BOWERS, Catherine Hepler-1912 - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Catherine Hepler, The grand old Lady so well and favorably known, was born in Davis county, N. C. Car., May 1st, 1824. Died at her home near Yeddo, Aug. 24th, 1912, age 88 years, 3 months and 27 days. She was united in marriage to Felix Bowers in her native state in 1847. To this union was born three daughters, Mrs. Delphina Myers (deceased wife of Eli Myers), Mrs. Mary Zackmire wife of John Zackmire and Mrs. Thos. Zackmire wife of Thos. Zackmire all of Fountain county. She emigrated with her husband to Fountain county, Ind., in 1859. She became a member of the Lutheran church at the age of 16, and lived an exemplary christian life until her death, which was caused by a fall, breaking one of the femur bones. Deceased was truly a great and noble lady, if nobility and greatness is measured by kind deeds, patience, unselfishness, humility, generosity, courtesy, and sincerity; for I will say without fear of contradiction that this noble lady possessed all of these virtues. I have written many death accounts and obituaries but in summing the qualities of these scores of people I find none in my opinion that deserve greater praise than this noble woman, whom it seems was almost faultless. Aunt Kate never sought notoriety but was contented to live an humble patient Christian life, whose ever thought was for the good of humanity; she was never wrought for her own personal welfare, but through generosity she was always known to almost exceed her duty. We need not attempt to eulogize her life or character because all who knew her, know that my eulogy would fall short of her merit. While Aunt Kate is gone her kind deeds and precious memories remain. If our lives are influenced by those with whom we associate and meet, then the subject of this sketch has wrought a positive and permanent good in the tide of human existence. Those, who like the deceased could conscientiously face the world thruout their lives, need not fear to meet their Pilot face to face “When they have crossed the Bar.” Our prayer is that this ideal life may be an inspiration to all, that they may emulate it with a full assurance of a just reward. She leaves an aged and worthy, husband, two daughters, 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, one sister and one aged brother, Uncle Dave Hepler aged 92 together, with a host of relatives and friends to mourn her departure, which has deprived them of a loving mother, sister and wife and grandmother, and the community of a true friend. Funeral services were rendered at Wallace Lutheran church, conducted by Rev. Hunt after which the remains were interred in the cemetery adjoining, to await the resurrection of the just. We tender the bereaved family our sincere and heartfelt sorrow in this sad event. C. T. CARD OF THANKS We take this method of thanking our neighbors and friends for their kind assistance that they so willingly rendered in the recent illness and death of our wife, mother and grandmother. May the blessings of God rest upon all of them is our prayer, Felix Bowers, Children and Grandchildren. – jlr