Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Showerman, Orlando VanRenssaelaer December 8, 1919
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com February 12, 2022, 2:17 pm

Lake O. Wave-Times Fri. Dec. 12, 1919

Orlando Van Renssaelaer Showerman, son of Jacob Showerman and Desire Tinkham 
Showerman was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N.Y., Nov. 5, 1838, and entered rest 
at Lake Odessa, Dec. 8, 1919, aged 81 years one month and two days. He came with 
his parents to Michigan at the age of nine months, settling in Sebewa, Ionia Co. 
He passed through the usual thrilling pioneer experiences as a boy and young 
man. He married at Sebewa, Jan. 1, 1861, Miss Emily M. Jewell. Part of his early 
married life was passed in Delaware Co., Ind. 

Of the first union six children were born, Inez and Iva who died in infancy in 
Ionia; Elmer J., now resident of Woodland; Ernest O. of Sunfield; Ellen, Mrs. 
Fred Collier of Sunfield; Myrtle D. resident at the old home. The mother died 
Dec. 2, 1883.

October 5, 1862 Mr. Showerman enlisted in his country's cause as a private in 
co. E., Sixth Mich. Cavalry. He served under General's Kilpatrick, Custer and 
Sheridan and took part in over fifty engagements. In the Shenandoah Valley 
Campaign, Gettysburg and Appomattox. He made the trip over the plain with Custer 
going as far as Wyoming. He was retired in three months after his time expired 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. Nov. 24, 1865.

He loved his flag and his country and always stated his army experience. 

Aug. 3, 1884, Mr. Showerman was married to Mrs. Susan McConnell of Mecosta, 
Mich., who departed this life March 27, 1885. He faced life again alone with his 
four motherless children. He married again, March 7, 1887, Miss Helen W. 
Merrifield. To this union two children, Edna R., Mrs. Geo. Buskie of Woodland 
and H. Ruth. Mrs. Waldo Gerlinger of Sunfield.

They with 11 grandchildren, one great grand child and many relatives and friends 
also survive him.

He moved from the old homestead in Sebewa to Lake Odessa in 1904. He was always 
interested in anything that would promote the welfare of the community and his 
best efforts were lent.

He was a member of the local post G.A.R. and also a member of the M.E. church 
for over 45 years. He loved the church above all, but because of physical 
disability in later years was unable to attend its services.

He was a man of strong convictions and of sterling character. To his children is 
left the memory of a self-denying, loving father. His poor health was borne with 
much fortitude. In his last illness he looked anxiously but patiently for the 
time when he would be Clothed In Immortality, often making the statement, "I 
have good hope."

OUR RESIGNTION BESIDE THE DEAD

"It must be sweet O thou, my dead to be
With hands that folded are free from every task;
Sealed with one soul of the Great Mystery.
The lips that nothing answer, nothing ask
The lifelong struggle ended quite.
The weariness of patience and of pain,
And the eyes closed, to open not again.
On desolate dawn or dreariness of night;
It must be sweet to slumber and forget.
To have the poor tired heart go still at last
Done with all yearning, done with all regret
Doubt, hope, fear, sorrow, all forever past...
Past all the house ? ? ? ? ?
It must be sweet, it must be very sweet,
It must be sweeter still to meet him face to face.

Additional Comments:
East Sebewa cemetery #10-20

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