BABBIT, JOHN W. (1881-1918)

BABBIT, GAEDE, LEMBKE OR LAMKA, PIEPER

Posted By: Linda Hagedorn Finley (email)
Date: 8/15/2012 at 11:25:27

SOURCE: Sumner Gazette - November 7, 1918

Obituary of J. W. Babbitt

John Warren Babbitt was born in Bristol, R. I., June 26th, 1881, departed this life in a hospital in Evanston, Ill., Sunday morning, Nov. 3rd, 1918, at the age of 37 years, 4 months and 9 days. His wife died in the same hospital of Spanish Influenza only ten days previously, and he contracted the disease while in attendance upon her and the children. The remains were brought to Sumner Tuesday morning by his brother-in-law, Wm. Gaede, of Kansas City, for interment by the side of those of his wife who was buried in Wilson Grove Cemetery the Sunday before his death. The funeral was strictly Masonic and consisted of the burial cermonies of the order, beautifully rendered and conducted by F. M. Weat.

Mr. Babbitt was married on July 5, 1909 to Miss Elizabeth Pearl Gaede, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gaede, to which the union were born two sons, 8 and 6 years old, respectively, and two daughters, 4 and 2 years old--four dear little humanities such as Jesus specially blessed but who now will never know the real tender care and loving solicitude of father or mother.

Mr. Babbitt's occupation was that of a traveling salesman which took him to various parts of the middle west; but last spring he secured a home in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette. He joined Lookout Lodge No. 395, A. F. & A. M. of Sumner, April 11th, 1911, and completed his membership therein Nov. 3, 1913, and was held in high regard by all the brethern who had formed his acquaintance. He was an apt and enthusiastic Mason. He was an active, consistent, and conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal church. It was to our finite eyes a sad dispensation of Providence when God invaded the family circle and took away the mother; sadder still it seems that the father had to go; saddest of all the concrete sadness of this whole human tragedy is the fact of the four little orphans.

"Beyond the deep unknown
Standeth God within the shadows
Keeping watch above His own."