Mount Morris Index, Mount Morris, IL

January 1, 1920 p. 1

DEATH CLAIMS TWO MT. MORRIS WOMEN

MRS. WILLOUGHBY FELKER DIES SUDDENLY AT HER HOME WHILE HUSBAND LIES ILL

The people of the community were greatly shocked Saturday afternoon when word was spread of the sudden passing away of Mrs. Willoughby Felker, her sickness covering but a few hours which was not thought to be of a serious nature. During the previous night she had an attack of indigestion and the immediate cause of death is given as heart failure. For a week or more Mr. Felker has been quite sick with pneumonia and Mrs. Felker had been very attentive and solicitous in caring for him, and the suddenness of her calling away came with crushing sorrow upon Mr. Felker and the family.

Alice Butterbaugh was born in Washington County, Maryland, January 22, 1846, and died December 27, 1919, aged 73 years, 11 months and 5 days.

She came to Illinois with her parents when a babe one year old, the family locating on their farm four miles northeast of Mount Morris, where she grew to womanhood and where she continued to reside following marraige until removed to the village about 20 years ago. She was the oldest of eight children, four boys and four girls, all of whom preceded her in death except her youngest brother, Edward, who with family are also residents of Mount Morris.

She was married to Willoughby Felker, December 22, 1868. Five children were born to them -- Mrs. Olive Long, Henry Felker, Mrs. Fannie Watts, and Merritt Felker, all of whom are residents of Mount Morris Township, and the village, except Henry, whose home is near Vinton, Iowa. The death of Edna McNeel which occurred a year ago was a source of great sorrow to the mother. Besides her surviving children there are fourteen grand-children and three great-grand-children.

Mrs. Felker united with the Church of the Brethren fifty years ago. Her attachment to the church of her adoption was very great and her life that of the consistent Christian. She was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and her home and family were always the first thought, her fine devotion to those who were near and dear to her surely meriting the highest tribute that any words can pay.

A year ago, December 22, Mr. and Mrs. Felker with family celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding.

The funeral service which was largely attended was held in the Brethren Chapel Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Frank McCune giving the funeral discourse and was assisted by Rev. George P. Kabele. Burial was made on the family lot at Silver Creek Cemetery.

Contributed by Peg Allen Arnold

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