Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Benedict, Sarah Jane (Yates) 1910
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net August 6, 2011, 10:21 pm

Unidentified Publication, 1910

The Death Bell

Rings Out a Righteous Life. - Mrs. Sarah J. Benedict Passes To Her Sure Reward.

Once more has Ionia been saddened by the passing from our midst of a beautiful
Christian character.

Mrs. Sarah Jane Benedict passed to her eternal rest on Saturday afternoon, Feb.
19.  She was born in Ionia township on July 11, 1847, and was therefore
approaching her 63rd year.  She was the youngest of five children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Job L. Yates, who were among the county’s first pioneers, and who are
still remembered for their sterling worth and for the many kindly deeds so
characteristic of the people of their time.  Mr. and Mrs. Yates moved from their
farm to this city in 1868, so that deceased passed the greater part of her life
in Ionia, where her gentle spirit and loving deeds won her very many deeply
attached friends.  Her brother, Gilbert S. Yates, is now the sole surviving
member of the family.

The news of Mrs. Sarah J. Benedict’s death flew fast and far throughout the
city, and ere the noon of night had passed, a feeling of sorrow was in the
hearts of all who had known her, and a shade of sadness was on every brow, for
she indeed had won the esteem of many.  The courtesies of her life were broad
and generous; she was always polite and genial; her private life deserved all
admiration; she was tender and blameless in her social relations; devoted to her
friends, affectionate in family, simple, upright.  These virtues are her eulogy
- more eloquent than tongue can utter.  If - “To live in the hearts she left
behind Is not to die,” Mrs. Benedict has only gone nearer to the Eternal Light.

Deceased was baptized by the Rev. Isaac Errett, and was ever after a loyal and
faithful member of the Church of Christ.

Mrs. Benedict was for a period of years the leader of a large Bible class,
president of the Missionary Society, interested in every department of the
church life and activity.  A charter member and an active worker in the Woman’s
Literary Club - at the time of her death an Honorary member.

For several years Mrs. Benedict has suffered ill-health, but was always
cheerful, bearing her weakness with heroic courage and sweetness.  To those who
have known and loved her, her life speaks for itself; a power for good to all
with whom she came in contact.

She has passed on before to claim that abundant entrance into the many mansions
prepared for those who love Him.

She was married in 1873 to O.M. Benedict, and three children were born to them,
of whom two survive: Thane, the well known managing head of the Sorosis Garment
Company, and Miss Greta, a teacher at Ossining-on-the-Hudson, New York, both of
whom were with their beloved mother in her last hours.  The son Linn died in
1905, in young manhood.

The funeral service was attended at the home on Pleasant street, at 2 o’clock
this afternoon.  Rev. G. Webster Moore of the Church of Christ officiated, and
there was singing by Mrs. G.M. Phelps and Mrs. Frank B. Cressy.  The service was
in complete keeping with the modest life on Mrs. Benedict.  The carriers were:
Thane, son, Gilbert C. Yates, brother, Dr. L. Wing Yates and Lee Yates, nephews
of deceased.


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