SPENCER, Charles Wesley - Putnam

Source: Waveland Independent, March 10, 1922 --

Charles Wesley Spencer, son of James and Mary Bilbo Spencer, was b. in Putnam Co, Ind Feb 7, 1856; and departed this life March 2, 1922 -- age 66 years and 25 days. He was married to Miss Frances Inge April 11, 1888. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, two sons, Lowell and Parke and three daughters, Misses Bertha and Vera and Mrs. Harry Gillespie of Anderson; one sister, Mrs. Corwin Garwood and one brother, Mr. George Spencer of Russellville; two grandchildren, Robert Gillespie and Harold Spencer. He was educated in the public schools of Putnam Co. and DePauw University. He was engaged in the merchandise business most of his married life -- in Russellville, Marshall, Kingman and Waveland, in the latter place he has resided during the past 20 years. At the age of 22 he was converted in a revival of religion while he was in school at Greencastle, and he made a public profession of his faith and united with Mt. Pisgah ME Church near Portland Mills. In his young Christian manhood he was elected to the important position of Class Leader of his church an excellent testimony of the Christian esteem in which those of his own home community held him. In all the places where he has resided he has been active in church work, serving many years as Sabbath school superintendent until failing health and eyesight made it necessary to give up these responsibilities that he loved to bear. During the past 9 months his strength rapidly failed through a complication of ailments, and he suffered much pain and distress which often perplexed him in his way of thinking about a Christian who had tried to serve his Master. In spiritual ministrations to him he was asked to remember that many of the greatest saints had been the greatest sufferers; that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us ward. He had no fear of that change that should come to him in passing from this life, but he longed for it; for in this tabernacle he was burdened; and he longed to be clothed upon with that habitation which is from heaven, knowing that the promises of the Lord in which he trusted should be fulfilled unto him. During the last months of his illness, when he was able to do so, he turned to the sure consolation of the Word of God, and he read and meditated much upon it. He spoke of his deep interest in the things of the Kingdom, not only of his own home community and church, but of those peoples far away from Christian lands who were without God and without hope in the world. When he could no longer read the scriptures and they were read to him he seemed to get a new sense of the richness of God's message to dying men; and he said with a confidence of faith that those promises ought to assure any one of God's love, mercy and His gift of eternal life. Those who came in closest touch with his life say, Mr. Spencer was a good man, that he was a good neighbor. But he said he rested his hope, not upon his goodness, not upon any good things that he had done, but upon the promise of the saving grace.... kbz