Alonzo S. Parker, a farmer, died at his home west of Astoria, Saturday, aged 62 years, 11 months and 16 days. Death was due to ulcers of the stomach.
Mr. Parker was born in Wisconsin, August 30, 1861, and came to Illinois with his parents when he was about twenty years of age and settled on a farm near Astoria, where he continued to reside until his death.
The deceased was united in marriage to Miss Mary Skiles of Browning, Aug. 23, 1883, and to this union was born nine children. Those surviving are: Mrs. Margaret Wright of Rushville, William Parker of Prairie City, Mrs. Alma Settles of Rushville, Clyde Parker of Walnut Grove, Faye, at home and Lloyd Parker of Astoria. Deceased are: Nola, Edna and Bert, who died in France, in the service of his country.
While his Christian life has fallen far short of the ideal, he has always been a strong believer of the principles of Christianity. He was converted at the age of 21 and united with the Union Baptist church at Ridgeville and for sometime lived the Christian life, but like many others yielded to the temptations of the world and drifted back into sin. But again in a meeting held at Christain Neck he renewed his covenant with God and was baptized by the Rev. McKee. But again drifted until his last sickness, through the mercies of a loving heavenly Father he was drawn by the cords of love and before his spirit took its flight, he told his loved ones it was all right with him and that Jesus would be present and lead him across.
He was also a member of the M. W. A. lodge of Ray, Ill., and the I. O. O. F. lodge of Roseville, Ill.
For the past several years he has been in failing health and the last five weeks has been in his bed but he bore his suffering with great patience. Everything was done that kind and loving hands could do but the time of his departure was at hand and his spirit took its flight.
He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, who has traveled down life’s journey with him the past 41 years, sharing with him the joys and sorrows of life, six children, twenty grandchildren, one brother, Richard G. Parker of Good Hope, Ill., three sisters, Mrs. Maude Busby of Fort Madison, Ia., Mrs. Susie Bugg of Good Hope, Ill., and Mrs. Nellie Murphy of Canton, Ill., and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the U. B. church Monday at 2:00 o’clock conducted by Rev. W. R. Seitzinger and interment in the Astoria cemetery.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus