Obituary of Geraldine Fritts, Hardin County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Wanda Reed Name of Deceased: Geraldine Fritts Name of Newspaper: Hardin County Independent Date of Newspaper: 14 February 1929 It was the wishes of realtives and friends of Miss Geraldine at the time of her death and burial that some one should write an obituary commerating her life, but the person to whom this was entrusted was hindered by sickness, while you may think it rather late now to offer an obituary, you will agree with me that the time is opportune for us to pay memorial tribute to the life and virtues of the noble dead. Geraldine was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Fritts, respected christian citizens of Hardin County, Illinois. She was 16 years, 7 months and 6 days old at the time of her death. She was a pupil of mine about the time she was in the 3rd. grade; a blithe, happy and spritely girl was she, and from that time on I have known her and marked her advance both in school and social life as a favorite girl with her teachers, playmates, friends and parents; who loved her fondly. These have spoken to me or in my presence of her fine qualities of soul. She was industrious, kind and obedient, apt and precocious in her advancement and had that highly ability to win as friends whomsoever she met. At the time of her tragic death, she was a student in the Elizabethtown High School making rapid progress under the skillful instructions of Prof. Ammon and Miss Grace Abbott. The first semester was closing for holidays and she while riding home was thrown from her horse which fell down with her on the frozen ground. From this fall she received injuries that caused her death not many hours later in the Rosiclare Hospital where her parents had taken her for treatment. This tragic event occurred on the 24th day of December 1928. Thus while the glad peal of Christmas bells rang out everywhere with joy for the gift of the Christ child, the sad toil of death echoed in the hearts of the Fritts home and the Elizabethtown schools, and while hundreds were offering gifts of gladness, these offered one of dire sacrifice when Geraldine was given up to the Realms of Bliss. She made her election sure in Jesus and his holy church in August 1926. Her bereaved parents cannot call her back, but they can go to her, to live in a far better world than this. Funeral services were conducted by the County Superintendent of schools and her pastor, Rev. Charles Bryan. After which she was laid to rest in the Central Cemetery on that and sad Christmas day. "In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have not told you. I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, you may come also." With all the comfort that I know how to give, I am sincerely yours- Judge Scribes. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, 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: Wanda Reed