Rachel Hensley 1851-1904

HENSLEY, DUNGAN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/27/2018 at 10:29:28

6 October 1904 - West Branch Times

Rachel Ellen Dungan was born in Darke county, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1851, and died at her home in West Branch, Iowa, Oct. 1, 1904.

In childhood she came with her parents to Iowa, and settled in Bertram, Linn county. She was married to Samuel Hensley, March 9, 1867, at her home in Bertram. There were born in this home two sons, William and James, who with their father, mourn the death of the beloved wife and mother.

In 1894 Brother and Sister Hensley settled in West Branch and this has continued to be their home. Sister Hensley joined the Baptist church at Riverside, Iowa, in 1875. Later she joined by certificate the Methodist Episcopal church at Morning Sun, Iowa, and on moving to West Branch transferred her membership to this church. She remained a devoted and faithful Christian to the end. Sister Hensley had been in failing health for more than a year. For the last few months she was confined to her room and was a great sufferer. She bore her suffering with meekness and patience. She frequently spoke of her faith in God and believed that all things work together for good to those who love Him.

For more than 37 years husband and wife have journeyed life's pathway together, comforting and helping each other on the way. But now the wife has gone on before and the husband journeys on alone; and yet not alone, for God is the comfort of his heart, his friend and companion. He is now able to look forward, with fond anticipation to a happy meeting again which will surely take place in the "Sweeet Bye and Bye."

The father and two sons have the sincere sympathy of many friends in this, their time of bereavement. The long vigils of the patient and faithful husband have ended. The wife is beyond the need of nature's or of medical remedies. Her sufferings have ceased forever. Having shuffled off this mortal coil there has been given to her a spiritual body which has no element of disease or death in it. You could not wish her back again. She is far better off where she is. You may weep for yourselves but not for her. She is happy and waits for the husband and sons to join her. Surely, you will not disappoint her. Oh! how full of brightness and good cheer is the thought of heaven. Let us all seek, through faith in Jesus Christ, to enter there.

The funeral service was held at the M.E. church on Monday afternoon, the pastor, Rev. W. B. Davis, conducting the service. The burial was in the West Branch cemetery. REV. W. B. DAVIS