Royce, Sydney L. 1867-1932

ROYCE, OKEY, COOPER, GARDEN, MCKEE, GROSS, WEST

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/18/2010 at 08:53:25

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Feb. 12, 1932

AN OBITUARY OF SYDNEY L. ROYCE

Sydney L. Royce, son of Horace Burris Royce and Marianne Okey Royce, was born Feb. 20, 1867, on a farm near Malcom, Iowa. His early life was spent in assisting with the work on the farm and attending rural school. He spent two years in Malcom high school, one year in the academy at Iowa City, and two years at Grinnell academy where he graduated in the class of 1899. He also studied one year at Iowa college, Grinnell.

When he was only 18 his father was disabled by a fall. This placed a large amount of responsibility on Sydney, as the eldest son, in business and family affairs.

On April 30, 1902, he was united in marriage to Jeanie I. Cooper, the daugher of Alexander and Mary Garden Cooper. The early years of their married life were spent on the farm near Malcom which had formerly been her home. In 1911, owning to Mrs. Royce's failing health they moved to Malcom to live where they gave their energies to uplifiting causes. He early gave himself to Christ and to the Presbyterian church of which he was a trustee from 1892 to 1898. Since 1901 he has been an elder and clerk of the Session since 1902. He has been connected with all lines of work in the church and Sabbath school and taught a Sunday school class for many years.

Mr. Royce was a public spirited citizen, having been for a number of years a member of the town council and other public organizations.

On Jan. 12, 1932, his loving wife passed away. Mr. Royce cared for her so devotedly that his own health was broken. On Feb. 1, 1932 he departed this life. He leaves to mourn his passing four sisters, Mrs. Marie McKee of Grinnell, Mrs. Ada F. Gross of Arispie, Iowa, Mrs. Edna Cooper of Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Mae West of Lincoln, Neb.; one brother, Horace J. Royce of Malcom, and a host of other relatives and friends.

"They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death they were not separated."

The Memorial service for Mr. Royce was held in the Malcom Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon under the direction of C.C. Richardson. Dr. Victor West of Lincoln, Neb., paid a tribute to the life of Mr. Royce. The Presbyterian male quartet sang the old hymn, "Rock of Ages."

Pallbearers were John Schilders, Chris Schilders, Wm. Molison, Harley Booknau, Henry Wickman, Henry Baltisberger. Interment was made in Malcom cemetery beside his wife who died two weeks ago.