OBIT: William M. FIKE, 1914, native of Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Keith Petenbrink.

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Fike, William M.

  Passing away of a former Meyersdale man in California, William M. Fike was 
born at Meyersdale, September 5, 1858, and died in Fresno Co. Cal. February 20, 
1914 at the age of 65 years, 5 months and 15 days. Funeral took place at Rasin 
City, Cal., February 25th. At the age of 21 he moved with his parents to Carroll 
Co. Ill., and one year later he returned to Pennsylvania and married Mary A. 
Walker, after which they returned to Milledgeville, Ill., where they lived until 
twenty-four years ago, when they moved to Rasin City, Cal. To this union were 
born ten children, two of whom have preceded him to the spirit world. He leaves 
to mourn his loss, a devoted wife, four sons and four daughters viz: Mrs. H. A. 
Boose of Sunny Side, Wash., Mrs. H. W. Miller and Ira A. Fike of Waterloo, Ia., 
Wallace W. Fike of Milledgeville, Ill., Mrs. Sadie Scott, Samuel W. and Homer E. 
Fike and Mrs. Grace Hamilton, all of Rasin City. He also leaves an aged mother, 
Caroline Fike of Illinois, one brother, J. S. Fike of North Dakota, and four 
sisters, Mrs. B. J. Rodamar of Waterloo, Iowa, Mrs. Samuel Beachy of Salisbury, 
Pa., Mrs. S. J. Meyers and Mrs. F. B. Turner of Illinois. He also leaves 10 
grandchildren. His father, J. J. Fike, two sisters, Abbie Fike and Mrs. M. W. 
Saylor, and one brother, Elias Fike, preceded him to the world beyond. He and 
his companion united with the Church of the Brethren in the same year that they 
were married, and he served as deacon more than a quarter of a century. He never 
was sick enough for a doctor in his life until his last illness, which sickness 
he bore with exemplary patience. He certainly was a thrifty, industrious, 
economical, prosperous farmer, a first class neighbor, a kind husband and father 
and a pillar in the church, and an out and out Christian, with no uncertain 
sound. May the good spirit fill the vacancy until we all meet again. 


Meyersdale Commercial, Mar. 12, 1914