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

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Cc: <wrlcrpl@grm.net>; <IAWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: OBITUARY - MARY LOUISE (SIMMONS) STEARNS

Date: Monday, October 15, 2001 8:30 PM

Decatur County Journal

February 27, l908

MARY LOUISE SIMMONS was born in New York City, on May ll, l837. She

moved with her parents to Seneca County, Ohio, in the year l856, and

from there came to Decatur County, Iowa, in the year l858, where she

resided until the year l906, removing to a farm near Allerton, in Wayne

County, Iowa, where she died February ll, l908.

She was married to DANIEL STEARNS, November 28, l86l, in Garden Grove,

Iowa, and to this union were born three children, two of whom died when

young, one son, HARRY, surviving. At an early age she united with the

Episcopal Church of which she has ever been a devoted member. She is

numbered among the pioneers of Decatur County, where she lived and made

her home for many years and was widely known among a large circle of

friends. Her life was filled with many good and charitable deeds, and

she was ever identified with any work which helped to uplift the

distressed or sorrowing. She is mourned most by those who knew her

best.

The funeral services were conducted at the Episcopal Church in Garden

Grove last Friday afternoon by Rev. Hakes, Rector of the Chariton

Episcopal Church. Interment was made in the Garden Grove Cemetery by

the side of her husband who died November 6, l892. Those accompanying

the body from the country home near Allerton, were the son, HARRY, and

some neighbors, MR. MORGAN, MRS. RILEA and MRS. CLOE.

The family and near relatives wish to thank the many friends, both at

Allerton and Garden Grove, for the kindness and sympathy they have shown

during their sad bereavement.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

October l5, 200l