Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1906 — PASSED PEACEFULLY AWAY. [ARTICLE]

PASSED PEACEFULLY AWAY.

Mrs. Roetta Sharp, After Long Suffering, Answers the Death Summons. Mrs. Roetta Jane Sharp,daughter of Jpbn and Elizabeth Stiveley, was born in Champaign county, near Westville, 0., May 14,1851, and passed peacefully away, at her home on Scott street, July 15, 1906, being at the time of her death 55 years, 2 months and 1 day old. On October 7, 1879, she was married to Joseph Sharp who, with three children—Ethel, John and Opal—still survive; also her father, one brother and two sisters; her mother and an infant brother preceding her to the great beyond. In 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Sharp moved to Rensselaer where they have since made their home. In her girlhood Mrs Sharp became a Christian and united with the Baptist church, but later when coming west to live at Kentland, Ind., she procured her letter and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was of a quiet, unobtrusive and retiring disposition, but those who knew her best loved her best and approbated her most. She loved to be helpful to others, and her heart and hand were always open to those in sorrow or need. For the past three years she had been in failing health, and for the last eleven months of that time she has suffered untold agonies, so that death was truly a relief to her. The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10:30 o’clock at the Methodist church and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. L. Kindig. after which the remains were laid to rest in Weston cemetery, and were followed there by an unusually large number of peopeople. The floral tributes which were given to her memory were profuse and beautiful. She will be greatly missed in her immediate neighborhood, but the memories of her sweet life and helpfulness will be fresh here for many years. Tears fell when thou wert dying, From eyes unused to weep , And lone, where thou art lying. Will tears the eold turf steep. While memory bids us weep thee, Nor thoughts nor words are free. The grief is fixed too deeply To mourn a friend like thee.