Obituary of Ann Kirkham, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern Obituary of Ann Kirkham   Thursday, 7 November 1907, Kansas (IL) Journal   Well Known Lady Dies at Her Home Near Inclose--She was 66 Years Old   Died at her home at Inclose 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, 1907, Mrs. S. A. Kirkham, widow of William H. Kirkham and mother of Grant Kirkham and W. H. P. Kirkham of Inclose and Mrs. D. K. Woodruff of Kansas.  She was buried at Pleasant Hill Friday, November 1.   Mrs. Kirkham had been a sufferer from heart trouble for several years and had suffered many severe prostrations but would rally and regain her accustomed place among her duties, then each time growing feebler and less able to fight against the Destroyer.   Always of uncommon mental ability, Mrs. Kirkham retained this gift until her last breath, making a request that all her children be summoned but a few moments before she expired in the arms of her younger son William.   The body was laid in a casket of unusual beauty, a silvery gray broadcloth lined with satin of the same delicate hue, blending perfectly with the robe of the sleeper, which was of the shade known as "ashes of roses," the faint gleam of long-gone sunshine appearing in the soft gray folds.   Six young women, wearing white gowns, long black gloves and black hats, bearing clusters of chrysanthemums, preceded the casket.  These were Mesdames Ed Rowland, James Hayes and John Hayes, Misses Lue Pinnell, Kate Kirkham and Carrie Pinnell, all nieces of the dead woman.   Nephews of Mrs. Kirkham bore the casket to the grave.  These were Otto Arterburn, Wendell Kirkham, Horton Pinnell, Claud Kirkham, Hilton Kirkham and Huber Pinnell.   In spite of a steady downpour of rain, the Pleasant Hill church was comfortably filled, Rev. Jacobs conducting the services.  Miss Nora Clark sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," and a quartet from Kansas gave other selections in a very pleasing way.   Buried with the casket were the exquisite flowers from her children, as was also a heap of beautiful roses--a token of parting from her sister, Mrs. Norben Arterburn.   After the casket was covered from view, the escort of young women cast their armfuls of blossom into the grave, almost covering the box.  A sheaf of wheat with three roses entwined, typical of the harvest reaped and three children to brighten the last days, was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Willie Pinnell.  This emblem was placed at the head of the new-made grave, and the hosts of relatives and friends turned away to take up again the duties of the living.   "Death is the veil which they who live call life.  We sleep, and it is lifted."   Card of Thanks   We desire to thank the many friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us in our recent bereavement.   Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Kirkham Mr. and Mrs. D. K. Woodruff W. H. P. Kirkham ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern