FUNK, Lucy Woodruff Beal

FUNK, WOODRUFF, BEAL, PRITCHARD, SHERMAN, MILLER, CORNISH, HODGINS, SMITH, KEAGY, SULLIVAN, OLSMTEAD, GRISWOLD, JACKSON, FITZ, SANFORD, COTERIE, RISLEY, CORBER, WARD, SNIDECOR, STANOSHECK, VANDERCOOK

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 3/23/2006 at 15:07:43

The Cherokee Democrat, April 20, 1892

IN MEMORIAM

The funeral of Mrs. A. L. Funk occurred on Thursday last, from the residence of Col. Beal. On account of the terrible condition of the roads comparatively few of those who would like to have done so were able to attend. The floral tributes were the most beautiful ever seen on a similar occasion in Cherokee, among them being the following:

Triangle of hyacinth of standard-Xenophon Lodge K. of P.
Star white roses on standard-Mesdames Pritchard, Sherman Ed Miller and Cornish.
Boquet of Easter lilies and ferns-Mesdames E. Hodgins, A.G. Smith, Keagy, C. Sullivan and Aggie Olmstead.
Cross of roses-Mesdames Funk and Griswold.
Boquet of white roses, carnations and smilax-Mesdames Jackson and Fitz.
Basket of roses-W.A. Sanford and wife.
A large basket of lovely flowers-Kid Coterie.
Baskets of flowers-Mrs. Risley, Mrs. C. Corbet, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Snidecor, Mrs. Stanosheck and Miss Inez Vandercook.

The following obituary notice is from the Mt. Morris Index:

Lucy Woodruff Beal Funk, daughter of Col. L.W. Beal, of Cherokee, Iowa, was born December 5, 1871, in Rock Island Co., Ill. She was married to Arthur L. Funk, Sept. 27, 1888. Their married life has been short and interrupted by sickness-but it has been one of mutual devotion and attachment. She was of delicate heath from a child, but somewhat over a year ago it gave evidence of serious decline. Mr. Funk immediately left his business and devoted his time and attention to seek her recovery. They traveled extensively, and sought help from various sources without permanent success. About two months ago he brought her to Mt. Morris, where nothing that kind attention and nursing could do hath been left untried by the family and friends. During those weeks Mrs. Lucy Funk endeared herself to all that made her acquaintance. She was cheerful and extremely patient, desirous to get well for the sake of husband and friends.

She was religiously disposed, and always dearly loved the things of God, but said, “I want to have clear knowledge of acceptance with God, and personal interest in Christ.” This she found with an unusual degree of clearness while she still had hope that recovery might be possible. She said, “Now I have a double object for which I desire to life, my family ties and my desire to work for my Savior.” After some weeks, during which her patience and trust was a constant sermon on the blessing of a clear faith in the efficacy of Chris’s power to love, it became apparent that the hope of recover was not to be realized. She said, “I am so glad I settled the question between my soul and God when I had strength; it helps me so much now, when I have enough to do without thinking on that great work of being saved. Now I am sure what God wills is best.” She was fully intent on attending the Quarterly Meeting service in the M.E. church on March 27th, to take the sacrament and openly confess Christ and join the church, which she said “I wish I had seen earlier as I do now.” But she took the sacrament with her friends in the bed room and was wonderfully blessed in soul. She said to her husband and friends “don’t weep, I would be glad to live for you, but it is all right, all right’ I can fully trust my Savior, He knows best.” She never wavered in this trust until she passed away.

Her last words to her weeping husband and brother were with reference to meeting her in heaven. She buried a beautiful babe in Cherokee, Iowa, some time in the fall of 1890, her body is taken there to rest by its side, and her soul has gone to join the dear child in the sunny clime, free from sickness and pain. Her husband and numerous friends mourn their loss, while she has entered on her immortal gain. Many say, with the writer, that their religious experience has been strengthened at the sight of her patience and earnest trust. And his prayer is that her friends for whom she expressed such solicitude, may find consolation and favor in the Savior that so wonderfully sustained her and have a reunion with her in heaven.
J.H. Thomas