GERKIN, Maud - Putnam

Miss Maud Gerkin, whose illness has been noticed in tis paper, died yesterday at Indianapolis. The remains will be brought here tomorrow for interment. Deceased was a daughter of John Gerkin. The funeral services will take place from the cemetery Wednesday the 3rd. The remains arrive from Indianapolis at 12:37 on the Vandalia and will go direct to the cemetery. Prof. RA Ogg will conduct the services. – kbz

Source: Daily Greencastle Banner & Times 4 July 1895 p 3

Once again has the pale horse and its rider invaded the sacred precincts of the home circle and carried away with him to that bourne from whence no traveler e’er returns, a cherished one of its number. Once more has the pall of the presence of that always unwelcome visitor, death, fallen upon the hearts of those that loved as only the hearts of parent, sister, brother, kindred and friend can love, covering in darkness the fountains of joy, to open and cause to gush forth from the fountains of grief streams of anguish and sorrow. Once again has a voice been hushed in silence, a heart stilled into rest and the sparkle and lustre of the eye dimmed in the glaze of death; and we who still remain behind, marching ever onward, unconscious of the time of our departure, are mute in the presence of this common foe, wishing not to upbraid or censure and unable to welcome or praise. Once again has an immortal spirit, after a brief stay of a few transient years in its house, the fleshly body bid its earthly house a kind and long adieu, to take up its abode among kindred spirits in a beautiful and enduring home to inhabit the house not made with hands, eternal and in the heavens. Thus has another whom God created in his own image been enabled to lay aside the transient for the permanent; to exchange environments not altogether in harmony with its more exalted nature for that in which there can be no conflict. The imperfect has been left behind that the perfect might be enjoyed; and the natural has been put off that the spiritual and hence the eternal might be put on.  We that remain vainly try to pierce the veil hiding from our view the place and the home of the departed. We strain our ears to catch the faintest sounds from that far away land, their home now – and ours, we hope it to be, at the time of our departure – but only to turn away from an unbroken silence. The only views we get and the only sounds we hear of this celestial land are those which the Lord God by His Holy Spirit in revelation hath given.  But they are enough and we who believe are satisfied. To this beautiful, eternal and much to be desired home Miss Maude Ethelyn Gerkin has taken her departure. She made her adieus and departed for this heavenly home at 9:15 o’clock on the morning of July 1st, 1895.  She was born at Cloverdale, Indiana, March 4th, 176 and was at the time of her departure 19 years 3 months 27 days of age.  At an early age she with her parents removed to Greencastle, this state where the major part of her life was spent, she with them coming to Indianapolis in July, 1895. She early in childhood, gave her name to the church and her heart to God and continued a faithful member of the same until she left us for heaven. She placed her certificate of membership in the Mapleton ME Church during March 1894, and remained an active member of it until the time of her translation. Truly was she a young lady of sterling worth.  Perhaps no trait of her character was more prominent than that of her integrity. She was true; she had the courage of her convictions, and unfalteringly stood for that which she believed to be right. No higher compliment can be paid her memory, than that spoken of her by her preceptor, when but a beginner in her school work, who, when examining it, and seeing its excellence for one so young said, “This is like herself, perfect.” As a daughter she was loving and obedient; as a sister, gentle and kind; as a friend loyal and a christian, humble and devoted. Perhaps it can as truly be said of her as of any. “None knew her but to love her.” But, as beautiful as was her life, she has gone. Her place at home and elsewhere is vacant and her voice is hushed into silence. No more shall we greet her bright cheery smiles, and we shall miss her. Yes, she will be missed from her home, from her Sunday School her League, and her church.  Her friends and associates will miss her, and her companions in work will feel her absence keenly.  She has gone and shall no more return to us, but, “Thanks be unto God, Who giveth us the victory through out Lord Jesus Christ,” we may, if faithful, go to her.  Let us emulate her virtues and faithfully follow her as she followed her Lord.”

Source: Greencastle Star Press 6 July 1895 p 1