Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Shepard, Almeda A. March 22, 1925
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 25, 2010, 2:40 pm

The Lake Odessa Wave, Friday, March 27, 1925
Only a few of the earliest settlers of this region still remain to tell the 
story of the long long ago, when they came into the country and felled the 
trees and built homes out of the primeval forests.  The present generation 
listen in silence and wonder at the stories of the wild animals, the traveling 
of many miles on foot for the bare necessities of life, and the burning of the 
splendid timber to clear the land.  Such a one who could tell these 
experiences fell asleep last Sunday afternoon.  Had she lived one week longer 
she would have been ninety years old.

Mrs. Almeda Shepard, mother of William and Daniel Shepard, Mrs. Ellen Johnson 
and Mrs. Cora Anway, came to Odessa Township in 1866 and was a faithful 
Christian mother from early girlhood making the most of her circumstances 
whatever they were.  Mrs. Shepard was a great reader, even in her old age and 
enjoyed discussing what she read, having a wonderful memory.  This was 
remarkable for one who had reached her years and made her an interesting 
person to visit with.  For many years she had been tenderly cared for by her 
daughter, Mrs. Anway and has been ready to “Go Home” for several years.  Death 
was a welcome visitor to her, she believing it to unite her with those gone 
before.

Almeda A. Griswold was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, March 29, 1835.  On 
December 22, 1853 she was united in marriage to Elija L. Shepard and to this 
union five children were born, one dying in infancy.  After their marriage 
they came to Paw Paw, Michigan where they lived until the beginning of the war 
when Mr. Shepard enlisted and Mrs. Shepard returned to the former home in 
Ohio.  After the war they came again to Michigan and purchased a tract of 
land, which was then a wilderness, north and west of the present site of Lake 
Odessa.  They experienced all the hardships of pioneer life and Mrs. Shepard 
lived to see the wilderness transformed into beautiful farms and homes.  Mr. 
Shepard died May 18, 1879, and the boys continued to work the farm and keep 
the home for a number of years.  Fourteen years ago she left the farm and came 
to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Anway, where she lived until 
she “fell asleep in Jesus” on Sunday afternoon March 22, 1925.

Early in life she gave her heart to the Savior and has lived a beautiful 
Christian life these many years.  When the Methodist church was organized at 
Bonanza Corners, both Mr. and Mrs. Shepard identified themselves with the 
organization and at the time of her death Mrs. Shepard was the oldest living 
member.

Of the immediate family there remain four children, Mrs. Ellen Johnson, 
William H., Daniel, and Mrs. Cora Anway, also eleven grandchildren and twelve 
great grandchildren to mourn their loss.

The funeral was held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Cora Anway, Tuesday, 
March 24th.  Her pastor, Rev. F. W. Cramer gave the sermon and Mrs. Ena 
Armstrong and Mrs. Vera McCartney accompanied by Mrs. Mertie Johnson sang 
songs which were favorites of Mrs. Shepard.  Burial was at Lake Side cemetery.

Those from out of town to attend the funeral were Mrs. Lucy Longley of Royal 
Oak, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Mrs. Earl Houghton of Blanchard, Dr. and Mrs. 
B. F. Franklin of Remus, Dr. and Mrs. Bert Shepard and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Currey 
and family of Lowell, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Shepard and family of Owosso and 
Mr. and Mrs. Burton Ernsberger and family of Flint.

Card of Thanks

We wish here by extend our heartfelt thanks to our kind friends for their 
sympathy and help and floral offerings, to the singers and to the minister for 
his comforting words, during the sickness and death of our beloved mother.

Mrs. Cora Anway and daughter Grace
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson and families
Mr. and Mrs. William Shepard and family
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Shepard and family


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