The Ordway new era., 1919-02-28
Mrs Reuben Downey
Dies at Home Here

after q Dr1e1 ulneBS. on6 tooh stcA
about three weeks ago and while her
condition was quite bad for q few
DAYS she regained strength only to
grow weaker a few days later until
her condition became such as hopes
for her recovery were given up al
most a week prior to her death.
A short funeral service was con-
Quoted at the home at 2 o'clock on
Sunday afternoon, Rev. F. W. PIN
lott. pastor OF the Methodist church,
officiating. That evening the bereav-
ed husband and one son. James q.
Downey. left with the body for the
old home at Mound City. Mo-, whore
interment was to be made, and where
a service was to be held.
Mrs. Downey is survived by her
husband, one daughter and three
sons. The daughter ia residing at
present In Peking. China. where both
she and her husband ere In college
work. The sons are T. Ed. Downey.
James E. Downey and Ernest w.
Downey, all residents Of this city,
and among the best known men OF
this part of the Arkansas valley,
having resided here for a number OF
years and associated with the busi-
ness affairs of the county during that
time. The parents we're also well
known thruout the county, altho not
having actually resided here long,
they have visited here many times
and for considerable lengths OF time
since their sons became residents OF
the community.
Mrs. Reuben Downey's maiden
name was Isabella j. Ward. She
was born January a, 1S47. at Rock
VILE, Ind, and was past 10 years OF
age at her death She moved with
her parents to Illinois when she was
four years of age. She was united
in marriage to Mr.. Reuben Downey
February %, 1866. at Winona, ILL.,.
and lived to pass their golden we'd
ding anniversary. which took place
three years ago, and which was cele-
brated in Ordway. Her death oc-
CURED the day before her SD we'd
ding anniversary, and she was the
recipient of fifty-three beautiful
American Beauty roses few days
I before which had been sent her to
adorn the home on this cherished
anniversary day. She was able to
receive the flowers and admire them
before death came, altho she realiz-
ed that they would become flowers
er than to serve as they had been
intended. and II made the receipt of
I them even more loved and admired.
These roses were sent by a niece.
Miss Lorene Kreider, now OF Wash
ington, D. c., whom Mrs. Downey
reared and educated, and who was
virtually one of the family. She
came from Washington to attend the
funeral services at Mound City.
Mrs. Downey was one of the most
untiring and faitnrul community
workers in this city. She was ac-
tive in church and school affairs up
until her recent illness. and but a
few days before her illness she was
/ reelected as president of the Ladies'
Aid society, of the Christian church.
Her work had always been construc-
tive and her seventy-two years were
| filled with activene,s, and helpful
ness to others. In her former home
community. in Missouri, she was the
leading spirit in all that she associat-
ed herself with. and these things
were many. Since coming to Ordway.
| the same as before, she was affiliated
/ with the Christian church and Sunday
school work, the w. C. T. u, active
in school affairs and at one time was
district organizer for the w. C. T. u.
covering several counties in Missouri.
She was beloved woman and was
always instrumental in making peo-
/ Pile more neighborly and in causing
, the right things to be done when
many times the wrong might have
occurred. Her short residence here
was filed with just such work, altho
her age did not pc, nit of so many
and varied undertakings as in her
I younger life, however, only recently
did she contribute an excellent ar
ticle to the press of this city in which
she made an admirable appeal for
care and tRohghtfplness In Ordway's
school affairs and paid tribute to the
4 youth of this country and made an
appeal for the proPer school facilities
that the boys and girls might be best
guided into stalwars young men and
noble young women and bettef. serve
their country and community. Her
appeal on this occasion will live and
will doubtless have-its effect-on the
affairs of the community's welfare for
years to come. f"s 8 .
/ In the death OF Mrs. Downey Ordi
way loses a valuable woman; one
whose life had been ideal, and should
be a guidance for others. There Is
sadness in death because Of the un-
timely parting of lives which had
been so cemented as those of Mr.. and
! Mrs. Reuben Downey for fiftyathree
years. and with friends innumerable,
but there are pleasant recollections
which make the death only a taking
away until loved ones meet In the
great beyond where there is no part4
ing and where there is no sadness and
life Is eternal.
Mrs. J. H. Grever returned Sunday