Mrs. Martha McMillen, a resident of the Wilmore and Coldwater communities for many years, passed away in the Comanche County Hospital January 1, 1959, after only a brief illness. She had been in remarkably good health until her latest illness.Funeral services were held in the Methodist Christian church in Wilmore Sunday afternoon, January 4, at 2:30 o'clock and were in charge of Rev. Ernest Lawrence, pastor of the Wilmore Baptist church, and Rev. Dean W. Dryden, pastor of the Coldwater Methodist church.
A quartet composed of Walter Smith, Roderick Baker, Mrs. F. H. Moberley and Mrs. Austin Cobb sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," and "Under His Wings," also "Rock of Ages."
The active pallbearers were Valtos Richardson, Weldon Trummel, Myrl Dellinger, Fay Smith, L. A. Atteberry and William Hoofer and the honorary pallbearers were Ord Trummel, Ernest Ferrin, F. H. Moberley, George Kennedy, Alva Trummel, Chris Nielson, C. O. Masterson, and Earl Ferrin. Interment was in the Wilmore cemetery.
Obituary Martha Ellen McMillen, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Rapp, was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, May 15, 1875, and passed on to her rest on January 1, 1959, at the Comanche County Hospital, Coldwater, at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 17 days.
Her mother died at the time of her birth so she was taken into the family of her mother's sister where she spent the first 12 years of her life. Her youth was one of hardship as she made her own way by working at various places and occupations.
She came to Comanche county to work for Ben Pyle near Wilmore. Here she met Felix Martin McMillen to whom she was united in marriage in October, 1900, in Coldwater, Kans.
They lived on their homestead near Wilmore where they raised their family.
She united with the Wilmore Christian church and was always a loyal and faithful member.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1926; a son, Martin B., who died while on active duty with the U. S. Army September 16, 1945, and a daughter, Hazel, on December 13, 1944. She is survived by five daughters: Louisa Kennedy of Greensburg, Kans.; Mary Gill of Fresno, Calif.; Clarice Fry of Wilmore, Alice Atteberry and Flossie Trummel, both of Coldwater; also 19 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and a host of friends.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
This website is being created by Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was created 10 June 2006 and was last updated 10 July 2006.