The Happy Herald, January 1, 1942
A.A. FONKEN
Funeral services for A.A. Fonken, Swisher County stockman and farmer, who died early Tuesday morning at the home of his son in Happy, Texas, will be held today (Thursday) at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. E.B. Fincher of Amarillo officiating. The deceased had been in ill health for some time.
Mr. Fonken who was 78 years old, had resided in and near Happy more than 40 years. He was a native of Illinois.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. KATHERINE FONKEN; four sons, Albert Fonken, Philomath, Oregon; Bill Fonken, Happy; Oscar Fonken, Great Bend, Kansas; and Ebner Fonken, Hondo, Texas; a daughter, Mrs. Grace Stewart, Stinnett; and three grandchildren. He also leaves two brothers John Fonken, Willow Lake, South Dakota; and Dick Fonken, of Manning, Iowa.
Funeral arrangements are in charge of Griggs-Thompson Funeral Home of Canyon with interment to be in Happy Cemetery.

The Happy Herald, December 24, 1942
Mrs. Catherine FONKEN
Funeral services were conducted Sunday at the Presbyterian Church in Happy for Mrs. Catherine Fonken, 89, resident of the Panhandle of Texas for almost half a century. Mrs. Fonken died Friday at St. Anthony Hospital in Amarillo. She had made her home with a son, E.D. Fonken in Fritch since June. She was the widow of A.A. Fonken of Happy and was a native of Germany. She came to the United States when she was 17 years old. The family settled in Iowa and she moved to Happy, Texas, following her marriage. Mr. Fonken operated a farm there from the time of their arrival in 1907 until his death in 1942. She was a member of the Happy Presbyterian Church.
In addition to her son in Fritch, she was survived by two sons, A J. Fonken, Oakland, Ore. And O. H. Fonken, Beatrice, Nebraska; a daughter, Mrs. O.D. Stewart, Albuquerque; two brothers and a sister; Henry and Hans Orht and Mrs. Henry Biehl, all of Manning, Iowa; and three grandchildren.

The Tulia Herald, October 21, 1954
Elmer Charles FONKEN
Elmer Charles Fonken, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Fonken of Philomath, Oregon, was taken suddenly ill of acute traumatic meningitis late Sunday evening, April 3, 1932 and died at 12:10 Monday, April 4th. The little boy had been partially paralyzed since receiving an injury in his spine while playing baseball two years ago, but was apparently as usual Sunday until seized with the fatal illness.
The deceased child was born at Happy, Texas, March 12, 1920. He is survived by his parents and one sister, Catherine.
The funeral was held Wednesday at 2:30 from the College Chapel. Rev. Morris Goodrich officiating with interment in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Ebner was a member of the 4th grade at West School... Elmer was born in Happy and lived here until three years ago, when he with his parents moved to Philomoth, Oregon. He is a grandson of both A.A. Fonken and C.F. Zoeller.
The family has many friends here who will be grieved.

The Happy Herald, May 13, 1932
W.H. FONKEN
W.H. Fonken, long time resident of Happy, died Monday at 11:00 a.m. in an Amarillo hospital following a week's illness.
Funeral services were held from the Church of Christ in Happy Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. with minister Grady Cooper of Amarillo officiating.
Burial was in the Happy Cemetery.
Mr. Fonken is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Charles Alverson. His mother, Mrs. A.A. Fonken, one sister, Mrs. O.D. Stewart and three brothers also survive. The brothers are A.J. Fonken of Philomath, Oregon; Oscar Fonken of Beatrice, Nebraska; and Ebner Fonken of Fritch.
Funeral arrangements were in charge of Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Home of Amarillo.