Ronk - Thomas
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 12 June 1896 p 3
Resolutions of Sympathy NEW ROSS, Ind.', June 9, 1896.—Castle Hall, New Ross Lodge, No. 201, lv. of P., P. P.
XXXIII.
WHEREAS, It has been the will of the Supreme Ruler of the universe to remove our beloved brother, Thomas P. Ronk, from our brotherhood. Therefore be it Resolved, That by the death of Bro. Ronk this order has lost a valuable member and a valiant knight, his wife a faithful husband, the children a dutiful and loving father. Resolved, Further, that in the death of our brother this lodge takes upon itself an obligation to aid the bereaved family whenever and wherever they may be in need. He it further Resolved, That in tribute to the memory of our deceased be other this Castle Hall be ottieially draped in mourning for thirty days and a copy of these resolutions be presented to the bereaved family, and that a copy of the same be preserved by the lodge and a copy be sent to the Indiana Pythian and the Crawfordsville Journal for publication. Fraternally submitted. CHAS. E. JOHNSON, AUBREY BOWERS, R. F. KING, Committee.
RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY. God in his providence having removed from our midst our brother, Thos. F. Ronk, we, the Rathbone Sisters of Rosewood Temple, No. 74, deeply deplore the loss and we most sincerely extend to Sister Ronk and family our sympathy in their great affliction. Bro. Ronk was an active, zealous Knight, wise in action, true to his obligation, a devoted husband, an indulgent father. Through weary months the heavy hand of pain was laid upon his frame, and patiently, lovingly' borne, as sent from the divine Father who does not causelessly try any of the pure gold which he would refine. In the language of the holy scripture which saith: "Sorrow not as those who have no hope for our light afflictions here, work for us far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Let us hope that in the golden summer of another life, father, mother and children will be gathered again in a sweet reunion "where partings are known no more forever."
Resolved, That we extend to the bereaved family our deepest sympathy. And be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished the sorrow-stricken family, and a copy be sent for publication in each of the county papers and spread upon the records of our Temple
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 5 June 1896
Thomas F. Ronk was born in Clark Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, Dec. 8, 1853. He spent his early life on the farm and was married to Sophronia Yelton in 1873. He moved to New Ross in 1887, and engaged in the hardware trade with D. M. Turner. After a few years he disconnected his interest in this line and entered the dry goods firm of Morrison, Ronk & Co. He became a member of the Christian Church in 1887 and remained faithful in the cause till death. He was a charter member of New Ross Lodge, No. 294, K. of P., and for a number of years was an efficient officer in that lodge as well as a beloved brother. Last year he went to Battle Creek, Mich., for treatment and received some benefit. May 6 he was taken to Indianapolis to undergo a surgical operation for appendicitis. The operation was performed by L. H. Dunning at St. Vincent’s Hospital. He was rapidly recovering from the result of the operation, but the dread disease tuberculosis ended his life at St. Vincent’s Hospital, May 29, at 10:30 p.m. He was brought to his home the following day.
The funeral was conducted by Rev. L. E. Murray, of Ladoga, at the Christian Church Sunday. Fully one thousand people were at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery where he was laid to rest.
He leaves a wife, six children, two brothers, one sister, a father and mother to mourn their loss. By the death of T. F. Ronk, the church loses an active member, the Knights of Pythias an esteemed brother and the neighborhood an honored citizen.