Bunting, Mary S. (Mrs. Frank M.), 1856-1914

BUNTING, WILLIS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/3/2015 at 08:25:14

From the Rock Valley Bee, July 24, 1914:

CALLED TO HER REWARD

Monday morning [July 20] at 9:15 o'clock Mrs. Mary S. Bunting passed peacefully into the land of the great beyond there to greet her maker and loved ones gone before. For over a year she had not been in the best of health and last October went to Mount Clemens, Mich., a great health resort, and there took treatments, but, though giving some relief were not as successful as hoped for. She returned home feeling much better but still was not in good health. Later she went to Hot Springs, Ark., there to meet only with a temporary relief, after taking treatment for seven weeks she returned home. Local doctors and other specialists pronounced the ailment as an incurable internal cancer. Specialists at Rochester, Minn., where she also went pronounced it as the same. For the past four months she had scarcely been away from her home--growing weaker and weaker each day she waited cheerfully and patiently till the end came. The sudden death of her husband five weeks before, though borne bravely, was a great shock to her and undoubtedly hastened her going.

Mary S. Willis was born near Albion, Edwards county, Illinois, Sept. 14, 1856, and departed from this life July 20, 1914, a the age of fifty-seven years, ten months and six days. She was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Willis, and also the youngest of the family of six children. She grew to womanhood in the place of her birth and was married to Frank M. Bunting on June 18, 1884, and with him came direct to Rock Valley and has made this her home ever since. At the time of her marriage Mr. Bunting had charge of the post office here and also ran a general store. In November 1888 Mr. Bunting became cashier of the State Bank. Mrs. Bunting worked by his side in the store and also after he went into the bank until a few years ago, when upon a reorganization of the institution, she resigned and took her well earned rest.

She was at all times pleasant and cheerful and ready to help the needy and distressed and turned none away if it were in her power to help them. She was a member of the Christian church and was an active and true Christian. No matter what church was attended she was always ready to do anything and all she could to further the work of the church. Always a regular attendant to the services of the church, and the Womans Foreign Missionary society of which she was a member and active worker. She was also local secretary for the orphans home at Des Moines. No finer example of true Christianity could be found anywhere than was shown by her life.

She was a member of the Priscilla Club and the Progressive Literary Society and was an active worker in both, always attending the meetings whenever possible, and was held in the highest esteem by the members of both organizations and all who knew her, and no one could be more missed from among her associates than she will be.

Funeral services were held from the house at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, conducted by Rev. J. L. Shroyer of the Methodist church of this city. Interment took place in Valley View cemetery. Many beautiful floral tributes were offered as the tokens of respect in which the departed was held. She is survived by one sister and one brother, Mrs. J. Clark of Albion, Ill., and Maurice Willis of this place. Her untimely death is mourned by the entire town and community and all who knew her.

(The Card of Thanks that follows is signed by Maurice Willis, Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Bunting, and Josephine Elbert.)

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From the Alton Democrat, July 5, 1914: Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Mary Bunting died at her home in Rock Valley Tuesday morning of cancer of the stomach with which she had been afflicted for over a year, and sought medical skill in several medical institutions, which failed to bring the desired relief and she succumbed to the inevitable.

The deceased was born at Albion, Ill., Sept. 14, 1956, aged 57 years, 10 months and six days at the time of her death. For several years she was engaged in educational work s a school teacher. She was married June 18th, 1884 to Frank M. Bunting at Albion, Ill., and came west and shared with her husband the joys and adversities of life. Her husband was engaged in the banking business and she operated a drug store for several years which she finally disposed of to Chas. Knapp, when she went into the bank and served in the capacity of clerk. She maintained membership in the Christian church at Albion from childhood and continued generous during these years in her contributions to the several interests of the church. Being isolated from the church of her choice, she affiliated with other churches in Christian work, which exemplified the true spirit of Christianity.

She was of an affable disposition and greeted those with whom she mingled, with kind words and a smile. No one life can point to a higher lesson for humanity than hers, no one can behold that life without being the better for it. Her influence was felt in the social and moral affairs of the community. She was an active member of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the local Methodist church, also a member of the Progressive Literary Society and the Priscilla Club. For several years she was interested in the Children's Home Finding Society at Des Moines, and served as local secretary and treasurer. A noble Christian character is no more, but her pure noble life lingers with us as the beautiful strains of sweet music. Her spirit has taken its flight to the regions of light, where beauty and peace and joy abide, where angels minister and sorrow is unknown.

Funeral services occurred at her home Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. J. L. Shroyer, pastor of the Methodist church, in the presence of many neighbors and friends. Many beautiful floral offerings were in evidence indicative of the fragrance of her noble life. There are left to lament her departure, one sister, Mrs. Jane Clark of Albion, Ill., and one brother, Maurice Willis of Rock Valley. Her remains were laid to rest beside her husband in Valley View cemetery. May we all meet again in the morning of light.