RING, Alonzo (1846-1932)

RING, BROWN, GUILFORD

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 11/8/2018 at 11:53:50

Malvern Leader
Malvern, Mills County, Iowa
Thursday July 21, 1932

Alonzo Ring Died Sunday Morning at Home in Malvern

Lifeless Body Found in Bathroom at 7:30; Suffered Stroke

Alonzo Ring, pioneer resident, last member of the G.A.R. in this vicinity and splendid all around citizen, died early Sunday morning in his home in Malvern, death evidently being due to a stroke of heart failure or apoplexy.

He had been up and about as usual the day preceding and had driven with the family to Glenwood, but did not seem to be feeling quite as well as usual and was a little restless in the night. Mrs. Mina Buckingham who had been helping care for Mrs. Ring, heard him get up about 3:30 and turn on the light but when she went to see about him he had gone back to bed and turned off the light again. She did not hear him again.

About 7:30 she rose and going to the bathroom found his lifeless body lying on the floor. He had evidently gone there some time before and was stricken there, probably dying instantly. He had probably been dead an hour or more when found. Death had evidently come suddenly and painlessly.

Funeral services were held in the old home in north Malvern Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. L.R. Bobbitt, pastor of the First Baptist church. Mrs. F.R. Chantry and Mrs. L.A. Talbott sang.

A profusion of beautiful flowers testified to the love and esteem of friends and organizations. The large home and spacious lawn were filled with the many friends and neighbors, come to pay their last respects to this gallant old soldier who had bravely answered his last “roll call.”

The pall bearers were: Andy Berkhimer, Frank Bacon, Dr. D.M. Kline, Albert and Harry Nelson, and J.W. McNulty. Burial was in the Malvern cemetery.

The Glenwood lodge of I.O.O.F. of which Mr. Ring had long been a member, gave the beautiful burial service of the order at the cemetery under direction of W. C. Rathke and Tobe Ross.

Alonzo Ring, oldest child of Katherine and Charles Ring, was born June 26, 1845 in New York City and died at his home in Malvern, July 17, 1932.

When a small child he moved with his parents to Sparta, Wis., where he lived until he enlisted in the army Jan. 9, 1862, at the age of sixteen. He served as corporal in Co D. 18th Regulars of Wisconsin Volunteers for three years and six months of the Civil war.

In 1869 he was married to Lucy Brown in Council Bluffs where he was employed as cook at the Ogden House. No children were born to this union. His wife died seventeen years later and in 1888 he was married to Jessie D. Guilford at Glenwood. Having no children of their own they gave a home to a niece who is now Mrs. L.E. Berkheimer of California. A nephew, J.M. Steele, also made his home with them from the time of his mother’s death when he was a small child, until his marriage. He was given the same affection and care that a son would have received.

Mr. Ring united with the Baptist church of Malvern in 1894 and was always a faithful Christian.

In 1908 they moved to Malvern to make their home with Mrs. Ring’s mother, the late Mrs. J.M. Strahan.

Mr. Ring had been for sixty years a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Glenwood and for ten years a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Red Oak. He is survived by his widow and also a sister and two brothers in California. He was ever a devoted husband and a sincere friend and his generosity and cheery disposition will be missed by the entire community.