Betz obituary--St. Clair County Miss Mary A. Shantz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Shantz, was born September 15, 1834, in Pennsylvania. She was married in Belleville, Illinois, October 15, 1853 to Matheas Betz. To this union were born ten children, three of who died in infancy. Seven of the children, four boys , Jacob, John, August and Louis and three girls, Barbara Reis, Katy Lortz and Mary Peterson, all of whom live in or near Carl Junction, Missouri. Her husband died February 22, 1904, almost three years ago. When she was about 14 years old, she united with the Lutheran church. She remained faithful to her church all her life. A little over a year ago she began to decline rapidly in health and about six months ago she took to bed and remained there, gradually growing worse. She frequently talked of dying and longed for the time to come when she would be relieved of her great suffering and pass to her loved ones on the other side of the journey of death. She felt perfectly ready and prepared to go. She finally passed away at 5:30 a.m. Jan. 16, 1907, without any apparent struggle. She gently fell asleep to be escorted by the anglic choir on the wings of the morning to that better land. She leaves to mourn her departure, seven children, thirty gradchildren and nine great grandchildren, one brother, four sisters besides many friends and neighbors. Funeral services at the Christian church at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 17, 1907 by W. C. Willey, pastor of the church. After which the remains were followed to the Carl Juncction cemetery where interment took place. This was in the Carl Junction Standard submitted by Carolyn Sue Smith 314 Lynwood Dr. Houma, La. 70360 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization 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 Carolyn S Smith (© 1997 Carolyn S Smith)