Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-27

Almost without warning the hand
of death was laid on one of Rock Is
lands most prominent women, when
Mrs. Bernard J. Lachner. wife of well
known local physician, passed away at
4 o'clock this morning at the LaChner
residence, 1917 Sixth avenue. Death
was due to a stroke OF apopleXy,
! which she suffered yesterday after
noon. She left home early in
the afternoon, apparently in the
best Of health and spirits. 1t
was necessary for her to hurry to
| catch the street car, and as she started
running she was seized with a dizzy
J spell. She decided to return to her
home. and experienced considerable
difficulty in reaching the residence,
! only short distance away. She was
: assisted upstairs to her bed chamber
! by her maid, and shortly afterward
/ suffered the stroke.
DR.. Lachner was notified of his wife's
illness and hurried home. Realizing
the seriousness of his wife's condi-
! ton DR.. Lachner summoned six local
physicians to the home and a con-
sultation was held. In spite of all
medical aid could do for her she sank
rapidly and at o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon lapsed into Inconsistencies
and remained in that state until the
end came at 4 O'Clock this morning.
The news of her death spread rapid
| ly ;.mong her host of friends in the
tri-cities. causing profound sorrow in
social, church and club circles. Mrs.
Lachner was to have sung this after
noon before the Moline Woman's club,
and the news Of her passing comes as
a severe shock among her friends
there.
Mrs Lachner. formerly Miss Anna
Elizabeth Kelley. was born in Phila-
delphia, Pa, Oct. S, 1873, where she
grew to womanhood She was promi-
nent in social circles there and was a
former contralto solOist in a Philadel-
phia orchestra. She was united in
marriage to DR.. Bernard j. Lachner in
Philadelphia in 1910.
Besides her husband, DR.. Bernard j.
LaChner, she leaves to mourn her
passing, four sisters, Misses Gather
inc, Mary, Agnes Kelley and Mrs.
Francis Mooney, and one brother. JOS
eph Kelley, all of whom reside in
Philadelphia. Funeral arrangements
have been deferred pending the ar
-
Although Mrs. Lachner had resided
in Rock Island but six years, few wOm-
en- were better known or more below ed.
She was prominent socially, as well
as in club and church circles. She
was chairman of the music department
of the Rock Island Woman's club, a
member of the music department of
the Moline Woman's club. president of
the Villa guild and a leading member
of the Rock Island Musical club and
of St Joseph's church. A gifted sing
er and possessor of a beautiful con-
traltc voice, she appeared in numer-
Gus musical recitals in the tri-cities at
various times.
Mrs Lachner possessed a personal
ity that radiated happiness and optim-
ism. In the few years that Rock Is
. land had been her home she had won
a place in the social and civic life of
the community solely by the geniality
Of spirit that springs from the heart
that wishes everyone well. A woman
of innate refinement and culture she
in n hot
vances the artistic side, and her pres
ence in the musical circles of the tri-
cities will be sorely missed. An ar
dent lover of home life. she lived the
attributes of an ideal companion. She
passes in the full bloom Of beauti-
full womanliness that will linger as
a picture of graciousness and chart
tableness as memento of her all too
short stay in a world that needs such
altruistic natures.
She was. indeed, one of the royal
hearted women
who nobly love the noblest, yet have
grace
For needy suffering lives in lowllest
place"
Charity in word and deed was a
marked characteristic of Mrs. Lach-
ner, and like all true charity, hers
was universal in its scope. No good
cause ever appealed to her in vain.
Her time. her energies and her splen-
did voice were always at the service
of God and of her fellow men. Cor
daily and unsparingly She gave of her
best for humanity.
Mother Agnes. the superior at the
villa de Chantal, paid beautiful trib-
ME to Mrs. Lachner this morning when
she said that that institution had lost
one OF its staunchest friends. Mrs
I,acbner had suggested the need of an
fnf1rmary to care for sick pupils at
the Villa and was instrumental in hav-
ing a fund created for that purpose
AS president of the villa guild she de
voted all of ner time and talent to its
advancement and was also ready ant
| anxious to do everything in her power
| 70 advance the interests of the school