Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 237, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1910 — ATTENDS HIS OWN FUNERAL [ARTICLE]

ATTENDS HIS OWN FUNERAL

Ohio Man Buys Coffin, Digs Grave and Hires Minister—-Eulogy la Omitted. Springfield, Ohio.—Marion F. Buffenbarger, an eccentric bachelor farmer living at Grape Grove, ten miles south of here, the other afternoon had his funeral sermon preached. The event took place in the Christian

church, and the unique event attracted hundreds from miles around. Buftenbarger’s idea in arranging and executing plans for the event was that he could be sure that his funeral would be conducted strictly as he wished. He purchased a lot in the Grape Grove cemetery three years ago and a week later ordered a coffin from a Jamestown undertaker. Buffenbarger personally superintended the digging of bis own grave and has selected a plain tombstone. Pursuant to hiß request the minister. Dr. Spahr, avoided the usual remarks of adulation. The coffin was buried and the crowd dispersed. Buffenbarger now offers to give his 80-acre farm to anyone who will keep him for the balance of his days.