OBIT: Thomas SEXTON, 1909, native of Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Miller
<shabodeho@aol.com> 

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_________________________________________ 

DEATH OF THOMAS SEXTON 
Former Tyrone Young Man Died In Bellefonte

  Friday evening the sad intelligence reached Tyrone that Thomas Sexton 
Esq., son of Peter Sexton, of East Tyrone, died very suddenly in his 
apartments in the Walsh home at Bellefonte.  Mr. Sexton bad not been in 
the best of health for some time, although he attended to business up 
until last Thursday, Dec. 24, when he caught a heavy cold and was 
confined to his bed for several days. He became better and was able to 
go to his hotel for his meals, in fact, he took supper at the hotel on 
Friday evening and went to his rooms where he died within twenty 
minutes afterwards. Pneumonia was the cause of his death.
  Thomas Sexton was an exemplary young man, his life was a model to 
young men and his death has removed a prominent citizen, an earnest 
Christian and a devoted son and brother.  From boyhood, Thomas Sexton 
has been a member of St. Matthew's Catholic church of Tyrone and always 
found it a pleasure as well his duty to attend all services pertaining 
to the church.  He was a member of St. Mary's Council, Knights of 
Columbus, and was one of the organizers of the Bellefonte Council.  
Thomas Sexton was born in Tyrone about 35 years ago.  He received a 
good common school education here, graduating with the highest honors 
from the Tyrone High school.  After he was graduated, he spent a short 
time in St. Mary's and Lock Haven locating permanently in Bellefonte 
about eleven years ago.  He applied himself to the law course under the 
tuition of President Judge Ellis J. Orvis and the late Calvin M. Bower, 
of Bellefonte, and was admitted to the Centre county bar, to practice 
law about ten years ago By his careful, honest, dealings with his 
associates and clients he won the respect and esteem of the citizens of 
Bellefonte and Centre County. The body was brought to Tyrone Saturday 
evening and taken to his father's home on Columbia avenue and Twenty 
second street.

Laid in the Tomb

  Tuesday all that remained mortal of the late Thomas J. Sexton was 
consigned to the tomb.  St. Matthew's Catholic church was filled with 
sorrowing friends of the young barrister whose life has been called 
away so suddenly and as the Rev. Gregory M. Kelly preached many tears 
fell at the side of the bier and many prayers ascended to Him that 
doeth all things well.
  Service began at eleven o'clock with Father G. M. Kelly as celebrant, 
assisted by Rev. Roger O'Donald, of St. John's church, Altoona, as 
deacon and Rev. Jerome McQuillen of Holy Trinity church, Huntingdon, as 
sub-deacon.  Solemn requiem mass was said, after which Father Kelly 
preached a powerful sermon on "The Judgment," bringing in connection 
with his theme the life of the young man who had just passed beyond.  
His tribute was impressive and soul stirring.
  After the sermon, the Knights of Columbus sang "Nearer My God to 
Thee," which was very pretty and appropriate.  The floral tributes were 
beautiful and consisted of a pillow of roses from K. of C. 1218, an 
anchor from the Bellefonte K. of O. and a large casket bouquet from the 
Centre county bar and several other casket bouquets from friends and 
relatives. The casket bearers were Thomas Conahan, John Kellener, 
Edward Miller, John Sharp, Phillip Hagg and William Hanley.  Those 
present from Bellefonte were Judge Ellis L. Orvis, John M. Blanchard, 
William Runkle, John Bower, Lieut. Samuel D. Gottig, James Forst, 
Arthur Kinport, Kline Woodring, Colonel Hugh S. Taylor, J. Kennedy 
Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Yeager, Mrs. A. M. Mott, Miss N. 
Williams, Joseph Ceaders, Harry Fenton, Doctor Joseph Brookerhoff, 
David and William Kelley, Joseph Kelleher, Christ Beezer, Malcolm 
Heinley, James McNicholas, Frank McMahon, John Rowe, Frank Rowe, Harry 
Taylor, Curtin Taylor, John Mignot, Conrad Miller, James Noonan, O. M. 
Parrish, William Zerby, Frank Fishburn, William Doll and Philip Beezer. 
Interment was made in Oak Grove cemetery.

Tyrone Herald, Tyrone, Pa., January 7, 1909