Lorraine Josephine Stansbury, 1899 - 1931

STANSBURY, BARNHART, MARTIN, SHAW, WALLACE

Posted By: Constance, IAGenWeb Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/19/2018 at 12:45:50

The Fayette County Union
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
Thursday, 09 July 1931
Page 1 column seven

DEATH CALLS MRS. MILAN STANSBURY
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Young Wife and Mother Dies Suddenly from Heart Attack
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Word of the death of Mrs. Milan Stansbury was received with shocked surprise Monday, she having passed away early that morning, just as the dawn of a new day was breaking in the eastern sky. her untimely passing brings to mind the unfailing truth "the old must and the young may die."

Lorraine Barnhart was born thirty-one years ago on the Joseph Barnhart farmstead south of this city. She grew to girlhood there andattended the local high school from which she graduated and in March 1921, was united in marriage to Milan Stansbury, son of the Barnhart's neighbor, James Stansbury. Their all too brief married life was a happy one. The young wife devoted all her energy to the making of an ideal home and theatmps[here of order and contentment prevailed in it. Not caring for society in its wider acceptance of the term, Lorraine was by nature hospitable and her home was always open to those whom she cared to cultivate and she delighted in ministering to their pleasure and comfort while there. She loved the community where she was born and reared and after a years residence in California, they returned to West Union, where they have lived since.

Death in youth is always tragic. There is do much left undone by its untimely summons; life is so imcomplete at thirty-one; so many plans unfulfilled, so few aspirations realized. It is almost humanly impossible to find comfort in the thought that fate may have been kind -- perhaps has spared a dear one from some great sorrow or affliction, for we only know that we miss a dear presence and while wondering why., bow our heads in sorrowing silence, hoping that the blessing of memory may in coming days, bring comfort and peace.

Mrs. Stansbury had been ill about two months with a heart affectation and rheumatism, but was not considered to be in a dangerous condition. She awoke early Monday morning and sitting up in bed for a few minutes, told her husband that she had slept well, and felt so much better, that she was sure she would have a good day. She composed herself for further rest, closed her eyes, and passed into that sleep which knows no waking, and without visable pain or suddering. Of her it may be truly said: "She approached her grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Mrs. Stansbury's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Barnhart, of Los Angeles, in company with her sisters, Mrs. Henry Martin, Miss Mantie Shaw, formerly of Oelwein, Were driving to Iowa, and could not be located enroute. They reached Oelwein Tuesday afternoon, filled with happy anticipation of an all summer visit with the Stansbury home their headquaters and were told there the sad news.

Another daughter Mrs. Percy Wallace, nee Ella Barnhart, had arrived Tuesday morning from her home in Crete, Ills., and was present to aid and comfort the bereaved mother om her arrival here.

In addition to her husband, Lorraine leaves to mourn her early death, their young son Philip Martin Stansbury, her mother, her sister, and a brother, Lawrence Barnhart, of Anheim, Calif., a number of other relatives and the Stansbury family with whom she was most congenial.

Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church this afternoon at two o'clock. In occordance with the wish of the family, there will be no vocal music.

The following tribute to Mrs. Stansbury's memory was prepared by her pastor, Rev. J.C. Krebs.

Lorraine Josephine Stansbury (nee Barnhart) was born October 18, 1899 on the home farm near West Union, Iowa, and passed away at her home in this city early Monday morning July 6, 1931. She was the youngest child of her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Barnhart. She receieved her education in the West Union grammar and high schools, attending Grinnell for one year after having completed her work in the local schools.

OnMarch 22, 1929 she was united in marriage to Milan Stansbury. Their's was a union of rare happiness. One son, Philip, was born to them. Besides her husband and son she leaves to mourn her early and sudden decease her mother , Mrs. Elizabeth Barnhart of Los Angeles, Calif., her sister, Mrs. Percy Wallace of Crete, Ills., and her brother, Lawrence Barnhart of Anaheim, Calif., and other relatives as well as a host of friends.

On May 10. 1914 she confessed her faith in Christ and united with the Bethel Presbyterian church of this city, in which church she has remained a faithful member ever since. hers was an exceptinally beautiful Christian character of a markedly sweet and cheerful disposition. All who knew her felt the wholesomeness of her faith in God which evidenced itself in a life rich in love in her home and in the church and community as well. It is certain that her character will linger as a most beneficent influence in the minds of all who knew her and who mourn the fact that death so soon claimed her life.

Concerning her it may well be said in the words of the poet --
"But when the sun in all his state
Illuminated the eastern skies.
She passed through glory's morning gate
And walked in Paradise."