Decatur County Journal

December 29, l904

WILLAH BELLE SCHENCK was born Nov. 22, l877, at Decatur City, Iowa, and

died at Leon, Iowa, Dec. 25, l904, being 27 years and one month old at

the time of her death. She joined the M.E. Church when she was l5 years

of age. For several years she was an active member of the Epworth

League and Sunday School. And at last after great suffering, her work

is done and she has joined the majority.

This third death of the children of Brother and Sister SCHENCK within

two years, from the dread disease that has taken them away, falls upon

them with a peculiar weight of sorrow, desolation naturally comes upon

the family. Gloom, grief, helplessness against the grim destroyer

seizes the soul until pent up grief finds relief in tears, yet not

relief for tears do not give relief but temporary ease. God only can

give relief and consolation. The whole community, bound by a sense of

the brotherhood of man, begs to be permitted to bear a share of the

sorrow that has come to this home.

Seven weeks ago the other daughter was carried to the grave and today,

made doubly gloomy by the disagreeable weather, we place WILLAH beside

her brother and sister. What is left? Vacant chairs, voices loud in

their silence. But memory is immortal, and these cannot be forgotten.

We leave them with God, who doeth all things well.

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August 2l, 200l