Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Benedict, Emeline L. March 31, 1917 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nan Snyder wheaton1624@yahoo.com June 8, 2017, 6:06 pm Ionia Standard - Friday, April 6, 1917 Mrs. Henry Sprague, one of the oldest residents of Berlin township, died on Saturday evening at 8:30 o'clock, at the Sprague home, following a brief illness of less than a week. On Tuesday night she suffered a stroke of paralysis which was followed by broncho-pneumonia; while the left side was paralyzed her mind was not affected in any way and she was conscious to the last moments and expressed her wishes and gave messages for friends and neighbors. Emeline L. Benedict was born in Orange township, Ionia county, Michigan, May 3, 1848 and died March 31, 1917 at the age of 68 years 10 months and 28 days. She was born in Orange township just across the road from the Sprague home in Berlin, and her whole life was spent here, except six years of her early married life when she lived in Easton township. The family then returned to Berlin to care for her afed father, Loren Benedict, whose death occurred in 1896. She received her education at the Ionia High and later went to Albion college. On May 26, 1875, she was married to Henry Sprague of Easton. To them were born four children, three of whom are left to mourn her death. Dr. L. Verna Simons of Grand Rapids, Glenn A. Sprague of Berlin and Gail H. Sprague who lived at home. One daughter, Mrs. E. La Longe, died February 1, 1916. She leaves to mourn her death besides her children mentioned, seven grandchildren and her husband who has the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in his affliction, he having suffered a stroke of paralysis just one year ago and has since lost his sight entirely, so he has been helpless for a year. She also leaves two brothers, Abel F. and Philo Benedict of Berlin Twp. brothers, George W. and Emerson F. Benedict having died recently. There are many other relatives and friends who are both shocked and grieved at her death as she was a woman young in life, who took a deep interest in all the daily walks of life and was ever ready to help and give to those who needed. She was a most devoted Christian woman, having united with the M.E. church of Orange in her girlhood. Her family are crushed with sorrow as she was a loving and self-sacrificing mother, who always thought of others first, but she suffered so much and had she lived would have been quite helpless, if not entirely so, and they feel their loss is her gain. The funeral services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the home, and burial will be in Balcom cemetery. IN LIFE'S GARDEN Out in life's garden, where sympathy grew, God planted a soul - 'twas the soul 'o you. Life's wonderful garden love, seeking went through, Till he found a heart - 'twas the hear o' you. I have sought through live's garden of roses and rue, And I find one sweet blossom, all jeweled with dew. Love, sympathy, faith - all unchanging and true- Are the heart of my flower - dear mother, tis you. Additional Comments: Age: 69 Service: Wednesday, 4 April 1917 Balcom cemetery Ionia Weekly Standard - Friday, April 6, 1917 Mrs. Henry Sprague died Saturday night at 8:30, having had a paralytic stroke the previous Tuesday. She would have been 69 years old in May. The funeral service was held at 2:00, o'clock fast time Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Hansen of Orange officiating. Mrs. Sprague is survived by her husband, who has been very feeble for about a year following a stroke and by three children - Dr. Verna Simons of Grand Rapids, Glen A. Sprague and Gail H. Sprague of Berlin township. There are also seven grandchildren. B. May 3, 1848, Orange twp. dau of Loren Benedict File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/b/benedict6492gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb