Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Defendorf, Varona (Williams) June 10, 1895
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Ionia Sentinel - Thursday, 20 June. 1895
                    
                            LAST SAD RITES.
   The Remains of Mrs. Dr. Defendorf Rest Peacefully In Highland Park. 

The funeral services for Mrs. J.J. Defendorf were held from the M. E. church 
last Thursday at 2 o'clock, Rev. D. F. Barnes D. D. officiating in an 
impressive manner in the presence of a large number of sorrowing friends. 
The funeral was the largest held here in some time, every seat in the 
auditorium and many in the gallery being taken. 

The members of Wm. H. Borden post, to number of 40, over 30 ladies of the 
Relief Corps and nearly 60 members of Queen Esther chapter, O.E.S., attended 
the services in a body.

The remains were borne from the house to the church by R. D. Cain, John 
Scott, H. M. Lewis, E. Reusch, Dr. R. Logan, and Dr. L. Joslin. Dr. J. I. 
Buell offered a fervent prayer and the music was by the church choir.

The remarks by Dr. Barnes were feeling and appropriate, and his references 
to the deceased were words of kindness and eloquence. At the conclusion the 
casket was opened after which the remains were conveyed to Highland Park 
cemetery, a large number of carriages joining the sorrowful line.

The flowers were beautiful and included several large floral pieces.

Vernon Williams Defendorf was born March 22, 1854, at Detroit. She is the 
first of a family of 14 - parents and children - to break the family circle. 
She was married Feb. 22, 1876, at Williamston, Mich., to Dr. J.J. Defendorf, 
and they resided at that place until July, 1890, when they removed to 
Saginaw, remaining there until March 1, 1890 when they came to Ionia.

Of this union one son, John L. Defendorf, was born, who died Oct. 14, 1882, 
at the age of five and one-half years.

Deceased was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church Oct. 16, 
1882, and was a devoted and earnest member. Her last words before death 
were, "I know in whom I believe."

Since coming to Ionia, Dr. and Mrs. Defendorf have enjoyed the confidence 
and love of this community and deceased will be missed by all as well as in 
the church, and in the O.E.S. and W. R. C. Her death is a great blow to her 
husband and relatives, and the large attendance at the church was a 
testimonial of the high esteem in which she was held. 

The following relatives were here to attend the funeral of Mrs. Dr. 
Defendorf: Mr. and Mrs. Seth Williams, parents, J.L. Williams, Miss Ethel 
Williams, Mr. and Mrs. M. Herron, and Chas. G. Williams of Williamston; Dr. 
and Mrs. Byron Defendorf of Fowlerville,  Geo. W. Williams and wife, H.N. 
Williams, L.R. Williams and wife and John A. Williams, Detroit, Norman H. 
Williams and wife of Unionville, S.S. Williams, Chicago, G. O. Williams, 
Rockford, Ill., James J. Hammell and wife, Lansing. The gathering consisted 
of father and mother, nine brothers and two sisters.


IONIA SENTINEL - THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1895

The remains of Mrs. Dr. Defendorf were received here yesterday from Chicago. 
Dr. Defendorf left there Monday night. He came by boat and was met at the 
train by many kind friends and all deeply sympathize with him in his great 
affliction. The remains were taken to the house and the funeral services 
will be held from the M.E. church this afternoon, Rev. D. F. Barnes 
officiating. The interment will be in Highland Park cemetery. The services 
will be attended by members of W.H. Borden post and the W.R.C. Dr. and Mrs. 
Defendorf left here Thursday for Chicago, Mrs. Defendorf had started to 
write a letter to her sister, Mrs. Hammell, which she finished after the 
operation, saying the worst was over, and not to worry. The letter was 
received Tuesday morning. She suddenly became worse and at 11 o'clock died 
from the shock. She was 40 years of age and greatly beloved, and was an 
earnest worker in the M.E. church. 

(Page 5) 
The painful news came Tuesday afternoon from James F. Hammell of Lansing 
announcing the death of Mrs. J.J. Defendorf in Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. 
Defendorf left here last week Thursday for Chicago where she went for 
treatment at the Hanneman hospital, and Dr. Defendorf telegraphed the sad 
news to Mr. Hammell, Mrs. Hammell and Mrs. Defendorf being sisters. 

Additional Comments:
Age: 41
Services: Thursday, 13 June, 1895
Highland Park cemetery #11-27


b. March 22, 1854, Detroit
dau. of Seth & Ellen Williams
married 22 Feb., 1876

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