Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, April 23, l903

HERBERT WALTER BAILEY, oldest son of MR. and MRS. JOE BAILEY, of High Point, departed this life April 4, l903. Deceased was born in Lucas County, Iowa, July 26, l882. Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church on Monday, April 6th, conducted by E.C. Newland of Garden Grove. The house was crowded with friends and mourners.

HERBERT was a young man of moral character, his amiable and affectionate disposition had won the sincere love and friendship of all his associates; he was dearly loved by his family; his was indeed a life of love, for he lived not for himself but to promote the happiness of others; his greatest aim was to lighten the burden of others and making life more enjoyable to those around him. Words are but ashes and afford but sorry consolation to his mourning parents, sisters, brothers, and loved ones.

God calls a summon from the throne,
Sweet angels bear his spirits home
From suffering here released. Behold!
A robe of white, crown of gold.

A thought came o'er us as he lay;
Such souls to us are surely given,
To keep us on the narrow way,
And lead us on to peace and Heaven.

Yet not a murmur from his lips;
He sees the lamb who went before;
Who of the joys of Heaven sips;
Stands waiting on the other shore.

As thou shall live forevermore,
We dry our tears, they shall not flow,
And when life's journey here is o'er,
May we thy joys in Heaven know.

Cover him over with beautiful flowers,
Deck him with garlands, this brother of ours,
Bravely he fought maintaining the right
Till hushed in the deep sleep of death's
darkest night.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
March 8, 2003