John A. Longaker 1902-1926

LONGAKER, FISHER, WEHRLE, VER STEEGH, MITCHELL, JOHNSTON, BURBANK

Posted By: Jeanie Belding (email)
Date: 1/29/2014 at 13:57:57

source: unknown newspaper clipping from Gail (Fisher) Fudge collection

YOUNG MAN TAKEN IN PRIME OF LIFE

John A. Longaker, Answers Final Summon June 17th. Funeral on Saturday, Burial in Friends Cemetery.

John A. Longaker, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Longaker, passed away at his home in New Sharon on last Thursday, June 17th, after an illness lasting several weeks and ended a struggle by this young man over a period of several years during which time he suffered at intervals very intensely.
The death of this young man blasted the hopes which he and his young wife had built up. The deceased was hopeful even in the face of a serious physical handicap and made an heroic effort to win the fight, but his trouble was of such a nature that it was impossible, notwithstanding the fact that he had the best attention, both medical and otherwise that could be procured or that loving hearts and hands could provide.
The deceased was highly respected. His manly ways, his industrious habits, and the heroic effort which he put forward, under great difficulty, won for him not only a high degree of respect, but the admiration as well, of everybody.
The funeral, which was one of the largest ever held in New Sharon, was conducted at the Christian Church on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in charge of Rev. A.B. Cornell. The body was laid to rest in the Friends cemetery.
Relatives from a distance and outside of the immediate neighborhood, who were in attendance at the funeral were: Worth Burbank and family of Oskaloosa; Afton Longaker and family of Kirkville, Iowa; Landon Johnson and family, Mrs. Robert Johnson, Mr and Mrs. Ray Donahey of Des Moines; Mrs. Fannie Longaker, Mrs. George Cober of Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. Belzer of North Dakota, Mrs. Mary Alley, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Leatherman, Mrs. Gertrude Hook and Mrs. Anna Tapstra of Newton; Ollie Winters and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lowel Carpenter and son and Miss Ethel Graffis of Galesburg, Ia.; Porter Winter and family of Grinnell; Mrs. Lillie Cleland, Mr. and Mrs. George Williams and Mrs. Will Brouerman and daughter of Oskaloosa.
Following is the obituary, prepared by his pastor, Rev. A.B. Cornell.
John Alva Longaker, son of Adolphus and Myrtle Longaker, was born near Taintor in Jasper County, Iowa, August 23, 1902, and died at his home June 17, 1926, aged 23 years, 9 months, 24 days.
He was the sixth of the nine children of this family and the second to pass into the great beyond, the other was an infant daughter.
The deceased has always live in and near Taintor and New Sharon.
When about 9 years of age he had a severe attack of tonsillitis. This so affected his system as to cause a rheumatic condition. From that he has suffered at times severely; it affected his heart so as to interfere with his general health.
Last December he had another attack of tonsillitis and though he gained strength so as to enable him to resume his work with Mr. Phelps, he was not really equal to the demands made on him. About four weeks ago he had again to give up his work. It was a hard blow. He feared the worst; before him was the promise of a successful happy life. He and his beloved companion were joyously facing the future. It was in December, 1924 that he and Miss Gail Fisher were united in marriage. How sad that hearts and lives so lovingly united should so soon be separated. It is the cruelty of death!
The deceased became a member of the Christian church in New Sharon, April 7, 1926. He was only a short time a member of the church, but in that short time he gave evidence of his love for and loyalty in His service.
About ten days before his death he remarked "I am ready to go," and this too gave evidence of his faith and hope.
The deceased leaves his beloved wife and companion, his father and mother, one brother Afton, his wife and three children of Kirksville, Ia., Mrs. Jennie Wehrle and son Max; Claudia Ver Steegh with her husband and two children of Taintor; Elsie Mitchell and husband; Lela Johnston, her husband and three children; Mabel Burbank her husband and seven children, and Eva. All these sit in the darkness of their sorrow which is lighted by the precious promises of his and their Savior and Lord.
No young man in this community was better loved and honored than John Longaker. He was a Christian man held in highest esteem by his many friends.
He sleeps the sleep of the just. He will be with His Lord and wait the coming of those whom he loved.
The funeral service was held at the church on June 19, attended by a large and sympathetic audience. It was an evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased was held.

Card of Thanks.
To Our Dear Friends and Neighbors:
There are no words in the English language adequate to express the deep sense of gratitude which we feel toward all of you for your untiring efforts to assist, your tender words of sympathy and comfort and the beautiful floral offerings, tributes of tenderness and love in our time of great sorrow. From the depth of our hearts we thank you and assure you that your efforts, which resulted in great comfort to us, was deeply appreciated.
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Longaker and family,
Mrs. John A. Longaker