Jeannette, Gene Francis – 1928-1934

JEANNETTE, NEAL

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:29

Five Year Old Boy Dies
Gene Francis Jeannette, sixth child of Stephen P. and Aubrey Neal Jeannette, was born east of Newton, Nov. 7, 1928. He died June 14, 1934, at the Skiff hospital, where he was taken the night before his death, at the age of 5 years, 7 months, and 7 days.
His short life was lived in the Murphy neighborhood, he moving to Colfax with his family only last fall. Although never a strong child from birth, he had never had a real sickness until the past winter, when he had the flu twice and ear trouble. He was much better when he took ill about ten days before his death.
He was examined two months ago to get ready for school and looked forward with great eagerness to that time.
Gene attended Sunday school at Hixon Grove, and later at the M.E. Church at Colfax. He loved to go to Sunday school dearly, and seemed to take in every word that was said.
Although small in body, he was mentally far beyond his years, in his judgment, reasoning and unselfishness. If they wished, any older person could have carried on an earnest conversation with him, as he seemed to have such an understanding nature for such a young child.
Although asking nothing of life, he brought worlds into it in his association with his family, who will miss him greatly.
He leaves to mourn his loss, besides his father and mother, four sisters, Carol, Marilyn, Clara and Geraldine; five brothers, Phillip, Robert, Richard, Paul and Gerald, also his grandparents and other relatives.
He is gone, but our lives are much richer because of him.
Funeral services were held Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Morgan Funeral Home at Newton, with Rev. J. I. Hayes of Ferguson in charge. Miss Anna Hayes sang, “Precious Jewels,” and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” with Miss Elizabeth Ferguson accompanying. Mrs. A. J. Streeter and F. C. Streeter sang “Sweetly Asleep”, accompanied by Mrs. Walter Harper.
Interment was made in the Newton Union cemetery with the following boys serving as pall bearers: Victor Machin, Daniel Murphy, Ivan Snook, and Darrell Spencer.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Tribune; Thursday, June 21, 1934, page 1