Rebecca Josephine (John) Olinger (1844-1928)

JOHN, OLINGER, SMITH, SCOTT, MORR, HUNTSINGER, MARPEL, ALDRIDGE, FULZ, BALES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/30/2016 at 17:14:08

Mrs. Rebecca Olinger, pioneer woman of this community, died at 4 o’clock Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. E. Smith after an illness of more than seven months duration. She had been confined to her bed since August, suffering from ills incident of old age.

The Olinger family is one of the oldest families in this community and the death of Mrs. Olinger marks the passing of one of the oldest pioneers of this township. Rebecca J. John was born in Carroll county, Indiana, December 11, 1844. She came to Iowa with her parents in early girlhood and was united in marriage with James M. Olinger, October 20, 1863. This union was blessed with eleven children, Ward A., Russell C. and an infant son preceding them in death. Those remaining to mourn their loss are Cynthia E. Scott, Minnie A. Cooper, Jennie C. Smith, George W. and Ross J. Olinger, Anna Parker, of Maxwell; Marion Lee Olinger, of Greeley, Colo., and Edna G. Morr, of Des Moines, all of who were present at the funeral except Lee, who was unable to attend. Early in life she united with the Presbyterian church, to which she remained a devoted member until called to the church triumphant. Her husband preceded her in death April 8, 1907.

Mrs. Olinger is the last of the family of Bowen W. and Cynthia A. John, namely: Rachel Huntsinger, Nancy E. Marpel, Martha J. Aldridge, Elizabeth Fultz, Tipton John, Louisa Bales, John W. John, Daniel W. John, Eliza Olinger and Samuel John. She leaves besides her children, 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren and a host of relative and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the Presbyterian church and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. B. H. Guthrie, who was assisted by Rev. Geo. W. Rector and Rev. W. S. Kight, local pastors. The music included two songs by a quartet composed of Mrs. A. M. Christy, Mrs. C. I. Kirk, W. F. Link and Earl R. Bowen, who sang “Beautiful Isle” and “Abide With Me,” and Earl R. Bowen sang “Some Day” as a baritone solo. The pall bearers were six grandsons. James Olinger, Clair Olinger, Ralph Cooper, Forest, Burness and Dale Scott. Four granddaughters, Mrs. Chloe Cooper Scott, Mrs. Laura Scott Pearson, Mrs. Leota Scott and Miss Eloise Scott, assisted with the flowers. Burial was made in the Maxwell cemetery by the side of her companion, following the brief burial service at the grave, conducted by Rev. Guthrie and Rev. Rector.

Relatives and friends from a distance, who attended the services, were: Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Shaffer, Mrs. Chas. Beck and daughter, Venadine, of Des Moines; Mrs. Walter Raugh, of Marshalltown; Mrs. Arthur Cates, of Perry; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Finnie and daughter, Maxine, of Nevada; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Scott, of Colfax; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Scott of State Center; John J. John and Sidney John, of Burt; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Cline and Mrs. Lem Garren, of Elkhart, and Mrs. Frank Cooper, of Woodward.

The family of Mrs. Rebecca Olinger wish to express their sincere appreciation to the many friends who ministered so kindly to them in their recent bereavement. Also for the tribute of beautiful flowers, hoping that they may be able to return in some way these many kindnesses.

Transcribed by Kris Bell.