Jennie May (Shirk) Sayre (1861-1943)

SHIRK, SMITH, SAYRE, MATTHEWS

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Services were held Monday afternoon, November 15th at the Methodist church in Hartley for Mrs. J.W. Sayre who passed away at her home here Saturday morning after a long illness. She had reached the age of 82 years, 6 months and 15 days. Rev. G.E. Scheider, pastor of the local church and Rev. T.E. Hoon of Sioux Rapids, a former pastor, conducted the service and the O.E.S. assisted with their ritual service. Mrs. Paul Woodke sang two hymns which Mrs. Sayre had selected and Mrs. Harrison Pike presided at the organ. It was Mrs. Sayre's wish that these ladies furnish the music. Pall bearers were also selected by her and were I.L. Knapp, Harrison Pike, L.C. Linder, W.H. Schnarr, Wilmer Jacobs and Steven Sanders.

Jennie May Shirk was born April 29, 1861 at Mount Carrol, Illinois. She came with her parents to Grundy County when a small child.

On December 22, 1880, she was united in marriage with Mr. J.W. Sayre. Having no children, they took a niece and a nephew who were left motherless and reared them as their own. In 1885 they moved to a farm in O'Brien county and in 1891 came into the town of Hartley where they have since resided.

In young womanhood, she became a member of the Methodist church and always took an active interest in all its affairs. Mrs. Sayres had also been a member of the Eastern Star for many years and until recently attneded regularly.

Left to mourn her passing are her widower, the niece, Mrs. Lloyd Matthews of Lily, SD., and the nephew, W.S. Shirk of Williams Field, Arizona, a brother, Jesse Shirk of Goldfield, Iowa, three sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Among those who were here to attend the funeral wer Alvin Sayre of Chicago, a nephew, Mrs. Fannie Shirk and sons, John and Caroll of Clark, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Bayard Johnson and children of Ashton and his mother, Mrs. Fannie Johnson of Grand Island, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Shirk of Melvin, and Mrs. Jennie Broadgate of Spencer.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 18 Nov 1943, pg. 1