Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Chase, Major Frank R. 1928
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net June 26, 2011, 11:50 am

Ionia County News, 27 Dec 1928

Maj. F.R. Chase of Smyrna Dies Unexpectedly

Sudden Call Takes One of County’s Best Known Civil War Veterans

Had Splendid Record

History is Peace and War Always of Finest

Funeral services Wednesday afternoon marked the closing of the page of mortal 
life for Major Frank R. Chase, of Smyrna, one of the best known and most 
beloved Civil War Veterans of Ionia county.  With as wonderful and unselfish a 
record in civilian life as that which distinguished him in the dark days of the 
war, Major Chase had won the respect and affection of an entire county.  
Expressions of regret at his death were to be heard in every portion of the 
county and written or spoken words of condolence came from near and afar to 
those left to mourn his passing.

Call Is Sudden

Death came Friday night to “Smyrna’s Grand Old Man” the call to join his 
comrades “over yonder” coming suddenly.  He had recently been in the Soldier’s 
Home at Grand Rapids for treatment of a minor ailment but there was little fear 
felt for his condition although he was in a weakened state as a result of his 
trouble.  He had gone to the home to attend a meeting of the board of managers 
of the home.  He was advised to stay a while for treatment which he consented 
to do.  He at first expected to return to his home in a few days but his stay 
lasted until December 20 when his daughter Mrs. Dora Sheldon, of Ionia, brought 
him home.

He apparently was doing well and was fighting the weakness like the soldier he 
was.  He was able to partake of hearty meals and improved in appearance 
expressing his feelings as “the best I’ve felt in years.”

It was at about 9 p.m. Sunday evening he started to retire.  He sat down in a 
chair in the bed room, apparently started to rise and then dropped back into 
the chair, dead.  Mrs. Chase, who was with him, summoned a doctor but the long 
fight was over even before medical aid had been called.

Will Print History

The life history of Major Chase was a splendid one and his service in the Army 
of the Republic was a glorious page in it.  Next week an account of his war 
experiences as given by himself to the Belding Banner-News, will be printed in 
this paper.  Lack of space forbids its use this week.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the home 
in Smyrna, with Rev. H. S. Ellis, pastor of the local Congregational church in 
charge, and burial was by the side of his loved ones who have gone before and 
who are at rest in Smyrna cemetery.

Pall bearers at the funeral were Dr. A.B. Penton, of Smyrna; A. M. Eaves, Wm. 
H. Malone, Sumner H. Wilson, Ambrose Spencer and Ed. D. Engemann, of Belding.  
At the grave, just before the flower covered casket was lowered Arthur R. 
Strong, a bugler, sounded “Taps”.

A large concourse of people was present at the cemetery.


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