BARKER, Mildred Elizabeth

BARKER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 1/21/2017 at 18:00:48

MILDRED E. BARKER

Mildred Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Robert J. and Ethel Barker, was born near Mt. Zion, Iowa, Dec. 5, 1906, and fell asleep in death at her home in Keosauqua, Wednesday, Sept. 17, following a very brief illness with appendicitis. Her parents, two brothers, Robert Kenneth and Dale Teal, and sister, Janet Ethelyn, also a large circle of relatives, mourn their loss, together with all who knew and loved her.

Mildred, till about four years ago, was a very healthy child. At that time she contracted pleuro-pnuemonia, which left a weakness in her left side in the region of her heart, from which she never fully recovered, and which may have helped to hasten her death.

Mildred was an exceptionally bright, cheerful and loving child, and these beautiful characteristics were wonderfully increased by her deeply religious nature. She chose Christ as her Savior during special meetings at the Keosauqua Methodist church, conducted by Evangelist McFarland and wife about three years ago, and united with the church at that time. Though young, she had strong convictions of duty and service. For some time she had talked and planned about what she could to make her life count for good and had chosen the profession of teaching as her sphere of usefulness. It is hard to understand why such noble ambitions could not be realized here in this needy world. "Sometimes when all Life's lessons have been learned" these mysteries will be made clear.

"We'll know why clouds instead of sun
Were over many a cherished plan;
Why song has ceased when scarce begun,
And then, yes, then we'll understand."

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. J.A. Monkman, for two years Mildred's pastor, assisted by Rev. C.E. Perkins of the Congregational church and Rev. J.C. Coughlin, the newly appointed Methodist pastor. The Williams Brothers' quartette sang beautiful and comforting selections. Six young friends of the family were pall bearers: Robert Agnew, Dale Davis, Joe Newbold, Bert Chafer, Chas. Anson, and Brown Agnew. The fair form was laid tenderly to rest in Oaklawn cemetery, under a mound heaped with flowers, whose beauty and fragrance were a fitting tribute to the (missing)

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, Page 76, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA