Wirkler, Joe August Theodore 1895 - 1910

WIRKLER, MEYER, SHIERHOLZ, MILLER, SPLIES

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/10/2020 at 09:13:16

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 20 Jan. 1910.. Garnavillo column.

Joe August Theodore Wirkler, youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Wirkler, was born June 28th, 1895, in Garnavillo township, and died Jan. 14th, after an illness of about a weeks duration, ager 14 years, 6 months and 17 days. He spent his boyhood days attending the Garnavillo Public School and in 1908-09 he attended confirmation school and was confirmed on Palm Sunday of the same year. After his confirmation he again resumed work in the public school, working diligently and was always at the head of his class.

About a week ago he complained of not feeling well and on the Sunday preceding his death a doctor was called and found he was suffering from a severe attack of appendicitis. A consultation was held and it was deemed necessary to perform an operation. This was done on Tuesday evening. He recovered from these effects and seemed a great deal better, but on Thursday he gradually grew worse and on Friday morning at 5:50 he passed away. A trained nurse was in attendance and all that loving hands could do was done, but of no avail.

He leaves to mourn his death his sorrowing parents, two sisters and five brothers, besides a large circle of relatives and friends. He was a member of the St. Paul's Sunday School, and also president of the Lutheran League and a member of the High School Literary Society.

The funeral was held on Monday afternoon from St. Paul's church, where services were conducted by Rev. Braun. His five brothers and brother-in-law acted as pallbearers, and laid to his final rest in the new cemetery the body of one they loved. As a mark of respect the High School, which he so faithfully attended, closed and attended the funeral in a body. The sympathy of the many friends of the family in this vicinity is extended to the bereaved family.

Relatives and friends out of the city who attended the funeral were Helmuth Meyer, of Castalia; Arthur Wirkler and wife, Eldo Wirkler and sisters, Vina and Adelia; Elzer Shierholz and Will Miller, of Monona; and Charlotte Splies, of Luana, Iowa. The floral offerings were beautiful and abundant.

Take them, O Death ! and bear away
Whatever thou canst call thy own.
Thine image stamped upon this clay,
Doth give thee that, but that alone !
Take them, O Grave, and let them lie, Folded upon thy narrow shelves, As garments by the soul laid by, And precious only to ourselves !
Take them, O Eternity !
Our little life is but a gust,
That bends the branches of the tree, and trails its blossoms in the dust.