FranCena Thomas Sterns

STERNS, THOMAS, PIPER, NICOLL, JOHNSTON, BECKWITH

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 10/2/2012 at 16:22:14

FranCena Thomas Sterns
Mrs. Charles Sterns passed from this life at her home a mile and a quarter east of Mt. Etna, Friday, February 4, 1916, at about 4 o'clock a. m., after an illness of five weeks and two days from catarrhal pneumonia, her death being due to a weak heart. Mrs. Sterns was about 60 years of age. The funeral services were held at the Dunkard church near Mt. Etna, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. M. Cover, and interment was made in the Dunkard cemetery near Mt. Etna.
FranCena Thomas was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Thomas, late of Mt. Etna. She was born November 10, 1855, In West Virginia and at the age of about five years with her parents came to Iowa, locating at Mt. Etna, in and near which place she has made her home ever since. She was married to Charles Sterns in Mt. Etna 43 years ago this coming August. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sterns made their home for a time on a farm near Mt. Etna, later locating in Mt. Etna and three years ago the 17th of February, this year, they moved to a new five room cottage on their farm 1 1/4 mile from Mt. Etna. To Mr. and Mrs. Sterns eight children were born, one of whom died in infancy, and Mrs. Wm. Piper passed away nine years ago the 4th of December. Beside her husband, Mrs. Sterns leaves her six children, Abe, John and Ross Sterns, of Mt. Etna; W. E. Sterns, of Sioux Falls, S. D.; Mrs. Thos. Nicoll, of Oelwein, Iowa, and Mrs. E. B. Piper, of Corning; also seven grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Isabella Johnston, of Mt. Etna, and a half brother and half sister, Jake Thomas and Mrs. Louisa Beckwith, both of Mt. Etna. Abe Thomas, father of Mrs. Sterns, passed away about four years ago. When about 19 years of age the subject of this notice united with the Dunkard church and she lived a conscientious Christian life. During her residence of nearly 55 years in Mt. Etna vicinity Mrs. Sterns made a large number of friends who deeply regret her passing and join in extending sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
Adams County Free Press, February 9, 1916, page 4