892, when Laura was 9. When she was 16, her next sister, dear Aunt Alice, was born. And shortly thereafter, three more little girls came along, Kathryn, Emily, and Mercedes.

Many of you may remember visiting Aunt Alice who was at the Good Samaritan Home in Auburn in the 1980s. Although she had physical limitations in her later years, her mind was sharp. Alice and Marge Ely were close friends and spent many hours chatting, laughing, and enjoying each other.

Alice Francis Kerns Flack graduated from Auburn High School in 1918. At the time of her graduation, her brothers were going to war (World War I) and J.W. wanted Alice to take a leadership role in the lumber yard. She did, of course, and proved herself to be quite capable. She was a fixture among business people in Auburn for many decades.

Alice remembered much from the early days of Auburn. She recalled the bricking of Courthouse Avenue since her father ordered all the materials. Such an improvement was a major event for the community. The boulevard was completed about 1910 and has withstood the traffic (including parades) for over 100 years!

Be sure to enlarge the 1912 photo to see the beautiful detail on the girls' dresses. We know that their mother did much crocheting, and perhaps she did some of the handwork on the dresses. They have lovely jewelry on too.