SHEKELTON, Willie 1865-1899

SHEKELTON, LYNCH, MALLOY, MCMAHAN, COMMERFORD, SMITH, CARAGHTY

Posted By: Bruce Kuennen (email)
Date: 11/11/2018 at 06:50:00

Obituary.

Willie Shekelton died at his home near Waucoma, Iowa, on the morning of Dec. 8th, 1899, aged 34 years.

He was born on the farm on which he died, and was the son of James and Bridget Shekelton, who died several years ago. The deceased was married about five years ago to Miss Kate Lynch of Clayton county. Besides the widow he leaves two children, too small to know that they have lost one of the best of fathers, and five brothers John, Alex, Tom, Frank, and Staney; and five sisters — Mrs. Frank Malloy, Mrs. M. McMahan, Mrs. James Commerford, Mrs. Thomas Smith, and Margaret Shekelton.

All of the family were present at the funeral, which occurred on Sunday, Dec. 10th at St. Rose's Catholic church of which he has always been a most devoted member. Rev. Father Hogan read the requiem mass, and spoke very feelingly of the deceased, as he was well acquainted with him and could speak knowingly. It was also our pleasure to have known him, and we can say that the men of his truly excellent stamp are few. Honest industrious, patient and faithful, he was in every sense a thoroughly good man, and the community in which he lived has cause to regret that a model neighbor and true friend has been so early called to his reward. It is not often that death finds a man willing to bow to his commands, but from the moment that he found that he might be "called at any time", he was resigned, and although the thought that he had to leave his wife and babies gave him keen pain, he knew that he had toiled so that they would not have to, suffer if he was taken away from them. His trust in his Heavenly Father never wavered, and he died a most truly Christian death, surrounded by those he loved beat on earth.

He had the largest funeral ever known in this country, there being between 175 and 200 teams.

Those present from a distance were Mike and Charles Lynch, brothers, and Mr. Caraghty, an uncle of the bereaved woman. No words of ours can bring him back, and if they, could, who would do it? The happiness awaiting a life as well spent as his was, cannot be compared with the best of the joys of this unhappy world. We have only our sympathy to offer, and the bereaved family have that to the extent of our capabilities.

Source: New Hampton Gazette, December 21, 1899 accessed at New Hampton Public Library Digital Archives

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