Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1917 — Obituary [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Obituary

Miss Lucille Walter Lucille Walter, daughter of James E. and Lucy Walter, was born in this city March 27, 190 2, and departed this life at Beaverville, Illinois, September 8, 1917, aged 15 years. 5 months arid 11 days. She is survived by her parents and one brother. Death was caused by heart trouble and came quite suddenly while deceased was at the Holy Family academy, where she had gone but four days previous: The remains were brought home Saturday, the day of her death, and lay in state at the home of her parents until Tuesday morning, when after having been blessed according to the rites of the church, were escorted to St, Augustine’s Catholic church by the school children and a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives. the children’s choir, of which she had been a faithful member. The. funeral services in the church were conducted by the Rev. Christian Daniel, pastor, assisted by the Revs. I. Wagner and R. Stolz, both of St. Joseph college and intimate friends of the family of the deceased. After service, Rev. Father Daniel delivered a very appropriate sermon, dwelling on the merits of the deceased, saying among other beautiful sentiments that although this maiden was young in years, she had attained mature age in the practice of virtue, that gray hairs of old age is not considered in. the sight of God, who does not reckon time when dealing with the deeds of His creatures. This maiden had weighed well the injunctions of Holy Scripture, to seek first the kingdom of God, for "which man alone was created. To know and love God and to serve Him in this world, that we might be happy with him forever in the next. She had practiced all this from early childhood, having been endowed with an unusually keen sense of right and wrong. Her one aim was to live for the God who had created her. She began and ended her day’s tasks for and with Him. We have reasons to believe that she has now reaped the reward alloted to those w r ho remember their Creator in the days of their youth. Loving Tribute to the Memory of Lucille Walter. “Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” v We have this day consigned to Mother Earth the remains of one whose spirit has been transplanted as a lily pure and unsullied to the Master’s garden. A saint has gone forth to glorify her Maker and to thank Him for having created her, and still Wore to thank Him for having takriil her from this Valley of tears, in the bloom of her youth and innocence. Although her death was sudden and unexpected, she passed away peacefully after having been fortified by the rights of her holy church. Her bed was surrounded by the good Sisters under whose charge she had been placed but a few days before and to whom she had endeared herslef even in this short time. Their loving hands ministered to every want, but could not stay the Angel of death, even till her dear parents might reach her. Her last conscious act was to press to her dying lips the Emblem of her Redemption, the figure of her crucified Savior, (a parting gift from her pastor). But here in our city, a loving home was shocked and made desolate by the message of her sudden death. Death had robbed her parents of an affectionate and devoted daughter, a brother of an only sister. Yes, the only daughter, in whom was centered the hope and comfort of Christian parents whose aim was to instill into the tender hearts of their children the sacred maxim of Holy Scripture: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and the rest shall added unto thee.” The exemplary life of the deceased proved that their admonitions had not been in vain, for all who had the happiness of her acquaintance admit that they had seldom met her equal, she being scrupulously conscientious to a fault. Yes, we shall all miss her sadly, for she was not only the consolation of her parents but of her pastor and teachers as well. She wa,s an example to her schoolmates and companions, and above all an ornament to her church. She must indeed have been very dear to her Savior who undoubtedly welcomed her to His sweet embrace, she who had ever since the dawn of reason, welcomed Him to her loving, innocent heart at the early break of each day. No

sacrifice was considered too great for this dear child when there was question of uniting herself to her God in Holy Communion. She began all her daily tasks for and with Him. ,As she Was united with her Savior qn earth, so we have reason to know and believe that she shall now be ever united with Him in the Kingdom of His Glory. May we after having followed her example here be united with her forever in this same Kingdom. gone, yes our Lucille, has * gone from our sight, And we mourn for her loss night and day, For she departed for lands to us strange, Though her spirit is with us alway. We pressed her dear hands as we bade her farewell, And we bathed with our tears her dear form, Ere we lay her to rest in the church yard so green, Where she’s sheltered from tempest and storm. But why do we grieve when we know that we too Are journeying on the same way? And though it may seem that the journey be long, The distance is shorter each day.

She is waiting for us in our beautiful home, Soon, soon we shall reach her, we cannot recede, For our vessels are heavenward drawn. So let God be our Helmsman, our Faith be the sails, Our cargo, good deeds twined with love, Our dear Mother Mary, sweet Star of the Sea Be our light to God’s mansions above. —Sympathizing Friends. CARD OF THANKS We hereby wish to tender our heartfelt thanks to the pastor. St. Joseph college, Catholic Sisters and to the many friends for their sympathy and help in our bereavement, and for the beautiful floral tributes presented to the mernory of our daughter.—JAMES AND LUCY WALTER. John Robert Nicholson John Robert Nicholson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Osa Nicholson, was born June 15, 1912, and departed this life September 4, 1917, aged 5 years, 2 months and 20 days. John Robert was an unusually bright Tittle fellow and during lus brief stay here on earth endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. But as the rose is given life and beauty and permitted to make happier those lives about it and then perish, so was this human flower permitted to beautify the home and surroundings for a brief time, and then return to his Maker. The home is left sad and desolate and only the memory remains of the beauty that has been transplanted in another sphere. CARD OF THANKS We desire to thank our friends arid neighbors for their kindness and sympathy toward us during the sickness and death of our darling little son John, and also express many thanks for the beautiful flowers.—Mß. * AND MRS. OSA NICHOLSON.