From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <iggy29@scican.net>

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Cc: <wrlcrpl@grm.net>

Subject: OBITUARY - MARY J. (IMLAY) GRANDSTAFF.

Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 8:09 PM

Decatur County Journal

October 24, l907

MARY J. IMLAY was born in Pennsylvania September l5th, l824, and

departed this life October l7, l907, at about l0:30 p.m., aged 83 years,

l month and 2 days. She was married to ELI GRANDSTAFF December 8,

l842. They had lived together just 56 years when MR. GRANDSTAFF died on

their wedding anniversary. They came from Ohio to Guthrie County in

l853. Their early life was one of toil, being in a new country, coming

in an early day and struggling through the hardship incident to such

life as very many of our citizens well know. To this union were born

five children. JAMES, JOSEPH and SMITH, also a babe who died in

infancy, and MRS. A.E. ALLEN with whom she resided until her death.

She was converted when ll years of age and joined the M.E. Church of

which she remained a member as long as she lived. To say that she was a

consistent follower of our Master, all who know her can testify. About

l2 years ago, her health gave way to some extent and she gradually

declined. For the past four years she has been confined to her bed and

has required almost constant attention and service. Some six weeks ago,

a change set in from which she has steadily gone down with no change for

the better. During these few weeks, she has at times suffered severely,

but has patiently endured her affliction, common to all in a greater or

less degree in this life. On Monday she sang in voice quite loud and

strong, "I am going home to die no more." The day before she died, she

said, "All I want is rest, where sorrow and sickness never come." Thus

after many years of struggle and toil in temperal things, Christian

service, suffering and waiting, the end has come, and mourners go about

the streets, for so it is whenever the silver cord be loosened, or the

golden vane be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the

wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as

it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

It has taken a long time for the silver cord to be loosened, the golden

vane to be broken, the pitcher at the fountain, the wheel at the

cistern. But it has come at last and Mother GRANDSTAFF has finally

entered the rest she so longed for during her closing days.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

October l0, 200l