SLIFER, Henry E. 1842-1929

SLIFER, HOFFA

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/5/2015 at 16:17:21

Death Comes Quietly To Grundy Pioneer

H. E. Slifer Passed Away in His Sleep Friday Night

H. E. Slifer was found dead in bed Saturday morning at his home a half mile north of the Ivester church. His daughter, Mary, found him when she went to his room in the morning. He retired Friday night in as good health as he had been having in late years. Death was due to heart failure and it came apparently without awakening the sleeper. Since moving from their home in Grundy Center a number of years ago Mr. Slifer and his daughter have been living comfortably in their home in Melrose township. While well advanced in years, Mr. Slifer has been able to look after his business affairs daily and to drive his car to and from town.

Funeral services were held at the Ivester church at two o'clock Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by the resident pastor, the Rev. D. C. Gnagy, and the former pastor, Rev. I. D. Leatherman, now from Ankeny, Iowa. Burial was made in the family lot in the Sheller cemetery in Melrose township.

The death of Mr. Slifer removes another of our sturdy and illustrious Grundy pioneers. Mr. Slifer came to Grundy county with his wife shortly after their marriage in Carroll county, Ill., in 1866. That is 63 years ago. For many years the family resided on a farm in Melrose township. Later they bought a farm adjoining the town limits of Grundy Center on the west where they made their home for many years. After selling the place they moved to Grundy Center. Mr. Slifer preferred retirement on the farm and three years ago moved back to the township in which he located when he first came here. His passing removes the last of the charter members of the Church of the Brethren at Ivester.

Henry Edward Slifer, son of Henry and Katherine Slifer, was born in Washington county, Rohersville, Maryland, August 13, 1842, and passed away at his home near the Ivester church November 2nd, 1929, aged 87 years, 2 months and 20 days.

At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Carroll county, Ill., and was there united in marriage to Amanda Hoffa February 25, 1864. Two years later they moved to Iowa and located in Melrose township, Grundy county, ten miles southwest of Grundy Center. At that time Grundy county was open prairie and he and his good wife had to face the hardships of pioneer life.

To this union were born ten children, of whom three survive his death: Jacob H. and Mary of Grundy Center, and William E. of Burlington. He was preceded in death by his wife on February 5, 1923.

Besides the above children there are left to mourn his death five grandchildren and one sister, Martha Holman, of Mora, Minn.

Mr. Slifer was a fine christian character. When 15 years of age he united with the Church of the Brethren, thereby definitely lending his influence for the greatest good. His had been a continually consistent christian life. He was a quiet man, but his face will be missed, not only in the home, but in the community. He was always held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and friends.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 7 November 1929, pg 1