The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-07-01
RELENTLESS DEATH
INvADES THE HOME OF MIR. II.
II. SHANAFELT.
The wife and Mother Answers the
Summons From Above-A Christ
ian Life Rounded Ont With
Noble Deeds.

ian Life Rounded Ont With
Noble Deeds.
Death stalked forth Wednesday night
and ruthlessly laid its ICY fiugers upon
one Of Cantons bsst known women. An
hour after midnight, Mrs. Martha Shana-
felt, Of No. 5O2 High street, answered. the
summons from on high. During all the
winter and spripg Mrs, Shansfelt suf-
fered with crrel diseate, which finally
triumpned. Skilled physicians exerted
ell their knowledge in an attempt to
battle the life destroying demon, but
without success, and last night, when the
world was wrapped In silent slumber,
the death angel crossed the portals OF the
once happy home, and the spirit Of wits
and mother fed to that other land, where
universal peace holds undisputed sway.
Mrs. Shanafelt was born in Philadel-
phis, on June 8, 1889. During her
early childhood she came with her par
ents, MIR. and Mrs. Hugh Hays, to Ohio
and settled In Greentown. Here the
young girl gained her education, and
after graduating spent several years
teaching in the public school of Green
town. In 1857 the family removed to
Canton, and on October g. 1862 Martha
Hays was united in marriage to Mr.. H.
H. Shanafelt. The couple took up their
home in this city, where they have ever
since lived. To the union was born
two children who DIN their sorrows
with the husband and father, who is left
without the aid and sympathy of a de-
voted helpmeet. The children are: Cap
tain Willis H, Shanafelt, of No. SIC
North Market street, and Mrs. John NJ.
Dapner, of No. 5O2 High street. Two
sisters and one brother survive. They
are Mrs. c. T. Oldheld of No. els
South Market street; Mrs. Charles Myers
of Akron, Ind, and Mr.. Joseph Hays,
of Akron Ohio.
Mrs. Shanafelt was In more respects
than one a truly remarkable woman,
She possessed a genial spirit which drew
to her all with whom she came in con-
tact. There was loving sympathy
between her and those who were weak
and weary. Her constant endeavors to
sorrow, tended to raise her to an exalted
p sne in the eyes of those who garnered
Joy from her endless store Of sunshine ar
hope. She was an humble follower Of
that all-saving Christ who came upon
earth and spread the good doctrine of
peace and good will toward all men, and |
none mora surely tread in the footsteps |
of righteousnes than this woman, now |
cold in death Charity was word en-
craven deeply upon her heart, and in
many a home there will be sadness and |
tears when it is known that this noble
life is ended. In her home life she was
mother, wife and friend No turmoil or
strife of struggling existence could mar
her imperial spirit Even tempered and
serene in the midst of ills and troubles
she leaned upon the strong arm Of an
unconb uerable faith, and defled the powers
of evil with stern and digniflsd equani-
nifty During all her sufferings no one
heard a word of complaint from her lips
''Thy will be done," was constantly in
her mind, and perfect faith in the prom
lses of holy writ was sufficient solsos to
her irnperturbed conscience.
Mrs Shsnsfelt was a staunoh member
of the First NJ. X. church She was
interested in all that pertained to the
,hurch work, aud for many years was
found at her post of duty in the Sunday
school room, where she instillei into the
minds of hundreds of the younger people
a love of God and the beautiful tsnets of
christianity Her work upon this sphere
Is ended She nigh have lived to oou-
tinue her work had it been so willed. AS
It is, a life beautifully rounded out with
praiseworthy deeds of kindness and love,
q at An end, and the cheerful facs and
familiar form will soon be laid low from
the sight of men. She has labored we'll
and now goes to reap just reward in
the realms of rest over the hills beyond
jhe distant dim horizon.