Mary Emma (TURNER) SHAY

TURNER, SHAY, DALE, MELTON, ROOF, SALTZMAN, ENGLAND, FINCH, SHEIL, STEPHENSON, HUFFMAN, SEVERNS, OSTRANDER, WILLIAMS, METTINGR, HARPER, WATSON, BRASHEAR, SIMPSON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 8/31/2011 at 02:24:08

Clearfield Enterprise
Clearfield, Iowa
Thursday, July 30, 1925

Blockton News ~ Mrs. J. V. SHAY DEAD

Mrs. J. V. SHAY [Mary Emma (TURNER)], who had been critically ill for several weeks, passed away Sunday evening. Funeral services were held at the Christian church Tuesday afternoon and were very largely attended.

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Clearfield Enterprise
Clearfield, Iowa
Thursday, July 30, 1925

OBITUARY ~ MRS. J. V. SHAY

Mary Emma TURNER, daughter of Bazil (sic, Bazzel) and Mary [(DALE)] TURNER, was born near Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa, June 23, 1854, and passed away at her home in Blockton Sunday evening, July 26, 1925, aged 71 years, 1 month, and 3 days. She came to Ringgold County with her parents in July following her birth.

She was united in marriage to John V. SHAY on April 4, 1872. They went to housekeeping where (illegible) now lives, beginning housekeeping in a two-room log house. They lived there two years and then built a four-room house where Chan SHAY now lives. For seventeen years this was their home and where all of her children were born - Ralph L[eo]., Roy O[laf]., Luke E[rnest]., Faye and Mary [Margaret].

Ralph passed away September 29, 1904. Roy resides in St. Joseph, Luke E. in Atchison, Kansas, Mrs. Faye ROOF in Blockton and Mrs. Mary MELTON at Goodland, Kansas. There are four grandchildren - Hulan, son of Ralph L. SHAY, deceased, of Shannon City, Iowa; [Iowa] Faye, W[ilford]. S., children of Mrs. Melton and Haldane [Edward], son of Mrs. ROOF.

Mrs. SHAY was raised to womanhood in Maloy where her parents lived for 21 years on the Mrs. M. NELSON farm. It was on this farm she was married.

Mrs. SHAY moved to Blockton Feb. 28, 1896.

Mrs. Shay united with the Blockton Christian church in September 1899, under the ministry of Rev. E. E. Van HORN, and was received as a member of the Blockton (illegible) and was always active with these good women. She has always loved her church and has been a consistent member. She rejoiced in the fellowship in the devotional life and the practical work of the church. She regretted to miss the common service of the church - it was a very dear service to her.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Christian church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, conducted by the pastor, H. V. REEVES and a former pastor, J. A. DILLINGER, now pastor of the Wyatt Park Christian church in St. Joseph. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery [Blockton].

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BLOCKTON NEWS - August 6, 1925 -- Among those from a distance attending the funeral of Mrs. J. V. [Mary Emma (TURNER)] SHAY last week were Mrs. C. E FINCH and son, Hulan, of Shannon City; Lloyd SALTZMAN and wife, of Mt. Ayr; Tom SHEIL and family and Gladys SHAY, of Des Moines; Joe ENGLAND and family, of Tingley; John STEPHENSON, Mrs. Agnes STEPHENSON, Mrs. Etta STEPHENSON, Bert HUFFMAN and wife, of Clearfield; Mrs. Victoria SEVERNS, of Grant City; Emmitt WILLIAMS and wife, of Beldon, Nebraska; John OSTRANDER and wife, of Diagonal; Otto METTINGER and wife, Mrs. Oscar HARPER and J. WATSON, of St. Joseph; A. J. ROOF and wife and Mrs. Selma BRASHEAR, of Parnell.

MALOY - Numberless relatives and friends from Maloy and vicinity attended the funeral of Mrs. J. V. SHAY, Maloy being her home from childhood or until she and her husband moved to Blockton thirty years ago.

They were permitted to celebrate their golden wedding April 4, 1922, at their pleasant and happy home, where their children, grandchildren and many other relatives as well as a host of friends helped to make the occasion a very pleasant one and long to be remembered by the four children — Roy, Ernest, Faye and Mary. Mrs. SHAY was convalescing from a broken hip at this time. She was in poor health a number of years, having been a patient several times at the St. Joseph hospital, St. Joseph, Mo., and was so patient and cheerful through it all.

She was devoted to her church and took an active part in the church work as long as her health permitted. She was a deaconess for many years and served as president, vice president and secretary at different times in the Ladies' Aid. Mrs. SHAY was always interested in the work of the Master and enjoyed the home department of the Sunday school and the many pleasant visits of Mrs. Angie SIMPSON and Mrs. Edgar THOMPSON, who were connected with the work.

She spoke many times of her appreciation of friends and relatives for their many pleasant visits, flowers and other kindness shown her during her last illness.

Mrs. SHAY was a very devoted companion, mother and grandmother and loved her friends sincerely. She lived for others and was thoughtful of all, even unto the end. Many times during her last illness she expressed her desire to gain eternal rest in the heavenly home prepared for those who love the Lord, and was patiently waiting for the Heavenly Father's call which came very quietly at 7:15 Sunday evening, July 26. Her companion, children, and grandchildren spent the last week at her bedside and were permitted to minister unto her until God called her home.

— Contributed.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2011