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The Wilmore News, August 5, 1932.

MARION RIDGE DIES IN ASHLAND HOSPITAL

Marion Ridge passed away last Friday evening at 8:30 o'clock in the hospital in Ashland, Kan.

Although his death had been expected the news came as a sad shock to the whole community.

Marion had a sunstroke two weeks before his death and had suffered constantly.

He was one of Wilmore's most prominent young men and had a host of friends who loved him for his noble upright character.

Funeral services were conducted from the Christian Church Saturday afternoon with Rev. G. M. Martin of Protection in charge.

Interment was made in the Wilmore cemetery.

OBITUARY

Marion Louis Ridge was born April 10, 1912, on a farm near Rego, Kan. In 1919 he came with his parents to Comanche County to make his home. He lived on a farm four miles east of Wilmore until his death, July 29, 1932. He reached the age of 20 years, three months and 17 days. His father died July 12, 1927. He leaves to mourn his death his mother, Mrs. A. C. Ridge; two sisters, Martha and Mrs. Fay Smith; one brother, Lauren, and a host of pals, friends and relatives.

Marion was loved by everyone in the whole community. Everywhere he went he spread sunshine and gladness, thus making a host of friends wherever he was known. At the age of 12 years he confessed faith in the Savior and remained a true Christian until his death. It is easy for some folks to profess Christ, but so hard for them to live Christ. Marion did both of these things successfully. As a great lover of flowers they seemed to speak of him wherever you see them. Music and poetry too seemed to be always connected with his life. As a school boy he was loved by both his school mates and teachers. He took active interest in all the school activities and his studies, receiving honor grades. He graduated from Wilmore High School in 1931, with a class of 14. He is the first death of the class.

On July 16 he suffered a sunstroke from which he never recovered. Everything that loving hands could do was done to relieve suffering and restore health, but he passed away quietly and peacefully at 8:30 Friday evening. It is hard to give one up who was so young, so loved and so useful, and whose future was so bright and promising. But as followers of the Christ we bow our heads and through our tears we say: "God's will be done."


The Journey

When the veils of night close round us
As a shroud obscures, when footsteps fall away,
Our mortal self restored once more to dust
Receded to that haven of rest at the close of day.

The road through life is arduous and stern
But at sundown we find sweet repose,
The lesson of life each day we must learn
We must pluck the thorns with every rose.

We all are pilgrims journeying along this way,
So let us travail while the sun glows in the sky,
For we tarry, we can tarry but a day;
We must not sit and dream, thinking of days gone by.

There is One who watches o'er us day by day,
An unseen hand which guides us through the night;
Although the path is austere all the way
It leads to a land of omnipotent light.

At the end of this journey we'll behold
The Messiah who shall ever reign.
On a throne garnished with pots of gold
In this land of beginning again.

-- by Marion Ridge


Martha Lavenia (Ridge) Cline, sister of Marion Louis Ridge.

Arthur C. Ridge, father of Marion Louis Ridge.

Clarenda E. (Hayes) Ridge Andrews, mother of Marion Louis Ridge.

Lauren Hayes Ridge, son of Arthur C. and Clara E. Ridge, brother of Marion Louis Ridge.

Samuel A. Ridge, father of Arthur C. Ridge; grandfather of Marion Louis Ridge.


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

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