Mary Elizabeth Westerman 1855-1905

WESTERMAN, SAUNDERS, CHAPMAN, BLACK

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 9/3/2024 at 06:51:46

The Wapello Republic, Columbus Junction, IA
Thursday, August 17, 1905
Page 1

Mary Elizabeth Saunders Westerman, daughter of J. F. and Elizabeth Saunders, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, November 1st, 1855 and passed from time a shore at 4:30 a. m. on Sunday, August 13th, 1905, aged 49 years, 9 months and 12 days. Of her father's family there were seven children four sons and three daughters. Two son preceded the deceased to the tomb, leaving two sons and two daughters. W. C. Saunders of Wapello and John E. of St. Joe, Mo. The two sisters are Mrs. Kate Chapman and Mrs. Ann Black, living near Morning Sun. She was united in marriage to Mr. Henry Westerman about five years ago, who still survives her to mourn the loss of wife.

She came to this state with her parents when but one years old and Wapello has been her home through her entire life, belonging as she has to one of the prominent families of this community, and whose aged father still lives to mourn the loss of his daughter, who for some years kept his home. She was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, under whose kindly auspices her mortal remains have been watched over and whose touching services were conducted in the home, while members of the Grand Army of the Republic, Columbus Junction, IA gently bore the casket that contained the precious dust to its last resting place, close by the side of kindred dust.

On the 19th of February, 1905, Mrs. Westerman united with the Presbyterian church on profession of her faith in Christ and as long as health permitted attended the services of the church. Although the disease that carried her away was consumption, the descent was somewhat rapid into the valley of death. The funeral services were held at he Presbyterian church Monday afternoon, August 14, at three o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Cooper.