William Robert Heath

HEATH, SHENKLE

Posted By: Jerry Hale (email)
Date: 11/14/2008 at 02:14:29

Wiliam Robert Heath
Collins Gazette 16 Oct 1913

William Robert Heath, son of John A. and Sarah (Glass) Heath, was born in Hamilton county, Ind., April 10, 1835. Died at his home in Collins, Iowa, October 11, 1913, age 78 years 6 months, 1 day.

He received his education in the little log school house of the neighborhood in which he was reared and, after he had advanced as far as he could in the district school, his father purchased a scholarship in the United Brethren College at Hartsville, Ind., which he urged his son to make use of. However, Bro. Heath was determined to learn a trade and instead of attending College, at the age of eighteen years, was app0renticed to a cabinet maker. For fourteen years he applied himself assiduously to that trade.

In 1866 he turned his attention to farming and in 1878 he came to Collins township, story county, Iowa, and for three years engaged in farming on rented land. In 1881 he purchased the old Benjamin Shenkle homestead, making that his residence until moving to Collins last March where he resided until the time of his death.

On the 9th of December, 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Shenkle. Unto this union six children were born. The oldest, Clara M. died May 16, 1881, she leaving one daughter, Clara May, eleven weeks old. This daughter and granddaughter was reared in the home as a member of the family.

The second child died in infancy. Four of the children are now living, viz: Etta, the wife of Loren Fowler, of Baxter, Iowa; Belle, at home; John M. of Meridan, Okl; and Halleck F. also at home. Two brothers and three sisters survive him, viz: C. A. Heath, Indianapolis, Ind.; Sylvester Heath, Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. P. A. Yaryen, Fortville, Ind.; Mrs. Elizabeth Kimberlin, Holcomb, Kans.; Mrs. Eliza Brandom, Noblesville, Ind.

He was converted and joined the United Brethren church early in life. When the church changed its confession of faith Bro. Heath belonged to those who were not in sympathy with the change and remained in spirit with those of the old school.

He was a good neighbor. Last night on my way to Collins I met an acquaintance and formerly a near neighbor of Bro. Heath, but who now lives near Des Moines. He told me he was coming up to the funeral, and he spoke in the highest terms of Bro. Heath as a neighbor.

He was a kind husband and a loving father. Sister Heath and the children this morning said it was so hard to give him up, for he had been so kind and so good to them, always considerate of their comfort and welfare; and I said to them "That will be a sweet memory for you to cherish in the days and years to come - that he was kind and good to you." He was always more thoughtful of his family than he was of himself, demonstrating the fact that he possessed an unselfish spirit.

In his death, his wife has lost a companion, who has traveled, with her, life's weary road. These children have lost a father, one of the greatest heritages of sweetest memories. We have all lost a friend, for he was a man who made friends, appreciated his friends, loved his friends. But he has gone. With loving hands you will take this body and tenderly lay it to rest in the silent city.

The above obituary was read by the presiding minister, Rev. E. A. Elliott of Des Moines, at the funeral which was held at the residence in Collins, October 13th. There was a large attendance of town and country people, many of them old neighbors and friends, who came to pay their homage to his memory and worth. A sepecial choir sang appropriate hymns. The floral tributes were very beautiful. The sermon was by Rev. Elliott, who used the scripural likeness of man to a flower, for a tender, beautiful and comforting discourse. His text was, "the flower fadeth, for the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it." Revs. Fred McGlumphry and C. S. Hanson assisted in the exercises.

The interment was in Evergreen Cemetery. The pall bearers were Dan Wilson, Dorsey Wilson, T. H. Carver, Fred Holtby, Wm. Crouch and Frank Elliott.