Beeson - Evalena Wilkey - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The following article is the obituary of Evalena Beeson taken from the Cissna Park Express. Evalena Wilkey, daughter of the late James M. and Asenath M. Wilkey, was born in Parke county, Indiana, July 22, 1868, died at her home July 18, 1905; she was one of a family of four sisters, one preceding her to the world beyond. Her parents died when she was very young and she fell into the tender and loving care of her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. George Marks, of Tangier, Ind., who cared for her and loved her as their own child. She was united in marriage to Sylvester M. Beeson, Sept. 6, 1891, and since that time she has made her home among us. Mrs. Beeson was converted under the ministry of Rev. V. H. Brink, at this place and united with the M. E. church Feb. 6, 1898. She was very active and interested in church work; always, when able, she was in attendance at all the services and ever worked and prayed for the success of the church. She was a member of the Woman’s Home Missionary society and also of the Willing Workers. Truly can it be said of her, “faithful unto death,” and before this time has heard the “well done” from One whom she so faithfully served. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband, two sisters and a number of other relatives besides a host of friends. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church, Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. T. Killip; the occasion was a very sad one, all deeply feeling the loss and ready to help and sympathetize with the family so bereaved. By Sister Beeson’s request the pastor read for the scripture lesson Matt. 25, also the text from the 13th verse of the same chapter. The hymns were also her favorites and part of them she requested to be sung. They were: “In the Sweet Bye and Bye,” “His Jewels,” “When the Roll is called up Yonder” and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” the last named she tried to sing several times while dying. The casket was a pure white, by her own request, and it was covered with beautiful cut flowers, the expression of the sympathy of loved ones and friends. The interment was made at the Quaker cemetery where the body will await the resurrection of the just. The pall bearers were: H. J. Kahney, J. C. Sailor, E. C. Penner, John Huesing, Chris Baier and John Dryden. The floral offerings at the funeral of Mrs. S. M. Beeson were probably the most elaborate and beautiful ever gathered together at a funeral here. The Ladies’ Aid, of which she was a most honored member, furnished a large anchor, the members of the K. of P. lodge presented a broken wheel, and numerous other designs were furnished by loving and sympathizing friends. The grave was beautifully lined with flowers, which was the work of loving hands. – jlr