Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....York, George B. 1907 ************************************************ 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 October 3, 2010, 5:39 pm Lake Odessa Wave, 9 Aug 1907 Yields to the Inevitable George B. York Passes to the Great Beyond Leaves Wife and Two Sons, Charles and Ernest – Life of Stern Reality and Continual Activity – Large Funeral. Mr. George B. York whose serious condition has been mentioned in the Wave from time to time during the past three months, finally succumbed to the inevitable and passed away to the great beyond last week Thursday, his spirit taking flight at 10 a.m. Mr. York and his family and friends had realized for nearly the three months past that his recovery was impossible, yet all bore up valiantly and prepared themselves to meet the summons when it should come. At times it was thought Mr. York could not last more than a day or so longer, yet his strong constitution aided by the constant and best of care by those waiting upon him prolonged his life to an unexpected extent. He remained conscious to the last and not infrequently talked with his family about their business matters advising them what to do after he was gone. His son Charles York who runs a hotel at Wolverine left his business in the care of his wife and son George three months ago and has been with his father almost constantly ever since thus assisting greatly the mother and other son Ernest in giving his father every possible attention. George B. York was born in Monroe County, New York on the 10th of December, 1841 and came with his parents to Livingston County, Michigan when he was about twelve years of age. He enlisted in the army and was mustered into the service at Pontiac, Michigan, August 14, 1862, in Company H, 23rd Michigan Volunteers and remained nearly a year. He left through loss of speech and was in the hospital at Detroit for some time. He married Caroline M. Pierce of Genoa, Livingston County, April 17, 1867, at which place they lived a year and then they came to the township of Danby, this county, where they purchased and built up a good farm living there fourteen years, then moving to Portland where they lived five years. Mr. and Mrs. York came to Lake Odessa in 1888 and have resided here since that time, nineteen years. Three sons were born to them, Charles, Herbert, and Ernest two of whom are living, Herbert having died July 15, 1906. Mr. York has been prominent in the village as president four times and was on the school board twelve years and one of its most useful and devoted members. The tumor which led to his death was first discovered on March 12th it grew rapidly and fatally, baffling all medical skill. The operation only arrested its growth for a time, but he was patient and uncomplaining through its whole dreaded course and prepared for the worst as he felt it gradually coming on. He said again and again recently “Its all well with me” and when he came down to the valley of the shadow of death he feared no evil, but just breathed out his sprit with the ease of one sleeping after a hard day’s toil. “At rest” is a beautiful expression after so much pain and suffering. The funeral was held from the Methodist church Sunday afternoon, Rev. Skentelbury of Watervliet a former pastor for nine years being called to give the funeral address. The funeral was also in charge of the Masonic order about one hundred of the Brethren being present in a body including delegations from Portland and Woodland lodges, also past-masters Von W. Firniss of Nashville and Jesse Rogers of Saranac the latter giving the master’s work both at the church and at the grave. Accompanying the Masonic Brethren were full delegations of thirty or more members from the order of the Eastern Star of which Mrs. York is a member and of about forty members of the G. A. R. post, the three delegations accompanying the remains from the house to the church and from the church to the cemetery, all of which together with the large floral offerings, and the vast throng of people in attendance made the funeral one of the largest every held here. The following members both of the Masonic order and the G. A. R. post were chosen bearers, viz., R. C. Blair, Robt. Musgrove, Martin Cox, George Bradish, S. R. Braden, V. C. Watkins. Rev. Skentelbury took for the foundation of his address, Rev. 7, 9-14, showing how that the way from earth to heaven is clearly shown by revelation as seen in the dream of Jacob’s latter and more clearly so by Christ himself also how this passage of scripture gives us an internal view of the heavenly city with its inhabitants. The sermon entire was one of Mr. Skentelbury’s masterly efforts and we would be pleased to give much more of it had we the time and space. The singing by the young people’s choir was very appropriately selected and well prepared. The remains were laid at rest in the family lot in Lakeside cemetery, a lot selected several years ago, this grave being its first. The lot is pleasantly located by the side of one of the main driveways and close to a handsome evergreen. Among others from out of town in attendance at the funeral were Mrs. Charles York and son George of Wolverine, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Holbrook of St. Johns, Lewis Colby of Fowlerville and Chas. York, a brother, and family from Danby. A sister at Portland also the one at Detroit were detained at home on account of sickness. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/y/york9502nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb