Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Braden, Erma 1906
************************************************
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:
Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net August 8, 2011, 9:36 pm

Lake Odessa Wave, 20 Sep 1906

Two Large Funerals Held at Methodist Church Sunday.

That of Mrs. J.J. Braden Largest Ever Held Here – Not Enough Room In Church for
all Who Came.

In the afternoon, long before the funeral cortege of Mrs. Clarence J. Braden
reached the church, the building was crowded with sympathetic friends and
associates of one of the town’s most popular young women, who had turned out to
pay their last tributes to the dead.  Those who came after 2 o’clock, the
appointed hour for the funeral, were unable to find standing room in the church
and were obliged to stand outside or return home.  It is estimated that there
were upwards of 700 people who were inside and outside the church – perhaps the
largest funeral ever held in the village, a fact that bespeaks as nothing else
could, the respect and esteem in which Mrs. Braden was held.

It was a sad sight as the beautiful flower laden casket was borne into the
church by Messrs. E.O. Nelson, Ed Shellhorn, Claude H. Gates, Forrest Branch,
Alvin Smelker and Geo. E. Kart, followed by the bereaved husband supported by
Dr. Granger, the heartbroken father and mother and countless relatives.

The only sister, Mrs. August Schmidt of Morgantown, W.Va., was the only one of
the family not present.  her husband departed for Paris on the same day that
Mrs. Schmidt received the telegram of her sister’s death.  Her husband’s
departure combined with the shock of the sad news was more than her frail
constitution could stand, and it was feared she could not stand the long trip
north.  A sad letter of love and regret was received by the family and she was
with them in spirit during their sad hours of affliction.

The M.E. choir again furnished most appropriate music and Rev. Jones, in
accordance with Mrs. Braden’s request, occupied the pulpit and talked from the
text, “It is I, be not afraid,” portraying the life that is to come, and the
glad day when we shall all meet our loved ones in the beyond.

The floral offerings were almost countless in number and were one of the most
magnificent displays ever seen here, nothing being too rich or beautiful, it
seems for the occasion.  After the closing words of the minister those present
were invited to view for the last time the features of one whom they knew so
well in life, and for an hour the line filed slowly past the bier and out of
doors, many weeping for the life that was so suddenly taken.

After all had passed through the remains were tenderly borne to the hearse and
the procession, the largest ever seen here, slowly wended its way to Lakeside
cemetery, where with mournful regrets and tearful ceremony she was gently laid
to rest.

It is not necessary for us to eulogize upon the life of this splendid character
that has passed from among us; her lifetime spent here has spoken better than
words can describe, and the hundreds who gathered to witness the last sad rites,
is evidence of untold friendship and esteem that …[Transcriber's Note:  Last
word unreadable.]


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/b/braden15949nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 3.5 Kb