Elizabeth Ernst, daughter of John and Elizabeth Ernst was born February 11, 1879, on the old homestead which is her present home. Here she spent her childhood, grew to young womanhood. The charm of her virtues has won for her an endless chain of true friends and neighbors who will relate and review the many, many kindnesses of this splendid daughter, wife, mother and friend, not only to this but to the coming generation.

Her life was full of good deeds and good will toward all mankind--she had a pleasant smile and a kind word for everybody and employed her talents to praise rather than condemn, and spoke ill of no one.

In her youth she gave her heart to God and united with the Mt. Gilead Christian church and has been a shining jewel in His Kingdom. She was united in holy matrimony to John T. Barker, Sept 29, 1901, by the late Moses Downing. To this union were born two children, Harley and Isabelle.

After Lizzie's marriage she made her home in the Hickory Grove neighborhood and there worshiped her Savior and reared her family until about three years ago when they moved to the present place, her childhood home.

Her life though full of sunshine for everyone was not without its sorrow, but all her toiling and sorrows are over and in that Blessed Homeland to welcome her coming are her golden haired twin baby sister, Mary who died Jan. 4, 1882; one brother James S. who died Sept. 7, 1899' her father who passed away June 3, 1915; and another brother John J. dying on Oct 7, 1920.

Though her last illness was of short duration some twelve or thirteen days, her suffering was extremely severe and would have been unbearable as she said if Jesus hadn't been with her.

After all her family and friends had so lovingly ministered to her needs and comfort she was tenderly hurried to St. Joseph Hospital, Ottumwa, where her only relief, an opertion, was contimplated. But shortly after arriving there the Great Physician spoke peace to her soul and she quietly fell asleep in the first hour of the morning, March 24, 1923, laying all her burdens down at the age of 45 years, 1 months and 13 days.

Words cannot express the great loss this bereavement brings to this devoted companion and two children, Harley Ernst age 20 years and Marie Isabel age 6 years, and while they would not call her back if they could they will prepare to meet Mother over yonder where no more partings ever come.

Beside her sorrowing companion and two children, she is survived by her aged mother Aunt Lizzie Ernst and mother-in-law Aunt Kate Barker, one sister Mrs. Viola Jones of Spokane Washington and one brother Emanuel Ernst of Midland, South Dakota and numberous other relatives and friends.

Safe in the arms of Jesus

Safe on his gently breast

There by his love overshadowed

Sweetly they soul shall rest.

Funeral services conducted Tuesday, March 27, at o'clock at the Bethel M. E. Church, Chequest, with Rev. Luther Childes of Coatsville, MO in charge who used as his text "Following Mother's Advice". John 2.5.

Music was furnished by Mr. Wayne Guthrie and his sister Miss Ruth Guthrie of Bloomfield, with Mrs. Guthrie at the organ. Chosen songs used were "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," "Saved by Grace" and "Under His Wings".

Funeral services were very largely attended and a large cortege of relatives and friends wended their way to Rouch cemetery where interment followed. Six of her nephews acted as Pallbearers. There were Dewey Barker, Ross Utt, Glen Ernst, Eugene Barker, Otto Church, Edward Barker.