OBITUARY: Merle Lord Whitley, 1883-1905, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Osage News -- March 18, 1905]



                                 WHITLEY

The saddest time of a person's life is the time when they are called upon
to part with one of the family and let death claim them of its own.  It
seem doubly sad when one just entering the prime of life is taken away and
all their hopes and plans for the future are cut off, yet God know best and
all must abide by His will however hard it may seem at times.  This week
a young man well known and highly respected by a large circle of friends
in Osage has been taken away by death.

Merle Lord Whitley first saw the light of day in Osage, Iowa, April 24,
1883, and with the exception of the years which were spent at college, he
has always been here, and has been on popular among young and old alike,
although delicate health has sometimes made it impossible for him to enter
into the sports and pleasures of his friends.

Merle was the fifth child of Dr. John L. and Ada M. Whitley, his father
having passed away in Osage a few years ago.  He graduated from the Cedar
Valley Seminary with the class of 1902 and the fall of the same year entered
the Iowa college at Grinnell.  He remained at Grinnell until February, 1904,
then was a student of the University at Iowa City.  He went to Iowa City
again last fall to take a course in law, but was overcome with sickness
and had to return home.  Together with his mother and sister he went to
Hammond, Louisiana, to spend the winter in the warmer climate and returned
to Osage about three weeks ago.

For a few days he was able to be with his friends, but he rapidly grew
worse and was confined to his bed for about two weeks, the last week
being unable to converse with those who have been his companions from
youth, and he died of heart failure last Monday morning, May 15, at about
four o'clock.

The funeral services were held at the home on 6th street yesterday afternoon
at two o'clock; the remains were interred in the Osage Cemetery.  He is
mourned by a mother, two brothers and one sister, besides other relatives
and numerous friends.




   This transcription was submitted to IAGENWEB for personal family history
          purposes only, and shall not be used for personal gain.
               Transcribed by: Marilyn O'Connor, August 2005