Obituary of Henry Epping, Madison County, Illinois This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sharon Inman This was his obituary on the front page of the Edwardsville, IL paper. January 28, 1913 OLD RESIDENT DIES HENRY EPPING WAS CALLED BY DEATH LATE LAST NIGHT. Funeral to be Friday With Three Priests Officiating. Henry Epping, a well known retired farmer and resident of Edwardsville died at his home at 726 Fairview Avenue last night at 11:45 o'clock, from a complication of diseases accruing probably from his old age of 77 years, 3 months, and 11 days. He was born on October 17, 1835 in Coesfeld, Germany and immigrated to the United States with his parents, when but a lad of nine years. His parents first came to St. Louis and there settled down for several years, during which time Mr. Epping went to school in that city. After remaining in St. Louis for some time, Mr. Epping's parents moved to Pleasant Ridge, where Mr. Epping then only a lad of 18 or 19 summens met the young lady who was to be his mate through life. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Schennigman, whose home had also been in Coesfeld, Germany, but had also immigrated to this country on October 23, 1858. Both of the young people had been born in Coesfeld, Germany, and had spent the first years of their life there, but had never met before Mr. Epping's arrival in Pleasant Ridge with his parents. Deciding that Edwardsville was a better place to live than Pleasant Ridge, Mr. Epping with his bride-to-be came to this city and were married in the old frame church on North Main street by Father Henson. Mr. Epping had erected a home in the vicinity of Edwardsville on the farm that he owned and there settled with his young wife to a life of peace and contentment. He followed farming as a vocation for 38 years. He reared a family of twelve children, eight of whom have preceded him to the final resting place. Mr. Epping's final sickness which overtook him about five weeks ago, was diagnosed as a general break down from old age. He was ailing from that attack until last week, Tuesday, when he received a paralytic stroke that left him helpless. Physicians at that time pronounced his case hopeless, and his family became resigned to the fact that the Grim Reaper would soon arrive. Mr. Epping was conscious until Sunday evening although almost all of that day he was unable to talk, even in a whisper. The paralytic stroke had left him so helpless that he was unable to move hand or foot. Mr. Epping and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary four years ago, and when the 54th had been reached and passed it carried with it the possibility that the happy couple might live to enjoy the celebration of the unusual 55th wedding anniversary. Mr. Epping is survived by four children besides his wife. They are: Mrs. Henry Voegele of Newkirk, Oklahoma; Mrs. John Meek, Mrs. Charles Grebel, and Mrs. Thomas Burns, all of Edwardsville. Thirty-seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive. The funeral will take place Friday morning at the family residence on Fairview Avenue and from there the cortege will proceed to the St. Boniface church where Rev. J. D. Metzler, Rev. C. A. O'Reilly of this city, and Rev. L. C. Kipping of Mitchell will officiate. Interment will take place in the Catholic cemetery here. Saturday, February 1, 1913 FUNERAL OF HENRY EPPING HELD FROM HOME YESTERDAY. The last sad rites over the body of Henry Epping, a well known resident of this city, who died Monday, were held yesterday morning. A very large number of sorrowing friends and relatives attended. After a short service at the house the body was taken to the St. Boniface Catholic church where services were conducted by Rev J. D. Metzler. The interment was in the Catholic cemetery. The pallbearers were: Charles Grebel, Sr., Frank Harles, Joseph Smith, Conrad Klutenkamuer, A. W. Foehrkalb and Frank Stenzel. ***************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproducd in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ***************************************************************** Contributed by: Sharon Inman