Martha L. Berry 1854-1896

BERRY, SLAGLE, ARMITAGE

Posted By: Debbie Truitt (email)
Date: 12/8/2015 at 07:42:14

Martha died June 11, 1896, and is buried in Shaul Cemetery.

Obituary From “Ottumwa Courier,” June 25, 1896:

Martha L. Berry, daughter of Henry and Eleanor Slagle, was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, April 21, 1854. In 1855 her parents moved to Wapello county. They moved to Davis county in 1867. She was married to Samuel L. Berry in 1874 and has resided in South Ottumwa for the last five years. She leaves a husband and one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Berry Armitage, and three sons, Thomas, Roy and Orrie. She was a beautiful character, a womanly woman, a devoted wife, a loving and affectionate mother, and a faithful and earnest Christian, highly esteemed by all who knew her. Her death, though looked for, came as a severe shock to the family and friends whose devotion did all for her that medical skill and sympathetic attention could do. But from the first her disease was of a malignant form, refusing to yield to the most persistent effort of the physicians. During her affliction she was cheerful and hopeful. Death had lost its sting. Her end was peaceful. She simply fell asleep in Jesus. Deceased was a member of the Methodist church from childhood and from the militant she has joined the church triumphant. The family has the sympathy of the entire community. Her funeral was largely attended and was preached by Rev. I.P. Teter, who took for his text Amos 8 and 9, “The sun shall go down at noon.” Floral decorations covered the casket, expressing the great love and esteem in which Mrs. Berry was held.