Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, September 20, l900

CLEETE OKLEY HICKMAN, son of ALBERT M. and NETTIE HICKMAN, died at their home near Tuskeego, Iowa, September l0, l900, aged 6 months and 2 days. Funeral services were held at the house September ll, conducted by the writer, after which he was laid to rest in the Kellerton Graveyard.

Dear friends think of little CLEETE as an angel not dead but sleeping, and be comforted with the assurance that he is safe with Jesus and has escaped the sorrows of a sinful world. Remember that Paul says, "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord." Let the death of this little one ever be an inspiration to you to live a better life so when life's voyage is over and you too shall cross the line from this life to enter into Heaven, little CLEETE will be there to meet and to greet you and bid you welcome where sickness and pain and death are unknown. Parents and friends be not troubled but in your distress look toward Him who said: "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." It is very hard to give him up, but we can only say, "Thy will be done."

We loved him, yes, we loved him,
But our Father loved him more,
For he has sweetly called him,
To yonder shining shore,
The golden gate was open,
A gentle voice said come,
And with farewell spoken,
He calmly entered home.

--E.S.

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