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

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: OBITUARY - ELLIE S. PARRISH.

Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 1:53 AM

Decatur County Journal

April 28, l892

DIED--ELLIE S., daughter of JOHN O. and MARY H. PARRISH, born at Etna,

Licking County, Ohio, October l8, l857, died at Chicago, Ill., April l8,

l892 in the thirty-fifth year of her age.

After several changes of residence MR. PARRISH came with his family to

Garden Grove in l875, and has ever since made this place his home. His

daughter, ELLIE, was quite well known in the community. Having a well

cultivated mind and pleasing manner, she became an important factor in

the social life of our village. Assisting her father for a number of

years as clerk in the post office, she served the public in a very

acceptable way and won the confidence of an extensive acquaintance here

and elsewhere.

In May, l889, a heavy affliction befell her, in a most painful illness,

which for a long time resisted all treatment for its cure or

alleviation.

In November of that year she was taken to Chicago in the hope of relief

by means of surgery. An unfavorable judgment having been reached in her

case, she was brought home in an exceedingly enfeebled condition, and it

was thought she could not long survive. Soon afterwards there were

signs of amendment. Her violent suffering was in a measure alleviated,

appetite and digestion were improved, and strength renewed.

While she still remained, to a large extent, helpless, hope of her final

recovery was cherished both by herself and her friends. Improvement,

however, did not extend beyond a certain point, and it was decided at

length that she should again go to Chicago for surgical advice and

treatment. On the l2th of April, l892, in the care of DR. DOOLITTLE,

who has treated her from the beginning, she made the journey and was

received into the German Hospital. An initial operation was decided

upon and l p.m. of Monday, April l8, was performed by the eminent

surgeon, Dr. Fenger; DR. DOOLITTLE and others being present and

assisting. After the operation signs of heart failure were noticed, and

though all means were used which science could suggest for her

resuscitation, she did not recover consciousness, and about 4 o'clock

p.m. she expired.

Through the kind ministrations of MRS. CLARA ENDE (formerly BECHTOLD)

and other friends, DR. DOOLITTLE was enabled to return, having the body

in charge, on Wednesday, the 20th inst. On the same afternoon the

funeral services were conducted by the Pastor, ROBERT BEER, REV. J.A.

HARD, of the M.E. Church, assisting. Notwithstanding the heavy rain,

a large congregation was present. She sleeps in Jesus.

When about sixteen years of age she entered into public covenant with

Jesus Christ to believe in and follow him, and was received into the

communion of the Presbyterian Church at Holden, Mo., of which Rev.

William Lee was at that time, Pastor. When the family came to Garden

Grove, she was received by letter into the Presbyterian Church of that

place, and continued in its fellowship until her death. She was active

and useful in church work until disabled by sickness.

Her life was marked by candor and conscientiousness. When the time of

severe trial came, she turned in childlike trust to her Heavenly Father.

It would be too much to say that in the long months of bitter suffering,

through which she was called to pass, she never gave way to

discouragement, or felt her cross too heavy to be borne, yet throughout

her sickness she manifested great patience, endurance and fortitude.

Hoping against hope, she would not give way to despair, and, at the last

dared all suffering, and with a fearless heart incurred every risk that

she might, if possible, be restored.

It is now evident to her friends that, both before leaving home and

afterwards, she regarded death as a not improbable result of the

operation to which she was to submit. In the judgment of her advisers

there was a fair chance, after months of treatment, of her recovery, and

in full view of every possible peril, she decided to go forward. God had

ordered it as the time of her departure from this scene of trial.

Her spirit is with Jesus in the home he has prepared, and her body

awaits the resurrection unto life at the appearance of her Savior. The

sympathies of the whole community are with the bereaved family.

--Communicated.

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