Died--At her home near Byron, March 9, 1883, Mrs. Adelaide Whitaker, aged 47 years, 1 month and 17 days.

The deceased was a daughter of St. John and Elenore Mix and was born at Jacksonville, Illinois, Jan. 20, 1836, was married to James Whitaker the 10th of June, 1865.

In early life she was converted and joined the Congregational Church, of which she remained a consistent and faithful member. She took an active part in the church services, playing the organ and singing in the choir. She was ever ready to help in case of sickness and suffering, and to do what she could to aid and assist the needy, and never turned the hungry from her door. Was indulgent to her family as a thoughtful mother, ever caring to make home comfortable and happy.

About three years ago she had symptoms of dropsy accompanied by a cough, and medical skill failed to stay the progress of the disease.

For some three or four weeks before she died she could not lie in bed, but was compelled to sit in a chair, growing rapidly worse. Pneumonia set in and her sufferings were intense, yet she complained not nor mumured, but patiently endured. She talked a great deal and knew she could live but a few days at most but was not afraid to die. She regretted to leave her husband and children, but would often say, “Thy will oh, Lord be done.” A few hours before she died, her father (84 years of age) called to see her when she said to him, “Pa, I'm dying, I’m not afraid to die” and spoke of her children. About an hour before she died she called husband and children to her chair and gave them a mother’s blessing; then prayed audibly, and asked others to pray; then said, “I’m going home! Pa, Ma,” and gently fell asleep in Jesus. She leaves an affectionate husband, one son and three daughters to mourn their loss.

The funeral services were held at the house Sunday the 11th at 11 o’clock. A large concourse of people were present. Rev. J. Hartman, of Byron, preached the sermon, taking for his text Rev. 14:13, “”Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” The M. E. Church choir was present and sung most appropriate pieces. The remains were laid away in the Byron Cemetery.
“My flesh shall slumber in the ground,
Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound;
Then burst the chains, with sweet surprise,
And in my Savior’s image rise.”

Byron Express, March 16, 1883, p. 4

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Contributed by Bob Hutchins