JANE GILMORE KEISTER

KEISTER, GILMORE, HOUSTON

Posted By: bj (email)
Date: 1/14/2006 at 13:25:21

Jackson Sentinel
Maquoketa, Iowa
Friday, October 12, 1917

Jane Kyle Keister was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 26, 1843, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Will Houston of Emeline, Iowa, Oct. 7, 1917, aged 73 years, 9 months and 11 days. She was the youngest daughter of John and Jane Gilmore of Ozark, Ia., long time deceased.

The subject of this sketch was joined in holy wedlock with Herman Keister March 22, 1862. To this union three children were born: William of Cantoon, Ia., Letha, who died in infancy, and Mrs. Millie Houston.

She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church in Clinton in the early 90's in which place she and her husband had residence for a period of five years. In this church they labored and loved in Clinton, in Canton and in the home of their children, Will and Millie Houston until 1909, when the husband and father passed on to his reward, leaving his aged wife to travel the remaining nine years of her pilgrimage alone, but safely sheltered in the home of her only daughter. Father and Mother Keister's home was also the home of God's ministers whenever duty called them to that locality. They were pillars, indeed, in the church of their Lord, and many will no doubt rise up in the Great Day and call them blessed.

Mother Keister enjoyed her usual good health until about three months ago, when she had a fall, from which injury she never recovered. She was laid beside the husband of her youth in the picturesque cemetery at Hickory Grove Oct. 9, 1917. The funeral services were held in the home of her daughter. The choir consisted of Mrs. Ava Eads, Mrs. Cora Nissen, Miss Helen Heister and Mr. Eli Said. The services were conducted by Rev. Jesse M. Smith of Preston, Ia., a former pastor. The sermon was from Rev. 21-4.