Grundy County IL Archives Obituaries.....Stocker, William June 24, 1887 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 3, 2007, 3:37 am Morris Herald, June 1887 Morris Herald June 1887 DIED William Stocker Joins the Silent Majority. William Stocker, born in Morris, Ill., Feb. 18, 1858, died in Morris Friday, June 24, 1887, after an illness of ten days, of inflammation of the bowels; aged 29 years, 4 months and 6 days. “The old must die, the young may.” It is hard to realize that “Billy” Stocker is dead, but those who have seen him almost daily from infancy shall see him no more; his body has returned to the dust while his spirit has gone to that higher sphere in await those who mourn his untimely taking away—the cold earth has forever hid all that remains of him from our view on earth forever. “Billy”, for by that endearing name he was best known, was taken sick Tuesday night, June 14th. He retired without apprising his relatives of being sick; his brother Henry heard him groaning early the following morning, and going to his room enquired the cause, and was told that he thought he was getting his old complaint, inflammation of the bowels, which he had two years in succession previously. Unbeknown to the family he had gotten up about 3 a.m. Wednesday and went to a drug store and procured a bottle of magnesia, which errand would gladly have been performed by any member of the household, but such was his nature; he rebelled against putting others to any inconvenience, rather undergoing torture himself than to disturb their slumbers. Thus the days passed, uncomplainingly by him, until the family discerned that he was gradually failing, although everything was being done to restore him to health. Thursday night his faithful friend and best of nurses – mother – was at her post when he entwined his arms about her neck and said: “Ma, I think I am going up there.” She asked him if he was prepared, when he replies: “Yes, but I hate to leave you and pa,” he then relinquished his hold and seemed relieved. That day a consultation of physicians was held, but the Archangel had summoned him, and the kind nursing and excellent medical attendance availed nothing. Friday forenoon he seemed to revive, but before 1 o’clock he became unconscious, and at 3:37 that afternoon the spirit of “Billy” Stocker took its flight, surrounded by his parents, brother and sisters. He had lived in Morris all his life, except three years employment in his uncle’s wholesale drug house in Peoria. He was a cigar maker by trade at which he was employed to the very evening when he was taken sick. He has long been an honored member of the Alert Hook and Ladder company; was a charter member of the Court Wauponsee, Independent Order of Foresters, which organization at its recent election of officers elected him chief ranger, the presiding officer of the court, and was also a member of the German Gesang Verein. The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church, Rev. W. C. Magner officiating, while the choir provided exceptionably fine music. The funeral cortege was the largest we think ever seen in Morris. The Foresters and fireman in regalia and uniform and Gesang Verein marched solemnly to the east end of Washington street, followed by nearly 100 vehicles. At this point those on foot got into wagons in waiting, and the solemn procession moved to the east cemetery. At the grave the Gesang Verein sang – “Suss und ruhig ist der Stummer Ju der Erder tief versteckt” – sweet and peaceful is the slumber though so deeply buried – a funeral song sang on many memorable occasions. The beautiful burial service of the Foresters was then rendered. The societies marched around the newly-made grave, and each member tenderly cast a spring of evergreen on the casket. Benediction by Rev. Magner, and the last sad rites on earth over an exemplary young man were performed. The societies then reformed and escorted the mourners to their desolate home. The floral gifts were more elaborate than upon any occasion of the like ever known in Morris. Noticeable among them was the token of the Hook and Ladder Company – a ladder four feet long, composed entirely of white flowers, across which rested a hook of like flowers, in the center of which, in carmine flowers, were the letters “A. H. & L. Co.” The offering of the Foresters was a beautiful pillow with the word “Will”, in the center, a broken wheel from the family; besides there were magnificent wreaths, a handsome cross, and a beautiful bouquet of white lilies. From relatives and friends in Peoria were a star, anchor and wreaths. These were the more noticeable pieces, but they do not compose all that were sent. The casket was literally covered with flowers. n conclusion, we all sincerely offer condolence to the bereaved parents, brothers and sisters. Their affliction has been great; yet others truly mourn the death of Will. They mourn the loss of a good friend, of an honest, upright, pleasant young man, whose memory is not of today alone, but which shall have existence in our hearts for time to come. We will remember him as one possessed with a kind nature, a great heart, a firm advocate of the lessons inculcated in the Golden Rule. May he rest in peace. Resolutions To the officers and members of the Morris Fire Department: Gentlemen: Your committee, appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the grief of this organization occasioned by the death of our friend and companion, William Stocker, do hereby report as follows: Whereas, It has seemed best to our beneficent Father to remove our councils, from our association, and from our department our brother and friend, William Stocker; and Whereas, Trusting implicitly in His divine goodness, we see that “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” Therefore be it Resolved, That in the death of our brother comrade, William Stocker, the Morris Fire Department has lost a brave member, a vigilant and efficient workman; the community a valued citizen, a man of uprightness and strict moral integrity – a man of the highest honor; the family a dutiful son, a loving brother, a true hearted noble and devoted member of the family circle. Resolved, That we, the members of the Morris Fire Department, do hereby extend to the bereaved family our sincere and heartfelt sympathy, and we would, if possible, lighten the burdens of the sorrowing hearts, but the Great Dispenser of all good, when he sees fit to send these great sorrows upon us will, in His own good time, send His comforter also; so to Him we would commend the bereaved. Resolved, That this small expression of sympathy be spread upon our records, and a copy sent to the family of the deceased brother, and be published in the city papers. E. B. Fletcher M. J. Quigley By Court Wauponsee, No. 113, I. O. F. Whereas, It has been the will of God to take from us, by the unsparing hand of death, our beloved brother and Worthy Chief Ranger-elect, William Stocker, and, while bowing to the Supreme will, we do sincerely mourn the loss of our brother, whose untimely death has brought such deep sorrow on his parents, brothers and sisters, with whom we do heartily sympathize in their bereavements. Whereas, By the death of Brother Stocker, Court Wauponsee has lost one of its very best members, to whose efforts and labor in the interest of the Forestry very much of our success as a Court may be attributed. Resolved, That by the death of Bro. Stocker, Court Wauponsee has lost one of its best and most respected members, whose kindly disposition and gentlemanly bearing endeared him to us all. Resolved, That this Court does heartily sympathize with his parents, brothers and sisters in their bereavement, and hope they will be comforted in the knowledge that he who has gone has left a good nature – a treasure more priceless than gold. Resolved, That our Court-room be appropriately draped for a period of sixty days, and that a copy of these resolutions be published in the local papers, in Independent Forester, and be spread on the records of this Court. James Carney Thomas M. Cronin W. T. Cary File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/obits/s/stocker768nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 8.6 Kb