KLONTZ, Matilda 1858-1898

KLONTZ, MERICLE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/1/2015 at 18:29:40

Matilda Mericle was born in Hawkins Co., Ohio, March 7, 1858 and removed with her parents to Tama Co. in 1864. She was a graduate from the literary department of the Iowa College for the blind, completing a ten years course in 1884. On March 4, 1886 she was married to Peter Klontz. She leaves a husband and five children. Since her conversion in 1876 she has been a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Her membership has been in the Grundy Center Presbyterian church since 1886 all of her own immediate family has passed away. Mrs. Klontz although almost totally blind and deaf succeeded in her home life in the face of seeming insufferable difficulties. She passed from an earthly Sabbath to the eternal Sabbath. The funeral was held from the Baptist church conducted by her pastor W. H. Jordan of the Presbyterian church.

--The Grundy Center Herald (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 May 1898, pg 6

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The death of Mrs. Peter Klontz occurred at her home in this place last Sunday night at eleven o'clock, May 22, 1898. She had long been a sufferer from consumption and was glad when the summons came calling her from her earthly pains and to the realm of light and life eternal. Matilda Mericle was born in Hawkins county, Ohio, March 7, 1858, and came to Tama county, Ia., in 1861. She received a thorough education in the Iowa college for the blind where she attended from 1874 to 1881. She was converted in the great revival in Vinton in 1876-77 and united with the Presbyterian church along with over one hundred others. In 1886 she was married to Mr. Peter Klontz. Both Mr. and Mrs. Klontz were all their married life shut out from the natural beauties of this world by reason of blindness and their affliction weighed the heavier on them because of the responsibility of family raising. In the death of Mrs. Klontz five motherless children are thrown upon the cold charities of the outer world and the babe not yet a year old will never know the realization of a mother's love.

During the past winter Mrs. Klontz suffered a great deal and yet she was patient and resigned to her fate. Her only concern seemed to be a regret in leaving her children without a mother. She showed christian fortitude and courage through the ordeal and was ready to go when called to try the realities of another life. She will be missed by her friends and neighbors and by the husband and children left behind to mourn her death. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and died with the hope of another and better life beyond. She was constantly attended by friends in the church and all was done that could possibly be for her comfort while she lived. To Him who is able to sustain in every trial we commend the remaining members of the family and express through these columns our heartfelt sympathy for them in their bereavement.

The funeral was conducted Wednesday forenoon from the Baptist church, Rev. W. H. Jordan of the Presbyterian church officiating. Many friends were present to show their sympathy and many beautiful flowers were sent in by loving hands and sympathizing friends.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 May 1898, pg 5