Heively, Mary Rebecca (Sheets ) -- 1830 - 1918

SHEETS, HEIVELY, CONOVER, WEDGEWOOD, GASTON, MOORE, BASTON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/7/2012 at 15:39:34

Mrs. Mary Sheets Heively died on Saturday last at the home of her son-In-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. F. W. Conover, from the infirmities of old age. Mrs. Heively was slightly ill for a few days about three weeks ago, but apparently recovered, and was about the house as usual. Early last week she gave evidence of physical weakness, but otherwise her condition was not materially different than it had been for some time. Early Saturday morning Mrs. Conover heard her mother moving about her room and went in to see if there was anything she wanted. After getting her back, into bed she retired to her own room. Evidently Mrs. Heively went to sleep at once. She was sleeping soundly at eight o'clock and continued to sleep throughout the morning. Mrs. Conover was working in the adjoining room and went in to see her mother occasionally, thinking she might awaken at any time, but did not go near her fearing to break her rest. Finally at two o'clock she made a closer inspection and found Mrs. Heively had passed away. The machinery of life had evidently performed its function and stopped, bringing rest in its easiest and most natural form.

Mary Rebecca Sheets was born on April 6, 1830, in Montoursville, Pa., where she grew to young womanhood, and was married to Henry Heively on Sept. 17, 1850. In April, 1836, they came to Decorah, where the family home has since remained. Six children were born, to them, four of whom survive. They are Mrs. Agnes Wedgewood of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. T. E. Gaston of Beloit, Wis., Mrs. D. C. Moore of Grafton, N. D., and Mrs. Conover. Two sons—Wells and Henry, Jr., died some years ago, the former in Kansas City and the latter in the Klondike. Mr. Heively died on Aug. 5, 1896. During her early life Mrs. Heively affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, a relation; that was never severed.

Mrs. Heively was essentially a home woman, seldom leaving the confines of the residence or yard. Notwithstanding this, there were few whose knowledge of affairs and people, either local or elsewhere, was retained in greater measure. She was a constant reader of the papers, maintained a steady correspondence with her daughters, and aside from, the loss of hearing to some degree, was blessed with the full enjoyment of her faculties up to the time of her death. She was a woman of independent spirit, and preferred to rely upon her own initiative concerning whatever she chose to do.

The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock at the residence, Rev. Mahlon Willett officiating, and interment was made in Phelps cemetery. Beside Dr. and Mrs. Conover there were present from out of town Mrs. Baston of Beloit, and Mr. and Mrs. Moore, of Grafton.

Source: Decorah Review March 21, 1918

Submitted by Stacey Gossling ssgossling@msn.com

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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