Guthrie, John Diller 1863-1900

GUTHRIE, SPENCER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/29/2005 at 17:56:19

The Newton (IA) Record, Thursday, March 29, 1900, Page 5, Column 2
Released from Suffering
Guthrie, John Diller

Once more the beautiful Gates of Heaven have opened to receive another of our loved ones. After many weary months filled with suffering, John Diller Guthrie of Newton finished his life's work last Thursday, March 22nd, 1900. Just at noon hour he sank into the beautiful sleep to wake "in the morning" where pain and suffering are no more. No matter how wasted by disease nor how long we have watched over our loved ones, trying by every known means to keep alive the flickering life spark, we are never prepared to meet the shock which comes when the eyes finally close in their last sleep, and the feeble heart beats cease forever. From mother, sister and brothers so dear, he received prompt and careful attention and most tender and faithful care. The best medical skills both in Newton and Des Moines proved of no avail. His disease baffled all skill and he gradually grew worse. Fond hopes were entertained for his recovery but it seemed to be otherwise ordered. And for months his anxious mother and loved ones have known that the end must come very soon, yet still they clung to a ray of hope that a change might come that would prolong his life. He was conscious to the very last. During the latter part of his illness he suffered much, yet patiently and submissively. Although he was cheerful and hopeful, anxious to recover if it was the Lord's will, feeling that he had so much for which to live. He was never married and his best friend was his mother. For a great many years he managed the farm. Since his father's death two years ago, he and his mother have been more than ever devoted to each other. His greatest desire was to live and make a home for mother, no matter how much he suffered himself.

Johnny, as he was know by everybody, was the second son of Mrs. I. N. Guthrie and was born on the old Guthrie farm on the 16th day of Feb. 1863. At the time of his death he was 37 years, 1 month and 6 days old. All his life he lived on the farm where he died. He was a man of high moral character, of a kind and genial disposition and naturally made warm friends of everybody.

Besides his mother he leaves two brothers and one sister, Ami, of Holyoke, Colorado, Charlie and Lillie, now Mrs. Bert Spencer, of Newton, all of whom are married and have homes of their own, and were with him in his last moments to receive the final goodbye and the blessed assurance that all was well with him. Death to John was a happy release from pain and suffering and a glad entrance into the Heavenly Home.

Funeral services were held in the Newton Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Chambers, assisted by Rev. Lusk of the Baptist Church and were attended by a large concourse of people, many being present from Des Moines, Monroe and the neighborhood where his life had been spent. The music was furnished by the Presbyterian choir. The Masonic Order, of which the deceased was a member, attended in a body and also acted as pallbearers. The floral offerings were beautiful and very numerous. The grave was lined with snowy white, intermingled with sprays of evergreen. The remain were laid to rest on the hill in the Newton Cemetery.

Originally submitted by Volunteer Transcriber