VALE, Benjamin Rex: The Tribute of a Friend

VALE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 1/15/2014 at 23:52:33

The Tribute of a Friend

The following are brief extracts from the sermon delivered at the funeral service of Mr. Vale by Rev. D.D. Proper, D.D., church extension secretary of the Baptist Home Mission Society:

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

We come together today to pay our last sad tribute of honor and respect to one who has lived among us many years. I am safe in saying that he is recognized as the foremost citizen of our part of the county.

I desire to speak of him first as a man. He was one of those well-balanced, full-rounded, symmetrically developed men who are an asset to any community. He was genial, good humored, social and optimistic in all of his relations in life. His intellect was well developed, and he had enough of the sentimental with the expressions of heart feelings that made him warm friends. I never saw him when he lost his temper and became angry. I wish to speak of him also as a neighbor. I have been acquainted with him for fifty-nine years. As school boys we attended the district school together which was taught by his father. We have been associated in one way and another in life for all these years, so that I was intimately acquainted with him. He was neighborly, accommodating in every way, and helpful to all. No one in need of help ever appealed to him in vain, if it was possible for assistance to be rendered.

As a friend I would also speak a few words. He was one of those approachable men to whom you felt you could open your heart in regard to any matter of personal concern regarding the affairs of life. I have always found him a wise counsellor, and presume that most of the people present this afternoon have at some time in life counselled with him in reference to personal or official matters. We can all say that we honored ourselves by recognizing Rex Vale as our friend.

Also a few words regarding him as a citizen. His life has been an opern book before us. So far as I could see, he was on the moral side of every question and issue. This is saying truthfully of anyone today, no matter whether in public or private life.

He was especially interested in educational affairs, and having a collegiate education himself, was very helpful in matters concerning not only his home district, but the work in the county and state. He was secretary of the Harrisburg township school board about thirty years, having attended the last meeting of the school board about a month before his decease, when he was re-elected as secretary. Because of this characteristic his nature, he was deeply interested in educating his own children and stimulating the education of others. He was a great reader and kept abreast of the times, hence information and counsel were sought from him on very many public questions.

I want to speak of him also as a christian. Owing to circumstances over which he had no control, he was deprived of close fellowship with the church of his choise, hence his lot was cast among us as Baptists for fifty years. We felt that he was one of us in everything, except that his name was not upon the church roll. Sometimes he was superintendent of the Sunday school, and almost always during the time of his connection with us he was teacher of the Bible class, always rendering helpful and efficient service in church work. In fact his was the every day practical kind of religion.

He was ever a kind husband, a devoted and indulgent father, and always willing and ready to sacrifice for his family and friends.

We shall miss our dear friend from the church and community in which he has lived, but we have the assurance that with him was fulfilled what the apostle said, "To die is gain."

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 392, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA