Maria Emily Myers Beers 1871 - 1932

MYERS, HURST, MYERS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/18/2016 at 21:24:03

Onawa Sentinel
17 November 1932

LOVING MOTHER I CALLED HOME

FUNERALOF MRS. M. J. BEERS OF CASTANA WAS HELD ON SUNDAY AT COMMUNITY CHURCH

Services conducted by Rev. Hawthorn - Woman of Sterling Character-A Life Long Christian and Faithful Loving; Mother has Passed on—Burial Was Made in Onawa Cemetery

The funeral services for Mrs. M.J. Beers were held from the community church of Castana, Sunday afternoon, with interment in the Onawa cemetery.

The services were in charge of Horace B. Hawthorn, pastor of the church who took his text from Matt: 5:16 and scripture reading from the second chapter of Cor. 11-15.

Consolation in song was offered by a quartet composed of Miss Alma Rawlings, Gerald Thompson, Evans Davies and Mrs. B.G Davies with Mrs. H. B. Hawthorn presiding at the piano.

Banks of flowers surrounded the casket, speaking of the love and friendship of her many neighbors who filled the church to it capacity.

From early girlhood Mrs. Beers life grew around the Bible, it was part of her, a key to her personality. A life is a successful life, a Godly life and a happy life, when the Bible becomes its interpreter. To many the Bible is just one more book, but to her it was a source of wisdom and strength. It meant much to her because she brought life full of sacrifice, friendship, prayer and struggle. Only the book of Life can speak for a life lived in such close fellowship to God. The sixteenth verse of the fifth chapter of St. Matt, fitting summarized her life.

“Let your life so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven."

During her last days, the light remained illuminating her home, and those around her. Just as the glowing ember gives its all, the family hearth may have warmth, just so did she give her all to her family, her church and her community. Her treasures were not all earthly, but she had laid up a rich number in the spiritual world, never losing interest in people, in nature and in her church.

In her social and church activities she was ever ready and willing to do her part, even in last days, when her strength was waning and when duties became a sacrifice of strength and days. To a large extent the peace which we enjoy to the sacrifice which mothers have made and Mrs. Beers had made that sacrifice.

Armistice Day has meant too many the cessations of war, and to her Armistice Day meant to cessation of her last suffering upon this earth.

Maria Emily Myers was born Kennebec Township, Monona County, lowa, Feb. 16, 1871 and passed from this life, Nov 11, 1932 at her home near Castana at the age of 61 years, 9 months and 5 days.

She was the second daughter of John and Elizabeth Hurst Myers. In 1882 she moved with her parents to Onawa, Iowa and there grew to womanhood, graduating from the Onawa High with the class of 1891. She taught in the schools of Monona County until Dec 6th, 1893, when she was united in marriage to Mark J. Beers of Castana. To this union two children were born, Evans of Castana, and Mrs. Blanche Woodward of Ticonic, Iowa.

In early womanhood, Mrs. Beers united with the Congregational Church at Onawa but at the time of her departure was a member of the Community Church in Castana. She was also an active member of the American Auxiliary and the community Aid society.

Let to await a later summons are her devoted husband and two children, three grandsons, Melvin, Everett and Joseph Woodward, her aged and devoted mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Myers of Onawa, five sisters, Nelly Knudsen and Mae Dennis, of Turin; Josephine Harris, of Castana, Kate Clark, of Hinkley, Calif. and Susanne Vali, of Los Angeles, Calif. and two brothers, John Myers of Poison, Montana and Frank Myers of Denver, Colo. and other relatives and friends. The deceased was preceded in death by her father and infant sister.

During Mrs. Beers, final illness lasting six weeks she was tenderly cared for by her devoted husband, her children and her sisters and was consoled by the constant and loving attendance her mother.