Milligan - Mary Irwin
Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Oct 8, 1920
Mrs. Frances Irwin Milligan died on Tuesday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Taylor, Winona Lake. She has been seriously ill for some months with a complication of diseases. Funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian Church this Friday afternoon at half past two. An obituary will appear next week.
Source: Waveland Independent, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana, Oct 15, 1920
The body of Mrs. James Milligan was interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery on Fri. afternoon after services at the Presbyterian Church conducted by Rev. JT Boyer. The following - all nephews - acted as pallbearers: Charles Milligan, Ed. T. Milligan, JVS Milligan, Clarence Milligan, Dr. TZ Ball and Thomas McNutt. Flowers were carried by 7 grandchildren and one grandniece. Mary Frances Irwin was the youngest child of Rev. Robert and Mary Winton Irwin and was born at Muncie, Indiana, Jan 25, 1846. She came of a long line of ministers and Christian workers, and followed thru her own long life the same noble path. Of her, as of Mary of Bethany, it can be truly said, "She hath chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from her." Her father, Rev. Robert Irwin, was founder and for years pastor of the 1st Presby. Church of Muncie, Indiana. Her brother, Rev. Dr. Robert Irwin, was pastor of the Waveland Presbyterian Church from 1864 to 1868 and going from there to Kansas City, Mo. was pastor of the 1st Presby Church of that city for four years, and afterward Pres. of Lindenwood College for women, St. Charles, Mo. While her brother was pastor at Waveland, Fannie as she was familiarly called, was married in this Church to Mr. James Milligan and henceforth lived on the farm at the edge of the village; and together they lived and labored in the home and community and the Church of Waveland, rearing a large family, of whom 4 sons, one daughter and 13 grandchildren remain, two sons and one granddau. having bone before. The surviving children are: Frank C. Milligan, Houston, Texas; Mrs. Charles B. Taylor, Winona Lake; Sam Milligan Jr. of Milligan and Dean S. and J. Milford Milligan of Waveland. Mrs. Milligan was a talented musician. At 16 years of age, she began to play in the Church and sing in the Church choir, and thru life, as long as she was able, she continued happily and devotedly in the service of her Lord. She played the organ and piano with a majesty that came from her soul. She had a rich alto voice which was always in demand in the musical circales and services of the community. Her husband departed this life 21 years ago. In her latter days she lived much with her dau, Mrs. Taylor at Winona Lake, Ind; where she formed a wide circle of friends who mourn her loss, but are comforted in her release from pain and weakness. Aobut 3 years ago, she was severely injured by a fall and in the pst year she had been gradually failing thru heart weakness until her vitality was finally exhausted, and her tired heart ceased to beat. She was an excellent woman, wife, mother and friend, and leaves to her fmaily the rich legacy of a precious name, a sweet and noble Christian life. As of many a dear mother in Israel so we may say of her, in the words of the Master, "She hath done waht she could." An eminent minister tells us of his mother's Bible...it is a plain book, an old book, among hundreds more pretentious." Now her Bible remains as eloquent as ever, a witness to a beautiful life that is finished, and a silent monitor to the living. In the hours of trial and sorrow it says, "Be not cast down, Oh my soul, Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God." In moments of weakness, "Be strong." Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. So with this Christian mother. "For we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." If these silent lips of this one who kept the faith, who spent her life in the activities of the Church, who was devoted to doing those things which would please her Savior. If these silent lips could now speak, I think she would say to her children and grandchildren, to her friends and to all others to whom she could speak, in words similar to those of the Lord speaking to his disciples, "These things are things I have tried to do in the Master's service do ye in remembrance of me." This life, now glorified, is one more link connecting the loved ones here with that abode of eternal bliss. May it be the cord that will ever draw these loved ones to the reunited family above. Those attending the funeral from out of town were Mr. & Mrs. James Gilliland; Mrs. Smith, Mr. & Mrs. RW Allen and Mr. TH McNutt, all of Crawfordsville and Mr. & Mrs. AU Strong of Guion. Owing to the large # of friends that Mrs. Milligan had in Winona Lake, a funeral service was held there at the home of Charles B. Taylor on Fri. in charge of Dr. JA Gordon, asissted by Rev. EJ Anymaker and Dr. OA Newlin.