SHIRK, William (d. 1885)

SHIRK, BOMBERGER, EVANS, MCMULLEN

Posted By: Sheryl McClure (email)
Date: 1/17/2024 at 01:01:14

On Tuesday forenoon, February 10, at the home residence 5 miles northwest of Shelby, occurred the death of Wm. Shirk, one of Shelby township's most highly esteemed and honored citizens. His death was produced by a cancer of the stomach, which first began to give him trouble last September, but nothing serious was apprehended until two months or more ago when it became painfully evident that his days on earth were nearly numbered. The funeral services were held yesterday at he house and were conducted by Rev. Lewis, of the Presbyterian church. The remains were laid to rest in the Shelby cemetery. The funeral sermon will be preached at some future time by Rev. Lewis.

The deceased was in his fifty-sixth year at the time of his death. He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Sarah Bomberger of the same county. In the year 1861 he moved from the above state to Shelbyville, Illinois, and in 1833 they moved to Morning Sun, Louisa county, Iowa, in which county they continued to reside until the spring of '73, when they came to this part of the state and located in Shelby township, near Glendale school house. He leaves to mourn his departure a widow and five children, Joseph, Henry, Adison, William and Cassie, now Mrs. Charley Evans. His oldest daughter. Mrs. Geo. McMullen, of Harlan, died last fall.

Of the life and virtues of the late Willam Shirk, the News feels free to speak of in the highest terms, and we but express the sentiment of all those who knew him best when we say that as a friend no one was more unselfish and true, and as a husband and father no man was more tender and devoted. His heart always beat responsive to all that was manly, generous, noble and sincere. For many years he was a very active and consistent church member, first of the German Reformed and late of the Presbyterian church.

Shelby News
Feb. 12, 1885