DIED--On the morning of February l, l890, MRS. SARAH GARDNER, whose
maiden name was MORRIS, at the residence of her son, JOHN M. GARDNER, of
disease of the throat.

MRS. GARDNER was born in Louden County, Virginia, January ll, l798,
being at her death 92 years and 2l days old.  She moved from Virginia to
Columbiana County, Ohio, with her parents in l805, and on the 4th of
February, l824, she was united in marriage to MR. GEORGE GARDNER in said
county.  MR. GARDNER died July 5, l835, by whom she had six children,
four of whom are dead.

In l839 MRS. GARDNER moved with her surviving children to Stark County,
Ohio, and in l855 she was baptized and united with the Christian Church
in said county.  In l857, MRS. GARDNER moved west with her sons, DR.
R.D. and JOHN M., who still survive her, and with them settled in Leon,
Decatur County, Iowa, and with whom she has made her home, first with
one and then the other, who were well able to care for her, and who with
their families vied with each other to make her comfortable.

MOTHER GARDNER had many afflictions, for in addition to those mentioned,
she was thrown from a horse July 4, l860, which crushed or fractured her
hip joint, by which she became so badly crippled that she had to use a
walking cane or crutch the rest of her life.  I am happy to say that
MOTHER GARDNER suffered no extreme pain with the disease of the throat.
The chief difficulty was in being unable to make herself understood and
in taking solid food during the few months of its continuance,
subsisting mostly on milk. The lump continuing to enlarge, she grew
weaker until her vital forces were spent and death ensued.

MOTHER GARDNER was a great reader, history being her favorite subject.
Her mind was well stored with general information and from my
acquaintance with her, and it was considerable, she, like most aged
people that I have known who loved to store their minds with the
contents of good books, was bright and cheerful and had neither mind nor
time to indulge in the common neighborhood tattle, too common with empty
heads and discontented and morose minds, but on the contrary she always
took great interest in the welfare of her friends and neighbors,
inquiring in regard to the health of the absent ones uttering not a
murmering word, but submitting to her afflictions with that meekness and
sweetness of temper that become an aged Christian woman.

The funeral was conducted by the writer at the residence of her son,
JOHN M. GARDNER, February 2, l890, and she was buried in the Leon
Cemetery.  MOTHER GARDNER had selected a beautiful hymn that was sung at
her funeral, also several others that were selected by the relatives.
BROTHER JAMES GRANDSTAFF kindly came to the house and conducted the
singing service, assisted by the friends and neighbors.  The spirit
having returned to God who gave it her body was gently laid in the tomb
there to await the call of the Saviour on the morning of the
resurrection.  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
kingdom of their Father.  Who hath ears to hear let him hear.

                                     THOMAS WALLER
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