At 11:10 a.m. on last Friday, January 19, 1912, the spirit of Mrs. J. T. Maris passed into the great beyond. Her death was not unexpected, as she had lingered for nearly three days in a semi conscious and very weak condition. For several months she had at times been confined to her room for a few days by ill health, but her constitution seemed so strong and her vitality so great that her condition of health was not considered alarming. Soon after Christmas, however, she was taken sick again, still she insisted that it was nothing unusual and that she would soon be strong. Not until about a week before her death did an alarming condition arise. It then became evident that some vital organ was much affected.

The best of medical attention was given but it was impossible to stay the inroads of disease, which was found to be tuberculous of the liver. She passed away peacefully and apparently without pain. Up to about 24 hours before her death she retained consciousness, but was too weak to talk much after Tuesday. After that time it became evident that life was slowly ebbing away.

Deceased came with her husband and family to this county in 1889. They settled on a claim 3 miles west of this city. They improved the place and continued to live there until about 2 1/2 years ago when they moved to this city. Before moving here they lived for a year in Arkansas. Their state is Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Maris having spent their youthful days near Sylvania, Parke-co.

Four sons, Burton, Oscar, Ralph and Walter, and four daughters, Mrs. Warren P. Morton, Mrs. Ed Price, Mrs. Chas. Mullens and Mrs. Arthur White; also three brothers, James, Ira and Enos Hadley, all of whom live in this county, were present with the husband and a few other relatives during the closing hours. One daughter, Mrs. Grace Newlin, of Loydminister, Canada, could not be present.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., the pastor, Rev. C. E. Brown, being in charge. The sermon subject was, "Acquaintances with Christ the Christian's Strength," 2 Tim. 1:12. The beautiful character, always so Christ-like, the pure and consecrated life of the deceased were cited as an example of the possibilities for good when Christ is in the heart. The church would not hold all of the attendants at the funeral services. The four sons and two nephews, Gurney and Butler Hadley, acted as pall bearers. Interment was made in the Coldwater cemetery. The following obituary has been furnished us:

Elma, second child and eldest daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Hadley, was born near Sylvania, Park-co., Ind., on April 21, 1855 and died at Coldwater, Kans., on Friday, January 19, 1912, aged 56 years, 8 months and 28 days.

On April 23, 1874, at Sylvania, she united in marriage to John T. Maris and to this union were born nine children, 5 girls and 4 boys, who, with her husband, five brothers, three sisters and troops of friends, she leaves to mourn her loss: her father, mother, and seven sisters having preceded her to the land of never ending day.

She had a birthright in the Friends church, but realizing that only the blood that was spilled on Calvary's rugged cross could save from sin, she early in life found peace and forgiveness in its cleansing purity, and during her eventful life she always gloried in the conquests of the Cross, manifesting not only by precept but exemplifying in her daily life as she went here and there, wherever she could be of any use to those afflicted or in trouble, that there was indeed a reality in the Christian religion.

Few homes in the wide range of her acquaintances but have been lit up by her sunny face, and few hearts but have felt impelled to live a better life or to better invest their time so that it would help to make real the dream of the lowly Nasarene. The road was never too long for her tired feet; the fury of the midnight storm was never too threatening, the task too great nor the home to lowly when she heard the call to come. Her earthly house has been dissolved, but her influence will live on, a shining example for the many whom she loved for whom she lived.

Also see:

Earl Hadley, nephew of Elma (Hadley) Maris.

James Hadley, brother of Elma (Hadley) Maris.

Burton W. Maris, son of John T. and Elma (Hadley) Maris.

John T. Maris, husband of Elma (Hadley) Maris.

Myrtle (Maris) Morton, daughter of John T. and Elma (Hadley) Maris.

Anna Vera (Maris) White, daughter of John T. and Elma (Hadley) Maris.

Emma Geraldine White, daughter of Arthur & Anna (Maris) White, grand-daughter of John T. and Elma (Hadley) Maris.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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