Ethel Mary Barker ~ 1874-1931

BARKER, TEAL, KECK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 1/31/2002 at 09:52:53

Ethel Mary Teal, daughter of Thomas H. and Mary E. Teal was born June 1, 1874, on the parental farm near Utica, Iowa, and died at St. Joseph hospital Ottumwa, at 2:10 p.m. January 2, 1931 at the age of 56 years, 7 months and one day.

She was united in marriage to Robert J. Barker of Mr. Zion, Iowa, April 14, 1897. To them two sons and two daughters were born, Mildred E. dying when almost 13 years of age. Those who remain to mourn the loss of a mother are Kenneth R. of Mr. Zion, Dale T. and Janet E. at home. Besides being survived by a loving husband she leaves one brother J.F. Teal of Fairfield, and one sister, Mrs. J.H. Keck of Keosauqua and many other relatives and friends.

She professed faith in Christ when a young woman and united with the Methodist church, always being an active member and worker in the activities of this church.

Death is never a welcome messenger, and ever brings sorrow and suffering to the stricken family, but when suddenly in the vigor of intellect and strength, the summons comes to the home, taking away a loved one, whose smiles were the sunlight of their existence; her step, her voice, her loving words, to be heard no more only in the echoes that come up over the threshold of memory, then does the messenger come with a weight and suddenness of sorrow to the stricken hearts in the home, thus bereaved that “Filleth the cup till it runneth over.”

In the presence of such a sorrow, human lips are dumb and language too weak to express the desolation of the bruised and broken hearts. Many eulogies might be said of her noble character, her kindly acts, her sweet disposition and her unselfish solicitude for the good of others. She was beloved by all who knew her and the sad news of her death came as a great shock to her many friends and even to her near relatives, as her illness of only a few days was unknown to many. Everything that loving hands and medical skill could do was done but all efforts to save her life proved fruitless.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings