MAGETTA (PRATHER) McKINLEY

Mrs. Jos. McKinley Dies Very Suddenly

Mrs. Magettie, wife of Joseph McKinley, a prominent farmer of Woodland township, died Wednesday morning following a brief illness from pneumonia. She had been sick since January with Lagripe which developed into pneumonia.

Her death came as a shock to her many friends as her serious illness was of only a few days duration.

Besides her heart broken husband, she leaves to mourn her death two sons, Aubrey and Clarence, both at home. Also three brothers and three sisters, namely: Upton Prather of Woodland township, William Prather of Schuyler county, Preston Prather, a half brother of Astoria, Mrs. Lincoln Garton, Mrs. John Davis, and Mrs. Samuel Moose of Woodland township and Mrs. F. P. Kays of Astoria township.

The funeral services will be held at Mt. Zion Friday at 10 o'clock. Burial in the Astoria cemetery.

 

Published in the Argus-Search Light on 3/14/1917

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Magetta Prather Obituary

Magetta Prather, daughter of Rezin and Rebecca Prather was born in Fulton County, Ill. September 1st, 1871, departed this life March the 14th, 1917, her age at the time of her departure being 46 years, 6 months and 14 days. Her death occurred at her home, but a little ways from the old homestead where she grew to womanhood, attended school at the old Lookout school house.

Coming of industrious parentage, as she did, she was taught early in life to work and be industrious which principle followed her all through life.

April 17th, 1893 she was united in marriage to Joseph McKinley; to this union were born two sons namely Aubrey Kennith and Clarence Welby. Besides the husband and two sons she leaves to mourn her loss four sisters and two brothers, namely Upton Prather, Mariah Garton, Madella Kays, William Prather, Ella Moose and Anna Davis. She leaves also one half-sister, Mrs. Margaret Kingery of Lincoln, Neb., and one half brother, Preston Prather of Astoria.

About thirty years ago in a great revival conducted by Rev. John Hayes, and Philip Skiles at Motes Chapel, she was converted, baptized and united with the church at that place at which place she has held her membership ever since. She was a true christian woman, ever ready to do what she could to advance the Master's kingdom. She will be missed in the church where she was optimistic in her views and possessed the facility of looking upon the bright side of things; no where will she be missed more than in the home. There she was queen; she was a lover as well as a home-builder, neat and tidy, a place for everything and everything in its right place, was her motto.

The writer of this sketch has often told Mrs. McKinley that she was a fine cook; we are glad we did, and we think that the many that have dined in the McKinley home will agree she possessed the domestic art of cooking that only could be expected by very few if any. From the earthly side it is very sad to see a life so useful and so much needed removed so soon and so sudden. “Now we see through the glass, darkly; now we know in part” but it is only in part.

The master gives us some very beautiful negative descriptions of heaven, the first is that there is no night there; 2nd no death there; 3rd no sickness there; 4th no sin there. “She hath done what she could” like as it was said of one of old “she, being dead, yet speaketh.” Her Christian life and character and deeds of kindness will continue to live in the minds and hearts of those that knew her. Surely the heart-broken husband has the sympathy in his loss of a true companion and the sons in their loss of a kind and loving mother. There is comfort in the thought that we do not mourn as those that have no hope.

Our sister, we miss thee in that beautiful home — we miss thee at church and at prayer; we miss thee as on through this sad world we roam, we shall miss thee everywhere. We weep, for thy love we have cherished; we weep, while Jesus doth save. We weep, yet thy soul hath not perished, but Triumphed o'er death and the grave.

Funeral services were conducted at Motes Chaple Friday at 10 a.m. by Rev. J. B. Miller assisted by the pastor Rev. Stubblefield. Interment in the Astoria Cemetery.

 

Published in the Argus-Search Light on 3/21/1917

 

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