OBITUARY
Mary Simonton Marshall was born at New Carlisle, Clark
Co., Ohio, on the 12th of August, 1851. She was the daughter of Rev. Hiram
and Elizabeth Simonton. She spent her early life at the place
of her birth, until her marriage to Martin V. Marshall
on the 18th of September 1872. Since their marriage they have lived in
the house where she died. There were born to them five children –
two sons and three daughters – all living except one son, Clayton,
who died October 3, 1883. She has been a consistent and faithful member
of the Christian church since early girlhood, sustaining a membership
in the church at Franklin, Ohio, since her marriage nearly twenty-five
years ago. She was a devoted mother, and reared her children in the path
she had learned so early to walk in. The sickness which caused her death
on January 8, 1897, came upon her about a year ago, and although it caused
her a great deal of distress and suffering she bore it without complaint
to the very last. She was conscious to the last moment, and talked kindly
and lovingly to the family, calling each one by name and saying smilingly,
“Good-bye! Good-bye!” waving her hand after the voice failed.
This community and the church sustain a great loss by her death, and the
family a bereavement which will enlist the sympathy of every true friend
and neighbor. She lived a true Christina life, and when she bade her family
“Good-bye” she joined her many friends and the saints of glory
in that sweethome above where good-byes never come. She is now past all
suffering, and the record she left will tell in the lives of her children
and friends in the years to come. In all her earthly relations, Mrs. Marshall
was most gentle and kind. As a member of the Christina church in Franklin
she will be greatly missed. It is with deep and abiding grief that the
church has lost her presence and counsel. A large concourse of her relatives
and friends gathered at her late home on Sunday January 10, 1897, when
services were held in her memory by Rev. B. F. Clayton,
of the Franklin, Ohio, Christian church.. To her, and to such as she,
“Death is the crown of life.” May the storms of winter blow
gently, and the flowers of summer bloom sweetly, above the place of her
silent resting.