Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-06-06
is AT REST
Funeral Service Of Late Edwin X.
Spencer Was Held Friday
Afternoon

Il
Spencer Was Held Friday
Afternoon
There was very large gathering q
the late residence OF Edwin r. Spence
Friday afternoon at 200 o'clock to pay
their last respects to the deceased. Tn,
business places in the city were CLOSED
during the funeral hour and many
business men, old neighbors and friends
were present. Rev. Edrie Collins o.
this city and Rev. J. q. Meese Of st
Louis, Mich, former pastor Of the
Church OF Christ and warm friend ol
the deceased officiated. Mrs. Merl
Rummler and Mr.. w. b. Reed sang
accompanied by Mrs. w. /. Benedict.
A profusion Of beautiful flowers and
floral pieces covered the casket.
The pail bearers were w. l.. Cusser,
III. A. Smith, George w. Moulton,
Frank Hudson, Ii. J. Connell and w.
f. Bricker. The following obituary
written by his daughter, Maude Spenc-
er Foster was read by Rev. Meese.
Edwin r. Spencer was born March
2S, 1852 in Smyrna, Michigan. He
was the youngest Of five children, his
mother having died when he was about
four years of age. His childhood and
boy-hood days were passed upon his
fathers farm and In attending the
Smyrna school. When very young
man he began teaching and held the
position Of school master in different
district schools around Smyrna, Otisco
and Greenville. A short time follow
ing this during which time he enjoyed
the privilege of few months In col
lege, he came 70 Belding, locating here
i'm 1878.
A year later he was married to Miss
Abigail Twadill OF Grattan, who
ever proved devoted, helpful and
loving wife. To them were born two
the little son having passed
away twenty-five years ago.
Many lessons can be drawn from this
good mans life, he was honest and up
right in all his dealings with his fellow
men and always adhered to the truth.
The lines "An honest man Is the noblest
work of God," was the grandest senti-
ment in the beautiful poem, TO him.
To those who knew him best Mr..
Spencer was man OF no small literary
and was familiar with
parts OF nearly ali the English master
pieces and very familiar with the Bible.
Being of Scotch descent he had that
Of purpose and great desire to
win out whenever he felt he was in the
right.
His daughter whom you will gracious
ly pardon for mentioning herself in con-
nection with this obituary, but who
wishes to pay In these poor remarks
but in the best manner that she is
capable last tribute to one OF the very
best OF men and the grandest father 1t
seems TO her who ever lived.
My fathers favorite quotation was
the last stanza Of 'Thanstopis" which
expresses exactly the way he lived and
the way he died.
So live, that when thy summons
comes to join
The innumeIable caravan which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each
shall take
His chamber In the silent halls Of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at
night,
Scourged TO his dungeon, but sustained
and soothed
BY an unfaltering trust, approach thy
grave
Like one who wraps the drapery Of his
couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant
dreams.
Ever kind, encouraging and helpful
toward little children and young people
and tender and respectful to old age.
Not like the flaming rose or the tall
and stately lily both Of which he loved
30 well but like his favorite flower the
morning glory he met each new day in
a bright, joyful and unassuming man.
ner and like the morning glory closed
in late afternoon instead of evening az
1t seems that IL should have been.
He departed this life May 81, 1912 be-
ing at that time 90 years, ! month and
% days old.