p. 23 | Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Assn. · Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1904

Obituaries

GARDENER.—Died at Cripple Creek, Colo., Nov. 9, 1903, Grace, daughter of Sister Fannie Gardener, aged 4 months and 10 days. Little Grace was almost a constant sufferer from her birth. We believe that she will be awakened when the Life-giver comes. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. C. H. BATES.

DYKEMAN.—Died in Mandeville, La., Aug. 5, 1903, Mrs. Hattie Dykeman, beloved wife of L. E. Dykeman, aged 32 years. She suffered from a complication of diseases induced by malarial poisoning. Her husband and little son are left to mourn, but not as those who have no hope; for we believe she will come forth in the first resurrection. MRS. C. A. DYKEMAN.

BUNDY.—Died at Petersburg, Neb., Oct. 7, 1903, Sabrina Bundy, nee Worden, aged 70 years, 5 months, and 29 days. She was the mother of three children, two of whom are still living. Her husband died in 1883. I have been acquainted with this family for twenty-five years, and have enjoyed their hospitality many times, and hope to meet them all in that home where death never comes. DANIEL NETTLESTON.

MATTERAND.—Died in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 14, 1903, of tuberculosis of the kidneys, Brother I. Simon Matterand, aged 21 years. Simon was on his way to Healdsburg College, where he expected to prepare himself for the ministry, when he was stricken down by disease at the home of his sister, dying in the hospital two weeks later. Funeral services were held in the Methodist church at Stanwood, Wash., and were attended by a large throng of friends and relatives, words of comfort being spoken by the writer. H. C. J. WOLLEKAR.

SUTTON.—Died at Curtis, Neb., Dec. 2, 1903, Sister Lois Sutton, aged 79 years. She accepted present truth at Beatrice, Neb., about fifteen years ago. Hers was a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter. The funeral was held in the M. E. church at Curtis, Neb. Words of comfort and instruction were spoken by the writer, from Heb. 11:13-16. DANIEL NETTLESTON.

HANSEN.—Died at her home in Sea Bright, N. J., Dec. 17, 1903, Sister Marie Hansen, aged 47 years. She was a native of Vigdohl, Norway, and with her husband was converted and joined the Seventh-day Adventist church in Brooklyn, under the labor of the writer ten years ago. The funeral was held in the Methodist church in Sea Bright. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn the loss of a dear wife and mother. We laid her away in the silent tomb to rest until the Life-giver shall waken her in the morning of the resurrection. P. L. HOEN.

BENT.—Died at Calhoun, Neb., Dec. 11, 1903, Overton W. Bent, aged 57 years, 8 months, 13 days. While a member of the Baptist Church, he had a deep religious experience. When present truth was presented to him, he gladly accepted it, and became a pillar in the house of our God. He has been elder of the Lincoln church and member of the conference committee, besides holding other positions of trust in the work of God. In his death we all have sustained a loss. He leaves three Christian daughters to mourn his death. The funeral was held in Lincoln. Elder Hoopes and the writer, who had been his personal friends and co-workers for many years, took charge of the service, giving a brief sketch of his life, and speaking comforting words from the Holy Scriptures. DANIEL NETTLESTON.

BECKWITH.—Died near Fenton, Mich., Nov. 20, 1903, of nervous prostration of long standing, and paralysis, Sarah A. Beckwith, aged 59 years, 8 months, and 12 days. In 1875 she and her husband were converted, and united with the M. E. Church. They remained true members of this church for seven years. They attended a tent-meeting in Fenton, conducted by the Seventh-day Adventists, and adopted their view of Bible truth, and joined the church of this people. Sister Beckwith was firm in the service of God, with a strong faith in Bible truth, and steadfast in Christ, her Redeemer, to the day of her death. She leaves a husband and three daughters to mourn, but not without hope. She is at rest, awaiting the voice of the Son of God, when she will come forth to life eternal, and enter the kingdom of glory. I. D. VAN HORN.

PHINNEY.—Died at Petersburg, Neb., Dec. 14, 1903, Sister Mary E. Phinney, aged 67 years. She was born in Massachusetts, but moved to Wisconsin in 1856, and to Nebraska in 1899. Sister Phinney was converted when a child, and united with the Baptist Church. She heard and accepted present truth under the labors of Elder Sanborn in Waterloo, Wis., about thirty-five years ago. She was a firm believer in the advent message. Death came very suddenly, and without any warning. Of her it is written: “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.” She leaves a husband, one daughter, and two sons. Sister Phinney took much pleasure in singing the songs of Zion. She was a good singer, and was a great help to the church by her gift of song. A large funeral was held at the Congregational church, the sermon being delivered by the writer, from Heb. 11:13-16. DANIEL NETTLESTON.

CRISLER.—Sarah Jane Crisler was born July 21, 1849; died Dec. 21, 1903. The death of Mrs. Crisler, the beloved companion of Elder L. H. Crisler, of Orlando, Fla., is a sad event to many very warm friends outside of the dear family circle. Her health had usually been excellent until the last year. In the early part of 1903 she was afflicted with rheumatism during the fall, and was almost helpless; and for months past her friends were made sad by the evidence that a cancer was developing internally. After intense suffering, the sad crisis came. Short memorial services were held at Orlando, Fla. Leading business men of the city were the pall-bearers. In harmony with her request, she was taken back to Eaton, Ohio, her birthplace, for burial. The funeral services were largely attended. Dr. Weaver (Lutheran) preached the funeral sermon. She was a member of that church from her youth. Mrs. Crisler was a noble woman, a devoted wife and mother. She had a large number of friends wherever she was acquainted. All who knew her well, could but love her. The family circle of which she was an honored member is thrown by this sad event into the deepest grief and anguish. The warmest sympathy of the large circle of our people who know and love Elder Crisler, will surely be extended to him in this deep bereavement. Let us all pray that our merciful Father above will abundantly minister his grace to him. Her only daughter, Dr. Florence Crisler, one of the Sanitarium graduates, was continually with her mother from October till her death. Her oldest son, Clarence, was in California, a valued helper of Sister White. Her youngest son, Leroy T. Crisler, reached home just before her death. Only a very brief time was he able to see her, as he was immediately stricken down dangerously sick with pneumonia. It was a time of the deepest affliction. A loving, tender wife and mother has passed away. Another loving family circle is broken down with grief. May our merciful God pity and relieve their anguish; and may the dear Life-giver soon come to usher in life and immortality that such sad scenes may be no more. GEO. I. BUTLER.

GIFFORD.—William Gifford, of Memphis, Mich., residing in the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. Gurney, passed peacefully away, falling asleep in Jesus at 1:30 P. M., Sabbath, Dec. 19, 1903, having lived 105 years, 2 months, and 27 days. He was born in Rochester, Plymouth Co., Mass., Sept. 22, 1798. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Miss Mary Bowlin, which resulted in a happy home. To them were born eleven children, five of whom are still living. In the year 1857 he and his family moved to Michigan, and settled on a small farm near Parma, Jackson Co. He had lived there but three weeks when his wife died. This broke up his home, and he lived with his children. Brother Gifford was converted when twenty-one years old, and joined the old Christian Church at Mattapoisett, Mass. He was a faithful member of that church till 1839, when William Miller came to Fairhaven with the second advent message. He, with others, accepted the good news of the second coming of Christ. He passed through the disappointment in 1844, but did not forsake his faith. Not long after this experience he accepted the Bible Sabbath, which was developed by the sanctuary question. Brother Gifford was a strong temperance man, never using tobacco in any form, nor tasting intoxicating liquor of any kind. He became a member of the first temperance society organized in the United States. His temperate life helped much to prolong his days to an advanced age reached by but few. Brother Gifford was firm and steadfast in the present truth, and had a cheering testimony in the meeting or by the fireside for every one, child of God, or unbeliever. His hope became brighter in view of Christ’s second coming, like “the path of the just,” as “the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” When the voice of his Saviour shall be heard like a trumpet sounding through the earth, he will hear and come forth, immortal, to enjoy eternal life with all the bliss and glory of heaven. He leaves five children, twenty-seven grandchildren, and one great great grandchild to mourn, but not without hope. A large congregation attended the funeral, paying their last respects to one beloved by all. He is at rest, awaiting the resurrection morn, when he will stand among the redeemed throng, having “right to the tree of life.” I. D. VAN HORN.