MATILDA ANN (WITTER) RUMLEY

WITTER, RUMLEY, PEASE

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 5/4/2002 at 21:02:54

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, April 8, l920

MATILDA ANN, daughter of JACOB and REBECCA WITTER, was born at South Bend, Ind., July l8th, l84l, departed this life at her home in north Leon after a lingering illness, Thursday evening, April lst, l920, at 8:00 p.m.; age 78 years, 8 months and 24 days. The family removed from Indiana in the spring of l849 and settled in Delaware County, Ia., near where Manchester is now located. In the spring of l853 they removed from Delaware County to Decatur County and settled on a farm four and one-half miles south and west of what was then Independence but now Leon.
She was a child of 8 years when the family left Indiana for Iowa. She was l2 years of age at the time her parents settled in Decatur County. Here she grew to womanhood.

She was united in marriage at the parental home to LEWIS J. RUMLEY, February 5, l860. To this union were born six children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and are as follows: JOHN F., of Leon, Iowa; DAVID T., in Hospital at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; CYRUS S., of Leon; AARON E., of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and MRS. MARY R. PEASE, of Bloomfield, Iowa. The husband preceded her to the spirit world having departed this life on March 30, l89l.
In the fall of the same year, she left the farm and came to Leon where she continued to reside until called by death to her Heavenly home.

She united with the Church of Christ at Leon in the year, l893, and was a faithful attendant upon the service of the church as long as health permitted. She was an earnest, devout Christian and tho confined to the house, was interested in the various activities of the church. She suffered an accident in l909 when she fell and sustained a broken hip from which time she was compelled to use crutches. For the past thirteen years, she and brother, W.L. WITTER, have resided together, he kindly assisting her in every need. She has been in declining health since early last fall and while at times a great sufferer, she bore it all uncomplainingly.
She has been tenderly and lovingly cared for all these months by her loved ones. She was always interested in the welfare of others and when strength permitted ready and willing to assist and sacrifice for the good of others.

A mother in Israel has gone to her Heavenly reward, to the rest promised to those who love the Lord. She was a devoted wife, loving, affectionate mother, kind and thoughtful sister, a good neighbor and true friend. She leaves to mourn her departure the loving children, ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, three brothers, as follows: W.L. WITTER, Leon; D.F. and J.R. WITTER, of Des Moines, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon, April 5, at Union Chapel, four and one-half miles northwest of Leon, following a short service held at the home at 2 p.m., conducted by her Pastor, Rev. P.H. Green, assisted by Rev. Ronk, of the Brethren Church. Favorite hymns of the deceased were sung by a quartet as follows: Mrs. Mollie Harris, Mrs. J.A. Caster, W.L. Hutchinson, and W.F. Boyd. Pall bearers were Morris Gardner, Cal Hoffman, F.J. Greever, J.R. Pease, Chas. Rumley and Ralpy Rumley.
The floral offerings by friends and relatives were profuse and beautiful.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
April 29, 2002